Commercial Finance Options for UK Businesses

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK companies secure commercial finance quickly and responsibly by matching your business with lenders and brokers that specialise in property, development, bridging, asset and working-capital finance. We are an introducer (not a lender) and our free, no‑obligation enquiry is used to match you to the best providers for loans from £10,000 upwards. Submit a Free Eligibility Check to get matched fast: Free Eligibility Check.

What is commercial finance and when does it help?

Commercial finance is a collective term for larger, purpose-built funding solutions for businesses — typically for property, development, bridging, major capital expenditure and bespoke working-capital facilities. Unlike small business overdrafts or consumer loans, commercial finance is structured around business assets, project cash flows and larger ticket sizes.

When it helps: commercial finance is used to acquire or develop commercial premises, fund refurbishment or tenant fit‑outs, bridge short-term funding gaps while awaiting sales or disposals, refinance secured debt, or invest in machinery and expansion that requires significant capital.

Typical funding scenarios

• Purchasing commercial premises or buy-to-let retail/industrial units.
• Development & construction finance for brownfield/fit-out projects.
• Bridging loans for urgent purchases or auction buys.
• Asset and equipment finance for machinery, vehicles or production lines.
• Working capital lines and invoice finance to smooth cash flow.

How Fast Business Loans streamlines your commercial finance search

We simplify the search for commercial funding by acting as an introducer. Our goal is to connect your business with lenders and brokers who can move quickly and understand your sector.

Our simple 4-step process:

1. Quick enquiry: Complete a short online form outlining your business, loan amount and purpose. (Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes.)
2. Smart matching: We use your details to select the most appropriate lenders and brokers from our panel.
3. Warm introductions: Trusted partners contact you directly with options and next steps — usually within hours during business days.
4. Compare & decide: Review offers, ask questions and proceed with the lender/broker that best fits your needs.

Important: submitting an enquiry is not an application. It doesn’t commit you to a loan and does not itself affect your credit score. If you later choose to apply, individual lenders may run credit checks.

Get Quote Now — quick, free and no obligation.

Types of commercial finance we can help you access

Our panel includes brokers and lenders that arrange a wide range of commercial finance options. Below is a practical comparison to help you spot the right solution.

For an accessible, deeper look at commercial property funding and development lending, see our dedicated commercial finance resource on the pillar page: commercial finance.

Sector-specific expertise

We match businesses to partners who specialise in relevant sectors. Examples include:

• Construction & contractors
• Hospitality — hotels, restaurants, pubs
• Manufacturing & engineering
• Healthcare clinics and care homes
• Retail & e-commerce
• Logistics, transport & fleet finance
• Sustainability projects — solar, EV charging, energy-efficiency

Eligibility snapshot – what lenders usually look for

Each lender sets its own criteria, but common factors include:

• Legal business structure and registration details.
• Trading history and annual turnover (often more favourable from 12 months+ trading).
• Profitability or credible cash-flow forecasts for development projects.
• Security/collateral for secured loans (property, machinery).
• Directors’ financial history and credit profile.

Documents to prepare

• Recent management accounts and VAT returns (if applicable).
• Business bank statements (typically 3–6 months).
• Details of assets and outstanding liabilities.
• Project costs, quotes or contractor estimates for development/fit-out funding.
• Business plan and cash-flow projections for larger funding requests.

Pro tip: having basic documents ready before you complete the enquiry speeds up broker assessment and shortens the time to receive offers.

Why use an introducer platform like Fast Business Loans?

Searching for commercial finance alone can be slow and hit-or-miss. Using an introducer saves time and widens your options.

• Speed: We match you with the most relevant lenders/brokers quickly — often resulting in responses within hours.
• Market access: Our panel includes specialist lenders and brokers that you may not easily find yourself.
• Better fit: Partners we choose understand sector nuances and structure deals that align with project cash flows.
• No fee for businesses: Our matching service is free and without obligation — you only engage further if you want to.

DIY lender search vs. introduced matching:

• DIY: Multiple applications, repeated form-filling, longer wait times.
• FBL matching: One short enquiry, targeted introductions, faster comparison.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes.

Case study snapshots

Manufacturer — rapid machinery upgrade

A regional manufacturer needed £750,000 to replace ageing production kit. After a quick enquiry, we matched the company with a broker that arranged asset refinance and equipment finance within three weeks, improving capacity and reducing downtime.

Hospitality — property purchase & fit-out

A growing restaurant group sought £350,000 to buy and refurbish a new site. Our introducer matched them with a lender offering a phased drawdown facility aligned to renovation milestones.

Developer — short-term bridging

A property developer required a short bridging loan to secure an off‑market acquisition. Our partner provided a competitive short-term bridge enabling contract completion at auction.

Costs, rates & responsible borrowing

Rates and fees vary by product, loan size, security and borrower risk profile. Secured commercial mortgages typically offer lower rates than unsecured business loans; bridging and development finance often carry higher costs reflecting speed and risk.

How to assess affordability

• Review monthly repayment impact on cash flow and run stress tests.
• Factor in arrangement fees, valuation fees, and legal costs.
• Ask partners for a full breakdown of costs before committing.
• Consider professional financial or tax advice for complex deals.

Fast Business Loans does not charge businesses for introductions and we do not recommend or endorse specific lenders — our role is to connect you to relevant providers who will supply full cost information and terms.

Commercial finance FAQs

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. We are an introducer that connects UK businesses to lenders and brokers who provide commercial finance directly.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry form is a soft, non‑application step and does not impact business or director credit files. Lenders may run credit checks only if you choose to proceed with an application.

How quickly will I hear from a lender or broker?

Response times vary, but many partners contact matched businesses within hours during business hours. Complex development finance may take longer due to underwriting requirements.

What is the minimum loan size?

Our partners typically arrange loans from around £10,000 upwards. For larger commercial mortgages and development finance, amounts can run into millions.

Do I have to accept any offer once introduced?

No. You are under no obligation to accept offers after being introduced. The decision to apply and proceed is always yours.

How secure is my data?

Your details are shared only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry and handled in line with data protection standards. Completing our enquiry constitutes consent to share your information for matching purposes.

Ready to explore your options?

If your company needs commercial finance from £10,000 and up — whether for property, development, equipment or working capital — start with a simple, free enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can help. Get Quote Now

Disclaimers & transparency

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender; we do not provide regulated financial advice. Our matching service is free to businesses and does not commit you to any product. Lenders and brokers we introduce set their own eligibility, pricing and terms. Submitting an enquiry is not a formal application and does not itself trigger credit checks. Always consider affordability and seek independent financial and tax advice where appropriate. We follow principles of fair, clear and not misleading financial promotions.

1) What is commercial finance and when should a UK business use it?
Commercial finance is purpose-built funding for larger business needs like property, development, bridging and asset purchases, typically used when borrowing £10,000+ for premises, projects or significant equipment.

2) Is Fast Business Loans a lender or a broker?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK businesses with trusted brokers and lenders; we don’t lend or give financial advice.

3) Is the Free Eligibility Check a loan application and will it affect my credit score?
No — it’s an enquiry only and doesn’t impact your credit score; credit checks occur only if you later apply with a lender.

4) What types of commercial finance can you connect me with?
We can match you to providers for commercial mortgages, development finance, bridging loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, and working‑capital or refinance facilities.

5) What loan amounts are available through your partners?
Typical facilities range from around £10,000 to multi‑million‑pound loans depending on product, security and eligibility.

6) How quickly will I hear from a lender or broker, and how fast can funding complete?
Many partners respond within hours on business days, while completion times vary by product (with bridging often the fastest and development finance taking longer).

7) What are the typical eligibility criteria lenders look for?
Lenders usually assess trading history and turnover, profitability or cash‑flow forecasts, available security, and directors’ credit profiles.

8) What documents should I prepare to speed things up?
Have recent management accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, VAT returns (if applicable), asset and liability details, and project costs or cash‑flow projections ready.

9) Do you charge any fees or obligation to proceed, and are your partners regulated?
Our matching service is free and without obligation, and we work with verified UK brokers and lenders who follow FCA guidelines and data‑protection standards.

10) What rates and fees should I expect, and how do I assess affordability?
Costs vary by product, loan size, security and risk (with secured mortgages typically cheapest and bridging/development higher), so request a full breakdown and stress‑test repayments against your cash flow.