Commercial Finance: Fast, Fair & Tailored for UK Businesses

Summary: Commercial finance covers lending and funding solutions for companies needing capital for property, development, equipment, working capital or refinancing. Fast Business Loans does not lend directly — we connect UK limited companies and SMEs (loans from about £10,000 upwards) to the most suitable brokers and lenders. Use our free, no‑obligation eligibility check to get matched quickly and compare tailored quotes without impacting your credit score. Get Started – Free Eligibility Check

What is commercial finance?

Commercial finance defined

Commercial finance describes borrowing and funding arrangements specifically designed for businesses rather than personal lending. It includes secured and unsecured loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, commercial mortgages, bridging and development facilities, and refinancing solutions. These products help companies buy property and plant, fund growth projects, manage cashflow and restructure debt.

Who uses commercial finance in the UK?

• SMEs seeking working capital to cover payroll, suppliers or seasonal spikes
• Property owners and developers funding purchases, refurbishments or new builds
• Manufacturers and contractors buying machinery or vehicles
• Hospitality and retail businesses investing in refurbishments or fit‑outs
• Businesses refinancing existing debt to lower monthly costs or extend terms

Need a fast match? Get Your Commercial Finance Match Now — our quick form takes under two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.

How Fast Business Loans supports your commercial finance journey

We are an introducer, not a lender

Fast Business Loans connects businesses with a panel of brokers and lenders. We do not provide finance directly and we do not give regulated financial advice. Our role is to gather a few details from you and match your case with partners who specialise in your sector and finance type. The service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed once you’re matched.

Our 4‑step matching process

1. Enquiry — you complete a short online form (under 2 minutes).
2. Match — we select brokers and lenders who fit your requirements and sector.
3. Response — partners contact you with advice, indicative terms or a quote.
4. Decide — you compare offers and proceed directly with the chosen provider.

Typical turnaround: initial contact within hours; indicative offers in days; completions vary by product.

Dedicated support for UK sectors

We match businesses across many industries including construction, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics and sustainability projects. Find sector‑specific help on our Industries We Support page.

Start Your Commercial Finance Enquiry — it takes less than 2 minutes.

Types of commercial finance we can help you access

Below are common commercial finance types our partners offer. Use the links to read more about each area.

Commercial mortgages & property loans

Longer‑term finance for buying or refinancing business premises and investment property. Typical loan sizes: £50k–£5m+; terms often 5–25 years; security usually charge on property.

Development & bridging finance

Short‑term funding to bridge gaps or fund property development. Useful for transactions needing a rapid drawdown. Typical durations: days to 12 months; loan to value and exit plan are key.

Working capital & cashflow loans

Unsecured or secured loans to manage day‑to‑day cashflow, stock or payroll. Typical sizes from £10,000 upwards with flexible terms.

Asset & equipment finance

Finance to acquire machinery, vehicles or technology, including hire purchase and leasing. See more on Asset Finance.

Invoice finance & factoring

Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices to improve liquidity. Learn more on our Invoice Finance page.

Refinance & debt restructuring

Consolidate or refinance to reduce monthly costs, extend terms or release equity. Typical sizes vary widely by lender and security.

Eligibility, documents & costs — what to expect

Basic eligibility criteria

• UK-registered limited company or corporate borrower
• Financing needs from around £10,000 and above
• Trading history required for some products (varies by lender)
• Credit profile assessed on a case‑by‑case basis

Documents lenders commonly request

Fees, interest & transparency

Rates and fees vary by lender, product and risk profile. Typical cost drivers include term, security, borrower credit history and sector. Fast Business Loans does not charge business owners for introductions; some brokers or lenders may charge arrangement fees — these should be disclosed up front by the provider. Always ask for a representative example of total cost before you commit.

Request Your Bespoke Quote when you have documents ready.

Step‑by‑step: from initial enquiry to funds received

1. Submit the enquiry form — we collect basic business and funding details.
2. Match with suitable broker(s) or lender(s).
3. Initial consultation — partner requests documents and clarifies needs.
4. Indicative offer & underwriting — lender assesses risk and terms.
5. Legal checks and documentation — solicitors and valuations where required.
6. Completion & funds release.

Typical timescales: bridging or small working capital can complete in 48 hours–2 weeks; commercial mortgages and development facilities are usually several weeks to a few months depending on complexity.

Real‑world scenarios (anonymised)

Get a No‑Obligation Call Back to discuss a scenario like yours.

Risk management & responsible borrowing

Questions to ask before you commit

• What is the total cost (interest + fees) over the term?
• What security is required and what are the implications?
• Are there early repayment penalties?
• What happens if business performance weakens?

Mitigating risks

Plan cashflow conservatively, stress‑test for rate rises, maintain contingency lines and ensure there is a clear exit strategy for short‑term facilities. Ask your broker about protection options and scenarios lenders will underwrite.

For impartial guidance on business finance options, government schemes and market context, see the British Business Bank’s business finance guidance (external link, nofollow noopener): British Business Bank.

Alternatives & complementary funding options

• Government-backed loans and advice schemes
• Grants for specific projects (research, sustainability)
• Equity finance for growth-stage businesses
• Peer-to-peer and marketplace lenders for specialist cases

We can introduce you to partners who cover many of these routes.

Why work with Fast Business Loans?

Searching and comparing lenders yourself is time-consuming. Fast Business Loans saves time by shortlisting lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and finance type, increasing the chance of a suitable offer. Our service is free, no obligation and your enquiry does not affect your credit score. We only share your details with selected partners relevant to your case.

Learn more about our role and detailed options on our /commercial-finance page.

FAQs on commercial finance

How quickly can commercial finance be arranged?

Speed depends on product and complexity. Simple working capital or invoice finance can be completed rapidly — sometimes within 48–72 hours if paperwork is in order. Property or development finance normally takes several weeks to complete because of valuations, surveys and legal processes.

Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry form does not create a credit search. Brokers or lenders may run their own credit checks later if you progress to an application; they should explain when and why they will do so.

What security do lenders usually require?

Security depends on the facility. Property loans typically take a charge against the property; asset finance often uses the financed asset as security; unsecured working capital is available but at higher cost. Each lender’s appetite differs and will influence pricing.

How does bridging differ from a commercial mortgage?

Bridging is short-term, higher-cost finance used to close deals quickly or cover a short funding gap. Commercial mortgages are longer-term loans with lower rates and longer repayment schedules; they require more detailed underwriting and legal work.

Is there a cost to use Fast Business Loans?

No. Our introducer service is free for businesses. Any fees or costs come from the lender or broker and should be disclosed during the process.

Still have questions? Request a Free Eligibility Check.

Next steps — get started today

Ready to explore commercial finance options? Complete our short enquiry form and we’ll match you to brokers and lenders who can provide tailored quotes. It takes under two minutes, does not affect your credit score and carries no obligation.

Get Quote Now

Compliance note: Fast Business Loans is an introducer platform — we are not a lender and we do not provide financial advice. Finance arrangements are made between you and the lender or broker you choose. Always review terms, fees and risks before committing. Enquiries do not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out checks later if you proceed.

– Q: What is commercial finance and how can it help my UK business?
A: Commercial finance covers business funding such as commercial mortgages, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, bridging and working capital to buy assets, manage cashflow, grow or refinance.

– Q: How quickly can commercial finance be arranged?
A: Some working capital, invoice or bridging solutions can complete in 48–72 hours once documents are supplied, while property and development finance typically takes several weeks due to valuations and legal checks.

– Q: Will submitting the enquiry form affect my credit score?
A: No—our free eligibility enquiry is not a loan application and doesn’t impact your credit score; lenders or brokers may run checks later only if you decide to proceed.

– Q: Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
A: No, we’re an introducer that matches UK businesses with suitable lenders and brokers so you can compare free, no‑obligation quotes.

– Q: What loan amounts and terms are available?
A: Our partners typically fund from about £10,000 up to £5m+ with terms ranging from months for working capital and bridging to 5–25 years for commercial mortgages.

– Q: What information and documents will lenders ask for?
A: Expect recent management accounts, 3–12 months of bank statements, ID and company documents, cashflow forecasts or a business plan, and any relevant asset or property valuations.

– Q: What security is usually required for business finance?
A: Security depends on the product—property loans take a charge on the property, asset finance secures against the asset, and unsecured working capital may be available at higher cost.

– Q: Who is eligible to use Fast Business Loans?
A: UK‑registered limited companies and SMEs seeking around £10,000 or more can enquire, with trading history and credit profile assessed case‑by‑case by lenders.

– Q: Does it cost anything to use Fast Business Loans?
A: No—the service is free for business owners, though lenders or brokers may charge arrangement fees that should be disclosed upfront.

– Q: What is the step‑by‑step process from enquiry to funds?
A: Complete a 2‑minute form, get matched to suitable partners, discuss terms and provide documents, receive indicative offers and underwriting, then complete legal checks before funds are released.