Commercial Finance: How Fast Business Loans Matches UK Businesses with the Right Lenders

Quick summary: Commercial finance covers loans and funding for business property, development, equipment, working capital and more. Fast Business Loans does not lend money — we match companies seeking £10,000+ with suitable UK lenders and brokers so you get tailored options quickly, safely and without obligation. Complete a short enquiry to receive a free eligibility check and matched lender shortlist.

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What is commercial finance and who is it for?

Commercial finance means funding used by companies — typically limited companies and incorporated entities — to buy, develop or refinance business assets and property, support expansion, or manage working capital. Common uses include:

• Commercial property acquisition or refinance (buy-to-let, investment, offices, retail units)
• Development and refurbishment funding for projects (staged funding)
• Asset and equipment purchases (machinery, vehicles, specialist plant)
• Invoice finance and revolving cashflow facilities
• Bridging loans for quick, short-term needs

If your business needs £10,000 or more, you’re in the right place to explore options. Not sure what fits? Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes.

Your commercial finance options explained

Commercial mortgages

Used to buy or refinance commercial property. Terms typically 5–25 years. Lenders look at loan-to-value (LTV), business cashflow and the strength of rental income if investment property. Some specialist lenders will consider development potential.

Bridging & development finance

Short-term loans to bridge gaps or fund developments. Bridging is fast (weeks) and suited for time-sensitive purchases; development finance is staged by project milestones and often requires valuations and exit plans.

Asset & equipment finance

Leasing, hire purchase and asset-backed loans let you acquire vehicles, machinery or IT with repayment plans that preserve working capital. Funding can often cover new and used equipment.

Invoice & cashflow facilities

Invoice discounting and factoring unlock cash tied in unpaid invoices. Revolving credit facilities and business loans support seasonal peaks or short-term gaps.

Specialist facilities

Fit-out finance, sustainability loans (solar, EV chargers), franchise funding and refinancing solutions. Specialist lenders tailor terms for risk, sector and project type.

Want a tailored lender shortlist? Get Quote Now

How Fast Business Loans simplifies commercial funding

We act as an introducer that quickly connects your enquiry with lenders and brokers who specialise in your type of project and sector. Our typical process:

1. Complete a short enquiry: basic business details, funding purpose and amount — takes around 2 minutes. No hard credit check at this stage.
2. We match you: your details are matched to a panel of vetted lenders and brokers with relevant experience.
3. Receive indicative offers: brokers/lenders contact you with indicative terms or to request further documents.
4. Compare and decide: evaluate offers, proceed with the provider that best fits your needs. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.

We do not provide financial advice or lend money ourselves — our value is speed, sector matching and saving you time. Start your free eligibility check.

Eligibility checklist: are you ready to apply?

Before you submit an enquiry, check the common criteria lenders ask for:

• Trading entity: limited company, LLP or incorporated group (not sole traders)
• Minimum funding requirement: typically £10,000 and above
• Turnover and profitability: recent accounts and management accounts
• Security available: property, equipment, personal guarantees (varies by lender)
• Sector: some lenders specialise in property developers, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, etc.
• Credit history: adverse credit may still be acceptable to specialist lenders but will affect pricing

Not sure if you meet the criteria? Request a free broker assessment — no obligation.

What information lenders typically need

Preparing the right documents speeds the process. Typical requirements:

Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee approval — lenders assess each case against their own criteria.

Why use a commercial finance broker network?

Working with a broker network brings advantages:

• Access to a broader panel: more options than approaching one bank directly.
• Faster matching: brokers know which lenders specialise in certain sectors or risk profiles.
• Better chances of approval: the right match reduces the number of rejections and protects your credit file.
• Support through documentation: brokers guide you on information lenders need and can speed up underwriting.

Fast Business Loans introduces you to these specialists so you can compare real offers quickly. Compare UK commercial lenders now.

Sectors we commonly support with commercial finance

We match businesses across many industries where commercial finance is used, including:

• Construction & developers (project and bridging finance)
• Hospitality & leisure (refurbishments, seasonal cashflow)
• Retail & e‑commerce (fit-out, store acquisition)
• Manufacturing & engineering (asset and machinery finance)
• Logistics & transport (fleet and warehouse funding)
• Healthcare & care homes (equipment and premises finance)
• Sustainability projects (solar, EV charging, energy efficiency)

If your sector isn’t listed, we likely still have partners who can help — start your enquiry.

Cost considerations & responsible borrowing

Typical costs to consider:

• Interest rates and arrangement margins — vary by lender, deal size and credit risk
• Arrangement fees, valuation and legal costs — often paid up front or added to the loan
• Broker fees — some brokers charge a fee; any fees should be disclosed before you proceed
• Early repayment charges or exit fees on certain facilities

Fast Business Loans is free to use and transparent about how we operate. We do not charge you for introductions — any fees from brokers or lenders will be clearly communicated by them. Always review terms carefully and consider independent financial advice if unsure.

Case snapshot: from enquiry to funding

Example (anonymised): A regional property developer needed £750,000 development finance to convert a former retail unit into offices. After submitting a short enquiry, Fast Business Loans matched the developer with two specialist development lenders. Within 10 days the developer had indicative terms from both lenders; they selected one with staged draws that matched their build schedule and completed in 12 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fast Business Loans a lender or a broker?

Fast Business Loans is an introducer platform that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We don’t lend money or provide regulated financial advice.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting an initial enquiry does not perform a hard credit search. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you choose to progress an application.

What loan sizes are available?

Our partners typically support commercial finance from around £10,000 upwards into the millions, depending on the product and lender criteria.

How quickly can commercial finance complete?

Timescales vary: bridging loans can complete in a few weeks; development and commercial mortgages often take 6–12 weeks or longer depending on complexity and legal requirements.

Do you support businesses with adverse credit?

Yes — some specialist lenders accept adverse credit or complex credit histories, though terms and pricing will reflect risk.

What happens if I don’t like the offers I receive?

There’s no obligation to accept any offer. You can request further matches, seek alternative terms, or decide not to proceed.

Start your commercial finance enquiry

Ready to explore funding options? Fast Business Loans will match your business with lenders and brokers who understand your sector and needs. It’s free, secure and obligation-free.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Important disclaimer: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. We do not provide financial advice. Eligibility and approval are subject to the lender’s criteria. Your details are handled securely and shared only with relevant finance partners to match you with potential lenders or brokers. For more on commercial lending types, see our commercial finance resource: commercial finance.

– What is Fast Business Loans and are you a lender?
Fast Business Loans is a UK introducer that matches your commercial finance needs with vetted lenders and brokers, and we don’t lend money or give financial advice.

– How much does it cost to use your service?
Our matching service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed with any offer.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
Completing the quick eligibility enquiry doesn’t trigger a hard credit search, and any checks occur later only if you choose to proceed with a lender.

– What types of business finance can you help me find?
We help you compare commercial mortgages, bridging and development finance, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, revolving cashflow facilities, and specialist options like fit‑out or sustainability loans.

– What loan amounts and terms are available?
Our partners typically fund from around £10,000 up to several million with terms ranging from short‑term bridging to 5–25‑year commercial mortgages, depending on the lender and deal.

– How quickly can I get funding?
Indicative terms can arrive quickly and, once accepted, bridging loans can complete in weeks while development finance and commercial mortgages often take 6–12 weeks or more depending on complexity.

– Who is eligible to apply?
UK limited companies, LLPs and incorporated entities seeking £10,000+ can enquire, with sector, security and credit profile assessed by each lender (commercial finance is typically not available to sole traders).

– Can you help start-ups or businesses with adverse credit?
Yes—many specialist lenders on our panel consider start‑ups and businesses with adverse credit, although pricing and requirements may be tighter.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Lenders commonly request recent accounts and managements, bank statements, ownership details and forecasts, plus asset‑specific items such as valuations, cost schedules, equipment invoices or debtor ledgers.

– Do I need security or a personal guarantee?
Security and personal guarantees vary by product, but lenders may require property or asset security and director guarantees, especially for higher‑risk or larger facilities.