Commercial Finance

  • Bespoke business loans from £1,000 to £25 million
  • Commercial mortgage specialists
  • Experts in asset finance for vehicles, equipment, and machinery

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Commercial Finance

Commercial finance, also known as business finance, covers a range of products for helping businesses grow.

From commercial mortgages to invoice finance to long-term business loans - commercial finance is a broad term that encompasses many business finance products. 

We break down the various options below, but the core idea of commercial finance remains the same no matter what specific niche it fills - to provide capital to businesses with strong potential

  • Independent, unbiased advice
  • Application support for rapid short-term loan approval
  • Same-day AIP for commercial mortgages and other asset-based secured loans
  • Niche finance support for specific needs, from corporate tax loans to invoice finance
  • Strong, proven relationships with a wide range of financial providers, including high-street banks and private financial institutions that are not accessible by individual customer approach
  • Phone, email, video conference, or face-to-face financial options meetings - whatever suits you

Commercial Finance Success Stories

Cost-Effective Commercial Mortgage for Retail Store
Cost-Effective Commercial Mortgage for Retail Store
Area
London
Capital Raised
£840k
Date
Case Study: Commercial Mortgage Restructuring Yields Savings for Healthcare Business
Commercial Mortgage Restructuring Yields Significant Savings for Healthcare Business
Area
London
Capital Raised
£2m
Date
Large Property Portfolio Remortgage | 18 London BTL Properties Refinanced
London Landlord Remortgages 18 Properties on Same Day
Area
London
Capital Raised
£6.7m
Date

See All Business Finance Case Studies

Why Our Customers Trust Us

With expert guidance, commercial finance can provide an essential, versatile, and cost-effective solution.

business finance rates

Market-Leading Rates

We provide access to market-leading rates for every client, thanks to our relationships with commercial finance lenders across the market.

Award Winning Team

Multi-Award-Winning Team

Our team of commercial finance advisers have years of experience and are qualified to the highest level. We're proud to have numerous customer service awards to our name.

independent advice

Fully Independent

As an independent brokerage, we focus on your best interests when comparing commercial finance options: from costs and terms to speed of service.

To book a free, no-obligation call with an adviser to discuss your options, contact us today.

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Our Experts

Our dedicated commercial finance team have deep industry knowledge and years of experience.

Jon Moffatt

Jonathan Moffatt

Head of Business Finance

Ben Francis

Ben Francis

Finance Executive

James Ellcaott

James Ellacott

Commercial Finance Broker

How We Work

1. Get a Customised Quote

Our commercial finance brokers will get an understanding of your business and your requirements, look at your financial forecasts and accounts, and provide a sense-check on what product(s) will best fit your needs, as well as how much you could borrow, and what the costs and terms could look like.

2. Compare Options

When you’re happy with the proposed solution, we’ll go away and compare options across the market. We’ll often present a range of choices ranging from lowest cost to most flexible, and we’ll talk you through the pros and cons of each if it’s a close decision.

3. Submit Your Application

If you’re happy with the terms we can source, we’ll handle the paperwork and submit your application for you. We’ll handle any issues and questions that may arise from the lender, and we’ll keep chasing your application to ensure funds are released as quickly as possible.

4. Receive Funds

You receive your finance success! We’ll always be here for any ongoing questions or support you require during your loan term. 

Speak to a commercial finance specialist today

Get the funding your business needs to reach its full potential. We’ll guide you through the process and take care of the heavy lifting. 

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Commercial Finance

A Guide

Types of Commercial Finance

Here are 7 of the main types of commercial finance:

1. Commercial Loans

Business loans come in all shapes and sizes, from unsecured startup loans that can represent the few thousand pounds you need to get your idea off the ground, to major asset-secured corporate loans of £25 million for expansion and IPO preparation.

2. Asset Finance

Looking to grow your company by investing in the latest technology? r perhaps you have a need for some specialist machinery? Asset finance represents a range of premium products developed to spread the cost of asset investment, providing you with access to incredible resources without the need to tie up essential working capital.

3. Commercial Mortgages

Growing your business from rented offices to permanent company-owned premises is a major step that will propel your company forward significantly. For commercial mortgages with LTV ratios of up to 80% in some sectors, contact Clifton Private Finance today.

4. Startup Finance

Looking to move into the business arena as a new business owner but need that helping hand? There is a huge spread of financial products tailored for the starting entrepreneur with loans that come with government backing, credit cards with 0% interest for those startup years, and even specific franchise finance for those looking to join an established franchise partner.

5. Short-Term Bridging Finance

Bridging loans offer the perfect short-term answer to seizing opportunities. With rapid decision-making and significant capital available, a bridging loan allows your business to move quickly on potential deals, providing the financing you need to expand without limitation.

6. Cashflow Finance

Invoice finance and merchant cash advances are two of the many products on offer for businesses looking to improve their cash flow. With both secured and unsecured loans and lines of credit available, we can find the financial solution your business needs to continue driving forward.

7. Revolving Credit Finance

Considering a longer-term partnership with a finance company to provide extra resources when you need them? Revolving credit streams offer an ideal backup facility to your other business finance to provide flexibility and purchasing power just where it’s needed.

How Commercial Finance Works

There are a great many lenders and financial institutions out there. While you will have heard of many of them, some names will be new, representing financiers that choose to be selective or those who provide products for niche sectors.

That may be a high-street bank with a well-known and well-deserved reputation, or it may mean looking at those niche institutions with a better understanding of your business sensibilities.

It can seem a daunting process - and for the uninitiated, it certainly can be - but with the right team on your side, what first seems to be lined with impossible hurdles becomes an easily navigated path.

At Clifton Private Finance, we spend all day, every day, negotiating with commercial finance providers to get the best deals for our clients. That means preferential interest rates, a greater understanding of your business proposals, lenders more willing to take riskier propositions, effective and comprehensive analysis of your business finances and forecast, and more.

With us working as your broker, that all-important match with be quickly found and your financial needs covered.

We will help throughout the application process, making sure you understand all the terms right down to the dreaded “small print”, and securing you the commercial finance that’s not just the best on paper, but really, properly, fits your circumstances.

After that, it’s up to you to use that injection of capital in the right way to boost your business - and, eventually, to pay it back, of course!

Who Can Get Commercial Finance?

While not every commercial finance product suits every business owner or director, there’s likely a product that will fit your needs.

At Clifton Private Finance, we work with a variety of clients, from sole traders and those with micro businesses, through to multi-national corporations - we accept applications from individuals, limited companies, SPVs, and offshore structures.

Our team will discuss your business requirements and work hand-in-hand with you to determine the right level of commercial finance that will give your business the financial boost it needs to achieve your objectives.

We are experts in obtaining finance for a huge range of needs, including:

  • Commercial mortgages for property investment
  • Startup finance for small businesses
  • Invoice factoring to bridge the gap for B2B businesses
  • Vehicle asset finance for van purchases, tractor leasing, and a fleet of company cars
  • Equipment finance to obtain the latest hardware and software
  • Merchant cash advance to smooth seasonal business cashflow
  • Asset-secured loans for company expansion
  • Lines of credit for strong ongoing financial liquidity

 

How to Apply For Commercial Finance

Obtaining commercial finance isn’t impossible, but it does need to be taken seriously. If you are looking to get funding for your business then you should make sure you take the time to prepare. Pay special attention to the following 3 criteria:

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1. Your business credit score

If your business credit score isn’t in good standing, it’s worth doing what you can to bring it up. A couple of months of showing positive financial responsibility will do wonders.

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2. Your business or project plan

A solid business plan can make or break many of the commercial finance deals out there. It’s with this document that you present your company, your need for financing, and your ability to repay any loans.

Give it the attention it deserves and the work will pay off.

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3. Understanding the specific commercial finance product you need

Do you have a few hours each day for the next few weeks to research the range of commercial finance and reach an educated conclusion? If so, that’s great - here at Clifton PF we have a library of expert articles that can help you understand the options available to you, giving you everything you need to make the right informed decision.

Our team at Clifton Private Finance is made up of commercial finance specialists who do this every day - it’s our business to get the perfect commercial finance for your business.

Contact us today and we can look at your specific needs and begin a conversation that will get you the funding you are after.

Frequently asked questions

You can find the most common questions asked about commercial finance below. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please email us at commercial@cliftonpf.co.uk

Commercial finance is a type of financing exclusively for use by businesses, but there's a huge variety of uses. Commercial finance refers to property, vehicles, assets, and even funding for the upfront costs of businesses. It's a great source of financing for smaller businesses looking to develop and grow.

Commercial brokers are essential mediators between clients and lenders, they will consult with business owners, analyse their financial records, and reach out to lenders to acquire a loan with the best possible interest rate. Commercial brokers will liaise on several loan types, from properties to vehicles, and more.

When applying for commercial finance, your eligibility for certain loans will depend entirely on a few factors: creditworthiness, financial history, and business performance. It's important for a lender's comfort that you have the financial solidity to pay your commercial loan and a history of paying your debts to demonstrate that the loan will be paid on time.

Suppose your creditworthiness or overall business health suggests you cannot acquire the desired commercial financing. In that case, you'll likely face much larger interest rates to reduce lender comfort or even complete denial.

Commercial finance is an effective way of securing capital, without reducing a business's cash flow. It's primarily focused on specific commercial needs, such as stock, new equipment, or real estate. Unlike the broader term, 'business finance', commercial finance is tied specifically to growth, expenses and acquisition.

When it comes to financing solutions, commercial finance offers an array of products for business owners to choose from, here are some of the primary choices:

Term Loan:

A term loan is a type of loan where a company receives a lump sum to repay over a set term. For example, a company borrows £100,000 to repay monthly for a fixed period of five years. This commercial finance product is useful for smaller businesses that require funding for operational costs, including employee payment and stock inventory.

Asset-based Lending:

Asset-based lending is a loan that is secured against an asset from a business, known as collateral. Should you fail to repay your loan, the lender can then seize the asset to repay the debt accrued. Whilst repaying a loan, the asset linked to the loan itself is still owned by the business, but if you decide to sell the linked asset, you must repay the loan in full.

Invoice financing:

For countless industries, an invoice for a product or service can have delays of up to 90 days, leaving your business short on cash flow which could otherwise be spent on upfront costs and even growth. Invoice finance is a specialised loan for businesses with significant unpaid invoices (accounts receivable) which are then used as collateral by lenders. The lender assumes the debt of the business and therefore will collect the accrued invoices to pay the debt owed, relieving the pressure from the business owner.

Trade finance:

Trade financing is a product which is designed to facilitate international trading, providing capital for upfront international trading costs.

Equipment leasing:

If your business is reliant on equipment to run, be it a computer or a crane, equipment leasing is a cost-effective way of acquiring technology that you might need for the operation of your business. Over time, the business owner completes monthly repayments of the equipment during a specified term, but what happens after the payment period is dependent on your contract terms. 

Lenders can offer a lump sum or balloon payment for the business owner to purchase the equipment, allowing the business to fully own it. Those who only need equipment temporarily, however, can stick to the monthly payments and return the equipment after the lease has ended.

Let us do all the hard work of finding the right product and lender for your circumstances. We secure business finance for applications of all types, and we negotiate competitive lending to meet your needs and timescales.

Jonathan Moffatt
Head of Business Finance

Book a consultation and speak to one of our experts today