by Alison Jobson | Aug 19, 2026
Nearly a fifth of UK commercial property loans are due to mature this year, and for many owners, refinancing in 2026 will look very different to the last time they went through the process.
The latest Bayes Business School review estimates that £33 billion of property loans, roughly 19% of all outstanding commercial real estate debt, will be coming up for refinance this year. This is happening at a time when the lending landscape has shifted.
A different market to refinance into
For years, UK banks were the default source of commercial property finance, but that’s no longer the case. The bank’s market share has fallen from 40% to 36% over the past year, while debt funds (private investment funds that lend directly to businesses, rather than taking deposits like a bank) and other alternative lenders have expanded to fill the gap, growing their share from 12% to 28%.
If you’re a property owner whose loan is due for renewal, this matters. The lender who provided the original finance may not be offering the best (or even a competitive) rate today. More lenders are active in the market, which is good news for choice, but it also means more products, more criteria, and more work to find the right fit.
Why refinancing early makes a difference
With so much debt maturing in the same 12-month window, lenders’ capacity and appetite may shift depending on how the year plays out. Leaving refinancing until close to your loan’s maturity date could mean fewer options, less negotiating power, and less time to deal with unexpected issues such as a valuation coming in lower than hoped, a change in the property’s income, or a lender pulling back from a particular sector.
Looking at your options early gives more room to manoeuvre. It allows time to compare lenders properly, address any figures that might need context (such as a temporary dip in occupancy, a one-off cost, or a change of tenant), and secure terms before the wider wave of refinancing activity puts pressure on rates and lender capacity.
What this means in practice
If your commercial property loan is due to mature in the next 12 to 18 months, it’s worth reviewing your position now rather than waiting for a lender’s renewal letter to land.
Questions worth asking include:
- Is your current lender still competitive, or has the market moved on since you last borrowed?
- Has anything changed in the property’s performance or your own financial position that a new lender would need context on?
- Are there alternative lenders, including debt funds or specialist lenders, who might offer better terms or more flexibility than a traditional bank?
A broker who understands the market can help answer these questions properly and match your situation with lenders who are actively looking to lend in your sector, rather than assuming your existing bank is still the best (or only) option.
Get ahead of the wave
The scale of refinancing due over the next 12 months indicates an active and competitive commercial property lending market. If your loan matures this year, getting ahead of the process gives you the best chance of securing the right terms, rather than reacting under pressure.
If your commercial property loan is coming up for renewal, get in touch with one of our local experts to talk through your options.
This is definitely coming down the track, so get ready!
by Alison Jobson | Aug 6, 2026
Client: Local small business
Facility: £493,500 commercial mortgage
Purpose: Farm purchase
Client background
Our client, a local company that had been trading for about ten years, wanted to buy a 15-acre farm in the Peak District to run the business from. The owner planned to live on the farm with his family and use the move to diversify the business into several new ventures.
His plans included adding a caravan and motorhome micro-site, native-breed beef cattle for local wholesale and direct box sales, seasoned hardwood sales, tree surgery, agricultural contracting including groundworks and drainage, and DIY livery for people bringing their horse on holiday, alongside office and workshop space for the existing business.
Challenge
Finance was hard to secure. A large proportion of the funding was going towards the home itself, which put off most commercial lenders. Also, the existing business alone didn’t generate enough income to meet most lenders’ debt service requirements.
Solution
We reworked the business plan and found a lender prepared to look at the whole picture, including the future earning potential of the additional enterprises the client planned to build on the site.
Outcome
Full funding was secured. The client and his family have now purchased the farm and moved in, with the diversified business underway.
Client testimonial
“Thanks for everything and making our dream come true. The views are fantastic. It was well worth waiting for, and it’s everything we wanted.“
by Alison Jobson | Jul 29, 2026
We’re delighted to share that ASC Finance for Business has been shortlisted for Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) at the NACFB Commercial Broker Awards 2026.
This year’s awards saw a record 430+ entries submitted across 26 categories, a 25% increase on last year, alongside a 16% rise in the number of participating NACFB member firms. Being shortlisted against that level of competition is something we’re genuinely proud of.
The Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) category recognises firms delivering high-impact commercial property finance at scale. A panel of expert judges assessed each submission against clearly defined criteria, including strategic guidance, technical capability, and a clear client-first ethos throughout, with entries anonymised wherever appropriate to keep the process fair.
Being shortlisted reflects the work the whole team puts in day to day, for every client, on every deal, whatever the challenge. Whether that’s a straightforward purchase or a complex refinance, the same care and attention goes into getting it right.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on the afternoon of Friday 11th September 2026.
You can view the full shortlist on the NACFB website.
Thank you to all our clients and introducers for your continued support and trust in ASC. That support and trust make moments like this possible.
by Alison Jobson | Jul 29, 2026
Maintaining cash flow can be a struggle for any business, but accessing finance can be particularly challenging for SMEs. One funding option is invoice finance. Invoice finance, or factoring, enables businesses to access funds by selling their outstanding invoices to a lender for a percentage of their value.
Benefits of invoice finance for SMEs
Improved cash flow: Invoice finance enables businesses to receive a significant portion (typically up to 90%) of the invoice amount upfront, rather than waiting for customers to pay in full. This cash injection can help cover immediate expenses or fund growth opportunities.
Faster access to funds: Rather than waiting for standard payment terms (30, 60, or 90 days), businesses can access funds quickly by selling their outstanding invoices to a finance provider. This rapid access to cash helps small businesses seize time-sensitive opportunities and manage day-to-day operations more effectively.
Reduced working capital constraints: Small businesses often face working capital challenges, particularly when waiting for customers to settle invoices. Invoice finance can ease these constraints by providing quick access to funds tied up in outstanding invoices, enabling the business to meet its short-term obligations.
Flexible funding: Invoice finance is a flexible funding solution that scales with the business. As sales and invoicing volumes increase, so does the availability of funds through this financing method. This adaptability makes it suitable for businesses with fluctuating cash flow needs.
Risk mitigation: Some invoice finance arrangements, such as invoice factoring, offer credit protection. The finance provider may take responsibility for collecting customer payments, thereby reducing the risk of bad debt for the small business.
Focus on core operations: With the burden of managing accounts receivable and chasing payments transferred to the finance provider, small businesses can focus on other core activities, such as product development, marketing and customer service.
No additional debt: Invoice finance isn’t a traditional loan, so small businesses can access working capital without taking on further debt.
Creditworthiness is not solely based on business history: Invoice finance providers often assess the creditworthiness of a business’s customers rather than relying solely on the business’s credit history. This can benefit small businesses with a short operating history or limited credit.
In summary, invoice finance can be a valuable tool for small businesses to improve cash flow, manage working capital effectively, and focus on growth without the constraints of delayed payments. However, it’s essential for businesses to carefully consider the terms and costs of invoice finance and to choose a reputable, transparent finance provider.
At ASC, we work with a wide range of lenders offering invoice finance solutions tailored to small businesses. Whether you’re looking to free up cash tied up in outstanding invoices, manage a period of rapid growth, or simply ease pressure on your cash flow, we can help you find the right facility. Get in touch with your local ASC expert to find out more.
by Alison Jobson | Jul 22, 2026
Acquiring an existing business is an effective way to grow, as you’re buying an established customer base, a proven trading history, and an experienced team rather than building from scratch. However, if you want to finance a business acquisition, the process can be more complex than funding a property purchase or arranging a straightforward business loan, and many buyers underestimate what’s involved.
This guide explains the main funding options to finance a business acquisition, what lenders look for, and how to give your application the best possible chance of success.
Why acquisition finance is different
When you buy a business, you’re not always buying a tangible asset that a lender can take security over. You might be buying goodwill, customer relationships, contracts, or intellectual property. These assets are valuable but harder for a lender to value and recover if things go wrong.
For this reason, lenders assess acquisition finance applications differently. They’ll want to understand the business being acquired as much as the buyer, and the strength of your plan for running and growing it after completion.
The main funding options
Business acquisition loan
The most straightforward option for many buyers is a business acquisition loan. A lender advances a lump sum to fund the purchase, secured against the assets of the business being acquired, your own assets, or both.
When deciding whether to lend, lenders will closely examine the trading history and financial performance of the business you’re buying, as well as your own experience and ability to service the debt.
Bridging finance
Where timing is a factor, for example, if you need to move quickly to secure a deal before another buyer steps in, bridging finance can provide the funds quickly.
Bridging finance is particularly useful in situations where a high street lender has approved finance but can’t move fast enough to meet the deadline. It can bridge the gap, allowing the acquisition to proceed and then be replaced by the longer-term facility.
Asset-based lending
If the business you’re acquiring holds significant assets such as equipment, vehicles, stock, or property, you may be able to borrow against them to fund part or all of the purchase. Asset-based lending can work well alongside other facilities, particularly when the business has a strong asset base but a shorter trading history.
Cash flow or unsecured lending
For smaller acquisitions, or when the buyer has a strong personal and business credit profile, unsecured lending may be available without requiring security. These facilities tend to be for lower amounts and shorter terms, but can be arranged quickly and with minimal complexity.
Seller financing
In some acquisitions, the seller agrees to defer part of the purchase price, effectively lending the buyer a portion of the cost. This reduces the amount of external finance required and can be a sign of the seller’s confidence in the business.
What lenders look for
Whether you’re approaching a high street bank or a specialist lender, most will want to see:
- The last two to three years of accounts for the business being acquired, showing a stable or growing trading position.
- Evidence that the business can service the debt.
- Your own experience and track record, particularly if you’re moving into a new sector.
- A clear plan for the business post-acquisition, including how you’ll manage the transition and maintain or grow revenue.
- Details of any security available, whether that’s business assets, property, or personal assets.
How a broker can help
Acquisition finance is a specialist area of commercial lending. Not all lenders offer it, and those that do have varying preferences for different types of business, sectors, and deal structures.
Working with a commercial finance broker means you’re not limited to the lenders you already have a relationship with. A broker has options to other options and lenders that aren’t available to you directly. They will assess your situation, identify the most suitable lenders for your specific acquisition, and present your application in the way most likely to succeed.
A broker can also help with deals that have a time-sensitive element. They know which lenders can move quickly and how to prepare an application to avoid unnecessary delays, which can be the difference between completing a deal and losing it to another buyer.
A real example
A recent client approached our Hampshire team seeking £350,000 to acquire a business and fund the launch of a new operation alongside it. Their high-street lender had approved finance but couldn’t move in time to meet the acquisition deadline.
We secured a bridging loan on interest-only terms for the first six months, allowing the acquisition to complete on time and giving them the breathing room to refinance when their high street lender’s facility was ready for drawdown. From indicative terms to completion took just three weeks.
Thinking about acquiring a business?
If you’re exploring an acquisition and want to understand your funding options, get in touch with your local ASC expert. The earlier you have that conversation, the better placed you’ll be to move quickly when the right opportunity arises.
