Why Use a Broker?
Using a business finance broker is free for you, saves time, and dramatically improves your chances of getting the right funding at competitive rates.
It's Free for You
We're paid by the lender when you successfully receive funding. Our expert service costs you nothing.
The Broker Advantage
Here's what you get when you work with a professional business finance broker.
Free to You
We're paid by the lender, not you. Our service costs you nothing - we only get paid when you successfully receive funding.
Access to 100+ Lenders
Instead of applying to one bank, access our entire network. More options mean better chances of approval and competitive rates.
Save Time
One application, multiple lenders. We do the legwork of finding, comparing, and negotiating with lenders on your behalf.
Expert Matching
We know which lenders suit which businesses. Our expertise matches you with lenders most likely to approve your application.
Protect Your Credit Score
We use soft credit searches to find options before you commit. Only one hard search when you proceed with your chosen offer.
Personal Support
A dedicated broker guides you through the entire process, answering questions and managing the application for you.
Broker vs Going Direct
| Aspect | Using a Broker | Going Direct to Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to You | Free - lender pays us | Free, but limited options |
| Time Investment | Minimal - we do the work | Hours researching & applying |
| Lender Options | 100+ lenders | One bank |
| Expert Advice | Dedicated broker support | Generic bank process |
| Approval Chances | Maximised through matching | One shot |
| Negotiation | We negotiate on your behalf | Take what's offered |
| Credit Impact | Soft search first | Hard search immediately |
Frequently Asked Questions
How are brokers paid?
Lenders pay us a commission when we successfully introduce a customer who takes out finance. This commission is either already factored into the rate, or disclosed to you transparently. You pay nothing extra for using our service.
Will using a broker get me worse rates?
No. In fact, brokers often secure better rates than going direct because we have established relationships with lenders and can negotiate on volume. Our lender access also means we can find competitive options you wouldn't find alone.
What's the catch?
There isn't one. Lenders pay brokers because we bring them qualified, suitable applicants. It's more efficient for them than marketing directly. You benefit from expert guidance at no cost.
Are brokers regulated?
Reputable brokers like Capital Business Loans are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means we must act in your best interests and follow strict conduct rules.
What A Commercial Finance Broker Actually Does
Most UK business owners have used a mortgage broker but have never used a commercial finance broker. Here is exactly what we do — and why it costs you nothing.
Whole-of-market access vs single-lender
Walking into your bank gets you one set of products and one credit policy. If that bank says no, or only offers a small amount at a high rate, that is the end of the conversation. As a whole-of-market broker we have live access to 100+ UK business lenders — high street banks, challenger banks, specialist asset and invoice lenders, merchant cash advance providers and short-term funders. One enquiry, one set of paperwork, multiple offers compared side by side.
Free to the client — paid by the lender
We never charge applicants an upfront or success fee. Our income comes from a commission paid by the lender once your loan completes, and the rate you are offered is the same whether you go direct or through us. The honest version: lenders pay us because we save them time and bring them well-packaged, well-matched cases. You get expert help at no cost; the lender gets a better-quality applicant.
Knowing each lender's appetite
Every lender has a different sweet spot — sector, turnover band, credit profile, product type, deal size, region. Sending the same case to the wrong lender is the single biggest reason for needless declines. Our team speaks with these lenders every day, so we know which one is currently writing business in your sector, who is comfortable with adverse credit, who is fastest on payout and who is offering the keenest rates this week.
Packaging your case properly first time
A scrappy or incomplete application is the second biggest reason for declines. We help you present the deal the way underwriters want to see it — clear summary, the right documents in the right order, sensible explanations for any historic blips, and the funding purpose clearly set out. Cases packaged this way move faster and convert at a much higher rate.
A simple 5-stage process
Most enquiries follow the same path: (1) a short discovery call to understand the business and what the money is for; (2) a quick review of trading and credit profile against lender criteria; (3) we approach the best-fit lenders on your behalf; (4) you receive offers in plain English with the pros and cons explained; (5) we manage the documentation and payout right through to funds in your account. Typical timescale is 24 to 72 hours from enquiry to offer for most unsecured products.
FCA-authorised and accountable
SME Finance Hub is a trading style of Capital Business Loans Limited, an FCA-authorised firm. That means we operate under regulated conduct standards, have to treat customers fairly, and are accountable for the advice we give — even on unregulated commercial lending. It is the same protection a homeowner gets when using a mortgage broker, applied to your business funding.
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FCA Regulated • No Obligation Service • All Costs Disclosed Upfront