Why use a business finance broker?

When a broker adds the most value

• Your bank has said no, or is taking too long.
• You need specialist finance: invoice, asset or trade finance, or a merchant cash advance.
• The deal needs structuring: mixed security, more than one lender, or staged drawdowns.
• You want to compare several lenders before committing.

When you might not need one

If you are an established business with a straightforward need and a good relationship with your bank, going direct can be quick and may cost less. We’re happy to tell you if that’s the case.

The downsides to weigh up

• A broker may be paid commission by the lender, which can be reflected in the price you pay, and may also charge a fee.
• No broker works with every lender. Ask which lenders they use and why they recommend one over another.
• Your details will be shared with the lenders you apply to, who will usually run credit searches.

Questions to ask any broker

• How are you paid on this deal, how much, and by whom?
• Which lenders will you approach, and do any of them pay you more than others?
• Will I need to give a personal guarantee or security?
• Are you authorised by the FCA, and does that matter for this type of finance?

Our answer to the last one: we are not authorised or regulated by the FCA, and we only arrange unregulated finance for limited companies, LLPs and partnerships of four or more partners.