How to secure the right commercial funding to grow, invest, or restructure your business — with insights into the lender panel approach.
Accessing the right commercial finance is one of the most consequential decisions a business will make. The funding you choose shapes your cash flow, your growth trajectory, and ultimately your competitive position. In 2026, with a broad and varied lender market, partnering with a specialist broker who understands the nuances of commercial funding can make the difference between a good deal and a great one.
Commercial finance covers a wide spectrum of facilities, including commercial mortgages for owner-occupied or investment property, business loans for working capital or expansion, asset finance for equipment and vehicles, and refinancing of existing facilities to improve terms or release capital. The right structure depends entirely on what the business is trying to achieve.
Commercial mortgages allow businesses to purchase premises they occupy or to invest in commercial property as an asset class. Lenders typically lend up to 70–75% loan-to-value, with terms ranging from a few years to twenty-five years. The interest rate may be fixed or variable, and the loan is usually secured against the property itself.
For businesses looking to fund growth rather than property, unsecured and secured business loans offer a faster route to capital. Secured loans, backed by assets such as property or equipment, generally attract lower rates and higher amounts, while unsecured facilities prioritise speed and flexibility. Understanding which product fits your cash flow profile is essential to avoiding unnecessary cost.
Refinancing is an often-overlooked lever for established businesses. As circumstances change and the lending market evolves, an existing facility that was competitive when it was arranged may no longer represent best value. A structured review of your current funding, followed by a refinance where appropriate, can reduce monthly costs, release equity, or consolidate multiple facilities into a single, manageable repayment.
At Ascend, we work with an extensive panel of lenders — from high street banks to specialist funders — to source competitive, tailored options for our clients. This panel approach means we are not tied to any single lender's criteria, allowing us to match each business with the funder best suited to its profile, sector, and ambitions. The result is funding that genuinely fits the business rather than the business having to fit the lender.
If your business is planning to grow, invest, or restructure in 2026, the most important first step is to speak to a specialist who can review your position and map out the options. Clear, tailored advice delivered early can save significant cost and complexity further down the line — and ensure your funding supports, rather than constrains, your plans.
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