What is a commercial finance broker?

A commercial finance broker is a regulated intermediary that searches the lending market on behalf of a business to find the most suitable finance product — whether that is asset finance, a business loan, a commercial mortgage, or invoice finance. Unlike going directly to a bank, a broker compares deals across many lenders simultaneously. Sorbus Finance is an independent whole-of-market broker with access to 100+ UK lenders, and charges no upfront fees — the broker is paid by the lender only on completion.

What is asset finance and how does it work for UK businesses?

Asset finance allows UK businesses to acquire vehicles, machinery, manufacturing equipment, IT hardware, and other business assets without paying the full cost upfront. Instead of a large capital outlay, you make fixed monthly payments over an agreed term — typically 2 to 7 years. Common structures include hire purchase (you own the asset at the end), finance lease (lender owns it; you use it), and operating lease. A broker like Sorbus Finance compares rates across 100+ lenders to find the best deal for your circumstances.

What types of assets can I finance for my business?

Asset finance covers a wide range of business assets including commercial vehicles and vans, HGVs and fleet vehicles, agricultural machinery, construction plant and equipment, manufacturing machinery, catering equipment, medical and dental equipment, IT hardware and software, and renewable energy installations. Most tangible business assets with a useful life of 2 years or more can be financed.

What is the difference between hire purchase and finance lease?

With hire purchase (HP), you pay a series of monthly instalments and own the asset outright at the end of the agreement — it appears on your balance sheet from day one. With a finance lease, the lender retains legal ownership throughout the term; you use the asset and pay rentals, and at the end you can often extend the lease or sell the asset on the lender's behalf. Hire purchase suits businesses that want ownership; finance lease suits those that want to preserve capital and replace assets regularly.

How much can I borrow for a business loan in the UK?

UK business loans are typically available from £5,000 up to £5 million or more, depending on your business turnover, trading history, and creditworthiness. Unsecured business loans (no collateral required) are generally available up to £250,000–£500,000 for well-established businesses. Secured loans against property or assets allow higher borrowing. Sorbus Finance compares products across 100+ lenders to match your business with the right facility and terms.

Can I get asset finance or a business loan with bad credit?

Yes. While a strong credit profile opens the widest range of lenders and best rates, many specialist lenders in the UK consider businesses and directors with adverse credit history — including CCJs, previous defaults, or prior declines. The key factors are trading history, turnover, affordability, and asset quality. A broker can identify lenders most likely to approve your application before a formal search, protecting your credit score from unnecessary hard searches.

What is the difference between asset finance and a business loan?

A business loan provides a lump sum of cash that can be used for any purpose — working capital, stock, growth investment — and is repaid with interest over a set term. Asset finance is structured specifically around a particular asset (e.g. a van or piece of machinery), with the asset itself typically acting as security. Because the lender has a tangible asset to recover if payments are missed, asset finance usually offers lower interest rates than unsecured business loans.

What is invoice finance and how does it help cashflow?

Invoice finance lets a business release cash tied up in unpaid customer invoices — typically up to 90% of the invoice value within 24 hours — rather than waiting 30, 60, or 90 days for customers to pay. There are two main types: invoice factoring (the lender manages your sales ledger and collects payment) and invoice discounting (you retain control of collections). It is especially useful for businesses with seasonal cashflow, long payment terms, or rapid growth.

What documents do I need to apply for business finance?

Lenders typically require: 3–6 months of business bank statements, the last 1–2 years of filed accounts or management accounts, a completed application form with director details, proof of identity and address for all directors, and (for asset finance) a quote or invoice for the asset being purchased. For commercial mortgages, additional documentation such as property details, rental income schedules, and a business plan may be required. A broker guides you through exactly what each lender needs for your specific application.

How long does it take to arrange business finance?

Simple asset finance or small business loans can be approved and funded within 24–48 hours. More complex facilities — commercial mortgages, large structured loans, or cases with adverse credit — typically take 2–6 weeks. Using a broker speeds up the process because we know which lenders are actively lending, what their criteria are, and how to package your application to maximise approval chances and minimise delays.

How does a finance broker get paid?

Sorbus Finance is paid a commission by the lender on successful completion of a finance arrangement — not by the business owner. There are no upfront fees at any stage. This means you receive whole-of-market advice and lender comparison at no direct cost, and our interest is always aligned with finding you the right deal.

What is the Sorbus Finance Business Finance Health Check?

The Business Finance Health Check is a free, proprietary diagnostic tool developed by Sorbus Finance. It assesses your business across four areas: lending readiness, risk and resilience, exit strategy readiness, and financial controls. It takes under 5 minutes and produces an instant scored report — identifying gaps before you approach lenders, and giving you a prioritised action plan. It is completely free, confidential, and carries no obligation.

Do I need to have been trading for a certain length of time to get business finance?

Most mainstream lenders prefer at least 2 years of trading history, but specialist lenders will consider businesses from 6 months or even earlier for certain products — particularly asset finance, where the asset itself provides security. Start-up business loans are available for businesses under 12 months old, though terms may differ. A broker identifies which lenders are suitable for your trading age before any formal applications are made.

AI Infrastructure Finance UK

AI infrastructure projects rarely fit a single funding conversation. A requirement may combine specialist equipment, fit-out, energy works, commercial property, working capital and a delivery timetable. The most useful starting point is a clear project brief rather than assumptions about a particular finance structure.

What can sit within an AI infrastructure project?

Depending on the project, that may include compute and storage equipment, networking, cooling and power systems, data-centre or hosting fit-out, property, land, enabling works and related professional costs. Each element can have a different useful life, security profile and delivery risk, so it should be reviewed on its own facts.

How Sorbus Finance can help

Sorbus Finance is an independent commercial finance broker. We can help you prepare a coherent funding brief and introduce suitable cases to finance providers from our panel. Any structure, availability, terms and decision are considered by finance providers on a case-by-case basis and remain subject to their requirements.

Start with a decision-ready brief

Before approaching the market, bring together the asset list, supplier quotes, project timeline, business plan, operating model, financial information and any property or planning dependencies. Your legal, tax, accounting, technical, valuation, insurance and planning advisers should be involved where relevant.

Context, not a funding promise

The UK’s policy focus on AI growth and data-centre capacity provides useful context for project planning. It is not a Sorbus Finance quote, benchmark or indication that a particular project can be funded. Market conditions and provider requirements change, so source material below is dated context only.

Frequently asked questions

Can AI infrastructure include more than compute equipment?

It can. A project may combine equipment, supporting systems, property, land and delivery costs. Each element needs to be assessed on its own facts.

Does Sorbus Finance lend directly?

No. Sorbus Finance is an independent commercial finance broker. We introduce suitable cases to finance providers from our panel; any decision and terms are made by the provider.

Are finance terms available before a project is reviewed?

No. Availability, terms and security requirements depend on the project, business and provider. They are considered case by case.

AI Infrastructure Finance: a practical guide for UK businesses

What can sit within an AI infrastructure project?

How Sorbus Finance can help

Start with a decision-ready brief

Context, not a funding promise

Independent Broker Notice

References and sources

Frequently asked questions

Specialist guides

GPU and compute equipment finance: questions to resolve first

Data centre and hosting infrastructure finance: structuring the brief

AI infrastructure property and land finance: mapping the dependencies