BuildLoan has formally launched a commercial finance proposition after a pilot programme demonstrated demand from brokers for commercial mortgages, bridging and development funding solutions.
The specialist property finance distributor said the pilot was carried out during the first quarter of the year to test demand, broker engagement and operational processes before a wider market rollout.
The new proposition allows intermediaries to submit commercial mortgage, commercial bridging, commercial development and semi-commercial enquiries through BuildLoan’s specialist lending team.
BuildLoan said the offering has been designed to complement its existing expertise across development finance, bridging loans, renovation finance and self-build lending, providing brokers with access to a broader range of specialist funding solutions.
Feedback gathered during the pilot highlighted demand from brokers for support with commercial property transactions, including owner-occupied premises, investment assets and mixed-use properties.
Raymond Connor, chief executive at BuildLoan, says: “BuildLoan is already the UK’s leading provider of residential mortgages for self build, custom build, renovations and home improvements.
“We have created many unique, exclusive solutions-based mortgage products in our time and we have always prided ourselves on providing certainty and flexibility through unique mortgage solutions. But this is the first time we have ventured into the world of commercial mortgages.
“Following a successful pilot – which saw plenty of demand from specialist brokers for funding for office blocks, business premises and investment properties for business clients – we are now rolling this out on a permanent basis.
“The pilot allowed us to test the proposition in live conditions and make targeted improvements before committing to a full launch. The response from brokers was encouraging, both in terms of enquiry levels and the quality of cases submitted.
“That feedback has helped shape a proposition that is as practical, responsive and suited to the realities of the market as you would expect from BuildLoan. We are now going for a full-scale launch given the success of our pilot. We can do commercial lending, too.”
One transaction completed during the pilot involved a £223,000 facility from Allica Bridging Finance to support the acquisition of a business centre, with funding structured to facilitate renovation works and a long-term investment strategy.
Scott McClymont, BDM at Allica Bridging Finance, adds: “This case highlights how brokers can help clients see the bigger picture with commercial property. By partnering with BuildLoan, we were able to keep the approach practical and get a deal in place that gave the client the confidence and clarity to press on with plans.”
BuildLoan said insights from the pilot led to changes in documentation requirements and underwriting flexibility, with the aim of improving speed and certainty for brokers and borrowers.
Connor said: “Commercial lending often requires a pragmatic and informed approach, particularly where deals fall outside standard models.
“Our intention is to provide brokers with a dependable route for commercial cases that need careful assessment and tailored structuring. Moving from pilot to launch reflects our confidence in the proposition and the demand we are seeing across the market.”
The launch forms part of BuildLoan’s wider strategy to increase its presence across specialist property finance sectors and deepen intermediary relationships.
