An independent commercial finance broker in Chester, helping UK businesses find and secure the right funding.
Whole of market300+ UK lenders searched
Broker in your cornerOne point of contact
No obligationFree to enquire
What we do
We are a whole-of-market commercial finance broker based in Chester. We compare finance from a panel of 300+ lenders and arrange business loans, cash flow, invoice, asset, tax and acquisition finance for businesses across the UK. We are a credit broker, not a lender.
We don't lend money ourselves and we don't make lending decisions. Our job is to understand your business and what the funding is for, work out which types of finance fit, and approach the lenders most likely to say yes on sensible terms. We then manage the application with you through to completion.
Our lender panel
Our panel of more than 300 lenders runs from high street banks to specialist and alternative funders, including asset finance houses, invoice finance providers and revenue-based lenders. Because we are independent, we can put different types of finance side by side rather than steering you to one lender's products.
Who we help
We work with limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and sole traders across the UK, from start-ups to established firms. Much of our work is with professional practices such as accountants, solicitors and dental practices, and with sectors like hospitality, construction, retail and agriculture.
Simon Palmer, Director
Simon works with UK SMEs and professional practices to structure commercial finance across working capital, acquisitions, asset finance, tax funding and specialist lending requirements. He reviews the guides on this site that explain how lenders assess applications, how different types of finance work and how to prepare for borrowing.
How we are paid
It is free to talk to us and there is no obligation.
We may charge you a fee for our services and, in addition, the lender we introduce you to will typically pay us a commission, either as a fixed fee or as a percentage of the amount you borrow.
Lenders may pay commission at different rates and, for certain lenders, the level of commission may influence the interest rate or other pricing applicable to the finance agreement.
Our recommendation as a broker is not affected by whether or not a lender pays us commission.
If you would like further information about any commission paid to us by a lender, including the amount, please ask us in writing.
Where a client fee, broker fee, appraisal fee or commitment fee applies, this will be disclosed separately before you proceed.
How we work
Discuss your requirement
A short conversation about your business, the amount and what it's for.
Assess the options
We work out which types of finance and which lenders fit your situation.
Approach suitable lenders
We present your case to the lenders on our panel most likely to help.
Review terms together
We explain the offers side by side so you can choose, with no obligation.
Through to completion
The lender underwrites and decides; we manage the paperwork until funds are released.
Smart Funding Solutions Limited is an Appointed Representative of White Rose Finance Group Ltd, which is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Full regulatory details are at the foot of every page.
Industry memberships
We are members of the NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) and FIBA (Finance & Insurance Brokers Association).
Based in Chester
Smart Funding Solutions Limited, company number 13930483. Coworkz Business Centre, Office 37 Main Office, Minerva Avenue, Chester West Employment Park, Chester, CH1 4QL. Call 01244 267694, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
What a commercial finance broker does
A commercial finance broker is an intermediary between a business that needs funding and the lenders that provide it. Instead of you applying to one bank at a time, the broker works out which types of finance fit what the money is for, finds the lenders whose criteria suit your business and presents your case to them. The lender still assesses the application, decides whether to lend and sets the rate and terms.
How Smart Funding Solutions works
We are whole of market: we search a panel of 300+ lenders, from high street banks to specialist and alternative funders, for business finance from £10,000 to £20 million. There is nothing to pay upfront, and any fees depend on the lender and the type of finance. We approach the lenders most likely to suit your case, set their offers side by side and manage the paperwork through to completion.
How brokers are paid
Commercial finance brokers are usually paid a commission by the lender, a fee from the client, or both. Our own arrangements are set out in full under How we are paid above.
Regulation
Smart Funding Solutions is a trading style of Smart Funding Solutions Limited (FRN: 972740) who are Appointed Representatives of White Rose Finance Group Ltd (FRN: 630772) who are directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are a credit broker, not a lender. Finance of £25,000 or less for sole traders and small partnerships can be regulated consumer credit. We will tell you at the outset if that applies to your business.
When to use a broker, and when to go direct
Going direct can make sense when you already know which lender and product you want, or your own bank has offered terms you are happy with. A broker earns its place when you want to compare different types of finance, have been declined before, work in a sector some lenders avoid, need to move quickly, or are raising a larger or more complex facility. Our guide to using a business loan broker covers the choice in more detail.
Several lenders focused on the previous year's numbers. We focused on what had changed.
Declined elsewhere · Manufacturing and engineering
Read the transaction
What our clients say
I’d like to say a big thank you to Simon and the team for successfully assisting with the sourcing and placing of our most recent funding. Simon was able to secure a lend when others appeared to have run out of appetite to place business or source viable options. I would highly recommend Simon should you need to raise capital or finance for your business needs.
I manage the VFO department at an accountancy practice and contacted Simon on behalf of a client whose unique situation made him appear unsuitable for finance. I had a chat with Simon and he got straight onto the case and found a fantastic finance deal which allows my client to take his business to the next level. Finance that appeared unattainable was sorted within a short period of time.
Simon has raised a large level of funds for me on numerous occasions to assist me in the growth of my business through acquisition. He has never let me down when many others have, and I’m always amazed how he comes up with funding so quickly and efficiently.
We had already approached other finance companies who weren’t able to help. From our first conversation to everything being completed took around 7 days, and they kept us informed throughout. If you’ve struggled to get help elsewhere, I would absolutely recommend giving them a call.
Simon has been fantastic in supporting my business to secure suitable funding across several deals. He is fair and always gives advice that is in the best interest of his clients. I would recommend them to anyone.
I contacted them to apply for a VAT funding loan. Simon responded within half an hour of my request and was able to confirm funding within a 24 hour period. It was the first time I have had to apply for funding owing to a short-term cash flow problem, and he made the journey so easy. Kind and highly efficient: I would highly recommend them for a fast, professional service.
No. We are a credit broker, not a lender. Smart Funding Solutions is a whole-of-market commercial finance broker: it compares a panel of 300+ lenders, presents your case to the ones suited to it and manages the process through to completion. The lender makes the lending decision and sets the rate and terms.
Is Smart Funding Solutions regulated by the FCA?
Smart Funding Solutions is a trading style of Smart Funding Solutions Limited (FRN: 972740) who are Appointed Representatives of White Rose Finance Group Ltd (FRN: 630772) who are directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check both firms on the FCA Register.
How does Smart Funding Solutions get paid?
We may charge you a fee for our services and, in addition, the lender we introduce you to will typically pay us a commission, either as a fixed fee or as a percentage of the amount you borrow. Our recommendation as a broker is not affected by whether or not a lender pays us commission. Where a client fee, broker fee, appraisal fee or commitment fee applies, this will be disclosed separately before you proceed.
What types of business finance can Smart Funding Solutions arrange?
Business loans, cash flow finance, invoice finance, asset finance, tax funding and acquisition finance, from £10,000 to £20 million. See the full range on the business finance page.
Where is Smart Funding Solutions based?
Smart Funding Solutions Limited is registered in England (company number 13930483) and based at Coworkz Business Centre, Office 37 Main Office, Minerva Avenue, Chester West Employment Park, Chester, CH1 4QL. It works with businesses across the UK by phone and online, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
What does a commercial finance broker do?
A commercial finance broker sits between a business that needs funding and the lenders that provide it. It works out which types of finance fit what the money is for, finds the lenders whose criteria suit the business, presents the case to them and manages the application. The lender still assesses the case, decides whether to lend and sets the rate and terms.
Is it better to use a broker or go direct to a lender?
Going direct can make sense when you already know which lender and product you want, or your own bank has offered terms you are happy with. A broker is most useful when you want to compare different types of finance, have been declined before, work in a sector some lenders avoid, or are raising a larger or more complex facility. Our guide to using a business loan broker covers the choice in more detail.
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
No. There is nothing to pay upfront, and any fees depend on the lender and the type of finance. Where a client fee, broker fee, appraisal fee or commitment fee applies, this will be disclosed separately before you proceed.
Will enquiring through a broker affect my credit score?
Enquiring with us does not affect your credit score. Lenders will carry out their own credit checks, with your permission, before offering terms.
Is Smart Funding Solutions a member of a broker trade body?
Yes. We are members of the NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) and FIBA (Finance & Insurance Brokers Association).
Our clients say
Trusted by UK businesses across every sector.
“Simon was fast, kept us updated at all stages and was a real pleasure to work with on our asset finance. I highly recommend this company: excellent service all round.”
“Spoke with Simon, who managed to get me the loan I needed promptly. The whole process was very smooth and was completed within a few days.”
“Getting a business loan can feel like a bit of a minefield, but everything was broken down for me in great detail. Will use again in the future!”
“Simon was a pleasure to deal with and helped us find a business loan that matched our growth goals and future expansion plans.”
“I couldn’t source funding for my business, but the team got in touch within an hour and had it sorted within 24 hours. Fantastic service, and I would definitely use them again.”
