Despite widespread economic concerns, UK commercial brokers are increasingly confident about their business pipelines, with growing interest in asset finance and acquisitions, highlighting a shift towards growth-focused lending under uncertain conditions.
Confidence among UK commercial finance brokers about the economic outlook is fractured, new research from SME lender Asset Advantage shows, even as many anticipate solid demand for specific funding products over the year ahead.
According to Asset Advantage, 49% of brokers are neutral about the UK economy’s prospects for the next 12 months, 28% are pessimistic and just over one in five express optimism. Brokers told Asset Advantage that factors weighing on sentiment include taxation, weak business confidence, rising operating costs and inflationary pressures. One broker said “cashflow and uncertainty” were central concerns, adding: “Decisions are taking longer as businesses feel the pinch and have to be careful with additional investment.” Another warned that “Inflationary pressures mean businesses make lower profit which in turn affects their serviceability and ability to borrow.”
Despite those reservations about the broader economy, brokers remain more upbeat about their own pipelines. Asset Advantage’s research finds 46% of commercial brokers expect their businesses to perform well over the coming year, with 43% neutral and 11% pessimistic. The firm said brokers identified practical obstacles such as managing client expectations and information shortfalls that can slow deal completion.
Industry-wide funding preferences are showing a clear tilt towards growth-focused lending. Asset Advantage reports 72% of brokers expect asset finance to be the primary driver of SME funding demand in the next 12 months, while around a quarter foresee heightened interest in business acquisition and expansion loans. By contrast, invoice finance and property-related commercial lending are seen as less likely to lead demand, at about 22% and 17% respectively. Financial Reporter and trade site The Intermediary have reported similar findings, underscoring the trend towards equipment purchases and buyouts among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Asset Advantage also highlighted rising appetite for acquisitions: nearly 60% of brokers have noticed increased client interest in purchasing businesses, though close to half cited clients’ lack of awareness about required documentation and information as a barrier to securing finance for such deals.
Gary Thompson, sales director at Asset Advantage, said the current environment has left many firms cautious and increased the value of flexible lending. He said: “Many businesses are feeling cautious in the current climate. Big factors such as higher operational costs, inflationary pressures and both geopolitical and economic uncertainty continue to have an impact on business confidence and influence borrowing and investment decisions. Against this backdrop, the case for flexible funding options from pragmatic and forward-thinking funders becomes ever clearer. Working with expert commercial brokers, specialists funders who are willing to support complex, growth-focused deals will be key to giving SMEs the confidence they need to push ahead with their expansion plans. Brokers play a critical role in fostering confidence among their clients and demonstrating what is possible. To ensure they can continue doing this, they need the support of specialist funders and providers.”
To support brokers in structuring viable transactions, Asset Advantage plans a regional roadshow with events scheduled in Manchester, London and Birmingham, the company said, and directs interested brokers to its site for registration.
- https://www.introducertoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2026/01/commercial-brokers-unsure-of-near-term-economic-outlook-new-data/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.assetadvantage.co.uk/brokers-share-mixed-outlook-prospects-uk-economy/ – A survey by Asset Advantage reveals that nearly half (49%) of UK commercial finance brokers are neutral about the economy’s outlook for the next 12 months, with 28% pessimistic and over 20% optimistic. Brokers cite government taxation, business confidence, rising operating costs, and inflation as key concerns. One broker noted that decisions are taking longer as businesses feel the pinch and have to be careful with additional investment. Despite these challenges, brokers remain optimistic about their business prospects, expecting strong demand for asset finance and business acquisition funding among SMEs.
- https://www.assetadvantage.co.uk/commercial-brokers-optimistic-prospects-next-12-months/ – Research from Asset Advantage indicates that 46% of commercial finance brokers are optimistic about their business prospects for the coming year, while 43% are neutral and 11% pessimistic. The main challenges identified include managing client expectations and information bottlenecks. Despite these hurdles, brokers anticipate strong demand for asset finance and business acquisition funding among SMEs, reflecting a cautious optimism within the commercial broker community.
- https://www.assetadvantage.co.uk/asset-finance-business-acquisition-set-dominate-funding-demand-12-months-survey/ – Asset Advantage’s survey shows that 72% of commercial brokers expect asset finance to drive business funding demand over the next 12 months. Additionally, 25% anticipate significant interest in business acquisition and expansion loans. In contrast, areas like invoice finance (22%) and property-related commercial finance (17%) are expected to see less demand. This trend reflects a rising appetite among UK SMEs for growth-focused lending, prioritising investment in new equipment and expansion.
- https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/asset-finance-and-business-acquisition-set-to-dominate-sme-funding-demand-in-2026.html – A survey by Asset Advantage reveals that 72% of commercial brokers expect asset finance to be the primary driver of SME funding demand in the coming year. Brokers also anticipate significant interest in business acquisition and expansion loans. Conversely, areas such as invoice finance (22%) and property-related commercial finance (17%) are expected to be less popular. This indicates a growing focus among UK SMEs on growth-oriented lending, emphasising investment in new equipment and expansion plans.
- https://www.assetadvantage.co.uk/brokers-report-increasing-demand-business-acquisition/ – Asset Advantage’s research indicates that nearly 60% of commercial finance brokers have reported an increase in client demand for funding to purchase a business. Despite this, nearly 50% of brokers have identified challenges among clients in securing finance for acquisitions, with many unaware of the necessary information and documentation required to complete transactions.
- https://theintermediary.co.uk/2025/12/asset-finance-expected-to-lead-sme-funding-demand-survey-shows/ – According to a survey by Asset Advantage, 72% of commercial brokers expect asset finance to drive the strongest demand for SME funding over the next 12 months. Additionally, 25% anticipate significant interest in business acquisition and expansion loans. In contrast, areas such as invoice finance (22%) and property-related commercial finance (17%) are expected to see less demand. This trend reflects a rising appetite among UK SMEs for growth-focused lending, prioritising investment in new equipment and expansion plans.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 28th January 2026, reporting on a survey conducted by Asset Advantage, dated 27th January 2026. The same survey results were reported by Introducer Today on 27th January 2026. The content appears original, with no evidence of recycling or republishing.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from brokers expressing concerns about ‘cashflow and uncertainty’ and ‘inflationary pressures’. These quotes are consistent with those reported by Introducer Today on 27th January 2026. However, the absence of direct attribution to specific individuals or organisations raises questions about the verifiability of these quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from Introducer Today, a niche publication focusing on the financial services sector. While it provides timely reporting, its limited reach and potential for bias due to its specialised audience warrant caution. The primary source of the information is Asset Advantage, an SME funding provider, which may have a vested interest in promoting its services.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article reports that 49% of brokers are neutral, 28% are pessimistic, and over 20% are optimistic about the UK economy’s prospects for the next 12 months. These findings align with similar surveys reported by Financial Reporter and Mortgage Introducer on 27th January 2026. ([financialreporter.co.uk](https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/survey-shows-cautious-outlook-among-commercial-finance-brokers.html?utm_source=openai)) However, the lack of specific data points or detailed methodology in the article makes it difficult to fully assess the accuracy of these claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents survey findings from Asset Advantage, reporting mixed sentiments among commercial brokers regarding the UK economy’s near-term outlook. While the content is timely and free from paywall restrictions, the reliance on a single source with potential biases, the absence of specific data points, and the lack of independent verification from external sources raise significant concerns about the article’s credibility and reliability.