Commercial finance brokers have had their calls for change "largely unmet", according to Asset Advantage.

The SME funding provider revealed in its latest survey that as part of their wish lists, 68% of brokers listed an open-minded approach to "look outside the box" on deals as their top demand. This marked an increase from 34% in the previous survey in 2024.

Demands for a higher credit appetite saw the biggest increase, jumping from 13% in 2024 to 55%.

Almost half (49%) of the surveyed brokers stated that they want flexible loan terms, up from 23%, while more than a quarter want to see greater transparency in lending criteria.

Asset Advantage stated that brokers remain clear that funders are yet to deliver on their wish list, and the “calls are only getting louder”. Furthermore, brokers have since added improved processes, a wish for a third of commercial finance brokers.

The calls come as brokers tell the SME funding provider of increasing demand for commercial finance across UK SMEs, with asset finance and business acquisitions set to dominate funding needs this year.

Sales director at Asset Advantage, Gary Thompson, stated: "Given the demand we are seeing from SMEs for funding, there’s clearly a need to give brokers the tools and support they require to answer it. We know from speaking to brokers that there is definitely an appetite issue from mainstream funders – both in terms of risk and funding more complex deals, business acquisitions and supporting non-standard assets or sectors. In truth, more boutique, specialist funders continue to gain ground by answering such demands.

"Brokers need to look across the entire market to identify funding partners who make funding decisions the way they should be made – leveraging people, not rigid processes. Now more than ever, a flexible and pragmatic approach is required to give good businesses the time of day and brokers the support to get more of their transactions approved and over the line. Boutique funders continue to prove that partners can be approachable and commercially-minded, while still being open-minded and pragmatic too."

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