Atom bank survey reveals most desired changes for commercial brokers

Lower interest rates, streamlined finance access, and improved communication from lenders are top in the wishlist of commercial mortgage brokers in 2025, according to the latest SME Pulse survey from Atom bank.
The quarterly survey, conducted by the digital lender, gathers insights from commercial brokers about their experiences and outlook for the market. The Q4 2024 survey highlighted key areas brokers want lenders to address to support growth in the commercial sector.
Brokers overwhelmingly ranked lower interest rates as their most desired change. Many respondents also called for relaxed lending criteria, faster processes, and tailored financial products to better meet the needs of businesses.
Improved communication and service quality from lenders were also highlighted as essential for strengthening relationships between brokers, lenders, and their clients.
Business expansion is the leading goal for brokers this year, with 77% saying growth is their top priority. Other areas of focus included targeting specific sectors (13%), reducing costs (3%), and integrating automation (3%).
Among brokers aiming to specialise in specific industries, healthcare topped the list, with 33% indicating a focus on this sector. Finance and retail followed, each cited by 20% of respondents.
Demand for commercial funding is on the rise, according to the survey, with 56% of brokers reporting increased client interest in borrowing. In contrast, only 5% observed a decline in demand.
Brokers attributed the rise in demand to growing confidence among businesses, with 41% saying their clients were feeling more optimistic about the future. Lower interest rates (39%) and greater lender willingness to provide funding (25%) were also cited as driving factors.
Despite improving sentiment, concerns remain. Seventy percent of brokers said their clients felt the UK Budget had negatively impacted their business. Changes to National Insurance contributions and potential property market effects were among the main concerns raised. Only 9% of brokers viewed the Budget’s impact as positive.
The Atom bank survey also revealed the primary reasons for borrowing, with property purchases leading the way. Over half (56%) of brokers identified property acquisition as the main purpose for seeking funding, followed by business growth and expansion (18%) and refinancing existing debt (18%). The demand for refinancing has steadily declined in recent quarters.
When choosing a lender, commercial brokers said competitive rates were the most important factor, with 48% naming it their top priority. Flexibility in lending criteria was the second most important consideration (27%), followed by the strength of broker-lender relationships (16%) and speed to offer (10%).
“It’s encouraging to see the growing levels of optimism among commercial brokers for 2025 and beyond,” commented David Castling (pictured), head of intermediary distribution at Atom bank. “After the challenges of the last few years, and despite some reservations around the Budget, it seems that plenty of businesses are looking to raise funding to help them invest and meet their aspirations, and that is understandably boosting confidence among brokers, who themselves are keen to grow.
“However, it’s clear that lenders in this market can go further to deliver the support that businesses require. Brokers want to see lenders focus their efforts on providing not only competitive rates, but bespoke packages which specifically meet the needs and circumstances of businesses. They also want to see a greater emphasis on developing smoother processes and a greater standard of communication. Lenders who want to win the support of brokers and deliver more funds to UK businesses need to take this feedback on board.”
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