Howe Commercial Finance Ltd

09/06/2026

“Should I fix my commercial mortgage now, or wait?”
I get asked this more than almost anything else at the moment.

Here’s the thing. There isn’t one right answer. There’s a right answer for your business.

Fix if you need certainty and your cashflow can’t take a sudden jump.
Go variable if you’ve got headroom, you might refinance soon, or you genuinely think rates are coming down.

Wait only if waiting isn’t quietly costing you more than fixing today would.
And don’t try to time the market. The owners who try usually lose more than they save.

I’ve broken the trade-offs down properly here, in plain English: https://howecommercialfinance.co.uk/fixed-rate-or-variable/

Should you fix your commercial mortgage, go variable, or wait? Paul Howe breaks down the trade-offs, fees and refinancing in plain English. No jargon.

01/06/2026

Not every funding problem needs the same solution.
Sometimes it is about speed. Sometimes it is about works and build costs. Sometimes it is simply cashflow pressure.
That is why getting the right type of finance matters just as much as getting finance at all.

Full blog here: https://howecommercialfinance.co.uk/when-the-banks-say-no/

11/05/2026

'I just want to do something I actually enjoy for once.'

That’s what I hear most from people in their 50s who are thinking about starting a business.

What often holds people back isn’t the idea. It’s not knowing what they don’t know about running a business, and worrying that the financial side will get on top of them.

I’ve written a blog on how to handle both: the funding and the knowledge side, so neither one gets in the way of what you want to build.

Read it here: https://howecommercialfinance.co.uk/how-to-fund-a-passion-business-in-your-50s

Thinking about turning a passion into a business later in life? A plain-speaking guide to funding it properly without the financial stress.

05/05/2026

Here's something that causes a lot of confusion.

Business owners often say: "I just need a loan."
But different situations need different types of finance. And using the wrong one can cost more and create the wrong kind of pressure.

For example:
Buying premises → commercial mortgage
Buying machinery → asset finance (often better than a loan, even if a loan feels simpler)
Waiting for customers to pay → invoice finance
Moving quickly on a property deal → bridging finance

I've written a guide explaining how commercial finance works and when businesses typically use each type.

👉 https://howecommercialfinance.co.uk/what-is-commercial-finance-business-owner-guide

The question isn't whether finance can help. It's how you use it.

30/04/2026

Most business owners don't start by asking:
"What is commercial finance?"

They usually start with a problem.

The bank won't fund the premises
A big order lands but cashflow is tight
Customers take 60 days to pay
A property opportunity needs to move fast

That's usually when commercial finance enters the picture.

I've written a straightforward guide explaining what commercial finance actually means, how it works in real situations, and why different types of finance exist.

👉 Read the article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-commercial-finance-practical-explanation-ahqdc

It's not about borrowing more money. It's about using the right type of finance for the job.

Most people don't wake up thinking about commercial finance. Usually the question only comes up when something happens in the business.

26/04/2026

Here's the thing about the British Business Bank Start Up Loans scheme...

It's changed from 6th April. Rate's now 7.5%, and businesses up to 5 years old can qualify.

That's a useful bit of news if you're in those early years and need a hand.
But let's be honest, it won't always be enough on its own.

I've seen plenty of start-ups where the scheme covers part of the gap, and then they need a bit more to actually get where they want to go. That's where having a broker in your corner makes a difference, sourcing the additional finance, and giving you guidance as things grow.

So if you're looking at the Start Up Loan and thinking "that's a start, but not quite enough," give me a shout. Happy to talk it through.

23/04/2026

Quick heads-up for anyone thinking about starting a business...

From 6th April 2026, the British Business Bank Start Up Loans scheme has changed:
→ New fixed rate of 7.5%
→ Businesses trading up to 5 years (60 months) now qualify (up from 3 years)

It's still a decent option if you need a smaller amount of funding to get going, or to push on in those early years.

A few things worth knowing 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆:
- You'll need a solid credit profile
- The application is a bit long-winded, business plan, cash flow forecasts, the lot, both business and personal
- You may not get the full amount you're after

Just being straight with you, the British Business Bank don't work with brokers on this one, so there's nothing in it for me to flag it. But it's a genuinely useful scheme for the right business, so I wanted to pass it on.

If you do apply and it doesn't cover everything you need, that's where I can usually help, finding the extra finance to make the numbers work, and supporting you as the business grows.

22/04/2026

Thinking about turning something you love into a business?

Many people in their 50s feel the same way. Most share a quiet worry: what if money issues spoil the whole thing?

That’s a real concern. But it’s rarely the passion that causes trouble. The problem often comes from not giving the business enough breathing room at the start.

That’s a real concern. But it’s rarely the passion that causes trouble. The problem often comes from not giving the business enough breathing room at the start, and sometimes from not getting the right knowledge and support in place early enough.

Read it here: https://link.msgsndr.com/sp/4d2b32330d1

I usually hear from people in spring, after they’ve spent the winter thinking things over. They've been mulling something over for a while.

10/04/2026

Thinking of starting a business later in life?

You’re not the only one.

A lot of people get to their 50s and decide they want more control over how they finish their working life. The challenge is often not the idea itself: it’s how to fund it properly without putting too much pressure on yourself.

I’ve written a short blog on that here:
👉 https://howecommercialfinance.co.uk/starting-a-business-later-in-life/

It covers savings, borrowing, and why starting sensibly doesn’t always mean starting too small.

26/03/2026

The new financial year is almost here. For a lot of business owners, that's just another date on the calendar.

But it's actually a decent moment to stop and ask: is the finance side of my business still set up the way I need it to be?

I speak to plenty of owners who are carrying more than they should. Not in crisis, just a bit weighed down. A few repayments they've lost track of, a facility that's past its best, cash that's tighter than it needs to be.

Spring is as good a time as any to look at that clearly. Whether it's consolidating what you've got, putting working capital in place, or just talking through what the next twelve months might need.

The new tax year starts 6 April. If something's been nagging at you, now's the time to sort it.

👉 Read the full piece here:

There's something about this time of year that makes you want to sort things out. Maybe it’s the longer days.