NACFB Commercial Lender Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Lending

The NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers) is excited to announce the shortlist for the Commercial Lender Awards 2025, a prestigious event that recognizes the highest standards in lending and the unwavering support provided by industry service providers.

Record-Breaking Entries Highlight Fierce Competition

This year’s competition witnessed an unprecedented surge in participation, with a staggering 428 entries across 22 categories — a remarkable 35% increase from 2024. The growing engagement reflects the dynamic landscape of commercial finance, demonstrating the commitment of both lenders and service providers to excellence.

A meticulous panel of judges, utilizing rigorous criteria to ensure fairness and consistency, evaluated each entry. All identifying information was redacted during the assessment process, maintaining impartiality in categories such as Industry Leader of the Year and Unsung Hero of the Year.

Shortlisted Categories and Finalists

Asset Finance Lender of the Year

• Arkle Finance
• Close Brothers Broker Solutions
• Haydock Finance
• Liberty Leasing
• Lloyds Bank
• Lombard (NatWest)
• Novuna Business Finance
• Paragon Bank
• Propel Finance
• Time Finance
• Ultimate Finance
• United Trust Bank

BDM Team of the Year

• Allica Bank
• Atom bank
• Capify
• iwoca
• Propel Finance
• Somo Bridging
• UK Agricultural Finance
• United Trust Bank

Bridging Lender of the Year

• Catalyst Property Finance
• Colenko
• Glenhawk
• Hilco Real Estate Finance
• Market Financial Solutions
• MT Finance
• Octane Capital
• PMJ Capital
• Recognise Bank
• Somo Bridging
• Together
• West One Loans

Business Bank of the Year

• Allica Bank
• Atom bank
• Barclays
• Cynergy Bank
• HSBC UK Bank
• Lloyds Bank
• Metro Bank
• NatWest
• Paragon Bank
• Shawbrook Bank

Buy-to-Let Lender of the Year

• Barclays
• Birmingham Bank
• Castle Trust Bank
• Keystone Property Finance
• LendInvest
• Market Financial Solutions
• Offa
• Paragon Bank
• Redwood Bank
• Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance

Community Lender of the Year

• Big Issue Invest
• Business Enterprise Fund
• Charity Bank
• GC Business Finance
• Let’s Do Business Finance
• Reliance Bank
• Rural Commercial
• SWIG Finance
• Triodos Bank UK
• Unity Trust Bank

Emerging Lender of the Year

• Birmingham Bank
• Bluecroft Finance
• CHL Mortgages for Intermediaries
• Colenko
• Hilco Real Estate Finance
• LHV Bank
• multifi
• Rural Commercial
• StreamBank
• TRIVER

Industry Leader of the Year

• Caroline Luxmore – Recognise Bank
• Chris Storey – Atom bank
• Elise Coole – Keystone Property Finance
• Josh Harris – Doc2
• Josh Levy – Ultimate Finance
• Louisa Sedgwick – Paragon Bank
• Marc Goldberg – Together
• Michael Allison – Roma Finance
• Paresh Raja – Market Financial Solutions
• Rachael Raymond – Funding Circle
• Sean Dennis – Let’s Do Business Finance
• Steve Nichols – Time Finance

Industry Supplier of the Year

• Brickflow
• Broka
• Doc2
• Method Valuation
• NETSOL Technologies
• Purbeck Insurance Services
• Red Flag Alert
• Square 1 Media
• VAS

Intermediary Advocate of the Year

• Avamore Capital
• Market Financial Solutions
• multifi
• Propel Finance
• Ultimate Finance

Marketing Team of the Year

• Bluecroft Finance
• Cambridge and Counties Bank
• GC Business Loans
• Market Financial Solutions
• Octane Capital
• Propel Finance
• Reward Funding
• Roma Finance
• Somo Bridging
• Ultimate Finance
• West One Loans
• YBS Commercial Mortgages

Sustainability Champion of the Year

• Barclays
• CAF Bank
• Cambridge and Counties Bank
• Charity Bank
• Lloyds Bank
• Novuna Business Finance
• Redwood Bank
• Rural Commercial
• Triodos Bank UK
• Unity Trust Bank

Unsung Hero of the Year

• Alex Bircumshaw & Oje Etomi – 365 Finance
• Charlotte Mathieson – Propel Finance
• Chris Millage – HSBC UK Bank
• Elizabeth Harrison – Reward Funding
• Katie Thompson – Blackfinch Property
• Lauren Robertson – Method Valuation
• Lorraine Hart – Roma Finance
• Nasima Begum – TRIVER
• Natalie Cockburn – Atom bank
• Richard Brown – Nucleus Commercial Finance

All shortlisted organizations automatically qualify for the NACFB Commercial Lender of the Year award.

Voting and Key Dates

NACFB member brokers are invited to cast their votes for their preferred lenders and suppliers in each category. Voting will be open for one week, ending at 5 PM on Monday, 20th October. To ensure a fair process, eligible voters will receive a password for access to the voting platform, allowing a maximum of five votes per firm per category.

The Awards Ceremony

Winners and highly commended entries will be selected through a combination of judges’ assessments and member votes, with results unveiled at the prestigious awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, 27th November 2025 at Westminster Park Plaza.

Ticket Information

Patron and Partner organizations yet to secure their tickets are encouraged to do so by visiting the NACFB website before the early bird window closes on Friday, 31st October 2025. Individual tickets and tables of ten are available for purchase.

Conclusion

The NACFB Commercial Lender Awards continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the commercial finance industry. Each entry reflects the dedication and innovation within the sector. Congratulations to all nominees and best of luck in the voting process!