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Frequently Asked Questions

There is a tremendous opportunity in Commercial Finance in 2008 (c £10bn estimated). The market is growing strongly and new lenders continue to come into the market with new services.

E1 can help you!

The choice for applicants is huge and E1 can help you earn income/retain clients and generate an additional long term income stream by placing commercial finance requests with us.  E1 can source great deals and always seek the best deal- whether the applicant has accounts or not, clean credit etc. Much of what we do is Prime but we can place any sector, amount or circumstances.

Q1: Who are E1?

A1: We are commercial Packagers – we act in the same way as Residential Mortgage Packagers but only raise commercial finance – all types and all amounts

  • The staff have many years experience raising commercial finance
  • E1 has an extensive lender panel.
  • We are a business dedicated to helping you- our introducers- help your clients raise commercial finance- without losing control of your client.
  • We are also a member of the NACFB – the National association of Credit and Finance Brokers- which governs standard in this sector and whose guideline we adhere to.


Q2: Why did four key residential mortgage networks chose E1 to be their preferred source of commercial finance for over 20000 brokers?

A2: E1 were chosen because of their experience, the fact we search our wide lender panel for the best deal for each client and work hard to find the right finance solution.
In addition- our extensive lender panel of prime- non prime lenders, development finance and bridging loans combined with in house lenders makes the proposition very attractive.

E1 is not the lender.

  • We sit in between you and the bank and with our experience and expertise search for the best deal for your client’s proposal.
  • We are honest and upfront and we will not waste your time.
  • We work for you and your client. We understand intermediaries and provide solution and added income stream for the missed opportunity with commercial leads.
  • We have an extensive lender panel- and seek the best deal for each client- every time and try to offer the applicant a choice every time.
  • We always approach more than one lender- often 4/5 to find the best deal.

If we don’t provide the best terms we don’t get paid, hence it’s in our interest to complete the deal and with speed.


Q3: What type of Commercial finance can E1 arrange?

A3: All types and sectors including

  • Freehold and leasehold purchase
  • Investment finance
  • Development finance
  • Bridging finance
  • Business finance
  • Factoring
  • Leasing
  • Trade Finance

The most popular sectors are:
Property purchase- investment or owner occupied
Bridging loans
Buying an existing business- from Post Offices to Pubs to Care homes
Setting up a new business- restaurants/cafes etc
Expanding an existing business

See our website for full details of all sectors.  
No loan is too Big or too Small. From £30K+ to Unlimited.


Q4: What loan to value (LTV) can I get?

A4: 85% -100% (Subject to status and additional security)-much depends on the sector/experience/trading figures and security offered.


Q5: What interest rates can be achieved?

A5: Anything from 1% above base (subject to status).


Q6: What do I do if I have a commercial enquiry?

A6: With your query you can do the following:
Phone us on 08450 559559
OR download DIP from our stationery cupboard
OR complete our unique intelligent Dip – see case tracking
(you will need to be registered – to obtain a user name and password)

Fax us on 08450 559558
Email us at info@e1finance.co.uk
Or post to E1 finance Ltd, 43 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DJ


Q7: How fast can E1 arrange a Loan?

A7: DIP’s (Decision In Principle) are normally arranged within 24 Hours.
Application to offer can be arranged within 7 working days (subject to status and all requirements met). Always discuss any time pressures with an underwriter.


Q8: Do I need any qualification to become an introducer?

A8: No. Commercial finance is not regulated by the FSA (Financial Service Authority) and there is no set qualification currently to become an introducer.

A Consumer Credit Licence is required. Please provide e1 with the CCL number.


Q9: What experience do I need?

A9: None.
But training can be provided. Please contact E1.


Q10: How many lenders does E1 have on their panel?

A10: We have a core panel of over 40 lenders( with over 80 in total)
From Prime to Sub-prime, from bridging to factoring our panel of lenders cover the entire commercial spectrum (Please see our lender webpage for a brief list of lenders).


Q11: Does E1 have their own DIP and application form?

A11: Yes.
Please visit our stationery cupboard for a PDF version of both forms, or contact us and we will send/email you copies.
Our dip and application form has been approved by many of our panel lenders.


Q12: What are the opening hours of E1?

A12: We are open at the following hours:
Monday–Friday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm and after hours number available until 8.00 pm
Saturday 10.00 am – 2.00 pm


Q13: How much can I earn?

A13: This depends on whether the case is packaged by E1 or whether E1 brokers the case; We allow a number of pre-approved active brokers to use us as packagers and in that case we share 50% of whatever fee we obtain from the lender- with the introducing broker retaining any success fee he charges the client. Where we broker the case we will share a percentage of the total income generated on the deal depending on complexity and what commission is paid by the lender. In all cases we will provide a detailed engagement letter for the applicant.

E1 always identifies in writing what the introducer can expect by way of income on each set of indicative terms at the start of the process.


Q14: What about buildings/contents and life insurance?

A14: You can arrange these.
We do not cross-sell these or residential mortgages (we are not authorised by the FSA and we specialise on commercial finance only)


Q15: Where do I get commercial deals from?

A15: Here are some tips:

  • The best place to start is your existing client bank (see how many are self-employed)
  • Print some new business cards that say you arrange commercial loans
  • Tell your client bank that you now do Commercial Finance (word of mouth)
  • Send out emails/mails outs to your clients/introducers
  • Tell your friends and family.
  • Advertise on your web etc.

E1 can assist with some marketing material and will provide newsletters/case studies etc to help you see what deals can be completed.


Q16: What benefits are there for me in passing on my clients details and letting E1 go direct to my client?

A16:

  • E1 will contact your client same day and update you; we know how important it is to keep you and the client updated. We will keep you updated all the way through the case until completion.
  • Success rates are higher when we are involved direct.
  • We are the experts - we only do commercial finance and have in house lenders to ensure fast responses.
  • We can answer clients' questions immediately and re-assure them that we are seeking the best terms we can for their own cicumstances. We offer best advise in all cases.
  • You still benefit materially from the income we receive for very little time or risk.
  • You still retain your client for residential mortgages etc.
  • We would pay commission to the broker on any future commercial finance arranged with the same client


Q17: I am nervous about passing my client onto a company I don't know. Will you let me and them down?

A17:

  • That's an understandable reaction.

  • We have the same concerns when new lenders come to the market. However, we have been commercial brokers for many years and know the market well.
  • We have ex bankers to assess every case and they will talk to the client and assess the needs and potential funders.
  • We always return calls and keep you updated- see earlier questions; you can also track the progress of each case online 24/7.
  • We have designated case managers and underwriters on each case and they will be named for each client - ensuring confidence and efficiency.
  • We have a completions team that chase solicitors/accountants/valuers etc to ensure the case is drawn as quickly as possible. Most brokers just do not have the level of support we offer to clients to keep cases moving.
  • We are open long hours and Saturdays (and have an out of house number) so clients can talk to us whenever they wish.
  • We are the first choice of The Mortgage Times Group and AToM. We provide Mortgage Force with commercial finance solutions and have 1000's of introducers. We have a great reputation and provide great service to our introducers.
  • Please talk to an underwriter for details. You are welcome at any time to call in and meet the team/Underwriters.

We are here to help you raise commercial finance; please call us with any enquiry, we will aim to help you turn this into a satisfied client and a well remunerated introducer!