How AI is Transforming Commercial Finance

Many brokers are sceptical about AI. A recent survey of Allica’s broker panel found over half of commercial mortgage and bridging brokers feel technology, including AI, has had little or even negative impact on application speed and efficiency. Asset finance brokers reported a slightly better experience, but only by a narrow margin.

I understand why. For many, AI means frustrating chatbots that block access to real help. But at Allica, the real transformation is happening behind the scenes.

Power to the people
While some banks cut human interaction to save costs, we do the opposite. We keep real business development managers at the heart of our service and invest in automating the processes behind them. This makes our people more effective, decisions faster, and the broker experience smoother.

How AI is changing lending
Real AI is often invisible, and that’s true at Allica. Our tech team has embedded AI into processes that speed up applications and improve accuracy:

• Faster processing: commercial mortgage applications now take around two days, and asset finance just four hours. AI helps underwriters read documents and process unstructured data, cutting times by up to 75%.
• Preventing delays: we’re developing AI that checks applications in real time for missing details, reducing back-and-forth.
• Automated decisions: for asset finance, machine learning assesses applications instantly, approving or declining based on creditworthiness and policy. Decisions that once took 24 hours now take one minute. We only automate clear-cut cases and currently limit this to assets under £50,000, with plans to expand after testing.

The bottom line
While many banks put tech barriers between themselves and brokers, Allica uses AI to enhance human relationships. From faster underwriting to smarter decisioning, AI is reshaping commercial finance, and we’re proud to lead the way. Whatever innovations come next, the human connection brokers value will remain central.

About Allica Bank

Allica Bank is a UK bank built specifically for established businesses with between 5 and 250 employees. These businesses form a vital part of the UK economy, yet often receive impersonal and inflexible service from traditional banks.

Visit Allica Bank

Allica’s mission is to deliver no-nonsense banking that combines face-to-face support with modern technology. Through experienced business development managers and underwriters, the bank works closely with broker partners to provide clarity, consistency and collaboration throughout every case.

Allica Bank offers a range of lending solutions, including bridging finance, commercial mortgages, asset finance and growth finance, supporting brokers and their clients at every stage of the funding journey.

Any questions regarding Fiducia Commercial Network’s International and Ex-pat Property Finance proposition, please contact the BDM team – bdm@fiduciagroup.co.uk

About Fiducia Commercial Network

Fiducia Commercial Network is a commercial finance \’Appointed Representative\’ network created to allow independent firms to provide commercial property finance and trading business finance options to their existing client base and network.

Joining the network provides opportunities for professional brokers to offer a full range of commercial finance solutions by acting as an Appointed Representative (AR) with the full support of the Fiducia Commercial Network team.

The Fiducia Commercial Network membership includes FCA authorisation and reporting, PI insurance, and NACFB membership, plus business, compliance, finance, system, and admin support from a company with over 20 years\’ experience in commercial finance.

If you\’d like to discuss joining Fiducia Commercial Network or you\’d like to apply to become an Appointed Representative…

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To discuss Fiducia Commercial Network or to apply to become an Appointed Representative email the team via by clicking this link.