Showcase your excellence

Celebrating NACFB Patron lenders that have made the most meaningful impact through asset finance, this award recognises those enabling UK SMEs to access the machinery, equipment, vehicles, and intangible assets that power their growth. Whether through leasing, hire purchase, or innovative solutions, this category is open to lenders that provide clear value and flexible funding options to meet evolving business needs. Open to both specialist and full-service lenders, the judges will be looking for a strong track record in supporting SMEs and brokers with tailored, strategic asset finance solutions.

This award celebrates the business development teams that act as the frontline of lender–broker relationships. Open to NACFB Patron lenders of all sizes, BDM Team of the Year recognises those who have consistently demonstrated outstanding broker engagement, commercial insight, and delivery of tailored finance solutions. Judges will be looking for teams that have helped drive lending growth, navigated changing market conditions, and worked in true partnership with intermediaries across the UK.

The Bridging Lender of the Year award recognises NACFB Patron lenders that combine speed with substance in the short-term property finance space. If your organisation has empowered brokers to meet tight deadlines, unlock complex transactions, or support clients through fast-moving opportunities, this is your opportunity to showcase your expertise and impact. Open to all NACFB Patron lenders active in the bridging market.

The Business Bank of the Year award celebrates banks that have demonstrated financial strength, market responsiveness, and a meaningful commitment to supporting SMEs. If your institution is a NACFB Patron and a registered bank that has worked closely with brokers, developed tailored lending products, and contributed to real-world growth for UK businesses, this award offers the ideal platform to showcase your leadership in driving commercial success. Please note, this award is not open to non-bank lenders.

The Buy-to-Let Lender of the Year award celebrates NACFB Patron lenders that have demonstrated expertise, adaptability, and a strong commitment to supporting landlords and property investors. If your organisation provides outstanding buy-to-let finance solutions, works closely with brokers, and helps grow sustainable property portfolios, this award offers the ideal opportunity to showcase your leadership in this lending market.

The Commercial Mortgage Lender of the Year award recognises those NACFB Patron lenders that have consistently delivered flexible, responsible, and effective commercial property finance solutions. If your organisation supports business owners and property investors through strong broker partnerships and has adapted to meet changing market demands, this award offers the ideal platform to showcase your leadership in the commercial mortgage space.

The Community Lender of the Year award recognises NACFB Patron lenders that place social impact, ethical lending, and community investment at the heart of their operations. Open to lenders that identify as community-led - including CDFIs and other purpose-driven funders - this award is your opportunity to showcase how your organisation empowers underserved SMEs, delivers positive social outcomes, and builds a fairer, more inclusive financial ecosystem.

Britain’s housebuilding boom is entering a new era - and SME developers need finance partners who can keep pace. The Development Finance Lender of the Year award recognises those lenders that have played a central role in bringing new homes, mixed-use projects, and commercial developments to life. This award is open to NACFB Patron lenders who have demonstrated a consistent commitment to supporting ambitious developments with tailored funding and broker collaboration and offers a prime opportunity to showcase your leadership and impact.

The Emerging Lender of the Year award recognises NACFB Patron lenders that have launched within the past five years and are already making waves in the commercial finance landscape. If your organisation is combining fresh thinking with smart delivery, forging strong broker relationships, and demonstrating early success and ambition, this award provides a platform to celebrate your achievements and highlight your growing impact.

The Industry Leader of the Year award recognises senior figures who have set new benchmarks in commercial lending through bold vision, strategic clarity, and a commitment to doing things the right way. If your CEO, managing director, or senior executive has driven innovation, fostered a high-performance culture, and delivered real results for brokers, borrowers, and teams alike - this is your chance to celebrate their leadership and wider industry impact. NACFB Patrons may enter this category more than once if they have more than one suitable individual.

The Industry Supplier of the Year award recognises the NACFB Partner companies powering the commercial finance ecosystem behind the scenes. From insurers and lawyers to platforms, valuers and service providers, these suppliers help make deals happen. If your organisation has delivered measurable value, streamlined processes, and helped brokers and lenders achieve better outcomes, this is your opportunity to showcase your contribution to the sector’s success. Open to all NACFB Partner suppliers.

The Intermediary Advocate of the Year is a new award which recognises NACFB Patron lenders or Partner suppliers that have gone above and beyond in championing the role of commercial finance brokers. If your organisation actively promotes the value of intermediary-led relationships, collaborates with brokers to deliver tailored client outcomes, and supports the NACFB’s mission to uphold standards of excellence, this is your opportunity to showcase your advocacy and leadership within the broker-led commercial finance ecosystem.

The Invoice Finance Lender of the Year award recognises NACFB Patron lenders that have empowered UK SMEs by unlocking working capital through factoring and invoice discounting. If your organisation has provided flexible, responsive support, delivered meaningful broker collaboration, and helped businesses boost their cash flow and resilience, this award offers the perfect platform to highlight your leadership and impact in this vital area of commercial finance.

The NACFB’s Marketing Team of the Year award celebrates the creative minds behind the strategies, campaigns, and communications that help shape the identity and growth of NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers. Whether launching a new product, repositioning a brand, or driving broker engagement, this award recognises in-house marketing, comms, and PR teams that deliver measurable impact and play an indispensable role in supporting intermediary-led finance. If your team has amplified your organisation’s voice and visibility, this is your opportunity to be recognised.

The NACFB’s Pioneers of the Year award celebrates standout innovation in commercial finance - whether through cutting-edge technology, new product development, or refined services shaped by broker feedback. Open to NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers, if your organisation has introduced forward-thinking solutions that enhance broker relationships, improve access to finance for SMEs, or redefine the way lending is delivered, this award offers the ideal platform to showcase your trailblazing work. Whether you’re a lender or supplier, this category recognises meaningful progress in both platform and product innovation.

The Rising Star of the Year award celebrates outstanding professionals who, though relatively new to the world of commercial finance, are already making their mark in the industry. If you know someone from within a NACFB Patron lender or Partner supplier who is showing exceptional promise, driving positive change, and demonstrating strong leadership potential, this award offers the perfect platform to recognise their talent, dedication, and future impact on the industry. NACFB Patrons and Partners may enter this category more than once if they have more than one suitable individual.

The NACFB’s Service Excellence Award recognises NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers that consistently deliver outstanding service to brokers, setting the standard for support, responsiveness, and trust. If your organisation places the broker experience at the heart of everything you do - streamlining processes, resolving issues quickly, and building lasting partnerships - this award offers the ideal opportunity to showcase your commitment to excellence in intermediary-led lending.

The Specialist Lender of the Year award recognises those NACFB Patron lenders that focus on clearly defined niches within commercial finance - serving markets or customer needs not typically met by mainstream providers. Whether your specialism lies in sectors such as marine, aviation, VAT, green assets, probate finance, or complex underwriting, this award offers the ideal platform to showcase your expertise, broker collaboration, and tailored lending solutions that make a difference where it matters most.

Sustainability Champion of the Year is a brand-new award for 2025 that celebrates NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers that have shown outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability within commercial finance. If your organisation champions green initiatives, embeds sustainable practices across its operations, and supports brokers in delivering funding solutions that enable positive environmental impact, this is your opportunity to be recognised as a force for good and a catalyst for lasting change.

Underwriting Team of the Year celebrates the often-unseen professionals at the heart of responsible lending. These are the teams whose balanced judgement, commercial insight, and broker collaboration ensure fair outcomes for SMEs. Open to all NACFB Patron lenders, if your underwriting team has demonstrated consistent excellence, streamlined processes, and a strong understanding of the businesses behind the applications, this award provides the perfect platform to recognise their vital role in driving economic opportunity across the UK.

Unsecured Lender of the Year celebrates those lenders that are redefining how businesses access finance - without the need for tangible assets. Open to NACFB Patron lenders, if your organisation champions fast, flexible, and transparent unsecured lending solutions, and empowers brokers to better serve clients across sectors, this award is your opportunity to be recognised for your innovation, accessibility, and commercial impact.

The Unsung Hero of the Year is new for 2025 and shines a spotlight on the individuals behind the scenes who quietly keep things moving. Whether working in operations, compliance, client support, marketing, or any other supporting function, these individuals exemplify dedication, consistency, and excellence. Open to NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers, if someone in your team has gone above and beyond to make a meaningful difference without seeking the limelight, now is the time to recognise their impact. NACFB Patrons and Partners may enter this category more than once if they have more than one suitable individual.