Should I use a broker or apply direct? — Answers

2 min read

Broker = accessWider market, negotiation

Direct = cheaperNo broker fee

Know your lender?Then go direct

Compare on totalFee included

What a broker adds

A commercial finance broker can be genuinely useful: access to lenders you would not find alone, help packaging your application so it presents well, and negotiation on your behalf. For a complex or borderline case, or when you do not know where to start, that access and expertise can secure a better deal than going it alone — sometimes more than covering their cost. See how broker fees work.

What direct saves

Applying direct removes the broker's fee or commission from your cost of borrowing. If you already know which lender you want, or your case is straightforward and strong, there is little a broker adds that you cannot do yourself — and the saving is real. Many lenders, including Credicorp, take applications directly with no intermediary charge.

Deciding, and comparing fairly

The honest test is whether a broker will secure a deal better than you can find direct by more than their fee. For a clear, strong application with a known target lender, direct usually wins on cost. For a difficult case or an unfamiliar market, a good broker can earn their fee several times over. Either way, fold any broker fee into total cost before comparing offers.

If you know what you want, apply direct to Credicorp and keep the fee.

Frequently asked questions

Is it always cheaper to apply direct?

On fee alone, yes — going direct avoids any broker charge. Whether it is cheaper overall depends on whether a broker would have found a materially better deal than you can yourself. For a strong, straightforward application with a known lender, direct usually wins. For a complex or borderline case, a broker's access can outweigh their fee. Compare total cost including any fee.

Can a broker get me a deal I couldn't get myself?

Sometimes — brokers have relationships with lenders you might not approach, and can package a borderline case to present better, occasionally unlocking an offer you would not reach alone. For strong, simple applications the difference is usually small. The value of a broker rises with the complexity or difficulty of your case, and falls when your application is clear and your target lender known.