Why I’m confident about corporate opportunities in 2026 – Mark Eastwood, Director of Corporate Sales.

Let’s be honest, the mood around the economy and investment between October and December 2025 was decidedly cautious. The later than anticipated Budget, and the uncertainty of what was going to be announced, felt like it stalled confidence with many borrowers choosing to wait out the quarter

But, at Together, we saw the opposite happen.

In the last quarter of 2025, our average monthly lending increased to £300.6m (up 6.1% year-on-year and 11.1% on the previous quarter). Combined with a strong quarterly profits (£59.3m), an expanding loan book (now £8.1 bn), and a decrease in arrears, it demonstrates an increasing need and appetite for specialist lending.

And, seeing the amazing range of deals coming in, it’s clear that the trend of optimism and opportunity is continuing (especially in the corporate world) in to the first three months of 2026.

Here’s what I believe is fuelling the confident return to the market, and why it signals great things for the economy, specialist lending, and, most importantly, our corporate and commercial customers.

1. Clearer rate expectations are giving businesses space to act

Rate stability is giving corporate clients the confidence to restart plans that were paused in 2024 and early 2025. What we are seeing at Together is that these decisions often need funding partners who can act at pace.

The moment the outlook becomes clearer, businesses want to move quickly. That is exactly where specialist lenders come in. We can structure solutions around the opportunity, rather than slow a project down with rigid processes. That ability to respond quickly is helping many of our clients take advantage of improving conditions (and often before their competitors can react).

2. Corporate investors are prioritising speed and certainty

In the current market, certainty is as valuable as cost. Corporate clients want a lender who can understand complexity, remove friction and give them confidence that their transaction will complete on time.

At Together, we see this in the growing number of enquiries for time sensitive acquisitions, refinancing and development projects. Businesses want a funding partner who can shape a solution around the commercial reality. That shift is a major reason specialist lending is becoming a preferred choice in corporate finance conversations.

Key asset classes for 2026

It won’t come as any surprise that the key property types I expect growth in are those where demand and scarcity are high:

3. Regeneration and mixed use projects need structured support

Investment is flowing back into regeneration and mixed use development across the UK, but many of these projects sit outside standard lending criteria. They involve layered structures, phased delivery and unconventional security.

One of the strongest trends we’ve seen is in the purchase and redevelopment of older commercial stock, especially in areas seeing urban regeneration (such as Old Trafford). It’s interesting to see how these assets are being reimagined into prime office space, much needed residential, hospitality and leisure, and other commercial uses.

Specialist lenders like Together are playing a central role in helping these schemes move forward by taking a more practical, project led view. The increase in enquiries for these types of deals is a strong indicator of returning confidence.

4. Return to face-to-face relationship finance

As someone with over 36 years of experience in financial services, I still believe that trusted relationships make the biggest difference in complex transactions. Over the past few months, we have seen more clients wanting to sit across the table, walk through the detail and build a partnership with their lender. It is a shift back to relationship finance, where understanding the commercial context and the people behind a deal matters just as much as the numbers.

At Together, this approach has always been a core part of how we work, and it’s why we have dedicated experts based in each region. Meeting clients on site, discussing strategy directly with decision makers and staying close throughout a transaction allows us to solve challenges quickly and keep deals on track. It also gives clients confidence that we understand their ambitions and can support them as opportunities arise. This return to relationship led lending is a significant driver of activity in 2026, and it is something I expect to strengthen as businesses continue to prioritise certainty, clarity and trust.

For customers planning for growth and long term stability, these are exciting times. Whether you are exploring an acquisition, starting a new scheme or preparing your business for its next stage, Together is ready to help you act with confidence. If you would like to discuss your plans for the year ahead, my team and I are here to support you.