Beyond Traditional Banking: How Borrowers Can Secure Smarter Deals

Accessing capital for commercial real estate (CRE) has become more complicated. Persistently high interest rates and increasingly conservative bank lending standards have widened capital stack gaps for borrowers, even those with high-performing properties. These challenges have created an urgent need for financing options emphasizing long-term relationships, speed, and flexibility—not just short-term fixes.

Addressing the Capital Gap in Commercial Real Estate

Projections for rate cuts in 2024 failed to materialize. As a result, borrowers face a “higher for longer” interest rate environment, straining deals across the market. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, 20%—or $957 billion—of commercial mortgages will mature in 2025, up from 17% in 2024. That volume of debt maturation presses borrowers and lenders alike to explore financing strategies beyond traditional banks.

To manage these shortfalls, many borrowers turn to:

• Subordinate capital to replace bank-required equity injections
  
  
• Bridge financing for renovations or value-add repositioning before permanent takeout
  
  

While these tools can close immediate gaps, they often carry higher interest rates and shorter terms. Borrowers genuinely need access to financing relationships that provide competitive terms and strategic alignment—not just quick capital.

Smarter Capital Through Credit Union Partnerships

Unlike traditional banks that may apply rigid lending criteria, credit unions bring flexibility and a member-focused mindset. Their growing role in the lending ecosystem means borrowers now have broader access to funding channels that offer:

• Customized loan structures aligned with project goals
  
  
• Competitive terms and market-aligned rates
  
  
• Relationship-driven service that emphasizes stability over speed alone
  
  

According to the Federal Reserve, credit unions continue to expand their share of U.S. private household lending, reinforcing their role as a viable alternative to traditional lenders, especially for business borrowers seeking transparency and alignment.

What Sets CBS Apart for Borrowers

At Cooperative Business Services (CBS), we partner with credit unions that are contractually aligned with us—not intermediaries or brokers. This means borrowers gain direct access to institutional capital from relationship-driven lenders that prioritize thoughtful underwriting and deal quality.

CBS is built for borrowers who want certainty, not sales pitches. Here’s what you can expect when working with us:

• Expert credit and lease analysis to help strengthen your loan package from day one
  
  
• Transparent underwriting practices to minimize surprises and keep timelines on track
  
  
• Market-aligned insights to position your project competitively and efficiently
  
  

In today’s environment, you don’t just need capital—you need a partner who understands your objectives and moves with clarity and speed.

Lending Without the Guesswork

Commercial real estate doesn’t wait—and neither should your financing. CBS removes the common roadblocks borrowers encounter by offering:

• Competitive terms —including market-aligned rates and structures
  
  
• Efficient underwriting informed by decades of CRE lending experience
  
  
• Clear communication throughout the loan lifecycle, so you’re never in the dark
  
  

We don’t operate like a brokerage—we’re embedded in your success. Our relationships with credit unions allow us to coordinate closely, avoiding the friction, ambiguity, and delays that often come with traditional banking channels.

Borrow Smarter, Build Stronger

With over $957 billion in commercial mortgage maturities looming in 2025, now is the time to reassess your financing strategy. Whether you’re refinancing, acquiring, or repositioning a property, CBS equips you with:

• Access to capital beyond traditional banking constraints
  
  
• Flexible loan solutions suited to your project’s timeline and structure
  
  
• A relationship-first approach focused on long-term performance
  
  

We help you build intentionally—not reactively.

Build With Intention—Not Compromise

The most successful borrowers don’t just chase rates—they secure financing that supports their long-term vision. By working with CBS, you align with a proven model that emphasizes:

• Fewer dead ends and a greater deal of certainty
  
  
• Better underwriting alignment with real-world potential
  
  
• A trusted lending environment where your success comes first
  
  

Ready to close with confidence?

Connect with us and discover how CBS helps you borrow smarter, faster, and with clarity.