How the CGFS Funding Process Works: From Submission to Closing

A step-by-step guide for brokers, referral partners, business owners and project sponsors seeking USD $1 million or more.

By Creative Global Funding Services Inc.

The commercial funding process moves a financing request through preliminary review, proposed terms, formal engagement, lender underwriting, closing documentation and funding authorization. At Creative Global Funding Services Inc. (CGFS), we help qualified businesses and project sponsors navigate these stages and connect appropriate opportunities with prospective capital providers.

CGFS facilitates access to private lenders, institutional investors, family offices and alternative capital providers. Each lender or investor makes its own independent credit, investment and funding decisions. An indicative term sheet, conditional proposal or fee payment does not guarantee funding.

This guide explains the typical CGFS funding process for requests of USD $1 million or more, including the documents brokers should prepare and what borrowers can expect at each milestone. Requirements and sequencing may vary by transaction and capital provider.

Submit a funding request for preliminary review (https://www.creativeglobalfundingservices.com/request-funding.php)

The funding process at a glance

1. Prepare the opportunity and collect supporting information.
2. Complete CGFS screening and preliminary lender review.
3. Review indicative terms and establish the CGFS engagement.
4. Review the lender's conditional proposal and applicable diligence requirements.
5. Complete underwriting, resolve conditions and obtain the lender's decision.
6. Finalize required protections and closing documents, satisfy funding conditions and receive funds after authorization.

For a shorter introduction, see our funding process overview (https://www.creativeglobalfundingservices.com/process.php).

What to prepare before submitting a funding request

A useful submission explains the opportunity, the amount requested, the use of proceeds and the proposed repayment or investor exit strategy. Supporting documents should make those points verifiable.

Prepare the following, as applicable:

• Transaction summary: borrower or sponsor name, business or project location, funding amount, financing purpose and intended use of proceeds.
• Corporate information: ownership structure, organizational chart, operating history and management biographies.
• Financial information: historical statements, current interim statements, projections with assumptions and an existing debt schedule.
• Project documents: business plan, feasibility information, sources and uses, construction or development budget, permits and implementation schedule.
• Property and collateral information: asset descriptions, purchase agreements, appraisals, rent rolls, existing financing and relevant environmental reports.
• Repayment or exit plan: the expected source of loan repayment or the proposed path to realizing an investment return.
• Known issues: existing liens, litigation, ownership questions, permit gaps or other matters that could affect the transaction.

The initial website inquiry starts the conversation. CGFS may request additional supporting information before a transaction can be assessed or presented to a prospective capital provider.

The 19 stages of the CGFS commercial funding process

1. The broker identifies a funding opportunity

A broker or referral partner identifies a business, developer or project sponsor seeking capital. Before submitting the opportunity, the broker should understand the funding requirement, ownership, financial position, available assets and proposed repayment or exit strategy.

The objective is to establish whether a credible transaction exists. The lender will conduct its own underwriting later in the process.

2. The initial information package is collected

The broker and borrower assemble enough information to explain the transaction and support an initial assessment. A funding amount alone is insufficient: the package should connect the capital request to the business plan, project budget or other intended use.

Document requirements depend on the opportunity. A real estate development may require permits and a construction budget; an operating business may require financial statements, debt schedules and cash-flow projections.

3. CGFS conducts a preliminary review

CGFS assesses whether the opportunity appears potentially suitable for presentation to an appropriate capital source. This review may consider transaction size, jurisdiction, industry, financial condition, project economics, sponsor experience, collateral, repayment capacity and requested structure.

Some transactions do not proceed beyond this stage. Early screening helps identify whether further work is justified or whether additional information is needed.

4. The opportunity is presented to a prospective lender

Where a potential fit is identified, CGFS presents the request and supporting information to a prospective lender or investor. The capital provider independently evaluates its interest.

It may decline the opportunity, request more information, suggest another structure or express preliminary interest. Presentation to a lender is a review milestone, not an approval.

5. The lender establishes an indicative funding structure

An interested capital provider may propose an initial structure covering the funding amount, pricing or investment return, term, payment arrangements, security, equity requirements and other commercial conditions.

These indicative terms help establish whether the proposed economics could work for both parties. Full underwriting remains outstanding, and the proposal is not an unconditional commitment to fund.

6. CGFS provides a sanitized indicative term sheet

CGFS communicates the proposed financing structure through a sanitized indicative term sheet. In this context, sanitized means that confidential lender information is withheld at this preliminary stage while the borrower reviews the proposed economics.

This allows the borrower to assess the structure before the transaction moves into subsequent engagement and diligence stages.

7. The borrower accepts the sanitized terms

If the indicative structure is acceptable, the borrower signs the sanitized term sheet to demonstrate a willingness to proceed on that basis.

Signing does not constitute final lender approval. Underwriting, due diligence, verification, legal review, definitive documentation and other lender conditions may still be required.

8. CGFS issues the General Services Agreement

Following acceptance of the sanitized terms, CGFS issues its General Services Agreement (GSA). The GSA defines the engagement, including services, responsibilities, confidentiality, compensation, retainer requirements and any applicable success fees.

The borrower reviews and executes the agreement before the engagement proceeds. The executed GSA establishes the terms of the relationship with CGFS.

9. The borrower pays the retainer under the GSA

After executing the GSA, the borrower pays the applicable refundable retainer in accordance with that agreement. This activates the formal engagement and allows the transaction to move into the next phase.

The retainer's treatment and refundability are governed by the executed GSA. The description “refundable retainer” does not replace the agreement's specific conditions or establish an unrestricted refund right. Payment does not guarantee financing.

10. The lender issues its conditional proposal

Once the applicable preliminary requirements are completed, the prospective lender is identified and may issue a non-sanitized conditional term sheet, conditional loan agreement or other conditional funding documentation.

This documentation may specify the lender, amount, pricing, repayment structure, security, diligence requirements, conditions precedent and applicable lender or third-party costs. The borrower can now review a proposal issued by the prospective capital provider itself.

11. The borrower accepts the lender's conditional terms

The borrower reviews the lender's proposal and countersigns if the terms are acceptable. This indicates an intention to proceed into formal underwriting and due diligence under the stated conditions.

Conditional terms remain subject to the requirements in the relevant documents. Acceptance does not turn a conditional proposal into an unconditional funding commitment.

12. Any required diligence review fee is paid

If the lender's conditional agreement requires a diligence review fee, the borrower pays it in accordance with the executed documentation. The fee supports the review described in those documents.

The CGFS retainer and a lender-required diligence fee are separate items governed by their respective agreements. Do not assume the same refund terms apply to both.

13. Formal underwriting and due diligence begin

The lender and its professional service providers investigate and verify the opportunity. The scope may include:

• Financial capacity: operating results, cash flow, projections, debt obligations and repayment capacity.
• Corporate verification: legal existence, ownership, signing authority and organizational records.
• KYC and AML: identity, beneficial ownership and applicable Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering requirements.
• Assets and collateral: ownership, valuation, existing liens and proposed security position.
• Project viability: budgets, contracts, permits, feasibility, market demand and implementation schedules.
• Legal matters: material agreements, litigation and transaction documentation.
• Management and sponsors: experience, financial participation and ability to execute the plan.

The lender determines the scope based on the structure, jurisdiction and risk profile. For broader context, explore our commercial financing solutions (https://www.creativeglobalfundingservices.com/solutions.php).

14. Outstanding questions and conditions are resolved

Underwriting may generate additional requests for documents, updated valuations or clarification. The borrower supplies complete and accurate responses, while CGFS and the submitting broker can help coordinate information.

An organized response process helps maintain momentum. Unresolved discrepancies or slow responses can extend the review.

15. The lender makes its final underwriting decision

After reviewing the transaction, the lender may approve it, approve it subject to further conditions, revise the structure, require deficiencies to be addressed or decline it.

This decision belongs to the capital provider. Preliminary interest, signed conditional terms and completed payments do not predetermine the outcome.

16. Required security and risk-mitigation arrangements are completed

Depending on the financing structure, the lender may require collateral documentation, insurance, credit enhancement, risk-transfer arrangements or other protections. Any transaction-specific securitization requirements, where applicable, must also be addressed.

These arrangements vary by transaction. The relevant lender documents determine which protections are required before closing and funding can be authorized.

17. Definitive closing documents are prepared

When the lender is prepared to proceed, the parties prepare the definitive transaction documents. Depending on the structure, these may include loan or investment agreements, promissory notes, security agreements, mortgages or charges, guarantees, corporate resolutions, intercreditor agreements and closing statements.

The borrower and lender should obtain their own legal, tax and professional advice as appropriate when reviewing the final documents.

18. Conditions precedent to funding are satisfied

Conditions precedent are requirements that must be satisfied, or formally waived by the lender where permitted, before funds can be advanced. They may include final compliance clearance, signed agreements, corporate approvals, security perfection, evidence of insurance, required equity contributions and closing expenses.

The definitive documents establish the applicable requirements. Funding authorization follows only when the necessary conditions have been addressed.

19. The transaction closes and funds are advanced

Once closing requirements are completed, the lender authorizes funding. Funds are advanced in accordance with the definitive documents to the borrower, closing agent, escrow account or another designated recipient.

The transaction is actually funded when the capital is advanced. A proposal, signature or preliminary approval is an earlier milestone in the process.

Indicative terms, conditional approval and funding: what changes?

Indicative term sheet: proposed economics for initial consideration. Formal engagement, lender conditions and detailed review remain outstanding.

Executed GSA and retainer: the CGFS engagement proceeds under the agreement. Independent lender assessment and funding requirements remain outstanding.

Lender’s conditional proposal: lender-issued terms subject to stated conditions. Applicable diligence, underwriting and final requirements remain outstanding.

Final underwriting decision: the lender reaches a credit or investment decision. Outstanding protections, documents and funding conditions still need to be addressed.

Closing and funding: closing requirements are completed and the lender authorizes advancement. Funds must actually be advanced under the definitive documents.

The governing agreements determine each party's obligations. This guide explains the typical sequence; it does not replace those documents.

How brokers can help prevent avoidable delays

Start with a complete, internally consistent package. Confirm that the amount requested agrees with the use-of-proceeds schedule and that financial summaries match the supporting statements.

Understand the client and disclose known issues early. Existing liens, unresolved ownership questions, incomplete permits or unsupported valuations can become significant obstacles if they emerge late in diligence.

Set realistic expectations about the work required. Borrowers should be prepared to review agreements, provide supporting records and respond to transaction-specific questions. Assigning a primary contact can make responses easier to coordinate.

Above all, communicate the transaction's status accurately. Describe indicative terms as indicative and conditional terms as conditional. Funding remains subject to the capital provider's requirements and authorization.

Frequently asked questions about the CGFS funding process

What is the minimum funding request CGFS considers?

CGFS reviews qualified business and project funding requests of USD $1 million or more. Suitability depends on the opportunity, supporting information and capital-provider requirements.

Is CGFS the lender?

In this process, CGFS facilitates access to prospective capital providers. The lender or investor independently decides whether to approve the transaction and authorize funding.

Can brokers and referral partners submit opportunities?

Yes. Brokers and referral partners can submit qualified business and project opportunities for preliminary review. A clear transaction summary and appropriate supporting information help CGFS assess the request.

What is a sanitized indicative term sheet?

It is a preliminary outline of proposed financing terms that withholds confidential lender information at that stage. It allows the borrower to consider the commercial structure before proceeding further.

Does signing a term sheet guarantee funding?

No. Signing indicative or conditional terms does not establish an unconditional guarantee of funding. The transaction remains subject to the lender's applicable review, documentation, conditions and final authorization.

Is the CGFS retainer refundable?

The retainer's treatment and refundability are governed by the specific terms of the executed General Services Agreement. Borrowers should review those provisions before signing and paying.

Is the diligence review fee the same as the CGFS retainer?

No. The CGFS retainer relates to the CGFS engagement under the GSA. A diligence review fee, where required, is addressed in the lender's conditional documentation. The applicable agreements determine each payment's terms.

How long does the commercial funding process take?

There is no single closing timeline for every transaction. Timing depends on document readiness, complexity, jurisdiction, lender review, third-party reports, legal work and the resolution of conditions. An initial review is only the first assessment; it is not the full funding process.

What documents are needed to start?

A useful starting package includes a transaction summary, funding amount, use of proceeds, borrower and ownership information, relevant financial statements, projections, debt details and a repayment or exit strategy. Project and collateral documents may also be required.

Can a lender decline a transaction after issuing conditional terms?

Yes. The lender may revise or decline the opportunity if its underwriting findings or other requirements are not satisfactory. Conditional terms should not be represented as final funding authorization.

What are conditions precedent to funding?

They are requirements that must be completed, or formally waived by the lender where permitted, before capital is advanced. The definitive documents identify the conditions applicable to the transaction.

When are funds actually released?

Funds are advanced after closing requirements are completed and the lender authorizes funding, in accordance with the definitive transaction documents.

Submit a qualified funding request to CGFS

If you are a broker, referral partner, business owner or project sponsor seeking USD $1 million or more, prepare a clear summary of the opportunity, the use of proceeds and the supporting financial or project information.

CGFS evaluates opportunities across multiple industries and jurisdictions and seeks to connect suitable transactions with appropriate capital providers. A well-documented request gives the review process a stronger starting point.

Submit your funding request (https://www.creativeglobalfundingservices.com/request-funding.php)

Have a process question before submitting? Contact CGFS (https://www.creativeglobalfundingservices.com/contact.php).

Creative Global Funding Services Inc.

Funding Business and Projects Worldwide

Submission, preliminary terms, an executed GSA, payment of a retainer or diligence fee, and conditional approval do not guarantee lender interest, approval, closing or funding. Funding remains subject to the capital provider's requirements, definitive documentation and final authorization.