Small Business Loans: Compare Flexible Funding Options for UK SMEs
Fast summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK small and medium-sized companies find suitable business loans and finance options from £10,000 upwards by matching your enquiry with specialist lenders and brokers. We are an introducer — not a lender — and our free, no-obligation enquiry lets you compare tailored offers quickly without an initial hard credit check. Ready to see your options? Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Find the Right Small Business Loan Partner — Fast
Searching for a small business loan can be time-consuming and confusing. Fast Business Loans streamlines that process by matching your business with brokers and lenders who specialise in UK SME finance. You tell us about your needs via a short enquiry, and we introduce you to partners who can provide tailored quotes for loans and finance from £10,000 and above. Completing our form is free, confidential and does not affect your credit score.
Get Quote Now — it takes under two minutes to submit basic details and start receiving offers.
What Are Small Business Loans and How Can They Help UK SMEs?
Small business loans are financing products designed to support trading companies with working capital, expansion, equipment purchases, refinancing, or one-off investments. They can be unsecured or secured against business assets, and terms vary by lender — from short-term bridging finance to medium-term loans that support growth projects.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Typical uses include:
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- Bridging cash flow gaps and seasonal shortfalls
- Purchasing plant, vehicles or IT equipment
- Refurbishing premises or funding roll-out plans
- Consolidating higher-cost debt to improve monthly cash flow
For a broader guide to options aimed at smaller enterprises, see our pillar on small business loans.
When Does a Small Business Loan Make Sense?
- You have a clear plan for growth that needs capital now (new site, stock, or staff).
- Delayed client payments are interrupting payroll or supplier payments.
- You need to replace or upgrade essential equipment without draining reserves.
- Refinancing will materially lower monthly costs or simplify repayments.
How Fast Business Loans Supports Your Funding Journey
We’re an introducer: we don’t lend or give regulated financial advice. Instead we match your business to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and funding needs. Our process is simple and built to save you time.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Step 1: Quick Enquiry
Tell us a few business details and the amount/type of funding you want. The form takes less than two minutes and uses secure data handling.
Step 2: We Match You with Relevant Partners
Based on your information, we select brokers and lenders from our panel who best fit your profile and likely criteria.
Step 3: Compare Tailored Quotes
Matched partners contact you by phone or email to discuss terms and request any documents. You’ll receive personalised quotes to compare—there’s no obligation to proceed.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Step 4: Choose the Solution That Fits
Pick the offer that best matches your goals and cash flow. Your chosen broker or lender will present full terms and next steps.
Ready to start? Free Eligibility Check — quick, confidential and no hard credit checks at this stage.
Types of Small Business Finance We Can Help You Access
Through our network you can explore a wide range of products to suit different needs and asset profiles.
Unsecured & Secured Business Loans
Unsecured loans require no asset backing but typically carry higher rates. Secured loans use property, plant, or stock as collateral and often offer larger amounts or longer terms.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Revolving Credit & Overdraft Alternatives
Flexible lines of credit can support working capital and seasonal borrowing without reapplying for new funding each time.
Asset & Equipment Finance
Hire purchase and leasing allow businesses to spread the cost of machinery, vehicles or IT while preserving cashflow.
Invoice Finance & Short-Term Cashflow
Invoice discounting or factoring unlocks cash tied up in unpaid invoices — useful for fast-growing or B2B companies waiting on long payment terms.
Government-Backed & Specialist Funding
Special schemes and sector-specific facilities may be available depending on timing and eligibility; matched brokers can advise if these are suitable.
Eligibility: What Lenders Usually Look For
Criteria vary by lender and product, but common requirements include:
- Minimum trading history (varies — some lenders accept young companies)
- Evidence of turnover and cash flow (management accounts, bank statements)
- Director identification and company documents
- Debt profile and credit history — lenders assess affordability
Documents You May Need
- Recent business bank statements (typically 3–12 months)
- Management accounts or statutory accounts
- Business plan or use-of-funds statement for growth loans
- ID for directors and proof of address
Can I Apply with Poor Credit or Limited Trading History?
Possibly. Some specialist lenders and brokers work with businesses that have less-than-perfect credit or are newly trading. Our matching approach helps you reach those partners who may be most sympathetic to your circumstances.
Start My Free Eligibility Check — submitting an enquiry won’t leave a footprint on your credit file.
How to Compare Small Business Loan Offers Responsibly
When you receive offers, consider total cost, flexibility and risk—not just headline rates.
- APR and interest rate — understand if the rate is fixed or variable
- Arrangement, facility and early repayment fees
- Repayment schedule and how it aligns with your cash flow
- Security requirements and potential personal guarantees
- Provider reputation and support during the term
If anything is unclear, discuss it with the broker handling your lead before agreeing to terms.
Why Businesses Use Fast Business Loans
- Speed: our enquiry quickly reaches relevant lenders and brokers.
- Time saved: one short form replaces dozens of individual enquiries.
- Choice: compare multiple offers tailored to your business.
- No cost: our service is free to businesses; we are paid by partners if you proceed.
We support many sectors including construction, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and logistics. Funding times and amounts vary by product, but typical deals arranged through our partners start from £10,000 upwards.
Case Snapshots: Small Business Loans in Action
Local Café—Equipment & Fit-Out
Challenge: urgent replacement of kitchen equipment and a small refurbishment. Outcome: matched with an asset finance broker; equipment lease agreed within 2 weeks, preserving cash reserves.
Manufacturing Supplier—Working Capital
Challenge: large purchase order required upfront supplier payments. Outcome: invoice finance solution introduced; cashflow unlocked so the order could be fulfilled and business expanded.
Results vary by business and product; these snapshots are illustrative only.
FAQs About Small Business Loans in the UK
- What loan amounts can I explore?
- Our partners typically handle requests from £10,000 up to multi-million pound facilities, depending on lender criteria and your business profile.
- Will completing the form affect my credit score?
- No — submitting our enquiry does not perform a hard credit search. Lenders may carry out checks later if you proceed with a formal application.
- Do you charge businesses to use the service?
- No — the service is free for business owners. We are remunerated by brokers or lenders if you choose to proceed with a product.
- How quickly will I hear from lenders?
- Often within hours during business times. Timing depends on the partner’s workload and the complexity of your request.
- Can I apply if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
- Yes. We work with a wide panel so different providers may have different risk appetites.
Have a question not listed here? Get Started – Free Eligibility Check and a matched broker will contact you to discuss specifics.
Next Steps: Secure the Funding Your Business Deserves
Ready to explore options? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with the most relevant lenders or brokers for your needs. The process is free, confidential and designed to get you meaningful quotes without unnecessary paperwork.
Start Your Free Eligibility Check
Disclosure: Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Matched brokers and lenders will present full terms before you make any decision. Submitting an enquiry does not commit you to borrow and will not directly affect your credit score.
– Are you a lender or an introducer?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK SMEs with vetted lenders and brokers — we don’t lend or give regulated financial advice.
– What loan amounts can I access through Fast Business Loans?
Our partners typically consider facilities from £10,000 up to multi-million-pound funding, subject to your business profile and the product.
– Will completing your eligibility check affect my credit score?
No — our free enquiry uses no hard credit search, though lenders may run checks later if you proceed with a formal application.
– Is your enquiry form a loan application?
No — it’s an initial information enquiry used to match you with suitable lenders/brokers, not a formal application and there’s no obligation to proceed.
– How quickly can I get a small business loan or funding?
You’ll often hear from matched partners within hours during business times, with funding speed dependent on the product, documents, and lender processes.
– Can I qualify for a business loan with bad credit or limited trading history?
Possibly — our panel includes specialist lenders open to businesses with adverse credit or shorter trading histories.
– What documents do lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent business bank statements, management or statutory accounts, director ID and proof of address, plus a brief use-of-funds or business plan for growth loans.
– Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
Requirements vary by lender and product — unsecured loans may need a director’s personal guarantee, while secured finance uses assets or property as collateral.
– Do you charge any fees to use your service?
No — our matching service is free for businesses, and we’re paid by partners only if you choose to proceed with a product.
– Can I still apply if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
Yes — different lenders and brokers have different criteria, so you may still find suitable options even after a previous decline.