Small Business Loans: Compare the Right UK Options Quickly
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and SMEs find suitable small business finance from a wide panel of lenders and brokers. We’re an introducer (not a lender) — you complete a short, no-obligation enquiry and we’ll match your business to the best partners for your needs. Typical loan sizes we organise start from £10,000 upwards. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
What are UK small business loans and how do they work?
Small business loans are finance products designed for companies to support working capital, equipment purchases, expansions, refits, cashflow gaps or refinance. Lenders and brokers offer secured or unsecured loans, revolving facilities and specialist products tailored to sector needs. Fast Business Loans does not lend — we introduce your business to lenders and brokers who review your requirements and provide quotes.
Use cases include buying machinery, bridging invoices, funding seasonal stock, acquiring premises or refinancing existing debt. Loan terms and structures vary by product, lender risk appetite and the security offered.
Why use Fast Business Loans as your finance matchmaker?
Fast Business Loans saves you time and increases the likelihood of a suitable match by connecting you to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and borrowing profile. Key benefits:
- Speed: a short enquiry connects you quickly to relevant partners.
- Curated panel: we match you to lenders/brokers based on need and sector experience.
- Free & no obligation: there’s no cost to enquire and no pressure to proceed.
- Confidential & minimal impact: an initial enquiry does not affect your credit score.
- Support for loan amounts from £10,000 upwards.
Step-by-step: From enquiry to funding in days
Summary: our process is designed to be fast and clear so you can compare offers without needless friction.
- Quick enquiry: Tell us basic business details, the amount you need and the purpose. It takes under two minutes.
- Matching: We identify the best lenders/brokers from our panel and pass them your enquiry.
- Contact & quotes: Partners typically call or email quickly to request documents and share indicative terms.
- Compare & decide: Review APRs, fees and repayment options; accept the offer that fits your business.
We handle introductions only. Any formal credit checks or contracts are completed by the lender or broker you choose.
Get Quote Now — Takes less than two minutes, with no impact on credit score at the enquiry stage.
Popular small business finance options we can introduce
Below are common products our partners provide. We’ll match you to the specialist that best fits your circumstances.
Unsecured business loans
Features: No asset required, quicker approval. Typical sizes: from £10,000 to mid-six figures. Terms: 1–5 years. Ideal for: short-term growth or working capital.
Secured business loans
Features: Lower rates when secured against property or assets. Typical sizes: £50,000+. Terms: up to 25 years for property-backed. Ideal for: larger expansions or property purchases.
Revolving credit / business overdraft
Features: Flexible access to funds; pay interest only on what you use. Ideal for managing ongoing cashflow fluctuations.
Invoice finance
Features: Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Typical advance rates 70–90% of invoice value. Ideal for B2B businesses with outstanding receivables.
Merchant cash advance
Features: Advance repaid via a percentage of daily card takings. Fast access to cash; cost varies. Ideal for retail and hospitality with consistent card sales.
Asset & equipment finance
Features: Finance for vehicles, machinery or IT. Options include hire purchase or leasing. Preserves working capital while acquiring essential equipment.
Refinance & debt consolidation
Features: Combine multiple debts into one facility to reduce monthly payments or secure improved rates.
Eligibility snapshot: Can your business qualify?
Here’s a quick checklist that helps determine likely eligibility. These are general indicators — each lender sets its own criteria.
Business basics
- Registered UK company (Ltd or Ltd by guarantee) — trading history matters.
- Minimum loan size: typically £10,000 and up.
Trading & turnover
- Many lenders prefer at least 6–12 months trading; some specialist funds work with newer businesses.
- Turnover bands influence product suitability — larger loans need demonstrable revenue or security.
Credit history
- Imperfect credit is not always a barrier; different lenders have different risk appetites.
- We start with soft checks or no credit checks at the matching stage — full credit checks happen only when you proceed with a partner.
Documents commonly requested
- Recent business bank statements (3–6 months)
- Management accounts or accounts filed at Companies House
- Proof of ID for directors and proof of business address
Check My Funding Options — submit a short enquiry to see who can help.
Costs, rates & repayments: what to expect
Interest rates and fees vary widely. Key factors that affect cost:
- Loan type (unsecured vs secured)
- Lender risk appetite and your business credit profile
- Loan term and repayment structure
- Any arrangement, broker or early repayment fees
When matched, brokers or lenders will provide full details of APR, fees and total repayment before you sign anything. Fast Business Loans does not charge you for introductions; any fees are set by the lender/broker and must be disclosed by them.
Case studies: funding wins for UK SMEs
Retailer secures seasonal stock finance
Situation: A growing high-street retailer needed £35,000 to buy seasonal stock. Outcome: Matched to a specialist invoice- and stock-finance broker; funds approved in 5 working days; stock purchased and sales boosted through the season. (Anonymised example.)
Construction firm replaces ageing plant
Situation: A regional contractor required £120,000 for plant and vehicle upgrades. Outcome: Introduced to asset finance lender offering competitive hire purchase terms; repayments aligned with contract cashflow; project delivery improved. (Anonymised example.)
Tech scale-up smooths cashflow during growth
Situation: A software firm with recurring revenues needed working capital while onboarding a large client. Outcome: Introduced to a short-term unsecured loan provider; funds released in under a week, enabling staff hires and delivery milestones to be met. (Anonymised example.)
Industry expertise across the UK SME landscape
We commonly connect businesses across:
- Construction
- Hospitality & restaurants
- Healthcare
- Retail & e‑commerce
- Agriculture
- Engineering & manufacturing
- Logistics & transport
- Professional services (limited companies)
- Franchises & family businesses
- Sustainability projects (solar, EV chargers)
If you want specialised help, tell us your sector in the enquiry and we’ll match you to brokers with the right expertise. Match Me With a Specialist Broker
How we stay clear, fair and not misleading
We follow plain-language, transparent communications so you can make informed decisions. Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend or provide financial advice. Any formal offer you receive will come directly from a lender or broker who will outline terms, fees and eligibility checks.
Privacy: we only share your details with relevant partners and protect data in line with UK data protection principles. Submitting an enquiry does not guarantee approval.
What happens after you submit your enquiry?
Timing and contact:
- You’ll usually receive contact from a broker or lender within hours during business days.
- Partners may request documents and conduct full checks only if you choose to progress.
- There’s no obligation — you can decline any offer or request not to be contacted further.
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to provide for a small business loan enquiry?
Basic business details, the amount and purpose of funding, approximate turnover band and contact details. More documents can be requested if a lender asks for them.
Will checking my options through Fast Business Loans affect my credit score?
No. Completing our enquiry does not affect your credit rating. Lenders/brokers may perform checks only if you progress with an offer.
How quickly could I get funds after enquiring?
Timescales vary: some specialist lenders can release funds within a few days, while secured property loans or large facilities may take weeks depending on underwriting and documentation.
Can businesses with limited trading history get matched?
Yes — some partners cater to newer businesses or scale-ups, but product suitability depends on sector, turnover projections and security offered.
What loan amounts are available via your partners?
Typical minimums start at £10,000. Our network supports loans from £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities, depending on the product.
Do lenders charge arrangement or broker fees?
Some partners or brokers may charge arrangement fees; any such fees must be disclosed by them before you commit.
What if I’ve been turned down elsewhere?
Being declined by one lender doesn’t mean all doors are closed. We can match you with alternative lenders or specialist brokers who consider wider criteria.
Are the lenders you work with regulated?
Lenders and brokers vary. Any regulatory status is for each provider to disclose; you’ll be informed of terms and protections when contacted by them.
Ready to compare small business loans?
Fast Business Loans connects you with lenders and brokers who can help you secure finance from £10,000 upwards.
Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check
Takes less than 2 minutes. No impact on your credit score to enquire. You’re under no obligation to proceed.
– What are UK small business loans and how do they work?
A small business loan is finance for working capital, equipment or growth, offered as secured or unsecured facilities, and Fast Business Loans introduces your UK company to suitable lenders/brokers who provide quotes.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that offers a free, no‑obligation matching service connecting UK SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers who follow FCA guidelines.
– Is the enquiry form a full loan application?
No—the enquiry is simply a quick, no‑obligation information form used to match you with appropriate providers, with any formal application completed directly with the lender or broker.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No, making an enquiry has no impact on your credit score, and any credit checks happen only if you proceed with a chosen provider.
– What loan amounts are available?
Typical minimums start from £10,000, with partners able to arrange facilities from tens of thousands up to multi‑million sums depending on product and eligibility.
– How quickly can I get funding?
Some unsecured or specialist facilities can fund within a few days, while larger secured or property‑backed loans may take several weeks due to underwriting and documentation.
– What types of business finance can you introduce?
We can match you to unsecured and secured business loans, revolving credit/overdrafts, invoice finance, merchant cash advances, and asset/equipment finance.
– Who can qualify for finance?
Many lenders prefer UK limited companies with 6–12 months’ trading, but newer businesses and those with imperfect credit may still qualify depending on turnover, sector and security.
– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect requests for recent business bank statements, management or filed accounts, and director ID and address verification.
– What interest rates and fees should I expect?
Costs vary by product, risk and term, with lenders or brokers disclosing full APRs, any arrangement or early‑repayment fees, and total repayment before you commit.
