Small Business Loans: Fast Connections to Trusted UK Lenders

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and growing SMEs find suitable business loans and finance solutions from £10,000 upwards by matching you—quickly and free of charge—with specialist lenders and brokers. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll introduce you to partners who understand your sector so you can compare options without searching dozens of providers.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check

*Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and does not provide financial advice. All finance is subject to status, affordability checks and lender terms.*

Why small businesses turn to specialist finance introducers

Searching for the right business loan can take hours and still leave you uncertain if you’ve found the best match. Specialist introducers save time by connecting you to lenders and brokers that already serve your sector and funding need.

Fast Business Loans works with a wide panel of UK finance partners who specialise in SME lending. That means fewer unsuitable approaches, faster responses and a better chance of finding terms that fit your cash flow and growth plans.

Ready to let experts handle the matching? Tell us about your business.

Understanding small business loans in the UK

“Small business loan” is an umbrella term for a variety of finance products. They can be unsecured or secured, short-term or long-term, and structured to suit working capital, capital expenditure or refinancing. Typical facilities in the market range from around £10,000 up to several million pounds.

Common funding needs for SMEs

• Working capital to cover seasonal or short-term cash flow gaps
• Growth and expansion—new premises, stock or staff
• Asset and equipment purchases (machinery, vehicles, IT)
• Refinancing or consolidating existing debt to improve monthly cash flow
• Fit-outs and refurbishment for retail, hospitality or office spaces
• Project or contract finance for construction and manufacturing

Loan features to compare

• Interest & APR: Compare representative rates, not only headline interest.
• Term: Short-term (months) vs long-term (years) affects monthly cost and total interest.
• Fees: Arrangement, valuation, broker fees and early repayment charges.
• Security: Unsecured vs asset-backed; secured loans may require business or property assets.
• Repayment flexibility: Repayment holidays, seasonal repayment profiles or revolving facilities.
• Speed: Time to decision and to drawdown—critical for cashflow needs.

Note: availability and terms depend on lender criteria. Fast Business Loans does not guarantee approval.

How Fast Business Loans matches you with the right partner

Our process is designed for speed and relevance:

1. Complete a short online enquiry with basic company details and funding requirement.
2. We match your request to lenders and brokers from our panel who specialise in your sector and loan size.
3. A matched partner will contact you to discuss options and any supporting documentation required.
4. You compare offers and choose the one that best fits your business—no obligation to proceed.

This service is free to business owners and designed to reduce time spent shopping around. Get Matched with a Broker Today.

Eligibility snapshot — what lenders usually look for

Different lenders use different criteria, but common checks include:

• Minimum trading history (often 12–24 months for many lenders)
• Business structure and turnover (lenders set turnover thresholds relative to loan size)
• Profitability and cash flow forecasts
• Credit history at company and director level
• Nature of collateral (if secured finance is sought)

Not sure you’ll qualify? Let us explore the options—many lenders specialise in higher-risk or specialist scenarios. Check Your Eligibility.

Finance options we commonly introduce

Our partners provide a range of products to suit different needs. Below are high-level overviews.

Unsecured small business loans

Suitable for smaller borrowing needs when security isn’t available. Typical sizes start from £10,000. They usually have faster decision times but may carry higher rates and stricter affordability checks.

Secured & asset-backed lending

Loans secured on business or commercial property, plant or stock. This route often allows larger facilities and longer terms, reducing monthly costs compared to unsecured options. Terms and valuations vary by lender.

Check Your Funding Options in Minutes

Cash flow & working capital solutions

Includes invoice finance, merchant cash advances and revolving credit lines. These are designed to smooth cash flow and unlock funds from trading rather than relying on traditional term loans.

Asset & equipment finance

Hire purchase, finance leases and asset refinance let you acquire or refinance equipment while spreading cost over its useful life. Many lenders offer tailored packages for vehicles, plant and specialist machinery.

All products are subject to lender terms and affordability checks.

Industry-specific expertise across UK SMEs

We work with partners experienced in a broad range of sectors, for example:

• Construction & trades
• Hospitality, pubs and restaurants
• Retail & e-commerce
• Manufacturing & engineering
• Healthcare clinics and care homes
• Agriculture and rural businesses

Sector knowledge helps lenders assess risk and structure suitable facilities faster. If you’d like to see sector-specific guidance, ask in your enquiry.

What to expect after you submit an enquiry

Once you submit your details:

• We match you with suitable partners and share your enquiry with them.
• You should receive contact—typically by phone or email—within hours on business days.
• Partners may ask for documents (accounts, bank statements, ID) to provide accurate quotes.
• An initial introduction and indicative terms will not impact your credit score; formal credit checks happen only if you choose to proceed.

Submit Your Enquiry – No Cost, No Obligation

Responsible borrowing & transparency

Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and does not give regulated financial advice. We connect businesses with brokers and lenders so you can compare options responsibly. Please assess affordability carefully before accepting any finance.

For guidance on clear and fair financial promotions, see the FCA’s information on financial promotions: FCA financial promotions guidance.

*Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and does not provide financial advice. All finance is subject to status, affordability checks, and lender terms.*

Success snapshot — anonymised examples

Here are example outcomes that reflect how matching can speed results (anonymised):

• A small manufacturer was matched to an asset finance broker and obtained a £120k facility to buy CNC equipment; funding completed in under three weeks.
• A neighbourhood café secured a £25k working capital loan to cover seasonal stock and payroll after introductions to two lenders, allowing continued operation through a busy trading period.

Results vary by case. These examples illustrate typical timelines when documentation is provided promptly.

Tips for preparing a strong small business loan application

1. Bring up-to-date financials: management accounts and recent bank statements.
2. Prepare a short funding purpose statement and planned use of funds.
3. Have cash flow forecasts showing how you will meet repayments.
4. Be ready to explain any credit history issues and provide supporting context.
5. Consider what security you can offer (assets, property) if required.

Brokers often guide you through paperwork to improve speed and clarity.

Small business loan FAQs

Does using Fast Business Loans impact my credit score?

Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Matched lenders or brokers may request credit checks only if you decide to proceed with a formal application.

How quickly can small business funding be arranged?

Response time from partners is typically within hours. Funding speeds vary: some lenders can release funds in days, others take several weeks depending on underwriting and documentation.

Can start-ups apply?

Yes—many partners consider start-ups, but availability depends on business plan quality, projected revenues and any security or guarantees you can provide.

What costs should I consider besides interest?

Look for arrangement fees, valuation fees, broker fees, monthly admin charges and early repayment charges. Always ask for a full cost breakdown before proceeding.

Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?

Some products require security and/or director guarantees; others are unsecured. Requirements depend on lender, loan size and business circumstances.

What information will brokers ask for initially?

Expect to provide company details, trading history, turnover, loan amount and purpose, plus contact details. More documents may be requested during assessment.

Start your free eligibility check

If you need £10,000 or more for growth, cash flow or equipment, we can connect you with lenders and brokers who specialise in business finance.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Submitting the form does not commit you to any loan and will not affect your credit score. We will only share your details with partners who can help and who match your enquiry.

Want to learn more about small business lending options? See our industry overview on small business loans for additional guidance and sector-specific insights.

Fast Business Loans — Connecting UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers for fast, no-obligation finance introductions.

– Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—Fast Business Loans is a UK introducer that connects SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers, and does not lend or provide financial advice.

– What loan amounts are available?
Our partners typically offer small business finance from around £10,000 up to several million pounds, subject to lender criteria and status.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the free enquiry does not impact your credit score, and any credit checks occur only if you choose to proceed with a lender or broker.

– How quickly can I get a response and funding?
You’ll usually hear from a matched partner within hours on business days, with funding timelines ranging from a few days to several weeks depending on product and documentation.

– What types of business finance can you introduce me to?
We match UK SMEs to unsecured and secured loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, revolving credit lines, merchant cash advances and refinance solutions.

– What are the typical eligibility criteria?
Lenders usually look at trading history, turnover, profitability and cash flow, credit history of the company and directors, and available security for secured options.

– Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
Some products are unsecured while others require security or director guarantees, depending on the lender, loan size and your business profile.

– What information do I need to start the process?
Initially you’ll provide company details, trading history, turnover, funding amount and purpose plus contact info, with financials like accounts and bank statements requested later if you proceed.

– Can start-ups or businesses previously declined get matched?
Yes—many partners consider start-ups and previously declined applicants, though approval depends on affordability, the strength of your plan and any security or guarantees.

– What costs should I consider and is there any obligation to proceed?
Beyond interest you may see arrangement, valuation or broker fees and possible early repayment charges, while our enquiry is free and carries no obligation to accept any offer.