Small Business Loans: Fast, Practical Funding Matches for UK SMEs

Summary: Fast Business Loans does not lend money. We quickly match UK limited companies and growing SMEs (loans from £10,000+) with suitable lenders and brokers based on your sector, loan size and credit profile. Complete a short, no-obligation Free Eligibility Check and we’ll introduce you to lenders or brokers who can provide quotes — you decide if you proceed.

Table of Contents

• Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans
• What is a small business loan?
• Common uses for funding
• Small business finance options we cover
• How our matching process works
• Eligibility factors lenders check
• Rates, costs & repayment terms
• Documents & information checklist
• Timeline: from enquiry to funding
• Sector spotlights
• Success snapshots
• Frequently asked questions
• Glossary
• Next step & disclaimer

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans

Finding the right lender can be time-consuming. Fast Business Loans speeds that process by matching your business with brokers and lenders who already work with your sector and loan size. Our aims are simple:

• Save time — one short enquiry connects you with multiple relevant partners.
• Improve fit — we match you to providers experienced in your industry and funding need.
• Protect your enquiry — our initial soft check does not affect your credit score.
• Keep it no-obligation — you receive quotes and choose whether to proceed.

Free Eligibility Check — takes under two minutes.

What is a small business loan?

A small business loan is a medium-term finance product designed to support company growth, working capital and investment. Loans can be secured (against property or assets) or unsecured. Typical uses include cashflow smoothing, buying equipment, refinancing debt or funding expansion. Unlike overdrafts or card facilities, term loans usually have structured repayments over a fixed period.

Funding uses our clients commonly explore

• Working capital to cover seasonal sales shortfalls
• Stock purchase and supplier payments
• Equipment, vehicle or machinery purchases (asset finance)
• Refinancing higher-cost debts
• Expansion — new premises, fit-outs or technology upgrades
• Sustainability projects — solar, EV charge points, efficiency upgrades

Case vignette: A regional catering supplier needed £75,000 to increase stock ahead of a busy season. We matched them with an asset-backed invoice finance broker who provided a flexible facility within days, helping preserve supplier relationships and sales.

Discuss your project — Get a Fast Quote

Small business finance options our panel covers

Unsecured term loans

Good for lenders confident in trading history and cashflows. Typical sizes commonly start from around £10,000 and can go significantly higher. Speed to funds: days-to-weeks depending on checks.

Secured loans & asset-backed facilities

Mortgage-style or asset-secured loans that can provide larger amounts or lower rates where security is acceptable. Suited to property purchases, larger CAPEX or refinancing.

Invoice finance (factoring & discounting)

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Ideal for limited companies with strong invoicing patterns but long debtor terms. Access can be within 24–72 hours once underwriting is complete.

Merchant cash advance

Repayments tied to card sales — useful for high card-turnover retail and hospitality businesses that need quick, short-term cash.

Asset & equipment finance

Structured leases or hire-purchase agreements for vehicles, machinery and specialist equipment. Preserves working capital while spreading cost.

Revolving credit facilities / business overdrafts

Flexible short-term liquidity. Revolving facilities suit businesses needing ongoing access rather than a fixed lump sum.

Please note: availability, rates and terms depend on the lender’s assessment. Fast Business Loans introduces you to providers — lending decisions are made by them.

How the Fast Business Loans matching process works

1. Complete a short enquiry form: basic business details, funding amount, purpose and contact details. This soft check does not affect your credit score. Start your enquiry.
2. Smart matching: we match your submission to lenders/brokers that specialise in your sector, loan size and risk profile.
3. Introduction: matched partners contact you with questions, indicative terms and document requests.
4. Compare & decide: you review quotes and terms, ask questions, and choose whether to proceed. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.

We handle your data securely and only share it with partners who can help with your specific request.

Eligibility factors UK lenders commonly check

Lenders vary, but common checks include:

• Business profile: company type, trading history (typically lenders prefer trading history though start-up solutions exist).
• Turnover & profitability: recent turnover and margin trends.
• Bank statements: to evidence cash flow and outgoings.
• Credit history: business and director credit files.
• Security & guarantees: requirement for fixed charges, director personal guarantees or asset security.
• Sector risks: some industries face higher costs or tighter lending criteria (e.g., hospitality seasonality).

Tips to strengthen applications: tidy and up-to-date accounts, clear loan purpose and realistic cashflow forecasts, and openness about previous credit issues — many specialist lenders consider impaired credit with tailored pricing.

Rates, costs & repayment terms: what to expect

Costs vary by product and provider: APR/flat rates, arrangement fees, exit or early repayment charges, and broker fees (if applicable). Fast Business Loans never charges businesses — any fees or interest are set and disclosed by the lender or broker. Always ask for a full breakdown of all fees and the total cost of credit before signing.

Compare at least two offers to understand differences in rates, fees and flexibility.

Required documents & information checklist

• Latest 12–24 months of business bank statements
• Recent management accounts and statutory accounts
• VAT returns (if applicable)
• Business plan or use-of-funds summary for larger loans
• Cashflow forecast where available
• Company registration number and confirmation of directors
• Photo ID and proof of address for directors

Preparing these in advance will speed up any lender assessment.

Timeline: from enquiry to funding

Timelines depend on product and lender:

• Quick eligibility responses: typically within hours.
• Specialist lenders and brokers: indicative terms within 24–72 hours.
• Underwriting and documentation: can range from days to a few weeks.
• Typical bank loans: often several weeks.

Speed factors: completeness of documents, responsiveness, and whether security or valuations are required.

Sector spotlights: who we help

We match lenders and brokers experienced across diverse UK sectors. Examples:

• Construction & trades: plant, materials and short-term cashflow facilities.
• Hospitality & retail: seasonal working capital, fit-outs and equipment finance.
• Manufacturing & engineering: machinery purchase, asset finance and invoice discounting.
• Logistics & transport: vehicle finance and fleet replacement solutions.
• Professional services & accountancy firms: cashflow smoothing and expansion capital.

For sector-specific guidance and examples, see our small business loans resources at small business loans.

Success snapshot (anonymised)

Client A: Growing engineering firm needed £120,000 for a CNC machine. Matched with a specialist asset finance broker; funding approved after standard checks and delivered within three weeks.

“Matched quickly, clear communication and a partner who understood our equipment needs.” — Testimonial supplied with client consent. Individual results vary.

Frequently Asked Questions — Small Business Loans

How much can I borrow through your panel?

Our panel covers loans from around £10,000 up to several million pounds depending on lender appetite and security offered.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Submitting a Fast Business Loans enquiry is a soft eligibility check and does not affect your credit score. Individual lenders may perform hard credit checks later if you decide to proceed.

Can start-ups apply?

Yes — some partners specialise in start-up finance, but requirements differ and lenders will typically ask for projections and director experience.

What if I’ve been declined elsewhere?

Declines elsewhere do not automatically preclude options. We work with a wide panel including specialist lenders who consider more complex cases (at potentially higher cost).

Do you charge businesses to use the service?

No — Fast Business Loans is free for businesses. Any lender or broker fees will be disclosed by the provider.

Will I speak to a real person?

Yes — matched lenders and brokers will typically contact you by phone or email to discuss options and next steps.

Can I repay early?

Early repayment terms vary by lender and product. Always check for early repayment charges before agreeing to a facility.

Do you offer government-backed loans?

We can introduce you to providers that help access government schemes, where eligible. Fast Business Loans does not itself provide government funding.

What happens after I submit the form?

We assess your enquiry and match you with suitable partners. A lender or broker will contact you to discuss terms and documentation — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Glossary: key small business finance terms

• APR: Annual Percentage Rate — total cost of credit expressed annually.
• EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & Amortisation — profitability measure.
• Personal Guarantee: Director promise to repay if the company defaults.
• Secured vs Unsecured: Secured loans use assets as collateral; unsecured do not.
• Term Sheet: Initial summary of loan terms from a lender.
• Working Capital: Funds to support day-to-day operations.

Your next step — Free, no-obligation eligibility check

If your business needs funding of £10,000 or more, start with a single short enquiry and we’ll do the legwork to match you with lenders and brokers who can help. There’s no cost and no obligation to accept any quote.

Get a Free Eligibility Check

– Are you a lender or adviser?
No — Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, and we don’t provide financial advice; we match UK SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers.

– Is your enquiry form a loan application?
No — it’s a quick, no‑obligation eligibility check used solely to match you with suitable providers.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — our initial soft check doesn’t affect your credit score, though individual lenders may run hard checks if you choose to proceed.

– How much can I borrow?
Our panel typically supports loans from around £10,000 up to several million pounds, subject to lender criteria and any security offered.

– How fast can I get funding?
You’ll usually get initial responses within hours, indicative terms in 24–72 hours, and funding in days to a few weeks depending on product and checks.

– What types of finance can you connect me with?
We match businesses to unsecured and secured term loans, invoice finance, merchant cash advances, asset/equipment finance, and revolving credit facilities.

– What are lenders’ main eligibility checks?
Lenders commonly review trading history, turnover/profitability, bank statements, credit history, sector risk, and any security or personal guarantees.

– Do you help start-ups or businesses with bad credit?
Yes — we work with specialist partners for start-ups and impaired credit, though requirements and pricing may differ.

– What documents will I need?
Typically 12–24 months of bank statements, recent accounts, VAT returns (if applicable), director ID/address, and a clear use-of-funds summary.

– What will it cost me?
Our service is free for businesses, while lenders/brokers set and disclose any interest, fees, and early repayment charges—so compare quotes before committing.