Small Business Loans: Find the Right Funding Fast

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK businesses (limited companies and SMEs) seeking finance of £10,000 and above with lenders and brokers who specialise in business funding. Our free, no‑obligation enquiry is not an application and won’t affect your credit score — it simply helps us match you to partners who can offer suitable quotes quickly. Complete a short Free Eligibility Check to get matched with lenders and brokers who understand your sector: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

How it Works — Quick Match Process

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Instead, we connect your business with specialist brokers and lenders who can provide tailored quotes. The enquiry form is an information-only form — not an application — used to match you with the most relevant finance partners.

1. Complete the short enquiry — tell us about your business, funding amount (from £10,000+), purpose and contact details. It takes around 2 minutes. Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
2. We match your case — your information is reviewed and shared only with lenders/brokers that fit your needs.
3. Receive contact — a broker or lender from our panel will contact you to discuss options and likely next steps. This is where any formal credit checks would be agreed and performed by the lender or broker.
4. Compare & decide — review quotes, ask questions, and choose the option that suits your business. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Get Matched with Lenders — Free Eligibility Check

Loan & Finance Options We Introduce

Through our network we can introduce you to providers offering a wide range of business finance solutions. Below are common product types, typical amounts and usual speeds — all are indicative and vary by partner and business case.

• Unsecured business loans — Typically from £10,000 to £250,000. Quick decisions possible; funds often in days for qualifying cases. Good for working capital, marketing or short-term needs.
• Secured business loans — From £25,000 upwards, secured against property or assets. Can offer lower rates but longer decision times depending on valuation.
• Invoice finance — Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Common facility sizes from £20,000 to several million; funding within days once set up.
• Asset & equipment finance — Finance for machinery, vehicles, IT or catering equipment. Typical terms 2–5 years; approval to funding in days to weeks.
• Merchant cash advance — Advances against future card sales. Rapid access to funds, usually higher cost; popular for seasonal shortfalls.
• Bridging & development finance — Short-term finance for property deals or large projects; typically higher sums and faster turnarounds where security exists.
• Refinance & debt consolidation — Restructure multiple facilities into a single loan to improve cashflow management.

For a full breakdown of options and specialist lenders, read our pillar guide to small business loans.

See Your Funding Options — Free Eligibility Check

Eligibility — What Lenders Typically Consider

Lenders and brokers each have their own criteria. Below are the common elements they review when assessing a small business loan enquiry.

Trading history

• Many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading; specialist start-up lenders may consider shorter histories with a strong business plan.

Turnover & affordability

• Turnover demonstrates repayment capacity; lenders will assess monthly cashflow and affordability rather than rely on headline turnover alone.

Credit profile

• Lenders look at company and director credit histories. An initial enquiry via our form does not trigger credit checks — partners may request checks later if you proceed.

Security & collateral

• Secured loans require assets or property; unsecured facilities rely more on cashflow and credit strength.

Documentation

• Common documents: recent bank statements, management accounts, filed accounts, ID for directors and details of existing borrowing.

If you’re unsure about eligibility, complete our short form and we’ll match you with partners experienced in similar cases: Free Eligibility Check.

Costs, Rates & Responsible Borrowing

Costs depend on product type, lender criteria, security and business risk. Typical cost components include interest, arrangement fees, broker fees, and early repayment charges. When comparing quotes, check:

• Representative APR or total cost of credit (where applicable)
• Fixed vs variable rates
• Arrangement and admin fees
• Early repayment terms and exit fees

We encourage responsible borrowing: only take funding your business can afford. Your matched broker or lender will explain fees and affordability before any formal offer. To get tailored, transparent quotes from providers who fit your needs, Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Industries & Business Profiles We Commonly Support

Our panel includes brokers and lenders experienced across many UK sectors. We often help businesses in:

• Construction & trade contractors
• Hospitality — pubs, restaurants, hotels
• Retail & e‑commerce
• Agriculture & farming
• Healthcare clinics and care providers
• Manufacturing & engineering
• Logistics, transport & fleet operators
• Professional services and accountancy firms

If your sector is listed above or specialist, our matching aims to put you in front of lenders who understand industry cycles and typical cashflow patterns. Get a Quote for Your Sector.

Case Snapshots — Realistic Examples

These are anonymised examples; outcomes vary by lender, security and your circumstances. To explore similar options for your business, Start Your Free Enquiry.

Why Use Fast Business Loans — Quick Recap

• We connect you to specialist lenders and brokers — we don’t lend or give regulated advice.
• Free, quick and no obligation — the enquiry simply helps match you with suitable partners.
• Designed to save time — instead of contacting many lenders, complete one short form.
• Minimum funding size we typically handle: £10,000 and above.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

FAQs

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. Fast Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry form does not trigger a credit search. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks later if you choose to proceed with an application.

How quickly will I hear back?

Many businesses receive an initial response within a few hours during business days. Response times vary by complexity and the partners we match you with.

What are the minimum and maximum loan sizes?

We typically handle enquiries from around £10,000 upwards. Some partners offer facilities from tens of thousands up to multi‑million pound packages depending on collateral and business scale.

Can I still apply if I was declined elsewhere?

Yes. We work with a broad panel; a previous decline may not preclude alternative options. Matching helps identify partners more likely to consider your case.

Do you charge for your service?

No. Our matching service is free for business owners. Any fees or charges will be fully explained by the broker or lender before you commit to an offer.

Compliance & Transparency

Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We aim to be clear, fair and not misleading in all communications. Submitting an enquiry is not an application and does not commit you to anything. Lenders and brokers we introduce will give full details of costs, terms and any credit checks before progressing to a formal application.

Before you borrow, consider affordability and, if unsure, seek independent professional advice. Your data is handled securely and only shared with relevant partners for the purpose of matching your enquiry — see our privacy policy for full details.

Ready to explore funding options? Complete a quick enquiry and get matched to lenders and brokers who may be able to help: Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

– What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work?
Fast Business Loans is a UK introducer that uses a fast, free eligibility check (not an application) to match your limited company or SME with suitable lenders and brokers who understand your sector.

– Will submitting the enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our enquiry is information-only and does not trigger a credit search; any checks happen later with a lender or broker if you choose to proceed.

– How quickly could I get matched and funded?
Most businesses hear from a matched lender or broker within hours, and qualifying cases can receive funds in days depending on the product and provider.

– What loan amounts can I access?
We typically introduce facilities from £10,000 upwards, with some partners able to offer larger, even multi‑million, packages subject to security and affordability.

– What types of small business finance are available?
We can introduce unsecured and secured business loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, merchant cash advances, bridging and development finance, and refinance or debt consolidation.

– Am I eligible if my business is new or has limited trading history?
Many lenders prefer 12+ months’ trading, but specialist partners may consider newer businesses with strong plans, cashflow and affordability.

– Can you help if I’ve been declined elsewhere or have imperfect credit?
Yes—our broad panel means we can match you with lenders more aligned to your profile, though any offer will depend on credit, affordability and security.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Typical requirements include recent bank statements, management and filed accounts, director ID, details of existing borrowing, and information on turnover, cashflow and loan purpose.

– What will a small business loan cost?
Costs vary by product and risk, so compare representative APR or total cost, arrangement/admin fees, and early‑repayment terms before accepting any quote.

– Do you charge for the service or require any commitment?
No—our matching service is free to use and there’s no obligation to proceed with any offer.