Small Business Loans – Compare Options & Check Eligibility Fast
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and growing SMEs find business loans and finance from £10,000 upwards by matching your enquiry to appropriate lenders and brokers. Completing our short enquiry is not an application — it’s a free, no-obligation way to get personalised introductions so lenders can provide quotes and next steps. Get a Free Eligibility Check now to see which solutions fit your business: Get a Free Eligibility Check.
Table of contents
- Why UK Small Businesses Use Our Loan Matching Service
- How Our Small Business Loan Matching Works
- Types of Small Business Loans We Can Introduce
- Eligibility Snapshot: What Lenders Typically Look For
- Loan Costs & Considerations
- Use Cases: Funding for Every Stage of Growth
- Success Stories & Social Proof
- Small Business Loan FAQs
- Ready to Explore Your Options?
Why UK Small Businesses Use Our Loan Matching Service
Finding the right finance partner takes time and market knowledge. Fast Business Loans saves you effort by quickly matching your business to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and funding need. Our service is free, confidential and designed to increase the chance of a suitable match without unnecessary paperwork.
Your funding needs, matched in minutes
- Save time — we shortlist suitable lenders so you don’t have to search dozens of providers.
- Sector insight — we connect you with partners familiar with construction, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, logistics and more.
- No obligation — submitting an enquiry is not an application and won’t commit you to proceed.
What makes our enquiry different?
We perform a soft, non-credit-impact check when matching. Once you submit brief details, our panel reviews the request and only relevant partners contact you to discuss terms and provide quotes. We never share data beyond selected lenders/brokers for your enquiry.
How Our Small Business Loan Matching Works
- Share a few basics: Tell us your company details, the amount you need (from around £10,000), the purpose and contact info. It takes under 2 minutes.
- We curate matches: Our platform matches your business to lenders/brokers from our panel who specialise in the sector and finance type you requested.
- Trusted partners contact you: Selected providers will call or email with eligibility feedback and indicative quotes — they may request documents once you decide to proceed.
- Compare and decide: Review the offers and choose the lender or broker that best fits your needs. There’s no pressure to accept any offer.
Typical response times: many businesses hear back within hours during working days. All data is handled securely and only shared with partners relevant to your enquiry.
Types of Small Business Loans We Can Introduce
Through our panel we can introduce businesses to lenders offering a wide range of finance solutions. If you’re unsure which suits you, complete our quick enquiry and a specialist will guide you.
Unsecured Business Loans
Short- to medium-term loans without business property security. Good for fast working capital, smaller growth projects or urgent cashflow needs. Typical sizes start from £10,000.
Secured & Asset-Backed Loans
Loans secured against property, plant, or inventory can allow larger amounts and longer terms — useful for expansion or refinancing.
Cashflow & Working Capital Loans
Designed to smooth day-to-day trading, manage seasonal peaks, or bridge supplier payments. Can be short-term or revolving facilities.
Invoice Finance & Factoring
Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Options include factoring (selling invoices) or invoice discounting (against future receivables).
Asset & Equipment Finance
Finance new or used machinery, vehicles, or technology. Repayments are structured around useful life and expected savings.
Merchant Cash Advance / Revenue-Based Funding
Useful for card-taking businesses needing flexible, repayments based on daily takings. Suitable for short-term cash needs but check costs and terms carefully.
Specialist Sector Loans
We work with partners who provide tailored facilities for construction, hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, logistics and more.
Loan sizes through our panel typically range from £10,000 to several million — availability depends on lender criteria and your circumstances.
Eligibility Snapshot: What UK Lenders Typically Look For
| Typical Requirement | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Trading history (months/years) | Shows ongoing revenue and stability. |
| Annual turnover | Helps determine affordability and facility size. |
| Profitability / cashflow | Indicates ability to service repayments. |
| Director credit profile | May affect eligibility or need for security/guarantees. |
| Security availability (if required) | Larger loans often require assets or property as collateral. |
| Clear purpose & plan | Lenders prefer a clear use of funds and repayment plan. |
Different lenders have different thresholds — some specialise in newer companies, others in complex or higher-value funding. Completing our enquiry does not affect your credit rating and helps match you with the right options.
Small Business Loan Costs & Considerations
Understanding rates, fees & repayments
Costs vary significantly by lender and product. Instead of headline rates, compare total cost over the term, fees (arrangement, broker, early repayment, late payment), and whether interest rates are fixed or variable. Lenders will provide full cost breakdowns in their quotes.
Comparing offers fairly
- Look at total payable and monthly repayments, not just headline rate.
- Check fees for setting up and arranging the loan.
- Understand early repayment charges if you want to refinance later.
Use Cases: Funding Solutions for Every Stage of Growth
- Retail expansion: Funding a new shop, fit-out and initial stock — asset finance or secured loans can spread cost across useful life. Check your eligibility now.
- Hospitality seasonal cashflow: Short-term working capital to cover quieter months and peak-season stock — invoice finance or short-term loans are common solutions. Get a Free Eligibility Check.
- Manufacturing equipment upgrade: Asset finance or hire purchase to spread investment costs while keeping cashflow healthy. Get Quote Now.
- Growth & acquisition: Larger term facilities or blended finance packages to fund acquisition or major renovation. Start your enquiry.
Success Stories & Social Proof
Here are anonymised examples from businesses we’ve helped:
“A Midlands caterer secured £45,000 in working capital via a broker on the Fast Business Loans panel to cover a seasonal peak — lender contacted them the same day and funds were agreed within two weeks.” (Verified client)
“A growing manufacturer obtained asset finance to replace a press — monthly repayments matched the equipment’s productivity gain, helping cashflow and growth.” (Verified client)
Providers on our panel include experienced UK brokers and lenders with backgrounds in SME finance. Get a Free Eligibility Check to see who can help your business.
Your Questions Answered – Small Business Loan FAQs
Is applying through Fast Business Loans really free?
Yes. Our introduction service is free for businesses. Lenders or brokers may charge fees once you proceed with a particular product — they will make these clear.
Will my enquiry affect my business or personal credit score?
No. Submitting the enquiry is a soft, non-credit-impact step. Lenders or brokers may perform credit checks later, but you will be made aware before any hard search.
How quickly could I receive funding?
Timelines vary. Some short-term facilities can be arranged in days; larger or secured facilities may take several weeks for underwriting and documentation.
What if my business has limited trading history?
Some lenders specialise in newer businesses or franchisees; others require longer trading histories. We’ll match you to options appropriate for your situation.
Can I apply with poor or patchy credit?
Possible — some specialist lenders consider cases with past credit issues. Matching your enquiry helps find the right panel partner to discuss realistic options.
What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Common requests include company accounts, bank statements, management forecasts, ID for directors and details of existing facilities. Exact requirements depend on the lender and product.
Are secured loans the only option for larger sums?
Not always. Some unsecured facilities, peer-to-peer lenders or mezzanine structures can provide significant funding, but security often helps access larger sums on better terms.
Can I refinance an existing facility?
Yes — many lenders and brokers offer refinance and consolidation solutions. Providing details of current loans helps partners assess potential savings or term improvements.
Is there any obligation after receiving quotes?
No. Receiving introductions and quotes does not oblige you to accept any offer. The final decision rests with you after reviewing terms directly with the lender/broker.
Who will contact me after I complete the form?
Selected lenders or brokers from our panel will contact you by phone or email to discuss eligibility and next steps. We only share your details with partners relevant to your enquiry.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Fast Business Loans simplifies the search for business finance. If you need funding from around £10,000 upwards, complete our short online enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can help. It’s quick, free and won’t affect your credit score.
Start Your Free Eligibility Check
What happens next?
- Submit a short enquiry (under 2 minutes).
- We introduce your case to selected partners.
- Lenders/brokers contact you with quotes and next steps.
Need broader reading? Learn more about our approach to Small Business Loans to understand common options and suitability.
We do not provide financial advice. Fast Business Loans introduces businesses to third-party lenders and brokers; your chosen provider will explain terms, costs and suitability. Ensure any finance you accept meets your business needs.
– What is Fast Business Loans and are you a lender?
Fast Business Loans is a free UK introducer that connects your business with trusted lenders and brokers—we don’t lend money or provide financial advice.
– Is the enquiry an application and will it affect my credit score?
No—our short enquiry is not a loan application and only uses a soft, non-credit-impact check; any hard search happens later with your consent.
– How does your free eligibility check and matching process work?
You share a few basics in under two minutes, we match you to relevant UK finance partners, and they contact you with eligibility feedback and quotes so you can compare options with no obligation.
– What loan amounts and types can you introduce me to?
We introduce funding from around £10,000 to several million across unsecured and secured business loans, cashflow/working capital loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, and merchant cash advances.
– How fast can I get a decision and funding?
Many businesses hear back within hours and simpler facilities can complete in days, while larger or secured deals may take a few weeks.
– What information or documents do I need to start?
To start, you only need basic company details, the amount and purpose, and contact info—lenders may later request accounts, bank statements and director ID if you decide to proceed.
– What do UK lenders typically look for in a small business loan?
Typical criteria include trading history, annual turnover, cashflow/profitability, director credit profile, available security for larger sums, and a clear use-of-funds plan.
– Can I get finance with limited trading history or poor credit?
Yes—our panel includes specialists who consider newer businesses and cases with past credit issues, subject to affordability and lender criteria.
– What costs and fees should I compare between offers?
Compare total repayable, monthly repayments, interest type (fixed/variable), and any arrangement, broker, early repayment or late payment fees shown in lender quotes.
– Who will contact me after I submit the form and how is my data used?
Only selected UK lenders or brokers relevant to your enquiry will call or email you, and we never share your details beyond those partners.
