Small Business Loans: Fast, Fair & Tailored for UK SMEs

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and SMEs find small business loans from £10,000 and up by matching you to the most suitable lenders and brokers. Our free, no‑obligation enquiry is a quick way to compare options, understand likely eligibility and receive fast responses from partners who specialise in your sector. Start your Free Eligibility Check now to get matched in minutes: Get Started Free Eligibility Check.

Why speed matters for small business funding

Cash flow timing can make or break growth plans. Whether you need to cover delays in supplier pay, fulfil a sudden contract, buy equipment to scale, or move on a property opportunity, fast access to the right funding reduces risk and keeps momentum. Many businesses lose deals or miss seasonal opportunities while they search multiple lenders. Our matching service shortens that search — giving you tailored options quickly so you can act with confidence. If time is critical, get matched in minutes.

What is a small business loan?

A small business loan is capital provided to a company to support working capital, growth, asset purchases, refinancing or short-term needs. Loans may be unsecured or secured, have fixed or variable rates, and run from short terms to several years depending on the product. Fast Business Loans does not provide loans; we introduce your business to lenders and brokers that offer these products and can provide specific terms.

How Fast Business Loans supports UK SMEs

We act as a fast, sector-aware introducer. Our 4-step process is simple, transparent and free to use:

• 1. Quick enquiry: Spend less than 2 minutes completing our secure form with basic company details, funding amount (from £10,000) and purpose.
• 2. Targeted matching: We match you to lenders and brokers in our panel that understand your sector and funding need.
• 3. Rapid contact: Expect contact by phone or email from matched partners to discuss your options and next steps.
• 4. Compare & decide: Review proposals, check affordability and proceed directly with the provider you choose — there’s no obligation to accept an offer.

Complete the short form to begin: Free Eligibility Check.

Funding solutions we can introduce you to

Through our network you can be connected to providers offering a wide range of small business finance. Below are common options and when they’re typically used.

Unsecured small business loans

Ideal for short-term working capital or smaller growth projects where you prefer not to charge business assets. Typical amounts: from £10,000 to low hundreds of thousands.

Secured SME loans

Suitable for larger sums or longer terms where property or other assets are used as collateral. Often offers lower rates for qualifying businesses.

Short-term & bridging finance

Fast, short-duration funding for property or cashflow gaps; useful where speed and flexibility matter.

Invoice & cashflow finance

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices — helpful for improving day-to-day liquidity without taking on long-term debt.

Asset & equipment finance

Spread the cost of machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist equipment with finance arrangements tailored to useful life.

Merchant cash advance

Advance based on future card takings — useful for seasonal businesses but typically more expensive; suitable for short-term cashflow needs.

Eligibility snapshot

While each lender has its own criteria, a typical profile for many small business loan products includes:

• Company type: limited companies and SMEs (not sole traders)
• Minimum loan size: around £10,000
• Trading history: from several months for some specialist lenders, typically 12+ months for mainstream products
• Turnover and profitability: depends on lender and loan size
• Directors’ records and business bank statements are commonly reviewed

Honest, accurate information in your enquiry helps us match you to partners with the best chance of a positive response. Check eligibility in under 2 minutes.

Documents & information checklist

Having the right paperwork speeds decisions. Typical items lenders ask for include:

• Company name, registration number and trading address
• Latest 6–12 months of business bank statements
• Recent management accounts or annual accounts
• Details of the loan amount required and its purpose
• Director ID and proof of address
• Cashflow forecast or business plan for larger amounts

If you’re early stage, some funders accept projections or director guarantees — we’ll match you to specialists who understand startup needs.

Speed-to-funding timeline

Response times vary by product and amount. Typical experiences:

• Initial contact from matched partners: within hours to 24 business hours
• Formal offers: 24 hours to a few days, depending on checks required
• Funds disbursed: same day to several weeks depending on complexity and security

Completeness of documentation, loan size and whether security is needed are the main factors that influence speed. Provide full documents upfront to accelerate the process. Ready to move fast? Submit your details — receive calls within hours.

Advantages of using Fast Business Loans

• Save time: One short form connects you to multiple relevant lenders and brokers.
• Better matches: We prioritise partners with sector experience to improve fit and response rates.
• No obligation: The enquiry is free and there is no commitment to accept any offer.
• Confidential & secure: Your data is only shared with relevant partners who can help.
• From £10k upwards: We specialise in business loans at commercial sizes, not micros or consumer credit.

Compare offers for free: Get Quote Now.

Cost transparency & responsible borrowing

Fast Business Loans does not set interest rates or fees — those are set by the lender or broker you choose. Typical considerations include:

• Interest rate or fixed fee, stated as a nominal rate or APR by the provider
• Arrangement, brokerage or valuation fees charged by lenders or brokers
• Secured loans may include legal or valuation costs

Always ask matched partners for representative examples and the total cost of borrowing. Consider affordability and, if in doubt, seek independent advice before committing.

Sector-focused support

We work with partners experienced across construction, hospitality, retail, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and more. Sector-aware lenders understand industry seasonality, payment cycles and asset types — which often improves outcomes. Tell us about your sector when you complete the enquiry and we’ll connect you to specialists who get your business. If you operate in a common SME sector, we can usually find a tailored option quickly: Tell us about your sector.

For more general guidance on small business finance options, see our pillar resource on small business loans.

Loan types at a glance

Common questions about small business loans

Do I qualify if I’m a start-up?

Some specialist lenders and brokers work with early-stage companies. Eligibility depends on sector, turnover projections and director backing. We’ll match you to partners who consider start-ups where appropriate.

How much can I borrow?

Amounts depend on lender appetite, security and business performance. Through our panel you can find options from around £10,000 up to several million.

Does the enquiry affect credit?

No. Submitting the Fast Business Loans enquiry does not impact your credit score. Lenders may carry out checks only if you proceed with an application.

Can I apply after being declined elsewhere?

Yes. Different lenders have different criteria — being declined by one does not mean all will decline. We aim to find a better fit for your circumstances.

What does it cost to use Fast Business Loans?

Our matching service is free for businesses. Any fees or charges come from the lender or broker that provides the finance.

What happens after I submit the form?

We assess your details and introduce you to up to a small number of suitable partners. Expect contact by phone or email from matched brokers or lenders to discuss next steps.

Next steps checklist

1. Clarify the amount you need and why (e.g. equipment, working capital).
2. Gather recent bank statements and management accounts.
3. Complete our short enquiry form — it takes under 2 minutes: Start Your Enquiry.
4. Review offers and confirm the provider you wish to proceed with.

Trust, data & compliance

Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We share your details only with relevant, vetted partners who may contact you to discuss finance options. Submitting an enquiry does not create a binding contract. Representative examples and costs vary by lender — always review full terms and affordability before accepting any offer.

If you’re ready to explore tailored options and receive fast responses, complete a short enquiry now: Free Eligibility Check.

1) How quickly can I get a UK small business loan?
You’ll typically hear from matched lenders within hours, with offers in 24 hours to a few days and funding from the same day to several weeks depending on checks and security.

2) What is the minimum and maximum I can borrow?
Through our partners, small business loans generally start from around £10,000 and can go up to several million depending on your circumstances.

3) Will the Free Eligibility Check affect my credit score?
No—submitting our enquiry does not impact your credit score; lenders or brokers may run checks only if you choose to proceed.

4) Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—we’re an introducer that connects UK SMEs with trusted brokers and lenders; we don’t lend money or provide regulated financial advice.

5) Is this an application or just an enquiry?
It’s a free, no‑obligation enquiry that lets us match you to suitable providers, after which you decide whether to proceed with any offer.

6) Who is eligible, and do you support start-ups?
We focus on UK limited companies and SMEs (not sole traders), typically with 12+ months trading, though some specialist lenders consider earlier-stage start-ups with projections and/or director guarantees.

7) What documents do lenders usually require?
Most providers ask for basic company details, 6–12 months’ business bank statements, recent accounts, director ID/proof of address and the loan purpose, with forecasts and valuations/legal work for larger or secured loans.

8) What types of finance can you match me with?
We introduce businesses to unsecured and secured SME loans, invoice and cashflow finance, asset and equipment finance, merchant cash advances, and short‑term or bridging finance.

9) What fees and interest rates should I expect?
Rates and fees are set by the chosen lender or broker and may include interest/fixed fees plus arrangement and valuation/legal costs—always request representative examples and the total cost of borrowing.

10) Can I enquire if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
Yes—lenders have different criteria, so a decline from one provider doesn’t mean all will, and our matching aims to find a better fit for your circumstances.