Small Business Loans for UK SMEs

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and growing SMEs with the right brokers and lenders for business loans from around £10,000 upwards. We don’t lend or give regulated advice — we make fast, free, no‑obligation matches so you can compare options, check eligibility without affecting your credit score, and receive quotes by phone or email. Ready to explore your options? Get a Free Eligibility Check in under two minutes.

Contents

• What is a small business loan?
• Quick overview — is a small business loan right for you?
• How Fast Business Loans helps you secure funding
• Types of small business finance we can introduce
• Eligibility checklist
• How much you can borrow and typical costs
• Required documents & information
• Application timeline — how fast is “fast”?
• Sector-specific support
• Comparing offers & making an informed decision
• Protecting your business — responsible borrowing tips
• Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans
• Getting started — next steps
• FAQs
• Disclaimer & compliance notice

What is a small business loan?

A small business loan is finance specifically designed for companies (usually limited companies and registered businesses) to support working capital, growth, equipment purchases, refinancing or short‑term cashflow needs. Loans can be unsecured (no asset taken as security), secured (against property or assets) or provided through specialist products such as invoice finance, asset finance or merchant cash advances.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers suited to their needs — we do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. We aim to present clear, fair and not misleading information so you can make an informed choice.

Quick overview — is a small business loan right for you?

• You may need a loan if: to smooth seasonal cashflow, purchase equipment, fund an expansion, refinance expensive debt, buy commercial property or cover unexpected costs.
• Advantages: predictable repayments, access to larger sums, quick injection of working capital, potential to improve growth or cashflow management.
• Considerations: interest rates and fees vary by product and lender, some loans require security or personal/ director guarantees, and affordability must be assessed.

If you’d like to check options quickly and without obligation, start a Free Eligibility Check.

How Fast Business Loans helps you secure funding

1. Complete a short enquiry

Fill our simple online form with a few business facts — company details, turnover, loan amount needed (we work from around £10,000 and upwards), and contact information. The form is a matchmaking tool, not an application. Submitting it won’t harm your credit score.

2. Intelligent matching to lenders & brokers

We match your enquiry to brokers and lenders in our panel who specialise in your sector and the type of finance you need. Partners are selected based on experience and ability to serve businesses like yours.

3. Review offers and decide

Matched brokers/lenders will contact you directly with options and indicative quotes. You can compare terms, ask questions and choose whether to proceed. There’s no obligation.

Get Quote Now — takes under two minutes.

Types of small business finance we can introduce

Below are common options our partners can provide or arrange. Availability and terms depend on lender/broker assessment.

• Unsecured business loans — working capital or growth funding without asset security; typically quicker to arrange but may have higher rates.
• Secured loans & asset-backed lending — backed by property, plant or other assets; can support higher borrowing amounts or longer terms.
• Cashflow & revolving facilities — overdrafts or revolvers for ongoing working capital flexibility.
• Invoice finance & factoring — unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices; useful for businesses with long payment terms.
• Asset & equipment finance — spread the cost of machinery, vehicles or IT via hire purchase, lease or refinancing.
• Merchant cash advance & short-term funding — advance against future card sales for fast access, often for seasonal peaks.

Typical borrowing ranges vary by product and lender. To explore suitable options, Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

Eligibility checklist for UK small business loans

While criteria vary, lenders commonly consider:

• Registered business type and structure (limited companies are the usual clients for our panel).
• Minimum trading history — many lenders prefer 6–12 months or more, though start-up specialist partners exist.
• Annual turnover and profitability metrics.
• Business bank statements showing cashflow patterns.
• Credit profile of the business and, sometimes, directors.
• Available security (assets or property) where required.

Not sure if you meet criteria? Complete a quick form for a confidential, no‑obligation check: Free Eligibility Check.

How much can you borrow and what will it cost?

What influences loan size and cost

• Turnover, profit and cashflow stability.
• Sector risk and purpose of the loan.
• Security or collateral offered.
• Credit history and director underwriting.
• Loan term and repayment profile.

Typical costs

Rates and fees vary widely. Unsecured loans often carry higher interest than secured facilities. Invoice finance and merchant cash advances have different fee structures (discount rates, service fees). Always compare APR, arrangement and ongoing fees, and early repayment charges.

Example (illustrative only): a £50,000 unsecured loan over 3 years might show borrower costs that differ significantly between lenders — that’s why comparing multiple quotes is important. All lending is subject to lender assessment.

Required documents & information

Providing full information up front speeds matching and decisioning. Typical documents:

• Company registration details and VAT number (if applicable).
• Recent business bank statements (typically 3–6 months).
• Management or statutory accounts; management accounts if up to date.
• Details of existing debts and monthly payments.
• Proof of ID for directors (passport/driving licence) where required by partners.
• Brief business plan or explanation of loan use for larger amounts.

Application timeline — how fast is “fast”?

Timings depend on product complexity and lender processes:

• Matching: immediate to same day after you submit the enquiry.
• Initial lender/broker response: often within 24–72 hours.
• Decision and offer: same day to a few days for simple unsecured loans; longer for secured/commercial property lending.
• Funding: from a few days for invoice/merchant funding; weeks for secured or property loans (due diligence, valuations).

Need urgent funding? Submit an enquiry and indicate priority — we’ll prioritise partners that specialise in rapid turnaround. Get Quote Now.

Sector-specific support

Our panel includes brokers and lenders experienced across many UK sectors, including construction, hospitality, retail, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and more. Matching by sector reduces the need to re‑explain your business and improves the chance of finding a suitable solution quickly.

For an overview of our broader small business finance services see our dedicated page about small business loans.

Comparing offers & making an informed decision

When you receive offers, compare:

• Interest rate (or discount rate), fees (arrangement, ongoing), and APR where provided.
• Repayment frequency and term, and whether payments are fixed or variable.
• Any required security or personal guarantees.
• Flexibility — early repayment, payment holidays or top‑ups.
• Covenants or reporting requirements.

Ask your broker or lender about total cost, the full repayment schedule, and any scenarios that would change your payments. If unsure, consider independent professional advice before committing.

Protecting your business — responsible borrowing tips

• Forecast cashflow to ensure repayments are affordable in downside scenarios.
• Stress-test repayments for rate rises or revenue drops.
• Avoid borrowing more than necessary — match the loan term to the asset life or working capital cycle.
• Keep financial records up to date to make future refinancing easier.
• Consider alternatives such as equity, grants or supplier terms where appropriate.

Want help weighing the pros and cons for your business? Start a Free Eligibility Check and a specialist will contact you.

Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: quick matching to lenders and brokers that specialise in your sector.
• Simplicity: short enquiry form — we do the searching for you.
• Choice: compare multiple proposals to find the most suitable terms.
• Secure: we handle your information responsibly and share only with relevant partners.
• No cost to you: our introducer service is free and non‑obligatory.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Getting started — your next steps

1. Click the enquiry link and complete the short form (under two minutes): Get Quote Now.
2. We match your details to appropriate lenders and brokers.
3. You’ll receive contact from partners with quotes and next steps — compare and decide.

There’s no obligation to proceed. Fast Business Loans simply introduces you to lenders and brokers who can help your business move forward.

FAQs about small business loans

Is Fast Business Loans a direct lender?

No. Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer — we connect UK businesses with brokers and lenders. All lending decisions, terms and approvals are made by the lender or broker you deal with.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

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

What loan amounts are available?

Our partners typically arrange funding from around £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities depending on product and borrower circumstances.

Can a business with a previous decline apply?

Yes — because we work with a wide panel, a previous refusal with one lender does not mean you cannot be matched to another provider. Use our form to explain prior issues so we can match you to suitable partners.

How quickly will a broker or lender contact me?

Most matches result in contact within 24–72 hours, often sooner during business hours. Complex lending can take longer due to due diligence.

How is my data protected?

Your details are shared only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry and handled in line with our privacy policy. We use secure processes to protect personal and business information.

Disclaimer & compliance notice

Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide credit or regulated financial advice, nor does it lend money. Any loan or finance product is provided by third‑party lenders or brokers and is subject to their assessment and terms. Always check affordability and consider independent advice if uncertain.

To start matching with lenders and brokers, complete a short enquiry: Free Eligibility Check.