Small Business Loans: Compare Trusted UK Lenders Fast

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and growing SMEs with the most suitable lenders and brokers for small business loans from around £10,000 upwards. We’re an introducer — not a lender — and our free enquiry helps match your business to providers that understand your sector so you can get quotes faster and with less hassle. Complete a quick, no‑obligation Free Eligibility Check and get matched to lenders/brokers who may contact you with options tailored to your needs: Start Your Free Eligibility Check.

Why UK SMEs Need the Right Small Business Loan

Access to timely, appropriate finance is one of the most important factors in keeping an SME running and growing. The wrong product — or the wrong lender — can slow your plans, increase costs, or place unnecessary risk on the business. Typical triggers for borrowing include:

• Short-term cash flow gaps or seasonal peaks
• Stock and inventory purchases for growth
• Refurbishment, fit-out or equipment purchases
• Business expansion, new hires or premises improvements

Market conditions change quickly, and lenders specialise in different sectors and risk profiles. That’s why matching the right product to your business matters — it can mean faster approval and better overall cost and flexibility. If you’d like to compare options quickly, Get a Free Eligibility Check in under two minutes.

How Fast Business Loans Supports UK Small Businesses

Fast Business Loans acts as a simple, fast introducer. We don’t provide loans or regulated advice; instead we match your business with lenders and brokers likely to be able to help. Our typical four‑step process:

1. Complete a short enquiry form (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match your needs to our panel of lenders and brokers with relevant sector experience.
3. Your matched partners contact you to discuss options and next steps.
4. You compare quotes and decide which offer — if any — to proceed with.

We prioritise speed, relevance and clarity. Your details are shared only with partners who can help with your request and are handled securely. To begin, Complete Our Short Enquiry Form.

What Is a Small Business Loan?

A small business loan is a commercial finance facility provided to a company to fund growth or working capital needs. Loans may be unsecured or secured, fixed-rate or variable, and repaid over months or years depending on the product and lender.

Note: exact amounts, rates and terms vary by lender and by the business’s circumstances. Fast Business Loans doesn’t approve or underwrite loans — we introduce you to providers who assess eligibility.

Types of Small Business Loans We Can Help You Access

Unsecured Small Business Loans

Unsecured loans require no business asset as collateral. They’re quicker to arrange but are typically for smaller amounts or at higher rates. Some lenders may still ask directors for personal guarantees for larger facilities.

Secured SME Loans

Secured loans use business assets (or property) as collateral and often offer lower rates or larger amounts. They are suitable for significant investments but remember: secured means at risk if repayments are missed.

Short-Term & Working Capital Finance

Short-term facilities and bridging loans cover temporary gaps — for example, paying suppliers while waiting for invoices to be settled. These are designed for speed and flexibility, usually with shorter repayment windows.

Asset & Equipment Finance

Hire purchase and leasing let you acquire machinery, vehicles or equipment while spreading cost. These preserve working capital and can be structured to match the asset’s useful life.

Specialist Solutions via Our Panel

We also match businesses to specialists for invoice finance, merchant cash advances, sustainability loans (e.g. for solar or EV chargers), and more complex refinance solutions. If you’re unsure which route fits your plans, Start a Free Eligibility Check and a specialist will follow up.

Eligibility Snapshot: Can You Apply?

While each lender sets its own criteria, our panel typically looks for the following:

• Limited companies and SMEs registered and operating in the UK
• Minimum loan size commonly from £10,000 upwards
• Trading history — many lenders prefer 6+ months trading, though some specialist options exist
• Turnover and management accounts to demonstrate affordability

Common documents requested: management accounts, business bank statements, proof of identity for directors, and details of existing borrowing. Your initial enquiry does not impact your credit score; lenders may carry out checks only if you apply.

What to Expect After You Submit an Enquiry

After you submit the short enquiry form:

1. Matching: we review your details and match you to relevant brokers/lenders.
2. Contact: a matched partner typically contacts you by phone or email — often within hours during business days.
3. Discussion & documentation: they’ll discuss options, request documents, and (if you wish) progress an application.
4. Decision & offers: lenders make offers based on their assessment; you choose whether to accept any offer.

Any offer comes from the lender or broker directly. You are under no obligation to proceed with any offer.

Comparing Small Business Loan Offers

When comparing quotes, focus on both price and fit. Key factors to check:

Cheapest is not always best — suitability for cashflow and business plans is essential. If unsure, ask the broker for a breakdown and take time to compare total costs and exit options.

Fast Business Loans vs. Going Direct

Applying to multiple lenders yourself can be time consuming and may lead to multiple credit checks. Using Fast Business Loans can:

• Save time by matching you quickly to lenders/brokers with sector experience.
• Increase the chance of a good match because partners already specialise in different SME needs.
• Be free to use — we receive commission from partners only if you proceed with a deal, not from you.

If you prefer to apply directly, you can — but if you want a faster route to multiple specialist options, Start Your Enquiry Now.

Real-World Scenarios (Illustrative)

Café Refurbishment — Manchester

• Need: £50,000 for a kitchen upgrade and seating refurbishment
• Match: asset finance and short-term business loan
• Result: lender quote within 3 business days; staged repayments matched to seasonal cashflow

E‑commerce Stock Injection — Bristol

• Need: £30,000 to purchase seasonal stock
• Match: short-term working capital facility from a specialist provider
• Result: rapid facility approved and funds released within 7–10 days

Engineering Firm Equipment Purchase — Glasgow

• Need: £120,000 for CNC machines
• Match: hire purchase / asset finance
• Result: structured repayments aligned to asset life; lower initial cash outlay

Illustrative only — outcomes depend on lender assessment and business circumstances.

Step-by-Step: Complete Your Free Eligibility Check

1. Click the CTA: Get a Free Eligibility Check.
2. Enter a few business basics and the amount and purpose of finance.
3. We match you to suitable lenders or brokers and share your enquiry securely with them.
4. Matched partners contact you to provide quotes; you decide if you want to apply.

No obligation, no upfront fees to you, and your initial enquiry does not affect your credit score.

FAQs: Small Business Loans with Fast Business Loans

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

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

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — completing the initial enquiry form does not impact your credit file. Individual lenders may run credit checks if you apply for finance.

How quickly can I receive funding?

Timelines vary by lender and product. Some short-term facilities fund within days; larger secured loans or asset finance can take several weeks after documentation.

What loan amounts do your partners support?

Our panel typically assists with loans from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on lender appetite and eligibility.

Can I apply if I’ve had past credit issues?

Possibly. Some specialist lenders and brokers work with businesses with imperfect credit histories. Complete an enquiry to see suitable options.

Are there fees to use Fast Business Loans?

It’s free for business owners. We may receive commission from a broker or lender if you proceed with a finance agreement — this does not change the fact you pay any lender charges as disclosed in their offer.

What information will I need to provide?

Basic business details, turnover, how long you’ve been trading, the amount you need and purpose, and contact details. Lenders may later request accounts, bank statements and ID.

Do you work with lenders for sustainability or green projects?

Yes — we can match you to lenders and brokers who offer sustainability and energy-efficiency finance where available.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

If your business needs funding of £10,000 or more, our free service helps you compare relevant lenders and brokers quickly. It takes under two minutes to begin. Compare Small Business Loan Options Now.

Submitting an enquiry will not impact your credit score. We are an introducer and do not provide regulated financial advice. Review any lender or broker offer carefully before committing.

Compliance & Transparency Statement

Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer only. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Any finance offer is made by the lender or broker directly and is subject to their assessment and terms. Always review offers carefully and seek independent professional advice if unsure.

For a broader guide to options and related industry information, see our detailed small business loans industry page: small business loans.

– What is Fast Business Loans—are you a lender?
We’re an introducer that matches UK SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers; we don’t lend money or provide regulated advice.

– Is the Free Eligibility Check an application?
No—it’s an information-only enquiry used to match you with suitable lenders/brokers, and you choose whether to apply.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the initial enquiry doesn’t impact your credit file; individual lenders may run checks only if you proceed.

– How much can I borrow and over what term?
Our partners typically offer from around £10,000 up to several million with terms from months to 7+ years, subject to criteria.

– How quickly can I get funding?
Some short-term or working capital facilities can fund within days, while larger secured or asset finance deals may take weeks after documentation.

– What types of small business finance can you help me access?
We match UK businesses to unsecured and secured loans, working capital and bridging, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, merchant cash advances, and sustainability loans.

– Who is eligible to apply?
UK-registered limited companies and SMEs can enquire, with many lenders preferring 6+ months’ trading and affordability evidence.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent management accounts, business bank statements, director ID, and details of existing borrowing.

– Do you charge any fees to use the service?
No—our service is free for business owners; we may receive commission from a partner if you proceed with a finance agreement.

– Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
Unsecured loans may require a personal guarantee, while larger or lower-rate facilities are often secured against business assets or property.