Small Business Loans in the UK: Compare Tailored Funding Options Fast
Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and SMEs with lenders and brokers who provide small business loans from about £10,000 upwards. We’re an introducer — not a lender — and our free, no‑obligation enquiry helps match your business to the right funder quickly so you can compare offers and proceed only if you choose. Complete a Free Eligibility Check in under two minutes to see your options: Free Eligibility Check.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Why SMEs Choose Fast Business Loans
Running a small business means juggling cash flow, staff, suppliers and growth plans. Finding the right funding quickly is critical. Fast Business Loans simplifies that search by introducing you to specialist lenders and brokers who understand your sector and can propose suitable solutions.
- Free to use, no obligation — submit one enquiry and multiple partners can respond.
- Sector-focused introductions — we match you with partners who understand your industry.
- Quick responses — many lenders/brokers contact applicants within hours.
- Save time and paperwork — we only take the information needed to make a quality match.
Get Started: Free Eligibility Check — takes less than 2 minutes and does not affect your credit score.
What are small business loans?
Small business loans are finance products designed to help limited companies and SMEs meet working capital needs, invest in assets, bridge cash flow gaps, or fund growth. They can be secured (backed by property or assets) or unsecured, and arranged as fixed-term loans, revolving facilities or specialised products such as invoice finance.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we don’t provide funding or financial advice. Instead we connect you with lenders and brokers able to assess and provide the finance that best fits your goals. If you’d like an overview of sector-specific lending options, see our pillar guide to small business loans.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
How our matching service works
Step 1 — Quick online enquiry
Complete a short form with basic business details, loan amount and purpose. It’s quick and uses a soft search only.
Step 2 — Smart matching
Our platform and experienced team match your needs to lenders and brokers in our panel who specialise in similar businesses or loan types.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Step 3 — Speak to lenders/brokers
Matched partners will contact you to discuss options and request any supporting documents.
Step 4 — Compare offers & decide
Receive proposals, compare terms, and progress with the lender or broker you prefer — there’s no obligation to accept anything.
Match me with lenders — Get Quote Now
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Types of small business finance we can introduce
Through our panel you can be connected to providers offering a wide range of finance solutions. Typical borrowing starts from around £10,000 and can extend to several million depending on the lender and purpose.
Unsecured small business loans
Fast access without collateral. Useful for short-term working capital and smaller growth projects.
Secured loans & property-backed finance
Lower rates may be available when loans are secured against commercial property or other business assets.
Working capital & cashflow loans
Short-term facilities to cover payroll, stock purchases and seasonal peaks.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Asset & equipment finance
Loans or hire-purchase deals to acquire machinery, vehicles, IT or catering equipment while preserving cash.
Invoice finance & factoring
Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices to improve liquidity and smooth operations.
Merchant cash advances
Flexible, revenue-linked funding for businesses with strong card takings.
Funding scenarios we support
- Growth capital — hiring, sales expansion, marketing.
- Seasonal working capital — retail or hospitality stock and staffing.
- Equipment and vehicle purchases — manufacturing, logistics, catering.
- Refurbishment, fit-out and premises expansion.
- Sustainability upgrades — solar PV, EV chargers, energy efficiency works.
- Refinance and consolidation to reduce monthly costs or simplify debt.
Eligibility guide: Can my business qualify?
Each lender sets its own criteria, but typical factors include:
- Business type: limited companies and registered SMEs (we do not handle sole trader finance).
- Minimum loan size: generally from around £10,000 upwards.
- Time trading: many lenders prefer 12+ months trading, though some partners offer solutions for newer businesses.
- Annual turnover and profitability — higher turnover improves options and rates.
- Credit profile — adverse credit doesn’t always prevent lending, but it can affect terms.
Documents commonly requested: recent business bank statements, management accounts or VAT returns, ID for directors, and information about the funding purpose.
Check My Eligibility — get matched to lenders who will consider your profile.
Rates, fees & responsible borrowing
Rates vary by lender, loan type, term and business risk. Indicatively, APRs for unsecured business loans can be higher than secured options. Brokers and lenders will disclose their fees and interest rates when they present offers.
When considering finance, compare:
- Interest rate (APR where provided).
- Arrangement, broker and legal fees.
- Repayment profile and ability to repay.
- Early repayment charges or flexibility features.
Fast Business Loans does not provide regulated financial advice — we introduce you to providers. If you are unsure which option is right for you, consider seeking independent financial advice.
Comparing small business loan providers
Ask lenders/brokers for a full breakdown of costs, term lengths, security, and the timeline to receive funds. Useful questions include:
- What is the total cost over the loan term (including fees)?
- Are repayments fixed or variable?
- Is there an early repayment or settlement fee?
- What documents are required and how long is the process?
By submitting a single enquiry you can receive multiple approaches from specialists — helping you compare quickly and confidently.
Success snapshot
Construction contractor: Needed £85,000 for plant hire & materials — introduced to asset finance broker; funds approved and delivered in 7 days.
Independent café: £25,000 for fit-out and equipment — unsecured loan arranged at competitive rate; business opened on schedule.
Manufacturing SME: £350,000 secured against plant to expand production — lender provided tailored repayment to match cashflow cycles.
Small business loans FAQ
Are small business loans available if my company has limited trading history?
Yes — some lenders and specialist start-up lenders consider newer businesses if there’s a robust trading plan, strong director covenant, or useful collateral. Submit an enquiry to see suitable partners.
How fast can I receive funding?
Timescales range from 24–48 hours for certain short-term facilities to several weeks for larger secured lending. Your matched lender will advise estimated timelines once they review your documents.
Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Our initial enquiry uses a soft search only. Any formal credit checks are performed by lenders or brokers and typically only with your permission.
What loan amounts do your partners typically provide?
Our panel covers loans and finance from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on lender and product.
Can I get funding if my bank declined me?
Often yes. Different lenders have different risk appetites — being declined by one bank doesn’t mean others won’t consider your application.
Do you support businesses across the UK?
Yes. We introduce businesses across the UK to lenders and brokers experienced in regional and sector-specific lending.
Is there any cost for using Fast Business Loans?
No — our introduction service is free for business owners. Any fees charged are by the lender or broker and will be disclosed in their proposals.
What happens after I submit the form?
We match your details to partners and pass your enquiry to those best suited to help. Expect a call or email from introduced lenders or brokers to discuss next steps.
Next steps: Start your enquiry
Three simple benefits of starting now:
- Fast matches to relevant lenders and brokers.
- Free, no-obligation responses tailored to your business.
- Only proceed if you’re happy with the terms offered.
Compliance & transparency
Fast Business Loans is an introducer connecting UK businesses with finance providers. We do not lend money or give regulated financial advice. Our partners are selected for reliability and professionalism; any fees, rates and terms are shown to you directly by the lender or broker. Always review terms carefully and seek independent advice if you are unsure about proceeding.
Helpful resources
For further reading and official guidance on business finance, visit GOV.UK’s finance and support pages. To explore other forms of business funding on our site, see Industries & Loan Types or contact our team for help.
1) Is the online form a loan application?
No — it’s a quick, no‑obligation enquiry used to match your business with suitable UK lenders/brokers; any formal application happens directly with them.
2) How does Fast Business Loans work?
Complete a short enquiry, we match you to relevant lenders/brokers, you compare proposals, and only proceed if you choose.
3) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — the initial enquiry uses a soft search only, with any hard checks done by lenders/brokers with your permission.
4) What loan amounts and finance types are available?
Our partners typically offer from around £10,000 up to several million across unsecured and secured loans, asset/equipment finance, invoice finance, and merchant cash advances.
5) How quickly can I get funding?
Some short‑term facilities fund in 24–48 hours after approval, while larger or secured loans can take several days to a few weeks.
6) Who is eligible for your small business loans matching service?
We introduce UK limited companies and SMEs (not sole traders), with many lenders preferring 12+ months trading though some consider newer businesses.
7) What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent business bank statements, management accounts or VAT returns, director ID, and details of the funding purpose.
8) Can I get a business loan with adverse credit or after a bank decline?
Often yes — different lenders have different risk appetites, though pricing and terms may be affected.
9) What can I use a small business loan for?
Common uses include working capital, stock and payroll, equipment or vehicles, refurbishments/fit‑outs, expansion, sustainability upgrades, and refinancing.
10) Are you a lender and is there any cost to use your service?
No — we’re an introducer (not a lender or adviser) and our service is free; we connect you with UK lenders/brokers who follow FCA guidelines, and any fees will be disclosed in their offers.