Business Loans for UK SMEs: Compare Lenders in Minutes
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and growing SMEs find the right business finance by matching enquiries with lenders and brokers. We do not lend money or give financial advice — instead we use a short enquiry to connect you with providers who can offer loans from £10,000 up to multi‑million pound facilities. Complete a free, no‑obligation eligibility check to get matched fast and start receiving quotes.
Why UK Businesses Choose Our Loan‑Matching Service
Fast Business Loans is an introducer platform that saves you time and increases your chances of being matched to the right finance partner. We don’t provide loans or regulated advice — we collect a few details and connect you with lenders and brokers suited to your needs.
- Speed: quick enquiries and fast matches — many businesses hear back within hours.
- Targeted matches: we pair you with partners experienced in your sector and loan type.
- Clear and free: submitting an enquiry is no obligation and does not affect your credit score at this stage.
- Transparent: we follow clear, fair and not misleading communication principles so you can make informed choices.
Get Your Free Eligibility Check — complete our short enquiry form and we’ll match you to the best lenders and brokers for your business.
What Is a Business Loan and When Does It Make Sense?
A business loan is a finance facility provided to a company to fund growth, manage cashflow, purchase assets or refinance existing debt. Loans can be unsecured or secured, short‑term or long‑term, and structured to suit a range of needs. Common uses include:
- Working capital to cover seasonal or temporary cashflow gaps.
- Equipment and vehicle purchases through asset or equipment finance.
- Expansion costs — property, fit‑outs or opening new sites.
- Sustainability projects like solar, EV chargers or energy efficiency upgrades.
Responsible borrowing matters: make sure any loan you consider is affordable for your business. Missing repayments can affect credit profiles and may put secured assets at risk.
Business Loan Options We Can Help You Explore
Unsecured Business Loans
Unsecured loans require no business asset as collateral and are suitable for companies with a solid trading record and credit profile. Typical amounts start from £10,000; terms often range from 1–5 years. Quick decision lending can be available for established SMEs.
Secured Loans & Commercial Mortgages
Secured facilities use business assets or property as security, enabling larger sums and longer terms. Ideal when borrowing for premises, large investments or refinancing existing debt. Lenders will assess property value, loan‑to‑value and company covenants.
Asset & Equipment Finance
Finance to buy machinery, vehicles or specialist equipment. Options include hire purchase and finance leases. The asset often acts as security, helping businesses preserve cashflow while upgrading operations.
Invoice Finance & Factoring
Convert unpaid invoices into immediate cash. Useful for companies with long payment terms or rapid growth. Facilities can be flexible and scale with turnover.
Short‑Term & Merchant Cash Advances
Short, fast facilities that provide quick working capital, typically at higher cost. Suitable for urgent cashflow gaps: consider alternatives and ensure the cost fits your cashflow plan.
Start‑Up & Early‑Stage Funding
Funding for newer companies is available via specialist lenders and brokers who consider business plans, founder experience and forward forecasts. Some options start at £10,000 and include blended products with personal guarantees.
Sector‑Specific Finance
Many lenders specialise by sector — construction, hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture and sustainability projects all have tailored products. Matching to a sector‑aware broker or lender can improve acceptance and speed.
Compare Your Options – Free Quote
Note: All enquiries are treated as initial information to help us match you — this is not an application and does not commit you to a lender.
How the Fast Business Loans Matching Process Works
Here’s how to move from enquiry to quotes in four simple steps.
- Complete a short enquiry — tell us about your company, loan amount (from £10,000), purpose and contact details. It takes two minutes.
- We match — your information is securely shared with selected lenders and brokers who specialise in your loan type and sector.
- Receive a response — matched partners will contact you to discuss options and may request documents. There’s no obligation to proceed.
- Decide & fund — compare offers, pick the best fit and progress to formal application with the chosen provider.
We do not perform credit checks at the enquiry stage. Matched lenders/brokers may perform credit or affordability checks later if you choose to proceed.
Eligibility Snapshot: What Lenders Typically Look For
Each lender has its own criteria, but common requirements include:
- Company type and trading location: UK‑registered limited companies and incorporated entities.
- Minimum borrowing: typically from £10,000 upwards.
- Trading history: many lenders prefer 12+ months trading; some specialist lenders consider newer businesses.
- Turnover and profitability bands relevant to the requested amount.
- Director credit profiles and business bank statements.
Documents lenders often request:
- Recent accounts or management accounts
- Business bank statements
- Cashflow forecasts or project estimates
- Details of any existing secured loans
Have less‑than‑perfect credit? There are options — specialist brokers can often find lenders who consider broader circumstances. Always assess affordability carefully before accepting an offer.
Tailored Support for Your Industry
We match businesses to lenders and brokers experienced in their sector. A few examples:
- Construction
- Funding for projects, materials and plant hire. Specialist contractors lenders understand retentions and payment cycles.
- Sustainability & Energy
- Loans for solar, EV chargers, heat pumps and insulation — often with long terms to match project payback.
- Hospitality & Retail
- Seasonal cashflow facilities, refurbishment and fit‑out finance that reflect trading patterns.
- Manufacturing & Engineering
- Asset finance for machinery and working capital for supply chain management.
- Agriculture
- Vehicle and machinery finance, seasonal working capital, and specialist lenders who understand agricultural cycles.
If your sector isn’t listed, we still have partners across many industries — tell us about your business and we’ll match you with the most relevant experts.
Business Loan Readiness Checklist
Prepare these before you apply to speed up the process:
- Be clear on the amount needed and the purpose of the funds.
- Gather bank statements (typically 3–12 months) and recent management accounts.
- Prepare a simple cashflow forecast showing how you’ll repay the loan.
- Review your company and director credit records.
- Consider what security (if any) you can offer and the implications of personal guarantees.
Need help getting documents together? Our partners can advise once matched.
Case Snapshots: Funding Wins Through Our Network
Builder secures plant & materials funding — £150,000
Challenge: seasonal pipeline growth and slow client payments. Outcome: a matched broker arranged a blended facility combining invoice finance and a short‑term loan to cover materials and labour. Result: projects delivered on time and cashflow stabilised.
Restaurant refit funded — £85,000
Challenge: required fit‑out to expand seating for peak season. Outcome: asset finance for equipment and a term loan for fit‑out. Result: increased turnover and positive ROI within 12 months.
These anonymised snapshots show how matching with a specialist partner can unlock appropriate funding quickly. Request Your Tailored Loan Match
Transparent, Fair and Secure
Fast Business Loans is an introducer — not a lender. Our service is free to businesses; we may receive a commission from a lender or broker if you go on to complete a finance agreement with them. We adhere to clear, fair and not misleading communication principles so you can make informed decisions.
Your personal and company data is handled securely and only shared with selected partners necessary to process your enquiry. We process data in line with GDPR; see our privacy policy for full details.
Business Loan FAQs
- Is submitting an enquiry an application?
- No. The enquiry is an information request to help us match you — it is not an application for credit.
- Will completing the form affect my credit score?
- No. We do not perform credit checks at the enquiry stage. Lenders may run checks later if you decide to proceed.
- How quickly will I hear back?
- Most matched partners contact businesses within a few hours during business days. Exact timings depend on lender type and complexity.
- What loan amounts are available?
- Our network typically arranges loans from £10,000 up to several million pounds depending on the product and security offered.
- Is the service free?
- Yes — it’s free to submit an enquiry. If you proceed, the chosen provider will explain any fees or charges associated with the product.
- Can you help if I’ve been declined elsewhere?
- Possibly. We work with a broad panel including specialist lenders who consider non‑standard cases. Complete the form so we can match you appropriately.
- Do lenders require security?
- Some do. Secured loans and commercial mortgages require assets as collateral; unsecured lending typically has higher costs or stricter credit criteria.
- Can I refinance an existing loan?
- Yes — many lenders offer refinancing and consolidation solutions to improve monthly cashflow or terms.
Ready to Compare Business Loan Offers?
Get personalised quotes from lenders and brokers who understand your business. It takes less than two minutes to complete an enquiry and there’s no obligation to proceed. Remember: this is an eligibility check, not an application.
Get Your Free Eligibility Check
Ensure you can afford repayments. Missing payments may affect your credit rating or put secured assets at risk.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender? No—Fast Business Loans is a free UK introducer that connects limited companies and SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers.
– Is submitting an enquiry an application or credit check? No—the enquiry is an information-only eligibility check that won’t affect your credit score; lenders may run checks only if you choose to proceed.
– What loan amounts and terms are available? Our partners typically offer business finance from £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities with terms from short‑term solutions to multi‑year agreements, depending on product and security.
– How quickly can I get matched and funded? Most businesses hear from matched lenders or brokers within hours on business days, while funding timelines vary by product and provider once you progress to application.
– What types of business finance can I compare? You can explore unsecured and secured business loans, commercial mortgages, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance and factoring, short‑term loans and merchant cash advances, and start‑up funding.
– Who is eligible and what documents will I need? Lenders typically look for UK‑registered limited companies with around 12+ months’ trading, suitable turnover and director credit profiles, and may request bank statements, accounts, cashflow forecasts and details of existing borrowing.
– Do I need security or a personal guarantee? Some facilities require assets or property as security and many unsecured loans ask for a director’s personal guarantee—your matched provider will confirm requirements.
– Can you help start‑ups or businesses with bad credit? Yes—our panel includes specialist lenders who consider early‑stage businesses and adverse credit, subject to affordability and further checks.
– Can I refinance or consolidate an existing business loan? Yes—many partners offer refinancing and consolidation options to improve cashflow, rates or terms.
– Is the service free and how are you paid? Submitting an enquiry is free and without obligation; if you proceed with a deal, any product fees are explained by the provider and we may receive a commission from them.
