Business Finance Solutions for UK SMEs
Summary: If your limited company or SME needs funding from around £10,000 and upwards, Fast Business Loans quickly matches you to the lenders and brokers most likely to help. We are an introducer — not a lender — and our enquiry is a free, no-obligation way to see suitable options and get a rapid response. Complete a two-minute enquiry and we’ll connect you with partners who will contact you with terms and next steps. Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Why business finance matters right now
UK SMEs face ongoing pressures: cash flow squeezes, rising costs, supply chain uncertainty and the need to invest in technology and sustainability. Access to the right finance at the right time can protect payroll, buy inventory, enable hiring, fund equipment or unlock growth projects. But the market is diverse — banks, specialist lenders and brokers each serve different needs — so a tailored match matters more than ever.
How Fast Business Loans supports your funding journey
Fast Business Loans is a specialist introducer. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Instead we:
- Save time by connecting you to lenders and brokers suited to your sector and funding need.
- Increase the chance of a relevant response by matching your profile to partners who understand your business.
- Protect your time — one short enquiry puts your details in front of multiple potential partners.
- Handle introductions securely and professionally; you decide whether to proceed.
Get a Quote Now — No obligation
The Fast Business Loans 4‑step matching process
We designed the process to be quick, transparent and credit-score friendly at the enquiry stage.
1. Complete the 2‑minute enquiry
Tell us a few details about your company, the amount you need (we typically handle funding from £10,000 upward), purpose of funds and a contact. This is not an application — it simply helps us match you.
2. We curate your ideal finance panel
We compare your requirements to our panel of lenders and brokers and select those most likely to offer relevant terms. Our focus is on fit: product type, sector experience and speed.
3. Rapid broker/lender follow-up
Matched partners usually reach out by phone or email quickly to discuss options and, if appropriate, request supporting documents.
4. You compare and choose (no obligation)
Review proposals from one or more partners, ask questions, and accept the offer that best fits your business. You are under no obligation to proceed.
Start the process: Free Eligibility Check
Business finance options we can help you access
We match businesses to the right product type. Below are common solutions and how they are typically used.
Working capital & cashflow loans
- Use-cases: payroll, seasonal stock, bridging payments.
- Sizes/terms: short-term facilities from £10k to several hundred thousand; terms from a few months to a few years.
- Eligibility cues: trading history, turnover, management accounts, bank statements.
Growth, expansion & project finance
- Use-cases: opening new premises, significant hiring, product launches.
- Sizes/terms: mid-to-long term loans from tens of thousands to multi‑million.
- Eligibility cues: robust business plan, forecasts, sector experience.
Equipment, asset & vehicle funding
- Use-cases: purchase of machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist equipment.
- Sizes/terms: asset finance and hire purchase options typically aligned to useful economic life of the asset.
- Eligibility cues: asset type, expected lifetime, deposit availability.
Invoice finance & receivables support
- Use-cases: unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices to improve liquidity.
- Sizes/terms: facility sizes linked to invoice book; flexible drawdown.
- Eligibility cues: debtor quality, sector concentration, invoice terms.
Commercial property & development finance
- Use-cases: purchase, refinance or develop commercial premises.
- Sizes/terms: larger loans with security; bespoke terms.
- Eligibility cues: valuation, planning, experience of borrower/developer.
Sustainability & energy-efficient upgrades
- Use-cases: solar, EV chargers, heat-pump installation, energy-efficiency projects.
- Sizes/terms: typically project-based funding with potential grant or incentive pairing.
- Eligibility cues: project specs, estimates of energy savings.
For a detailed primer on types of business finance, see our business finance guide: business finance.
Industries we regularly support
Our panel has experience across many sectors. Examples include:
- Construction & trades
- Hospitality, restaurants & pubs
- Retail & e-commerce
- Logistics & transport
- Healthcare & clinics
- Agriculture & farming
- Manufacturing & engineering
- Sustainability & green projects
If you operate in a specialist trade, tell us in your enquiry — we’ll pick partners who understand your market.
Free Eligibility Check – See Your Options
Eligibility & what lenders look for
Typical lender criteria include:
- Company type and trading history (many lenders prefer established trading records).
- Annual turnover, profitability and cashflow forecasts.
- Credit profile for the company and, where relevant, directors.
- Security or collateral (product dependent).
- Use of funds and realistic repayment plan.
Your enquiry does not commit you to anything and usually won’t affect your credit score. Matched partners may perform checks later once you engage with them.
Costs, rates & fees: what to expect
Rates and fees vary significantly by product, business profile and security offered. Points to bear in mind:
- Interest rates depend on lender, term, secured vs unsecured and creditworthiness.
- Upfront fees may include arrangement fees, valuation fees or broker fees (disclosed by the partner).
- Fast Business Loans charges nothing to submit your enquiry — our service is free to businesses.
- Always request a full cost breakdown (APR, all fees and penalties) from any lender or broker before accepting an offer.
Responsible finance & compliance promise
We aim to ensure promotions and information are clear, fair and not misleading. We encourage matched partners to present full costs and terms, and we recommend you take independent professional advice if unsure. Submitting an enquiry is free and non-binding; any credit offer will be subject to eligibility checks and terms set by the lender or broker you choose to engage with.
Success snapshots
Here are anonymised examples of how our matches have helped businesses:
- Construction subcontractor • cashflow gap • £50,000 invoice finance • partner introduced within 24 hours; funds available within 5 business days.
- Food & beverage operator • kitchen equipment & fit-out • £120,000 asset finance • matched to specialist asset lender; staged funding agreed.
- Renewable installer • EV/solar project rollout • £250,000 development facility • multiple bids; chosen lender provided competitive term sheet in 10 days.
Compare funding paths: bank vs specialist lenders vs broker network
| Feature | Banks | Specialist lenders | Broker network (matched) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decision speed | Slower | Faster | Fastest (multiple options) |
| Flexibility | Conservative | Flexible | High – tailored matches |
| Availability for complex cases | Limited | Good | Best (broad panel) |
How to prepare for a smooth application
Checklist to speed up progress with a matched partner:
- Latest management accounts and bank statements (3–12 months as requested).
- Clear statement of funding purpose and amount required.
- Cashflow forecast or simple projections showing repayment capacity.
- Information about security/assets, directors and any existing borrowing.
- Authorised contact details and best times to call.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No — we introduce businesses to lenders and brokers who then engage directly with you.
How quickly will lenders respond?
Many partners respond within hours during business days; some will contact you within minutes depending on the request.
What’s the minimum funding size?
We typically work with opportunities from around £10,000 upwards.
Will enquiring affect my credit score?
No — the initial enquiry is credit‑neutral. Partners may perform credit checks later if you progress with them.
Can I apply if I’ve been declined before?
Yes — different lenders have different appetite and criteria; a match to a specialist partner may still secure funding.
Are there any upfront fees to use Fast Business Loans?
No — our matching service is free. Any fees from lenders or brokers will be disclosed by them.
How long until funds arrive?
This varies by product — same-day or a few days for small facilities; weeks for larger or property lending after due diligence.
Can I speak to someone before I submit the form?
Yes — contact details are available on our site if you prefer to discuss your enquiry before submitting.
Ready to explore your business finance options?
Three steps to get started:
- Complete our short enquiry (takes under 2 minutes).
- We match you to the most suitable lenders and brokers.
- Receive a rapid response and compare offers — no obligation.
Start Your Enquiry – Takes Under 2 Minutes
Important information & disclaimers
Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide regulated financial advice or lend money. Submitting an enquiry is free and non‑binding. Any finance offer will be subject to the lender’s or broker’s own terms, conditions and checks, including credit and affordability assessments. We recommend you review full costs and seek independent professional advice where appropriate.
Need help now? Get a free eligibility check — we’ll match you with partners who may be able to help quickly.
1) What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work?
We’re a UK business finance introducer that quickly matches SMEs and limited companies to suitable lenders and brokers via a short online enquiry.
2) Is the enquiry an application?
No—the form is a quick, free, no‑obligation eligibility check to help us match you, not a loan application.
3) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the initial enquiry is credit‑neutral, with any checks carried out later only if you proceed with a matched partner.
4) What loan amounts can you help with?
We typically help arrange facilities from around £10,000 upwards, with larger amounts available depending on product and profile.
5) How quickly can I get a response or funding?
Many partners respond within hours and, depending on the product and due diligence, funding can be as fast as same‑day to a few days, with larger or property deals taking longer.
6) What types of business finance can you match me with?
We connect you to options such as working capital and cashflow loans, growth finance, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, commercial property and development funding, and sustainability upgrades.
7) Do you charge any fees, and how are rates and costs presented?
Our service is free to use and any interest rates, arrangement fees or broker costs are disclosed transparently by the partner before you decide.
8) What do lenders look for and what documents should I prepare?
Lenders typically assess trading history, turnover, profitability, credit profile, security and a clear repayment plan, and may request management accounts, 3–12 months of bank statements, forecasts and director details.
9) Do you support my industry or sector?
Yes—we regularly support UK sectors including construction, hospitality, retail, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and more via specialist partners.
10) Can you help if I’ve been declined elsewhere or have weaker credit?
Yes—because criteria vary across our panel, being declined before or having limited credit doesn’t automatically rule out a suitable match.
