Business Finance Solutions for UK SMEs | Fast Business Loans

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK companies find suitable business finance by matching them with lenders and brokers across a wide range of products. We do not lend or provide regulated advice — we introduce you to providers who may be able to help. Complete a short, secure enquiry and we’ll match your business to relevant partners for a free, no-obligation eligibility check. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check. No fees. No obligation. Enquiry won’t affect your credit score.

Understanding Business Finance in the UK Landscape

“Business finance” covers a wide range of ways a company raises capital to run, grow or restructure operations. Products span short-term working capital to long-term commercial loans and property finance. Typical finance sizes we can help with start from around £10,000 and can extend to several million, depending on lender panels and the purpose.

Common term ranges and features you’ll see across the market:

• Short-term cashflow and bridging facilities: days to 12 months.
• Medium-term business loans and asset finance: 1–7 years.
• Commercial and property finance: often longer terms, secured on property.

Benefits of obtaining business finance may include smoothing payroll, funding expansion, buying equipment or improving cash flow. Risks include interest and fees, security requirements (e.g., charges on business or property) and potential impact on cashflow if repayments are not sustainable. Fast Business Loans connects you to providers so you can compare these trade-offs and choose what suits your circumstances. For a deeper primer on tailored options, see our business finance overview on the main business finance page: business finance.

When Do Companies Seek Additional Funding?

Businesses typically look for finance when:

• Seasonal cash flow gaps mean payroll or suppliers need covering.
• Growth or expansion — opening new premises, hiring staff, or stock investment.
• Equipment or vehicle purchases that are costly upfront.
• Refinancing to reduce monthly repayments or consolidate debt.
• One-off projects such as fit-outs, refurbishments or sustainability upgrades.

Quick vignette: A small manufacturing firm faced a sudden surge in orders but couldn’t meet supplier lead times. A working capital facility unlocked within days allowed them to buy materials, fulfil contracts and grow revenue without losing customers.

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Why Work with a Broker-Matching Service Instead of Going Direct?

Using a matching service can be quicker and more targeted than contacting lenders one-by-one.

Speed & saved admin time

Rather than completing multiple applications, a single enquiry connects you to multiple potential providers. That saves time and duplication.

Broader market access

Our partners include specialist brokers and lenders who may offer niche products not advertised widely — increasing the chance of finding a suitable fit.

Specialist sector expertise

Many lenders prefer to work via brokers who understand specific industries. Being matched to specialists can improve the quality of the offers you receive.

How Fast Business Loans Works — Step by Step

1. Complete a short enquiry — tell us a few details about your business and funding needs (takes around 2 minutes).
2. We match you — we use your information to select brokers and lenders from our panel who are most likely to help.
3. Receive a rapid response — expect contact by phone or email, often within hours during business times.
4. Compare offers and decide — review available terms and proceed only if you choose. Your enquiry is free and doesn’t bind you to accept anything.

Start My Enquiry — typical first contact within hours; documentation and underwriting times vary by product.

Note: we are an introducer only and do not provide lending or regulated financial advice.

Eligibility Snapshot: Who We Can Help

• Limited companies and growing SMEs (including franchises and family-run businesses).
• Start-ups with trading history (many partners consider businesses trading 6+ months).
• Established firms seeking larger facilities — from around £10,000 upwards.
• Businesses with non-standard credit histories — our panel may still have options.

Typical information lenders will ask for: recent management accounts, turnover, time trading, purpose and amount required. Even if you’ve been refused previously, a different lender may be a better fit.

Business Finance Products We Can Connect You To

Unsecured & Secured Business Loans

Flexible amounts for growth or refinancing. Secured loans may offer lower rates in exchange for a charge against assets.

Working Capital & Cash Flow Loans

Short-term facilities to cover seasonal peaks, VAT or payroll — can be quick to arrange where eligibility is clear.

Invoice Finance Solutions

Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices to improve liquidity without adding long-term debt.

Asset & Equipment Finance

Finance for machinery, vehicles or specialist equipment via hire purchase or leasing structures.

Commercial & Property Finance

Funding for property purchases, refinancing or development projects; typically larger sums and longer terms.

Sustainability & Green Investment Finance

Specialist funding for energy efficiency projects, solar, EV chargers and other sustainability investments.

Costs, Fees, and Responsible Borrowing Considerations

• Potential costs: lender interest, arrangement fees, broker fees and security-related costs. These vary by product.
• Fast Business Loans charges nothing to your business for making an enquiry.
• Always check APR, early repayment terms and total cost over the lifetime of the finance before committing.

Compliance note: Fast Business Loans is an introducer; independent advice is recommended if you need regulated financial advice.

Our Commitment to Transparency and Standards

We act transparently: we introduce your enquiry to selected partners who can help. Your data is handled securely and only shared with relevant partners on a need-to-know basis. We follow clear, fair and not misleading communications and protect your personal data in line with GDPR. For details see our Privacy Policy.

Sector Expertise: Funding Support Across UK Industries

We connect businesses across multiple sectors. Examples include:

• Construction — bridging cashflow between project stages.
• Hospitality & Leisure — seasonal working capital and fit-out finance.
• Agriculture — equipment and land improvement finance.
• Healthcare — clinic equipment and practice expansion funding.
• Retail & eCommerce — stock finance and growth capital.
• Logistics & Transport — vehicle and fleet finance.
• Sustainability projects — green investment finance for long-term savings.

We work with brokers experienced in niche sectors to help match you to providers that understand your market.

How to Prepare Before Completing the Enquiry Form

Having the right information ready speeds up responses:

• Basic company details (registered name, turnover, trading history).
• Amount required and what it will be used for.
• Recent management accounts or bank statements.
• Details of any existing borrowing or security offered.

Be concise and honest — accurate information leads to better matches and faster outcomes.

Illustrative Scenarios (Hypothetical)

Cases are illustrative; outcomes will vary by business and lender decisions.

What Happens After You Submit Your Enquiry?

Typical timeline:

• Immediate acknowledgement and shortlist matching (hours).
• Contact from matched broker/lender to discuss details and documentation (hours to a day).
• Underwriting and formal offers (timescales vary by product — from days to weeks).
• Funds release once all conditions are satisfied.

You remain in control at every stage and can decline any offer without obligation.

Start Exploring Your Business Finance Options Today

Save time and get matched to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and needs. Complete a secure enquiry now — it takes around 2 minutes and won’t cost you anything.

Get a Free Finance Match Now

We are an introducer and do not provide financial advice. Consider whether finance is suitable for your circumstances before proceeding.

Business Finance FAQs

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with brokers and lenders. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks only if you choose to proceed with an application.

How quickly can funding be arranged?

Timescales vary by product. Many brokers contact you within hours; some funding (e.g., short-term working capital) can be arranged within days, while larger commercial or property finance may take several weeks.

Can start-ups with limited trading history qualify?

Some partners specialise in early-stage businesses. Eligibility depends on sector, turnover, and the product sought — include honest details in your enquiry to improve matching.

What information will the broker or lender need from me?

Typical requests: management accounts, bank statements, turnover figures, time trading, amount required and the purpose of funds.

Do I have to proceed if I receive an offer?

No. Receiving an offer does not obligate you to accept it. You can compare options and choose what best suits your business.

1) What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work?
Fast Business Loans is a free UK introducer that uses a short online enquiry to match your business with vetted brokers and lenders for a no‑obligation eligibility check.

2) Is the enquiry a loan application?
No—it’s an information-only enquiry used to match you with providers, not a formal loan application.

3) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No, your enquiry won’t affect your credit score; credit checks are only performed by a provider if you choose to proceed.

4) How quickly can funding be arranged?
You’ll typically hear from a broker or lender within hours, with working capital sometimes funded in days and larger commercial or property finance taking longer.

5) What types of business finance can you connect me to?
Our partners offer secured and unsecured business loans, working capital and cash flow loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, commercial and property finance, and sustainability funding.

6) How much can I borrow and over what term?
Typical facilities range from around £10,000 to several million, with terms from days to 12 months for short-term cashflow, 1–7 years for loans/asset finance, and longer for property finance.

7) Do you charge any fees to use the service?
No—there’s no fee to submit an enquiry or be matched; any lender or broker costs (interest, arrangement or broker fees) will be disclosed before you proceed.

8) Who is eligible, including start-ups or businesses with adverse credit?
We can match UK limited companies and SMEs—including many start-ups trading 6+ months and firms with non‑standard credit—to partners who may still be able to help.

9) What information will I need to provide?
Providers typically ask for basic company details, turnover and time trading, recent management accounts or bank statements, the amount required, purpose of funds, and any security offered.

10) Are your partners regulated and is my data secure?
We introduce you only to UK brokers and lenders who follow FCA standards, and your details are handled securely and shared under GDPR with relevant partners on a need‑to‑know basis.