What are cashflow loans?

Cashflow loans (also called short-term working capital finance) are designed to cover gaps between money coming in and going out. Unlike asset-backed loans, these facilities focus on your trading performance and expected income rather than using property or equipment as primary security.

They are typically used for short periods (weeks to a few months) and can be unsecured or secured depending on the lender and your circumstances. Pros include speed and flexibility; cons include potentially higher costs than long-term borrowing and strict repayment schedules. Fast Business Loans helps you explore options and understand trade-offs so you can decide with confidence.

When a cashflow loan makes sense

Use cases where cashflow loans commonly help:

Managing seasonal dips

Retailers and hospitality businesses often need funds before busy seasons to buy stock or hire temporary staff.

Covering supplier payments

If a critical supplier demands payment before an invoice is settled, short-term cash can prevent supply or production delays.

Bridging invoice gaps

When invoices are slow to pay, cashflow finance or short-term loans can bridge the gap — see our guide to cashflow loans for more detail.

Funding rapid growth opportunities

When a one-off order or expansion opportunity requires immediate working capital, a cashflow loan lets you move quickly without diluting ownership.

Ready to check eligibility? Get Started – Free Eligibility Check

Who we help with cashflow finance

Fast Business Loans connects limited companies and growing SMEs (no sole traders or professional-only products) that need from approximately £10,000 upwards. Typical sectors we assist include:

• Construction & trades
• Hospitality, restaurants and leisure
• Wholesale, distribution and logistics
• Manufacturing and engineering
• Retail and e‑commerce
• Healthcare, care homes and clinics

Whether you’re an established SME or a growth-stage company, our matching service pairs you with lenders and brokers who understand your sector and funding patterns.

How much can you borrow & typical terms

Rates, fees and terms depend on lender assessment, security and trading performance. Fast Business Loans helps you compare offers — but note there are no guarantees of approval.

Eligibility checklist & documents

Common requirements lenders ask for include:

• Limited company registration details and VAT registration (if applicable)
• Trading history (typically at least 6–12 months; some lenders accept less)
• Recent management accounts or cashflow forecasts
• Company bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• Details of existing finance and outstanding liabilities

Submitting a quick enquiry with accurate details helps Fast Business Loans match you to partners who are more likely to offer a suitable product. Your initial enquiry does not affect your credit score; if you proceed with a lender they may run credit checks as part of their assessment.

Secure & no obligation

How Fast Business Loans works (step‑by‑step)

Step 1 – Submit a quick form

Complete our short enquiry in under two minutes — tell us your business size, funding need and contact details.

Step 2 – We match you with trusted lenders & brokers

We use your information to select partners who specialise in your sector and funding type.

Step 3 – Discuss tailored offers

Partners contact you to clarify details and provide quotes or indicative offers. You can compare rates, fees and repayment options.

Step 4 – Choose & fund

Decide which offer best fits your needs. Fast Business Loans is an introducer — you deal directly with the lender/broker to complete contracts and receive funds.

We handle data securely and only share your details with selected partners relevant to your request.

Comparing cashflow loan options

When reviewing offers, consider:

1. Interest rate and APR (compare total cost over the term)
2. Arrangement, origination or facility fees
3. Repayment flexibility — monthly, weekly, or invoice-linked
4. Early repayment charges
5. Security requirements and personal guarantees

Ask brokers for example repayment schedules and a clear breakdown of total costs. Fast Business Loans helps you find partners who will present clear, comparable proposals.

Real-world cashflow success stories

Hospitality group secured summer staffing

An independent hospitality group used a short-term cashflow loan of £60,000 to cover peak-season staffing and stock. Matched with a specialist lender, the funding arrived within 5 working days and was repaid over 6 months from increased summer turnover.

Engineering SME bridged supplier payments

An engineering subcontractor faced a large supplier invoice before receiving client payments. A matched broker arranged a £120,000 bridging facility allowing materials to be purchased and production to continue. The loan was repaid as client invoices cleared.

These anonymised examples show how timely cash can protect revenue and enable growth when the right product is chosen.

Get Quote Now to see how a tailored cashflow solution could work for your business.

Alternatives to cashflow loans

If a cashflow loan isn’t the right fit, consider:

• Invoice finance (unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices)
• Revolving credit facilities for flexible short-term access
• Asset and equipment finance to spread the cost of purchases
• Merchant cash advances for card sales–linked funding

Fast Business Loans can introduce lenders and brokers who offer these alternatives so you can compare the best route for your business needs.

Fees, risks & responsible borrowing

Possible costs include arrangement fees, interest, and late payment charges. Some products may require personal guarantees or security. There is no guarantee of approval — each lender assesses affordability and risk based on your circumstances.

Borrow responsibly: choose terms you can realistically meet, request full cost illustrations, and seek independent professional advice if unsure.

FAQs on cashflow loans

Can my business get a cashflow loan with less than 12 months trading?

Some lenders accept businesses with under 12 months trading, but eligibility varies. Provide accurate forecasts and bank statements to improve matching.

How quickly could funds be released?

Timing ranges from same‑day (in rare cases) to several weeks — typical speed is a few working days to 2 weeks depending on document turnaround.

Will applying impact my credit rating?

Submitting an initial enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may run credit checks later if you choose to proceed.

Do you charge for introductions?

Fast Business Loans is free for business owners to use. Lenders or brokers may pay us a commission if you proceed, but you will be told of any fees by the lender.

Are loan amounts limited?

We commonly arrange loans from around £10,000 upwards. Some partners can support six‑figure funding depending on need and security.

What information do I need to supply?

Basic business details, turnover, trading history and the amount/type of funding required. More documentation may be requested by lenders during assessment.

Get your cashflow options — start now

Save time and increase your chances of a suitable offer by letting Fast Business Loans match you to lenders and brokers who understand your sector. Complete a short enquiry and receive a free, no‑obligation eligibility check.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check

Secure. No obligation. Matches to lenders & brokers from our panel.