Cashflow Loans for UK Businesses: Compare Smart Working Capital Options

Summary: If your company needs short-term working capital—payroll cover, supplier payments, VAT, or seasonal dips—Fast Business Loans can quickly match you with lenders and brokers that specialise in cashflow finance. We are an introducer (not a lender). Use our free, no‑obligation eligibility check to see which options may suit your business. Enquiries do not affect your credit score. Start your enquiry: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

What is a cashflow loan and when does it help?

A cashflow loan is short-term business finance designed to bridge gaps between income and expenditure. It gives you working capital quickly so you can keep operations running without long delays or late payments.

Common use cases:

• Covering payroll while waiting for client payments
• Paying suppliers to take advantage of discounts
• Handling seasonal slowdowns (stock, marketing, rent)
• Managing tax bills, VAT, or unexpected one-off costs
• Replacing short-term overdrafts or smoothing cash cycles

Typical features: amounts usually start from around £10,000 and upwards, with terms ranging from a few weeks to a couple of years depending on product type. Always review affordability and product terms before proceeding.

Why use Fast Business Loans for cashflow finance?

Fast, free, no-obligation matching

Tell us your needs and we’ll quickly connect you with lenders or brokers who specialise in the kind of cashflow solution you want. The initial enquiry is free and does not commit you to anything.

Sector-aware lender network

We match by sector and funding purpose so you speak to partners who understand your industry and cashflow cycles. This increases the chance of a fast, relevant response.

Transparent, secure process

Your data is used only to find suitable lending partners. We do not make lending decisions — brokers and lenders contact you directly with offers. Enquire now: Free Eligibility Check.

How our cashflow loan matching works

1. Quick enquiry: Complete a short form with basic business details and your funding need (less than 2 minutes).
2. Tailored match: We identify lenders/brokers in our network who suit your sector and funding amount.
3. Rapid response: Partners contact you to clarify details and request documents. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.
4. Compare & decide: Review proposals and choose the one that best fits your cost and timeline requirements.

We only pass your information to potentially suitable partners. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit file. Ready to begin? Get Quote Now.

Cashflow finance options we can introduce

Through our panel you can be introduced to providers offering a range of working capital products. Below is a quick comparison to help you decide which might be right for you.

Charges, rates and eligibility vary between providers. If you want to learn more about cashflow loans in general, see our detailed guide to cashflow loans.

Eligibility snapshot: are cashflow loans right for your business?

Eligibility varies by lender, but common factors include:

• Annual turnover and profitability
• Trading history (most lenders prefer trading history; minimums vary)
• Credit profile of the business and owners/directors
• Security or personal guarantees for larger facilities
• Sector risk and payment profile (e.g., reliance on one or two large customers)

If you’ve been declined already, don’t assume all routes are closed — different lenders use different underwriting models. Submit a quick enquiry to see if our panel includes options you haven’t tried: Free Eligibility Check.

Costs, terms & responsible borrowing

Cashflow products use different pricing structures — interest rates, fixed fees, facility fees and factor fees are common. Total cost of credit is the best way to compare offers (annual percentage rate or equivalent). Before you proceed:

• Ask for a breakdown of interest, arrangement fees, early-repayment charges and any ongoing facility fees.
• Compare the total repayment amount, not just the headline rate.
• Check whether repayments are fixed, linked to turnover, or variable.

If you’re unsure which offer is affordable, consider taking independent financial advice. Our role is to introduce potential lenders — you decide whether to accept an offer.

Cashflow strategies by industry

Different sectors face different pressures. Below are common examples and the solutions that often suit them.

Construction & trades

Cash shortages during projects are common. Invoice finance or short-term bridging loans often help to pay suppliers and manage labour costs.

Hospitality & leisure

Seasonality creates peaks and troughs. Revolving credit lines or merchant cash advances smooth cashflow across slow periods.

Retail & e‑commerce

Stock purchasing and promotional cycles require upfront capital. Asset finance or short-term loans can fund stock buys and marketing campaigns.

Manufacturing & engineering

Large supplier invoices and lead times can be eased with invoice finance or working capital lines tied to production cycles.

If you operate in a specialist sector we regularly work with, tell us your industry in the enquiry and we’ll match you to partners experienced in that field.

Case snapshot: faster funding through our panel

• Challenge: Midlands manufacturer waiting on three large invoices needed to pay suppliers.
• Solution: Introduced to invoice finance broker; facility agreed to release 85% of invoice values.
• Outcome: £150,000 released within 5 working days, supplier relationships preserved, production continued.

Outcomes vary by circumstance. All finance is subject to status and lender terms.

Step-by-step: start your cashflow loan enquiry today

1. Click the enquiry link and complete the short form (business details, funding need, contact info).
2. We match you to a shortlist of lenders or brokers.
3. Partners contact you to discuss options and request documents.
4. Compare offers and choose the best fit — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes).

Frequently asked questions about cashflow loans

Are cashflow loans secured or unsecured?

Both exist. Smaller unsecured loans are common for amounts from around £10k; larger facilities may require security or guarantees.

How quickly can funding be released?

Matching via Fast Business Loans is usually within hours; lender decision and funding times vary — many deliver funds in 24–72 hours once documentation is in place.

Will my enquiry affect our credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks later, with your consent.

What documents will lenders typically request?

Common documents: business bank statements, recent accounts, management accounts, ID for directors, and supplier or customer invoices depending on the product.

Can start-ups apply?

Some partners specialise in early-stage businesses, but many cashflow products require trading history. Specify your situation in the enquiry and we’ll match accordingly.

Do you charge the business borrower any fees?

Our matching service is free for business owners. We are paid by partners if you proceed with a product, but you are under no obligation to accept an offer.

How does Fast Business Loans make money?

We receive a commission or referral fee from the broker or lender if a deal completes. There is no charge to you for submitting an enquiry or being matched.

What happens after I submit the enquiry form?

We identify suitable partners and pass your details to those who can help. They will contact you to discuss options and next steps.

Ready to strengthen your cashflow?

Fast Business Loans helps you save time, compare options and connect quickly with lenders or brokers suited to your needs. There’s no cost to enquire and no obligation to accept an offer.

Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Regulatory & privacy statement: Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not lend money and we do not give regulated financial advice. All finance is subject to status, lender criteria and terms. Your details are used only to match you with suitable finance partners and are shared securely with selected lenders and brokers who may contact you about your enquiry. For full details please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

1) What is a cashflow loan and when should my UK business use one? – A cashflow loan provides short‑term working capital to cover payroll, suppliers, VAT or seasonal dips, bridging timing gaps between income and outgoings.

2) Is Fast Business Loans a lender, and is my enquiry an application? – Fast Business Loans is an introducer (not a lender), and your enquiry is a quick, no‑obligation eligibility check used to match you with suitable brokers or lenders.

3) How fast can I get matched and receive funding? – Matches typically happen within hours, and many lenders can decide and fund in 24–72 hours once documents are provided, subject to status.

4) Will completing the eligibility check affect my credit score? – No, submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score, though partners may run checks later with your consent.

5) What loan amounts and terms are typical for cashflow finance? – Facilities often start from around £10,000 with terms ranging from a few months up to about three years depending on product and lender.

6) Are cashflow loans secured or unsecured, and will I need a personal guarantee? – Both exist, with smaller amounts often unsecured and larger facilities sometimes requiring security or a personal guarantee.

7) What documents will lenders usually ask for? – Common requests include business bank statements, recent or management accounts, director ID, and where relevant invoices or card‑taking data.

8) Do you charge any fees, and how do you get paid? – The matching service is free for business owners, and Fast Business Loans is paid a commission by the broker or lender only if you proceed.

9) Can start‑ups or businesses previously declined elsewhere apply? – Yes, some partners specialise in early‑stage or complex cases, and different underwriting approaches may still find an option.

10) What types of cashflow finance can you introduce me to? – We can connect you with short‑term unsecured loans, revolving credit lines, invoice finance/selective discounting, and merchant cash advances.