Cashflow Loans for UK Businesses: Get Matched to the Right Lender Fast
Summary: Need working capital quickly? Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and growing SMEs with brokers and lenders who can provide cashflow loans from £10,000 upwards. We’re an introducer — not a lender — and our free, no-obligation matching service helps you compare suitable cashflow solutions fast so you can keep operations running, pay staff and suppliers, or seize a short-term opportunity. Ready to compare? Get Started: Free Eligibility Check (takes under 2 minutes).
What is a cashflow loan and when does your business need one?
A cashflow loan (working capital loan) is short- to medium-term finance designed to bridge gaps between outgoing costs and incoming revenue. It’s used to fund payroll, pay suppliers, buy stock, manage seasonal peaks, or cover unexpected costs. Unlike asset finance or mortgages, cashflow loans are focused on liquidity rather than funding a specific asset.
- Common uses: payroll, supplier bills, stock purchases, short-term contracts, seasonal demand.
- How it differs from overdrafts/asset finance: loans are often fixed-term with set repayments; overdrafts are flexible but sometimes costlier and subject to limit changes.
- Typical timelines: many lenders and brokers aim to respond within hours; funds can be released in 24–72 hours once approved and documentation is complete.
For help comparing options quickly, Get a Quote Now — our introducer service matches your business to lenders/brokers best suited to your needs.
How Fast Business Loans helps you secure cashflow funding
Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice. Instead we:
- Collect a short set of business details via a free enquiry form.
- Match you with lenders and brokers on our panel who specialise in cashflow and working capital.
- Arrange rapid contact — usually by phone or email — so you can compare live offers.
- You choose the offer that best fits your business and proceed directly with the lender/broker.
Our 4‑step process (fast, simple):
- 1. Quick Enquiry (under 2 minutes)
- 2. Intelligent Match to suitable partners
- 3. Broker/lender contact with offers and clarifications
- 4. Compare and decide — proceed if you want
Free Eligibility Check — no obligation, no hard credit search at this stage.
Eligibility snapshot: who can apply for a cashflow loan?
We commonly help UK limited companies and growing SMEs. Typical minimum criteria across our panel:
- Loan sizes typically from £10,000 upwards.
- Registered and trading in the UK (company structure required).
- Minimum trading history: often 3–12 months, depending on lender.
- Business turnover and bank statements to demonstrate cashflow profile.
Many lenders consider near-prime or seasonal businesses; specialist brokers can place cases outside mainstream criteria. Soft searches or affordability checks are performed by lenders/brokers only with your consent — submitting an enquiry through us does not itself affect your credit score.
Top compliance tip: always review lender terms and affordability before signing.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
Documents and information to prepare
Having the right documents ready speeds up matching and approval. Typical items lenders request:
- Last 3–6 months of business bank statements (all pages).
- Latest management accounts or trading statements.
- Brief cashflow forecast or details of the funding purpose.
- Company registration number and registered address.
- Director ID and contact details; information on existing debts or CCJs, if any.
Tip: upload or make digital copies before you start the enquiry — it reduces time to offer.
Types of cashflow solutions available via our broker network
Our panel covers a wide range of working capital products. Below are common solutions and when they suit your business.
Short-Term Unsecured Loans
Quick access to cash without asset security. Typical amounts £10k–£250k, fixed-term (30 days to 24 months). Pros: speed and minimal paperwork. Cons: higher rates than secured loans; eligibility depends on trading performance.
Revolving Credit Facilities & Overdraft Alternatives
Flexible facilities that allow you to draw, repay and redraw up to an agreed limit. Good for ongoing seasonal needs. Often arranged via brokers as tailored facilities; pricing varies by usage.
Invoice Finance & Selective Invoice Discounting
Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Typical advance rates 70–90% of invoice value. Suited to businesses with strong invoicing volumes and creditworthy customers. Pros: predictable working capital; cons: fees and disclosure requirements (depending on product).
Merchant Cash Advance / Card Receipt Funding
Ideal for card-driven businesses (retail, hospitality). Repayments taken as a percentage of card receipts. Pros: repayment flexes with sales. Cons: effective cost can be high; suitability depends on card turnover.
For businesses looking to restructure existing borrowing, see cashflow refinance and consolidation options such as our partner refinance solutions — search for cashflow loans for tailored refinancing advice at our partners’ pages: cashflow loans.
What will a cashflow loan cost?
Costs vary considerably by product, lender, term and security. Typical illustrative ranges (subject to status and lender):
- Unsecured short-term loans: representative APRs can range widely — always compare headline rate, arrangement fees, management fees and any early repayment charges.
- Invoice finance: setup fees + ongoing service margin; discount rates typically charged on advanced funds.
- Merchant cash advances: factor rates rather than APR; convert carefully to comparable terms.
Factors that affect price: credit profile, sector risk, loan term, security offered, and the speed of funding. Our introducer partners aim to present transparent, comparable cost information so you can make an informed choice.
Free Eligibility Check — compare realistic offer costs from brokers who understand your industry.
Benefits and risks to consider
Benefits
- Immediate liquidity to meet short-term obligations.
- Helps maintain operations and supplier relationships.
- Can be arranged quickly by specialist brokers familiar with your sector.
Risks
- Higher cost than longer-term or secured lending.
- Missed payments can damage business credit and cashflow.
- Some products (e.g., MCA) may have complex repayment structures — read terms carefully.
If unsure which option fits, speak to a broker after submitting a Free Eligibility Check — there’s no obligation to proceed.
Sector-specific support from trusted brokers
We work with partners who serve many UK sectors: construction, hospitality, retail & e-commerce, healthcare, manufacturing, transport and more. Examples (anonymised):
- Construction contractor: used invoice finance to bridge staged payments and free up cash for materials.
- Restaurant chain: short-term unsecured facility to manage seasonal ramp-up for summer trade.
- E-commerce retailer: merchant cash advance to fund a fast-moving stock purchase before peak sales.
Brokers in our panel typically have industry experience and can package applications to increase the chance of a swift positive response.
Step-by-step: from enquiry to funding
- Submit short enquiry: takes under 2 minutes.
- Match: we connect you with one or more lenders/brokers who are likely to be interested.
- Contact: expect a call/email quickly to clarify details and request documents.
- Offers: receive one or more quotes to compare — review terms, cost and repayment schedule.
- Decision & funding: once you accept an offer and submit required documents, funds can be released typically within 24–72 hours depending on lender requirements.
All conversations are no-obligation. If you decide not to proceed, that’s fine — the enquiry simply helps identify suitable partners.
Start your Free Eligibility Check — get matched fast.
Alternatives to cashflow loans
Depending on your needs, alternatives include:
- Asset or equipment finance — when funding a tangible asset.
- Refinance and consolidation — restructure existing debt for better monthly payments.
- Equity investment — suitable if you’re willing to sell a stake for growth capital.
- Government-backed schemes — occasional options targeted at certain sectors or sustainability projects.
If refinance or consolidation looks relevant, our partners can discuss suitable refinance routes — tell us in your enquiry so we can match you with the right specialists.
Cashflow Loan FAQs
How fast can my business receive funds?
Matching usually happens within hours. Once a lender has your documentation, funds can be released in as little as 24–72 hours — timing depends on the product and completeness of paperwork.
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 will only perform credit checks with your permission if you choose to proceed.
What loan amounts and terms are typically available?
Our panel handles loans from £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities. Terms and structure vary by product: short-term loans can be weeks to 24 months; invoice and revolving facilities are often ongoing.
Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee?
Not always. Some unsecured products are available, but secured lending or personal guarantees may be required for larger or higher-risk cases. A broker will make requirements clear up front.
What happens after I submit the enquiry form?
We match your details to suitable lenders/brokers. Expect contact by phone or email from partners to discuss options and request documents. There is no obligation to accept any offer.
Next steps
Fast Business Loans makes finding working capital simpler: tell us what you need and we’ll match you with specialist brokers and lenders who can help. Our service is free for businesses and designed to save time while increasing your chance of finding an appropriate deal.
Ready to proceed? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check (under 2 minutes). Once you submit, our partners will contact you quickly with relevant options.
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not lend money and do not provide regulated financial advice. Information on this page is for guidance only — always review lender terms carefully before entering into any borrowing arrangement. Last reviewed: Nov 2025. See our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
– What is a cashflow loan and when should I use one? A cashflow loan is short- to medium-term working capital finance for UK businesses to bridge gaps between outgoings and income, typically for payroll, supplier bills, stock or seasonal peaks.
– How fast can I receive funds? Most businesses are matched within hours and, once approved with documents in place, funds can be released in 24–72 hours depending on the lender and product.
– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? No—sending an enquiry through Fast Business Loans won’t affect your credit score, and any credit checks are only done by a broker/lender with your consent if you proceed.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender and is your service free? Fast Business Loans is an introducer (not a lender) and our matching service for UK businesses is free and without obligation.
– Is the enquiry form a loan application? No—the short enquiry is not an application; it simply lets us match you with suitable brokers and lenders who will contact you to discuss live offers.
– Who is eligible to apply? We commonly help UK limited companies and SMEs trading 3–12+ months with UK registration, evidence of turnover and recent bank statements to show cashflow.
– How much can I borrow and for how long? Our partners offer from £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities, with short‑term loans typically weeks to 24 months and revolving or invoice finance often ongoing.
– Do I need to provide security or a personal guarantee? Some options are unsecured, but security or a personal guarantee may be required for larger amounts or higher‑risk profiles—your broker will confirm up front.
– What will a cashflow loan cost? Pricing varies by product and status; compare APRs, arrangement/management fees and, for invoice finance or merchant cash advances, discount or factor rates before committing.
– Can start-ups or businesses with weaker credit be matched? Yes—many near‑prime, seasonal or younger businesses can be considered, and specialist brokers on our panel can often place cases outside mainstream criteria.
