What is a cashflow loan?

A cashflow loan is short-to-medium term working capital provided to cover timing gaps between outgoing costs and incoming revenue. Typical uses include meeting payroll, buying stock for seasonal spikes, covering supplier invoices, or bridging payment delays from customers. These facilities can be unsecured or secured and are usually arranged from amounts of around £10,000 up to several million depending on lender appetite.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we don’t provide funds or give regulated financial advice. Instead we match your business to lenders or brokers who specialise in working capital solutions so you can compare options quickly and without a credit footprint for the initial enquiry. Start your free eligibility check.

Why cashflow matters for UK SMEs

Cashflow is the lifeblood of any business. Even profitable firms can stall if they don’t have short-term capital to cover timing differences. Common causes of cashflow pressure include late customer payments, sudden increases in supplier costs, seasonal demand swings and business expansion. Without quick access to working capital, firms may miss opportunities, delay supplier payments, or struggle with payroll.

Here’s why addressing gaps quickly matters:

• Maintains supplier and staff relationships
• Prevents expensive emergency borrowing later
• Enables you to buy stock at better prices
• Keeps projects and contracts on schedule

Want to see if you qualify? Get a free eligibility check in under two minutes.

How cashflow loans work

Key features at a glance

• Purpose: working capital — payroll, stock, short-term supplier funding
• Amounts: typically from £10,000 upwards
• Terms: short (30 days–12 months) to medium (12–36 months) depending on product
• Repayment: monthly, weekly or tailored schedules
• Speed: indicative offers often within hours; funding from 24–72 hours once approved and documents are in place

Secured vs unsecured

Secured cashflow facilities may use business assets, property or debentures as security and typically have lower rates or higher amounts. Unsecured loans avoid asset pledges but usually cost more and have stricter underwriting. Which is best depends on your balance sheet, risk appetite and borrowing need.

How Fast Business Loans matches you with the right lenders

Our role is to cut through the search and match you with lenders or brokers suited to your sector and situation. The process is simple:

1. Complete a short enquiry with basic business details and funding need (takes under two minutes).
2. We match you to partners in our panel who specialise in your sector and request size.
3. Selected lenders/brokers contact you with indicative terms or follow-up questions.
4. You compare offers and decide — there’s no obligation to proceed.

There’s no charge to use the service and the initial enquiry does not leave a credit footprint. When you’re ready, Get Quote Now.

Who can apply? Eligibility & documentation

Minimum requirements (typical)

• Registered UK company (limited companies and LLPs commonly accepted)
• Trading history — many lenders prefer at least 6–12 months trading, though some panels accept newer businesses with strong contracts
• Loan size: from around £10,000 upwards

Common documents lenders ask for

• Recent business bank statements (often 3–6 months)
• Management accounts or filed accounts
• Brief cashflow forecast or funding purpose explanation
• Details of key contracts or forward orders (if relevant)

Credit issues?

A past credit blip doesn’t always rule you out. We work with partners who consider a range of credit profiles. Complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to an appropriate panel.

Funding scenarios by sector

Cashflow loans are flexible and used across industries. Examples:

• Retail & e‑commerce: buy seasonal stock to meet peak demand and avoid lost sales.
• Construction & trades: cover materials and labour while waiting for stage payments.
• Hospitality & leisure: manage seasonal staffing and stock costs.
• Manufacturing & logistics: smooth raw material purchase cycles and fulfil large orders.
• Professional firms & agencies: bridge client payment delays while meeting payroll.

For help tailored to your sector, Start Your Enquiry and we’ll introduce you to specialists who understand your market.

Understanding the costs & risks

Costs vary by lender, security and credit risk. Expect to see:

• Interest rates or factor fees (expressed as APR or daily/weekly rates for some advances)
• Arrangement or setup fees
• Early repayment charges in some contracts

Key risks to consider:

• Missed payments can harm your business credit record and incur penalties
• Secured facilities put business assets at risk if you default
• Short-term high-cost products may be expensive if used long-term

We recommend comparing total cost, term and flexibility. Fast Business Loans does not provide regulated financial advice — you remain responsible for reviewing any lender terms. Get matched to lenders and compare quotes before you commit.

Cashflow loans vs other working capital options

For refinancing options or to restructure existing facilities see our refinance guidance and compare whether cashflow lending or refinancing is the right route — search our resources on cashflow loans and refinance solutions.

Fast Business Loans enquiry: step-by-step

1. Complete the short enquiry form (basic company details, funding amount and purpose). It takes under two minutes: Free Eligibility Check.
2. We match your request to panels of lenders/brokers suited to your sector and loan size.
3. Partners contact you with indicative terms or ask for quick documents.
4. Compare quotes and choose — you remain in control and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Typical response times: often within hours during business hours; funding times vary with underwriting and documentation but can be 24–72 hours for some products.

Tips to improve your chances of approval

• Keep bank statements and accounts up to date
• Prepare a simple cashflow forecast showing how funds will be repaid
• Highlight forward orders, contracts or repeat customers
• Be transparent about past credit issues — some lenders can accommodate
• Consider small director guarantees or mixed-security packages if needed

One practical step: prepare three months of business bank statements and a one-page summary of why the funds are needed — that usually speeds decisions.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly can funding reach my account?

Responses vary by lender. Once matched, many businesses receive indicative offers within hours. Funding can be completed in 24–72 hours for some products once underwriting and documents are in place.

Will my credit score be affected by an enquiry?

Initial enquiries via Fast Business Loans do not leave a credit footprint. If you decide to proceed, individual lenders may carry out credit checks that could affect your credit file.

What documents will lenders request?

Commonly requested documents include recent bank statements, management accounts or filed accounts, and a short statement of the funding purpose. Specific lenders may ask for additional material.

Do you charge businesses to use Fast Business Loans?

No — our service is free for business owners to use. Any fees or interest will be outlined by the lender or broker you choose to proceed with.

What loan sizes are available?

Through our panel, funding commonly starts from around £10,000 and can go up to multi‑million pound facilities depending on the lender and security offered.

Ready to support your cashflow? Get started today

Fast Business Loans makes it quicker and easier to find working capital that fits your business. Complete a short Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in business cashflow solutions. You stay in control — there’s no charge and no obligation to proceed.

Start Your Cashflow Loan Enquiry — it takes less than two minutes.

Important: Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Finance is subject to status and lender terms. Always review lender terms carefully before accepting an offer.