Small Business Loans – Compare Tailored Funding Options Fast

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and SMEs find business loans from £10,000 upwards by matching you with the most suitable lenders and brokers. Our quick, free enquiry (not an application) is used to shortlist providers who may contact you with tailored offers. Complete the Free Eligibility Check to get matched and compare options without obligation: Get Quote Now.

Table of contents

• Why consider a small business loan in 2024?
• How Fast Business Loans helps you secure the right funding
• Small business loan options we can introduce
• Step-by-step: our fast enquiry process
• Who we help — real-world scenarios
• Responsible finance & what to expect from partners
• Costs, rates & FAQs
• Start your small business loan enquiry today

Why consider a small business loan in 2024?

Cash flow and investment remain the top reasons UK SMEs look for funding. Whether you need to cover seasonal stock, replace equipment, expand premises, refinance higher-cost borrowing, or invest in energy-saving upgrades, a loan tailored to your business can preserve working capital and support growth.

Here’s why exploring options matters: different providers specialise in different sectors and risk profiles. A mainstream bank may offer competitive rates for low-risk, long-standing businesses, while specialist lenders and brokers can help businesses in seasonal trades, construction, hospitality, manufacturing and other sectors where lending can be more nuanced.

Want to see what your business may be offered? Start a quick enquiry and compare matched options: Free Eligibility Check.

How Fast Business Loans helps you secure the right funding

We save you time

Instead of contacting multiple providers, you tell us what you need and we use our matching process — a mix of technology and human review — to introduce you to lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and loan size.

No-obligation, free service

Our service is free for business owners. Completing the enquiry form is not an application — it’s information we pass to selected partners to provide relevant quotes. You’re under no obligation to accept any offers.

Access to specialist lenders and brokers

We work with a broad panel covering unsecured and secured lending, asset finance, invoice and merchant cash advances, and more. That means higher chances of finding providers who understand your business model.

Get Started – Match Me With Lenders

Small business loan options we can introduce

Different products suit different needs. Below is a concise comparison to help you understand typical uses, amounts and speed.

Note: Rates, fees and terms are set by the lenders and brokers you are introduced to. Your matched providers will explain repayment terms, security requirements and any early repayment charges.

If you aren’t sure which product fits best, request a tailored shortlist now: Request Free Matches.

Step-by-step: our fast enquiry process

1. Complete the short enquiry form — business name, contact, amount required (from £10,000), purpose and trading history. This is quick and non-binding.
2. Smart matching & human review — we shortlist lenders/brokers that best fit your sector and funding needs.
3. Partner outreach — selected providers contact you (email/phone) to discuss options and may request further documents.
4. Compare and decide — review offers and accept the one that best meets your needs. You’re free to decline any offer.

Important: submitting an enquiry does not trigger a credit check. Any credit enquiries are explained and carried out by the lender or broker if you choose to proceed with an application.

Begin Your Free Eligibility Check

Who we help — real-world scenarios

Retailer managing seasonal stock

Challenge: need to buy extra inventory ahead of peak season. Solution: matched to invoice finance and short-term unsecured lenders to smooth cash flow. Outcome: stock purchased without draining reserves.

Construction SME buying plant

Challenge: expensive machinery purchase. Solution: introduced to asset finance providers for a spread payment plan. Outcome: new equipment on-site with predictable monthly payments.

Hospitality business refurbishing premises

Challenge: refurb costs and temporary cash flow pressure. Solution: a combination of unsecured terms and bridging finance. Outcome: works completed, trading revenue restored.

For more sector-specific guidance, see our detailed resources on small business loans.

Responsible finance & what to expect from our partners

We prioritise clarity. Providers will assess affordability and may request documentation such as management accounts, bank statements and cashflow forecasts. Expect transparent discussions about interest rates, fees, security and the total cost of borrowing.

We are an introducer — not a lender or adviser — so it is important you review all terms and consider seeking independent advice where appropriate before committing to finance.

Costs, rates & FAQs

There’s no single market rate for business loans. Pricing depends on credit profile, sector risk, term, loan-to-value (for secured deals) and whether a broker negotiates terms. Comparing offers helps reveal total cost and the most suitable structure.

Frequently asked questions

• Is Fast Business Loans a lender? No — we match businesses with lenders and brokers. Any offer comes directly from the provider.
• What minimum amount can I apply for? We typically handle requests starting from £10,000 and upwards.
• How fast will I hear back? Many lenders or brokers respond within hours during business hours; timescales vary by partner.
• Does the enquiry affect my credit score? No — the enquiry does not impact your credit file. Credit checks are only carried out by providers with your consent if you choose to progress.
• What documents will lenders ask for? Commonly management accounts, bank statements, ID for directors, and details of any security. Exact requirements depend on provider and product.
• Am I obliged to accept an offer? No. There’s no obligation to accept any quote you receive.

Start your small business loan enquiry today

Fast Business Loans makes it simple to compare tailored funding options from £10,000 up. Complete a short, free enquiry (it’s not an application) and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who can help. Expect fast responses, multiple options and no obligation to proceed.

Ready to compare funding? Get Quote Now — takes under 2 minutes.

Privacy note: Information collected via our enquiry form is used to match you with suitable lenders and brokers. We only share details with selected partners who may contact you about your request. See our privacy policy for full details.

1) What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work?
Fast Business Loans is a UK introducer that uses a quick, no‑obligation eligibility check to match your business with suitable lenders and brokers for tailored finance options.

2) How much can I borrow with a small business loan?
Our partners typically arrange funding from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on the product, security and your eligibility.

3) How quickly could I receive funds?
Timelines vary by product and provider, with some lenders able to fund in days once due diligence is complete and others taking a few weeks.

4) Will the Free Eligibility Check affect my credit score?
No—submitting an enquiry does not impact your credit file, and any credit checks are only performed by providers if you choose to proceed.

5) What types of business finance can you introduce me to?
We can connect you with unsecured and secured business loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, merchant cash advances, revolving credit facilities and short‑term bridging or refinance solutions.

6) What can I use a small business loan for?
Common uses include working capital, seasonal stock, equipment or vehicles, refurbishments and fit‑outs, expansion, refinancing existing borrowing and energy‑efficiency upgrades.

7) What interest rates and total costs should I expect?
There’s no single market rate—pricing depends on credit profile, sector risk, term and security, so comparing offers helps you find the best overall cost.

8) Do you charge fees for using the service?
No—our matching service is free for business owners, with rates, fees and terms set transparently by the lender or broker you choose.

9) What documents will lenders typically ask for?
Providers often request management accounts, recent bank statements, director ID, cash‑flow forecasts and details of any security, depending on the product.

10) Am I eligible if my business is in a seasonal or specialist sector?
Yes—we work with specialist UK lenders and brokers across sectors such as construction, hospitality, retail and manufacturing, and your eligibility will depend on each provider’s criteria.