Cashflow Loans for UK Businesses – Compare Options Fast

Summary: If your business needs short-term working capital, cashflow loans provide fast access to funds to cover payroll, supplier invoices, VAT, seasonal dips or short-term expansion. Fast Business Loans does not lend — we match businesses needing funding (typically loans from £10,000 and up) with suitable lenders and brokers so you can compare offers without lengthy searching. Complete a quick, no-obligation enquiry to get personalised matches and responses from finance partners. Start your free eligibility check — it takes under 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit file.

Why cashflow matters

What is a cashflow loan?

A cashflow loan (also called working capital finance) is short-term funding designed to bridge timing gaps between when you pay costs and when income arrives. It helps keep operations running — paying staff, suppliers, or covering VAT and tax bills — when receipts are delayed or seasonal sales dip.

Typical scenarios cashflow finance solves

• Seasonal businesses needing buffer before peak sales
• Paying suppliers while waiting for large customer invoices to be paid
• Covering payroll or temporary staffing costs
• Bridging VAT, PAYE or corporation tax liabilities
• Short-term bridging for expansion, refurbs or urgent purchases

What this means for you: a tailored cashflow solution reduces disruption and gives breathing space to run the business. Get a free eligibility check and see which partners can help.

How Fast Business Loans helps

We’re a connector, not a lender

Fast Business Loans introduces your business to selected lenders and brokers who specialise in business finance. We don’t lend money and we don’t provide regulated financial advice — we help you find and compare providers quickly and transparently so you can choose the best match.

Our 4-step matching process

1. Complete a short enquiry: tell us about your business, funding amount and purpose (under 2 minutes).
2. Tailored match: we select lenders/brokers from our panel that suit your sector and needs.
3. Rapid response: partners contact you with options and next steps.
4. Compare & decide: review offers and proceed direct with the provider you prefer.

Benefits of our panel

• Specialist lenders and brokers covering a wide range of sectors
• Funding ranges starting from around £10,000 to multi-million-pound facilities
• Faster lead times — many partners respond within hours
• No cost to you for the initial enquiry; no obligation to proceed

Start your free eligibility check — takes less than 2 minutes.

Cashflow loan features & options

Common cashflow products we can introduce

• Short-term unsecured business loans — simple, fixed-term loans for working capital
• Revolving credit facilities — draw down as required up to an agreed limit
• Invoice finance (factoring & invoice discounting) — unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices
• Merchant cash advances — advance against future card takings for fast access
• Short-term secured loans — lower rates if you can offer business assets as security

Learn more about options and when to use them on our pillar guide to cashflow loans.

Typical terms & costs

Exact pricing depends on product, lender and your business profile. To give a general idea: terms commonly range from a few weeks up to 36 months; costs can vary widely depending on security and credit history. Some short-term products may show annualised rates higher than longer-term secured loans — your matched broker will explain all fees and total cost before you proceed.

Eligibility snapshot

• UK-registered limited companies or corporate entities (we do not handle sole trader enquiries)
• Typically a minimum loan request from around £10,000
• Trading history, turnover and recent bank statements are often required
• Director information and identification for onboarding
• Some partners work with businesses with imperfect credit or recent declines

Important: Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not give financial advice. Consider independent advice if unsure which option suits your business.

Cashflow loans vs alternatives

Quick comparisons

• Overdraft — flexible but often limited and can be recalled; good for small, unpredictable needs.
• Invoice finance — ideal if invoices are the root cause of cash gaps; unlocks immediate cash against debtor ledger.
• Asset finance — best if you need equipment; spreads the cost of an asset rather than bridging operating cashflow.
• Merchant cash advance — rapid access against card sales but can be expensive over time.

When another product may be better

If your cash shortfall is tied directly to invoices, invoice finance may beat an unsecured loan. If you require funding to buy machinery, asset finance preserves cash and links repayment to the asset. If you’re unsure, complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with brokers who can explain alternatives.

Discuss your options — request a free eligibility check.

Industries & use cases we support

Our panel serves a wide range of sectors. Below are common examples where cashflow loans help:

• Construction: bridge payments between stages, buy materials or hire labour.
• Hospitality & Hospitality Group: cover seasonal lulls, refurbishments or supply increases.
• Retail & E‑commerce: fund stock purchases ahead of peak seasons.
• Manufacturing: smooth supplier payments or finance urgent parts to meet demand.
• Healthcare & Care: cover staffing or equipment servicing while invoicing delays occur.

Mini case studies (anonymised)

Case Study 1 – Manufacturing SME: Needed £60,000 to buy critical components while awaiting a large overseas payment. Matched to an invoice finance specialist; cash released within 48 hours and production continued uninterrupted.

Case Study 2 – Small Hospitality Group: Required £120,000 to cover refurbishment and seasonal stock. Introduced to a lender offering a short-term secured facility; refurbishment completed and sales recovered the following quarter.

Get Quote Now — complete one short form and we’ll do the matching for you.

How to prepare before you apply

Information to have ready

• Last 6–12 months of business bank statements
• Recent management accounts or year-end accounts
• Details of existing liabilities (loans, overdrafts, leases)
• Proof of identity and address for company directors
• Brief explanation of the funding purpose and repayment plan

Tips to improve approval odds

• Keep business and personal bank accounts reconciled and explanations for unusual transactions
• Be realistic about what you can afford to repay
• Disclose any previous insolvency or defaults up-front — some partners specialise in adverse credit cases

All enquiries are treated confidentially and data is shared only with relevant partners to help with your funding request.

What to expect after you enquire

Timeline & communication

After you submit the enquiry form, selected brokers and lenders that fit your profile will review the details. Typical initial contact is within a few hours during business days; more complex requests may take longer. A matched partner will explain costs, timescales and any documents required.

Evaluating offers

• Compare total cost (interest, arrangement fees, early repayment fees).
• Check repayment flexibility and whether payments are fixed or linked to turnover.
• Consider security requirements — secured loans may offer better rates but require assets or guarantees.

Ready? Submit your enquiry and we’ll match you to the best partners for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly could funds be released after approval?

Some short-term facilities can release funds within 24–72 hours after approval; invoice finance and merchant advances can be even faster. The exact timeline depends on the lender’s underwriting and any required security or documents.

Can I apply if my credit record isn’t perfect?

Yes — several brokers specialise in lending to businesses with imperfect credit. Be transparent about past issues so we match you to appropriate partners.

Will the enquiry affect my credit rating?

No — an initial enquiry through Fast Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Lenders may run formal credit checks only if you proceed with an application.

Are personal guarantees required?

Some lenders may request personal guarantees or director-level security, depending on loan size, structure and company credit. Brokers will explain any such requirements before you apply.

What is the minimum/maximum loan amount?

Our partners typically arrange loans from around £10,000 up to several million pounds depending on the provider and deal type.

Is the service free for business owners?

Yes — it’s free to submit an enquiry and receive matched responses. You pay any fees only if you proceed with a lender’s product per their terms.

Compliance & transparency statement

Fast Business Loans acts solely as an introducer — we connect businesses with lenders and brokers but do not provide regulated financial advice or issue loans. We aim to be clear, fair and not misleading in all communications. Your data is handled securely and only shared with partners relevant to your funding request. If you are uncertain which product best suits you, consider independent financial advice before committing to any loan.

Final call to action — get a free eligibility check

Save time and increase your chances of finding suitable working capital. Complete our short enquiry now and we’ll match your business with lenders and brokers who understand your sector. No obligation and no impact on your credit for the initial check.

Start Your Free Eligibility Check

Fast Business Loans is a trading style of Fast Business Loans Ltd. We introduce applicants to a panel of UK lenders and brokers. We do not provide financial advice or loan products. For full details see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

1) What is a cashflow loan and how does it work?
A cashflow loan (working capital finance) provides short-term funding to bridge gaps between outgoings and income so you can cover payroll, suppliers, VAT or seasonal dips.

2) How fast could my business receive funds?
Many lenders can release funds within 24–72 hours of approval, with initial responses from our matched partners typically arriving within hours on business days.

3) Will completing your enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our quick enquiry is not a loan application and doesn’t affect your credit file; any formal credit checks happen only if you choose to proceed with a lender.

4) Are you a lender and how does your service work?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK companies to suitable lenders and brokers so you can compare options quickly, free, and with no obligation to proceed.

5) Who can enquire and what are the typical loan amounts?
We support UK-registered limited companies and corporate entities (not sole traders), with typical facilities from around £10,000 up to several million depending on the provider.

6) What documents should I have ready to speed up approval?
Have 6–12 months of business bank statements, recent accounts, details of existing liabilities, and director ID/address ready, plus a brief funding purpose and repayment plan.

7) Can I get a cashflow loan with bad credit or after being declined elsewhere?
Yes—several partners specialise in adverse credit and previous declines, and transparency about issues helps us match you appropriately.

8) What types of cashflow finance can you match me with?
We introduce short-term unsecured business loans, revolving credit facilities, invoice finance (factoring/discounting), merchant cash advances, and short-term secured loans.

9) Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
Requirements vary by lender and amount, with some unsecured options but many facilities asking for a personal guarantee or asset security which your broker will explain upfront.

10) When might another product be better than a cashflow loan?
If your cash gap is tied to unpaid invoices, invoice finance may suit better, while asset finance is ideal for equipment purchases and overdrafts can help smaller, unpredictable needs.