Business Loans for UK Companies: Compare Options in Minutes

Summary: Fast Business Loans does not lend money. We connect UK limited companies and SMEs with lenders and brokers who can provide business loans and finance from £10,000 upwards. Use our short, no‑obligation enquiry to get matched quickly — it won’t affect your credit score and helps you compare suitable options fast. Start your Free Eligibility Check and receive tailored contacts from lenders and brokers who understand your sector.

Table of Contents

• How our business loan matching service works
• Business loan options we can introduce
• Eligibility & typical requirements
• Rates, fees & repayments — what to expect
• Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans
• Industries we support
• Real stories — funding we’ve helped unlock
• What happens after you submit the form
• Resources to prepare for a loan
• Frequently asked questions
• Ready to find the right business loan?

How our business loan matching service works

Fast Business Loans simplifies the search for business finance. Our process is quick, transparent and designed to get you in front of the right lenders and brokers without lengthy forms.

1. Complete a short enquiry — tell us about your company, the amount you need and the purpose of funding. It takes about 2 minutes. (Free Eligibility Check)
2. We match you — we shortlist lenders and brokers from our panel who specialise in your sector and funding type.
3. Partners contact you — the selected providers will usually call or email quickly to discuss options and next steps.
4. Compare offers & decide — review terms directly with lenders/brokers and accept the option that best suits your business. There’s no obligation to proceed.

Start Your Enquiry — submit a few details now and get matched fast.

Business loan options we can introduce

We work with partners who provide a broad range of business loan and finance solutions for growth, working capital, asset purchases and property needs. Typical funding starts at around £10,000 and can extend to multi‑million pound facilities.

Unsecured & secured term loans

Fixed-term loans for growth or refinancing. Unsecured loans avoid business assets as security but typically need stronger credit; secured loans (e.g., against property or plant) may offer lower rates for larger facilities. Benefits: fixed repayment schedule, predictable budgeting.

Cashflow & working capital loans

Shorter‑term funding to cover payroll, seasonal stock, or unexpected gaps. Options include business overdrafts, short-term loans and merchant cash advances. Good for businesses needing rapid liquidity.

Asset & equipment finance

Spread the cost of machinery, vehicles or specialist equipment with hire purchase, leasing or asset refinance. Preserve capital and match repayments to the useful life of assets.

Invoice finance & factoring

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Invoice discounting and factoring ease cashflow and are well suited to B2B firms waiting on slow payer terms.

Commercial & property finance

Funding for premises purchase, refurbishment or investment. Many lenders provide mortgages and bridging loans for commercial property transactions.

Want the right match for your needs? Get Quote Now and we’ll connect you to lenders and brokers experienced in your solution type.

Read more about business loans on our main page: business loans.

Business loan eligibility & typical requirements

Eligibility varies by lender and product, but common criteria include:

• Company type: registered UK limited companies and SMEs (we do not process sole trader professional loans).
• Trading history: many lenders prefer 12+ months trading, though some specialist lenders work with earlier-stage businesses.
• Turnover and profit: lenders assess cashflow, profitability and affordability.
• Credit profile: both business and director credit histories may be reviewed.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Latest management accounts or 12–24 months’ accounts
• Bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• Proof of ID and director details
• Details of assets/security if applicable

Different lenders specialise in different credit profiles — even if you have past declines, we may match you with a suitable partner. Free Eligibility Check.

Rates, fees & repayments — what to expect

Rates depend on product, term, security and business risk. As a general guide (indicative only):

• Unsecured short-term loans: higher rates, reflecting risk
• Secured term loans: typically lower rates for larger amounts
• Invoice finance: fees often charged as a percentage of invoice value plus service fees

Common fees you may encounter: arrangement fees, valuation/legal fees for secured loans, early-repayment charges and broker fees (if applicable). Any fees charged by brokers or lenders will be disclosed by them before you sign.

We encourage you to compare APRs, total cost over loan life and flexibility (repayment holidays, overpayments). To get indicative terms from providers, Get Your Tailored Quotes.

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans

Businesses use our service because it saves time and increases the likelihood of finding a lender who understands their sector and needs.

• Fast matching — submit once, hear from relevant providers.
• Sector expertise — introductions to brokers who know your industry.
• No cost to you — our service is free and no obligation.
• Confidential & secure handling of your details.

Connect with accredited brokers and lenders today via our short enquiry: Start Your Enquiry.

Industries we support

Our panel covers many sectors and specialist niches. Common industries we help include:

• Construction & trades
• Hospitality — hotels, restaurants, pubs
• Agriculture & farming
• Healthcare & dental practices
• Manufacturing & engineering
• Retail & e-commerce
• Logistics & transport
• Professional services (limited companies)

Mini case examples:

Can’t see your sector listed? Start an enquiry and we’ll confirm who can help.

Real stories — funding we’ve helped unlock

Manufacturing | Challenge | Result

A Midlands engineering firm needed £250k for new CNC machinery. After our match, a broker negotiated a hire‑purchase deal allowing the company to upgrade with manageable monthly payments — installation within six weeks.

Hospitality | Challenge | Result

A regional pub required £40k for a refurbishment ahead of peak season. We introduced them to a specialist lender who provided a short-term facility; the owner reopened with improved cashflow.

Each case is unique and outcomes depend on lender assessment and business circumstances.

Step-by-step: What happens after you submit the form

Once you complete the enquiry:

• We assess your details and match you with suitable partners.
• Selected lenders/brokers contact you to discuss options, normally within hours.
• If you decide to proceed, providers will request supporting documents and perform their checks.
• Offers are made directly by lenders/brokers; you compare and choose the best fit.

Submitting the form is a non-binding step. Submit Your Details – Lenders Respond Fast.

Resources to prepare for a business loan

To improve your chances and speed up decisions, prepare:

• 3–6 months bank statements
• Recent management accounts or statutory accounts
• Cashflow forecast covering the loan use
• Details of any existing finance or security

Questions to ask potential lenders or brokers

• What is the APR and total cost of credit?
• Are there arrangement or ongoing fees?
• What security is required, if any?
• How quickly can funds be drawn?

Authoritative guidance: consider reading British Business Bank material and GOV.UK business finance advice for additional context.

Frequently asked questions about business loans

Will completing the enquiry affect my credit score?

No — sending information via our enquiry does not impact your credit file. Lenders/brokers may perform checks later if you proceed.

How fast will I hear from lenders?

Often within hours during business times; exact timing depends on partner availability and the complexity of your request.

Do you charge for the matching service?

No. Our introduction service is free for businesses. Providers may charge fees or commissions — they will disclose these before you accept any offer.

What minimum loan amount can you help with?

We typically arrange introductions for facilities from around £10,000 upwards.

Ready to find the right business loan?

Get matched with lenders and brokers who specialise in funding businesses like yours. It’s quick, free and non‑binding — and submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Fast Business Loans connects UK companies with lenders and brokers; we are not a lender and do not provide financial advice. All matches are introductions — check full lender terms before committing. Your data is handled securely and only shared with shortlisted partners relevant to your enquiry.

1) Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK limited companies and SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers suited to their funding needs.

2) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our Free Eligibility Check is a soft, no‑obligation step that won’t impact your credit score; any checks happen only if you choose to proceed with a provider.

3) What loan amounts can you help with?
We introduce funding from around £10,000 up to multi‑million‑pound facilities, depending on the lender, security and purpose.

4) What types of business finance can you match me to?
Our panel covers unsecured and secured business loans, working capital and cashflow finance, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance/factoring, and commercial/property finance.

5) Who is eligible to use your service?
We support UK registered limited companies and SMEs across many industries, with many lenders preferring 12+ months’ trading, and we do not process sole‑trader professional loans.

6) How fast could I hear back and receive funds?
You’ll typically hear from matched lenders or brokers within hours, and funding speed depends on the product and how quickly you provide documents.

7) Is my enquiry an application or a commitment to take a loan?
No—your enquiry simply helps us match you with suitable lenders or brokers, and you only proceed if you choose to accept an offer.

8) What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent management or statutory accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, director ID, and details of any security.

9) What will it cost and what rates should I expect?
Our matching service is free and no‑obligation; lender pricing varies by product, term, security and risk—secured loans often cost less, invoice finance charges a percentage of invoice value, and any arrangement or broker fees are disclosed before you sign.

10) Can I get a business loan with bad credit or after a previous decline?
Often yes, because we work with specialist lenders who consider a range of credit profiles and business circumstances.