Commercial Finance for UK Businesses — Compare Lenders Fast

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and SMEs find commercial finance from £10,000 upwards by matching you with the best lenders and brokers for your needs. We are an introducer (we don’t lend or give regulated advice). Complete a quick, no‑obligation enquiry and receive matched quotes and eligibility guidance—no credit impact from enquiring. Get Started Free Eligibility Check

Introduction — How we help

Finding the right commercial finance can be time-consuming and confusing. Fast Business Loans makes it simple: we match UK businesses (limited companies and SMEs) seeking loans and commercial finance of £10,000 and above with lenders and brokers who specialise in the type of funding you need. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice — we introduce you to trusted partners who can.

Use our short enquiry to get tailored, no‑obligation matches. Submitting an enquiry is a soft, informational step and typically won’t affect your credit score. Get Quote Now

What is commercial finance and how it works?

Commercial finance is an umbrella term for loans and funding solutions used by businesses to buy assets, manage cash flow, invest in property or development, refinance existing debt, or fund growth. Lenders and brokers assess applications using factors such as:

• Company turnover and profitability
• Trading history and sector risk
• Purpose of funds and business plan (for larger amounts)
• Security available (property, debentures, assets)
• Directors’ credit profiles and existing liabilities

Different products suit different needs — some are secured (lower rates, require collateral), others unsecured (higher rates, quicker to arrange). Our role is to understand your requirements and match you with the lenders or brokers most likely to deliver a competitive offer.

When commercial finance makes sense for your business

Commercial finance can be a practical solution in many situations. Common scenarios include:

• Supporting seasonal cash flow or working capital gaps
• Buying or refinancing commercial property
• Investing in plant, machinery or vehicle fleets
• Funding development or construction projects
• Refinancing higher-cost debt to improve monthly cash flow
• Financing an acquisition or business expansion

If you recognise these needs, a matched enquiry can reveal realistic options quickly. Ready to explore? Free Eligibility Check

Commercial finance options available via our partner panel

Our network includes lenders and brokers offering a wide range of commercial finance products. Below are typical options you may be matched to:

Term loans

Fixed-sum loans repaid over a set period. Can be secured or unsecured, and are commonly used for medium-term investments or refinancing.

Revolving facilities and overdrafts

Flexible access to funds up to an agreed limit, ideal for managing day-to-day cash flow fluctuations.

Commercial mortgages

Long-term loans secured on commercial property for purchases, refinancing or investment property finance.

Asset & equipment finance

Structured lending for vehicles, machinery, IT or specialist equipment — options include hire purchase and finance leases.

Invoice finance

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices via invoice factoring or discounting — useful to smooth cash flow quickly.

Development & bridging finance

Short-term funding for property development or bridging requirements while awaiting longer-term finance or sale proceeds.

Each option has pros and cons depending on your timeline, security, and cost tolerance. We’ll match you to providers who specialise in the product you need.

Eligibility checklist & documentation snapshot

Preparing documents in advance speeds up the process. Typical lender/broker requirements include:

• Company details (registered name, number, address)
• Last 12–36 months of accounts and management accounts
• Bank statements (commonly last 3–6 months)
• Details of directors / major shareholders
• Business plan or cashflow forecast (for development, buy-to-let or expansion funding)
• Information about security (property deeds, asset valuations)

Note: submitting our enquiry is not a formal application — it’s an information step to enable suitable matches. Our partners may request additional documentation if you decide to proceed to a formal application. There is no obligation to accept any offer.

Our 4-step commercial finance matching process

1. Quick enquiry — tell us a few details about your business and funding needs (takes 2–3 minutes).
2. Match — we compare your details against our panel and select lenders/brokers that best fit your profile and sector.
3. Introduction — approved partners contact you with indicative quotes or to request supporting information. This is typically by email or phone.
4. Compare & decide — review offers, ask questions, and progress with the lender or broker you choose. Fast Business Loans does not charge you for this service.

Throughout, we keep the process simple and transparent. Start now with a short enquiry: Get Started Free Eligibility Check

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: Our short enquiry and matching process save time compared with approaching multiple lenders individually.
• Curated matches: We match you only to lenders and brokers suited to your sector and borrowing profile.
• Free & no obligation: Our introduction service costs you nothing and doesn’t require you to proceed with any quote.
• Confidential & safe: Your information is shared only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.
• Experienced partners: We work with lenders and brokers who handle loans and finance from £10k to multi‑million deals.

Want a fast comparison? Get Quote Now

For a detailed overview of specifically structured funding for businesses, see our guide to commercial finance.

Sector expertise: examples of businesses we help

Our partners arrange finance across many sectors, including:

• Construction and contracting — plant & material finance, invoice finance
• Hospitality and retail — fit-out finance, working capital
• Manufacturing and engineering — asset finance, machinery purchase
• Logistics and transport — vehicle finance and fleet funding
• Agriculture and food production — equipment and working capital
• Healthcare and care homes — property and equipment funding

If your sector isn’t listed, tell us about it in the enquiry — our partners specialise in many niche industries and can often help where high‑street lenders cannot.

Costs, rates and responsible borrowing

Rates and fees vary by product, security and credit profile. Typical factors that affect cost include loan term, amount, security offered and the perceived sector risk. Always compare:

• Interest rates (fixed vs variable)
• Arrangement and broker fees
• Early repayment charges
• Security or covenants required

Borrow responsibly — consider the impact of repayments on cash flow, and ask potential lenders to explain total cost of credit. Fast Business Loans helps you compare options, but any decision to borrow should reflect your business’s ability to repay.

Commercial finance FAQs

How long does it take to hear back after I submit the enquiry?

Many enquiries receive contact within hours during business hours; more complex cases may take a few days while partners review documents. Submitting the enquiry itself is quick and does not commit you to anything.

Will enquiring affect my business credit score?

No — the Fast Business Loans enquiry is an informational introduction and does not include a hard credit search. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you progress to a formal application; you will be informed before that happens.

What is the minimum amount I can apply for?

We focus on commercial finance from £10,000 and above. For smaller sums you may wish to contact specialist providers directly.

Can I apply if I have adverse credit?

Yes. Because we work with a wide panel, some lenders specialise in lending to businesses with historic credit issues. Provide full details in your enquiry so we can find the most appropriate matches.

Is the enquiry the same as applying?

No. The enquiry is just information you provide so we can match you with suitable lenders or brokers. Only when you choose to proceed with a partner will a formal application and any associated checks occur.

How is my data used and who will see it?

Your details are shared only with carefully selected lenders and brokers relevant to your request. We treat data securely and in accordance with our privacy policy. If you want more detail, please review our privacy notice or contact us directly.

Conclusion & next steps

Commercial finance can unlock growth, stabilise cash flow and enable investment — but the right product depends on your business circumstances. Fast Business Loans simplifies the search by matching your business to lenders and brokers who can help, quickly and at no cost to you.

Ready to compare options? Complete our short enquiry and get matched to the best lenders and brokers for your needs: Start Your Free Eligibility Check

1) What is commercial finance and how does it work for UK SMEs?
Commercial finance covers business funding such as term loans, asset and invoice finance, and commercial mortgages, with secured or unsecured options matched to your needs by Fast Business Loans.

2) Are you a lender or giving financial advice?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects UK businesses to trusted lenders and brokers and does not provide regulated financial advice.

3) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No, our quick enquiry is a soft, no‑obligation step with no hard credit search, and any checks happen only if you proceed with a partner.

4) How much can I borrow through your partners?
Our panel typically supports funding from £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities, depending on your business profile and security.

5) How quickly will I hear back and how long can funding take?
You’ll usually get an initial response within hours, while completion times vary by product—from fast revolving facilities to longer property‑backed loans.

6) What types of business finance can you match me with?
We match UK businesses to term loans, revolving credit/overdrafts, commercial mortgages, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, and development or bridging finance.

7) What are the main eligibility criteria lenders consider?
Lenders assess turnover, profitability, trading history, sector risk, purpose of funds, available security, and directors’ credit profiles.

8) What documents should I prepare to speed things up?
Have recent accounts and management figures, 3–6 months’ bank statements, company and director details, and (if relevant) a business plan and security information ready.

9) Do you charge fees or require me to proceed?
Our matching service is free for businesses and there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

10) Can you help start‑ups or businesses with adverse credit, and is security always required?
Yes—some partners specialise in start‑ups and credit‑impaired cases, and while many offers are secured, unsecured options may be available at a higher cost.