What are business loans and how Fast Business Loans helps

Business loans are commercial finance products that provide capital to companies for growth, working capital, equipment, property or refinancing. They include unsecured loans, asset-backed loans, invoice finance, commercial mortgages and short-term cashflow facilities. Amounts vary by product and lender; Fast Business Loans focuses on arrangements starting from around £10,000 and upward.

Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer: we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Instead, we quickly match your business with vetted lenders and brokers who specialise in the finance you need. Using our service you can:

• Save time — one short enquiry connects you to multiple providers
• Increase suitability — get matched to lenders familiar with your sector
• Compare options — see different structures, terms and speed of funding
• Keep credit safe — submitting an enquiry through us does not trigger a hard credit search

Important: We cannot guarantee loan approval; lender offers are subject to their assessment of your business and affordability checks. If you’re ready to receive matched options, Get Quote Now.

How our Fast Business Loans matching process works

1. Complete a short enquiry
   Fill in a quick form with basic business details, finance type and amount. It takes under 2 minutes and will not affect your credit file.
2. We introduce trusted partners
   We match you with one or more lenders or brokers from our UK panel who are most likely to be able to help.
3. Compare quotes and decide
   Brokers and lenders will contact you with suitable options; you compare terms and choose what suits you best. You are under no obligation to accept any offer.

Your data is shared only with carefully selected partners relevant to your request and handled securely. Ready to see likely matches? Start Your Free Eligibility Check.

Business loan options we can help you compare

Fast Business Loans introduces you to providers who specialise in a wide range of commercial finance solutions. For detailed information on standard business loan products, see our pillar article on business loans.

Unsecured business loans

Quick to arrange, no asset security required. Suitable for working capital, short-term cashflow or growth projects. Typical funding from £10k up to lender limits; suitability depends on trading performance and director profile.

Secured business loans

Backed by property or other assets — allow larger amounts and longer terms. Useful for major investment, commercial property or large equipment purchases. Secured borrowing can put assets at risk if repayments aren’t maintained.

Short-term cashflow loans

Fast facilities to cover seasonal peaks, supplier payments or gaps while awaiting invoices. These can include bridging or merchant cash advance-style products — terms and costs vary widely.

Asset & equipment finance

Finance to buy machinery, vehicles or specialist kit via hire purchase or lease. Spreads cost and can preserve working capital while enabling growth.

Invoice finance & factoring

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices; ideal for businesses with long payment terms. Invoice finance accelerates liquidity without creating traditional term debt in some cases.

Commercial mortgages & property finance

Longer-term lending for purchasing or refinancing commercial premises or investment property. Lenders assess property value, business cashflow and experience of directors.

Representative costs and exact product availability depend on lender criteria; partners will confirm full terms before you proceed. To receive tailored comparisons, Get Started Free Eligibility Check.

Eligibility: who can apply

Typical lender criteria vary but most require:

• UK limited company or registered business trading in the UK
• Minimum trading history (often 6–12 months; some products accept less with specialist help)
• Aturnover and profitability that support repayments
• Evidence of identity and company documentation

Documents & information you may need

• Company registration number and basic details
• Recent management accounts or statutory accounts
• Bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
• Details of directors’ credit/background where relevant
• A clear use of funds (how the money will be spent)

We work with partners who specialise in start-ups and growth businesses as well as established firms — if you’ve been turned down previously, our panel may still be able to help. Start the process with a short enquiry: Free Eligibility Check.

Understanding costs, terms and repayments

Costs differ by product and provider. Key elements to compare include:

• Interest rate type — fixed or variable
• Arrangement and broker fees
• Total cost of borrowing (including fees) and APR where provided
• Repayment frequency and flexibility
• Early repayment charges or exit fees

Fast Business Loans does not charge businesses for introductions — any fees will be set by the lender or broker. Always ask prospective providers for a clear breakdown of total repayable and any fees prior to accepting an offer. If you’d like multiple cost comparisons, Get Quote Now.

Responsible borrowing & support

Borrowing should be affordable. Before taking on finance, consider:

• Cashflow modelling — ensure you can meet repayments under reasonable stress scenarios
• Contingency plans — how you’d manage slower sales or unexpected costs
• Secured lending risks — understand what assets are at risk if you default

Preparing for approval

Make your application stronger by keeping financial records tidy, preparing a short written case for the loan (how it will be used, expected benefit) and having documents ready for quick review.

If you’ve been declined before

Different lenders have different underwriting approaches. Our panel can often identify alternative routes or specialist lenders who consider a wider set of factors. To explore alternatives, Start Your Enquiry.

Illustrative funding scenarios

Below are anonymised, illustrative examples showing how different products can be used. These are for guidance only; outcomes vary by lender and business.

• Construction contractor: short-term invoice finance to bridge supplier payments while waiting for client stage payments — improved cashflow and ability to take on larger contracts.
• Retailer: unsecured term loan (£50k–£75k) to buy seasonal stock with a 24-month repayment profile — preserves working capital and avoids diluting ownership.
• Manufacturing start-up: asset finance for specialist machinery spread over 3–5 years, aligning payments with production gains.

Examples are illustrative only. Final terms are set by lenders based on their assessments. Discuss your situation with a specialist: Get Quote Now.

Why businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: quick enquiry, rapid introductions
• Free & no obligation: our service is free for businesses to use
• Sector expertise: we match you to lenders who understand your industry
• Secure: your details are shared only with suitable partners

If you want a fast, simple route to compare multiple commercial finance options, Start Your Free Eligibility Check and we’ll put you in touch with the most relevant lenders and brokers.

FAQs about business loans

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. Fast Business Loans is an introducer — we connect businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Completing our enquiry form does not trigger a hard credit search. Lenders may perform credit checks if you choose to proceed with an application.

How quickly can I receive funds?

Timescales depend on product type and lender: some short-term facilities can be arranged within days, while commercial mortgages or larger secured loans typically take weeks.

What loan amounts are available?

Our partners handle a wide range of amounts. Fast Business Loans focuses on funding from approximately £10,000 upwards; many partners consider multi‑hundred‑thousand pound or larger facilities.

Do you charge businesses to use the service?

No. Our matching service is free to businesses. Any fees are set and charged by the lender or broker you select.

Still have questions or prefer to talk? Request a call back.

Get started with your free eligibility check

How to begin:

1. Click Start Your Free Eligibility Check.
2. Complete the short form (under 2 minutes).
3. We match you with lenders/brokers who will contact you with options.

Your enquiry is confidential, free and without obligation. If you prefer, include a phone number and ask for a call back when you submit the form.

Start My Free Eligibility Check