Cashflow Loans for UK Businesses

Summary: Need short-term funding to cover payroll, supplier bills, invoices or seasonal dips? Cashflow loans provide quick working capital from around £10,000 upwards. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we match your company with lenders or brokers suited to your needs so you can get transparent quotes fast. Complete a Free Eligibility Check to be matched with providers who can consider your business and deliver tailored options.

Free Eligibility Check

Why cashflow loans matter now

UK businesses face ongoing cashflow pressures from late payments, rising costs, and seasonal demand. A short-term cashflow loan can bridge gaps between invoices and outgoings, letting you meet payroll, buy stock or respond to a sudden opportunity without diluting equity.

Quick access to working capital reduces the risk of missed opportunities or damage to supplier relationships. Because each business is different, matching you with lenders who know your sector increases the chance of a competitive offer.

Get matched in minutes – Free Eligibility Check

How Fast Business Loans can help

Fast Business Loans is a specialist introducer. We do not lend or give regulated financial advice. Instead we:

• Collect a short set of details about your company and needs.
• Match you with lenders or brokers experienced in your sector.
• Arrange introductions so providers can give quotes or discuss next steps.

Benefits of using our matchmaking service:

• Save time — one quick enquiry, multiple suitable partners.
• No obligation — you choose whether to proceed.
• No initial credit impact from the enquiry itself.
• Options for funding from around £10,000 to multi‑million amounts.

Start your cashflow loan enquiry

What is a cashflow loan?

A cashflow loan is short- to medium-term finance designed to support day‑to‑day operations. These loans focus on your business’s income streams (invoices, contracts, sales) rather than long-term assets. Typical features:

• Amounts: commonly from £10,000 up to several million (subject to lender criteria).
• Term: short (weeks/months) to medium (1–3 years), depending on product.
• Speed: some lenders can deliver decisions within 24–72 hours; funding can follow quickly once terms are agreed.

Cashflow loan vs overdraft vs invoice finance (at a glance)

Types of cashflow solutions we can introduce

Through our network we can introduce a variety of cashflow products. Examples include:

Unsecured short-term loans

Quick capital without asset security. Suitable for smaller amounts or for businesses with strong trading history.

Secured working capital

Lower rates for loans secured against business assets or property. Appropriate for larger sums or longer terms.

Revolving credit lines

Flexible facility you draw down and repay as needed — similar to an overdraft but often arranged via specialist lenders.

Merchant cash advances

Advance against future card takings — repayments are typically a percentage of daily card receipts. Useful for retail and hospitality but can be higher cost.

These are introductions only — the exact products and terms depend on lender assessment and the specifics of your business and sector.

Eligibility & typical criteria

Each lender sets its own rules, but common factors considered include:

• Trading history (many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading).
• Annual turnover and profitability.
• Bank statements and cashflow projections.
• Credit history (company and often director checks).
• Sector risk (some lenders specialise in particular industries).

Because criteria vary widely, an introduction to the right lender can make the difference between a declined direct application and a tailored offer. Fast Business Loans helps direct your enquiry to those most likely to consider your application favourably.

How our enquiry process works

1. Complete a short enquiry — provide basic business details and the funding you need. (Takes about 2 minutes.)
2. We match you — we select lenders and brokers in our network suited to your sector and size.
3. Introductions — partners contact you to request any further documents and to provide quotes.
4. Review & decide — compare offers and proceed directly with the provider you choose.

Your enquiry does not trigger a credit search. Lenders may carry out checks only once you decide to proceed with an application.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

UK cashflow loan costs & repayment considerations

Costs vary by lender, product type and business risk profile. Typical elements include:

• Interest rate (fixed or variable) — can range widely depending on security and credit risk.
• Arrangement fees — one-off fees charged when the loan is set up.
• Early repayment fees — some lenders charge for settling before term ends.
• Ongoing facility fees — for lines of credit or revolving facilities.

Example (illustrative only): a £50,000 unsecured cashflow loan over 12 months at 15% APR with a 2% arrangement fee could mean monthly repayments of roughly £4,617 (arrangement fee payable upfront). This is an illustrative example, not a quote — actual terms will vary by lender and business circumstances.

Always check the Total Cost of Credit, fees and early repayment terms before agreeing. If you’re unclear, ask the broker or lender to supply a clear repayment schedule and total charge figure.

When a cashflow loan makes sense

Common reasons businesses choose cashflow loans:

• Bridging delayed customer payments or stretched receivables.
• Covering seasonal stock purchases or peak labour costs.
• Funding a short-term contract or project awaiting milestone payments.
• Seizing a time-sensitive opportunity such as bulk discount purchases.

Mini case snapshot

An independent retailer faced a sudden stock opportunity requiring £25,000. After a quick enquiry, the retailer was introduced to a broker who arranged a short-term secured cashflow loan within days, enabling purchase and repaid when sales increased. (Anonymised example.)

Other funding routes to compare

It’s sensible to compare cashflow loans with alternatives such as invoice finance, asset finance or a conventional business loan. Each route has pros and cons depending on your need for flexibility, cost and speed.

• Invoice finance — ideal if invoices are the primary source of cash tied up.
• Asset & equipment finance — structured for purchasing machinery or vehicles.
• Business loans — for longer-term investment or larger sums.

If you specifically want more detail on specialist cashflow lending options, see our in-depth cashflow loans resource about cashflow loans.

Frequently asked questions

Will submitting a Fast Business Loans enquiry affect my credit score?

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

How quickly can I access funds?

Speed depends on the lender and complexity. Some providers can decide within 24–72 hours and fund shortly after; others may take longer if more documentation or security is required.

What minimum loan amount can you help with?

We commonly work with funding from around £10,000 upwards. Exact minimums depend on each lender’s criteria.

Do I need to provide security?

Not always. Many cashflow loans are available unsecured, but lenders may request security or personal guarantees depending on loan size and credit profile.

Can I apply if I have recent adverse credit?

Yes. Some lenders and brokers specialise in supporting businesses with imperfect credit, though options and terms may vary.

Are there fees for using Fast Business Loans?

No. Our matchmaking service is free for business owners. There’s no obligation to proceed after introductions are made.

Talk to a specialist broker — Free Eligibility Check

Next steps

If you need fast working capital, complete our short enquiry so we can match you to lenders and brokers who understand your industry and requirements. We’ll only share your details with relevant partners to speed up a response — and you remain in control of which offers to consider.

Start your free enquiry now

Compliance note: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender and does not provide regulated financial advice. Introductions are made to lenders and brokers who may provide offers subject to their assessment and terms. Funding is subject to eligibility, affordability and provider approval. Always read provider terms carefully before accepting finance.

– Q: What is a cashflow loan and how does it work?
A: A cashflow loan is short- to medium-term working capital finance based on your business’s income streams (invoices, contracts, sales) rather than long‑term assets.

– Q: How quickly can I get a cashflow loan in the UK?
A: Many lenders can decide within 24–72 hours with funds released soon after agreement, though complex cases may take longer.

– Q: Will the Free Eligibility Check affect my credit score?
A: No—completing our enquiry doesn’t trigger a credit search; checks only happen if you proceed with a lender or broker.

– Q: How much can I borrow and what terms are available?
A: Funding typically starts from around £10,000 and can reach multi‑million amounts over weeks to 1–3 years, subject to lender assessment.

– Q: Do I need security or a personal guarantee for a cashflow loan?
A: Some loans are unsecured, while others may require security or a director’s guarantee depending on loan size and credit profile.

– Q: Can I get a cashflow loan with adverse credit or as a start‑up?
A: Yes—some providers consider businesses with imperfect credit or limited trading history, though options and pricing may vary.

– Q: What can I use a cashflow loan for?
A: Typical uses include covering payroll, buying stock, bridging late invoices, managing seasonal dips, or seizing time‑sensitive opportunities.

– Q: How much does a cashflow loan cost?
A: Costs vary by lender and risk but usually include interest plus arrangement and possible early‑repayment or facility fees, so check the total cost of credit.

– Q: What’s the difference between a cashflow loan, invoice finance and an overdraft?
A: Cashflow loans provide a lump sum for working capital, invoice finance advances cash against specific invoices, and overdrafts or revolving lines let you draw and repay flexibly.

– Q: How does Fast Business Loans help and what does it cost?
A: We’re a free introducer that matches your UK business with suitable lenders or brokers so you can compare transparent quotes with no obligation.