Small Business Loans: Find the Right Funding Fast

Summary — Quick answer: Fast Business Loans is a free introducer service that helps UK SMEs and limited companies find business loans (typically from £10,000 upwards) by matching you with the lenders or brokers most likely to meet your needs. Complete a short enquiry to receive tailored matches — your enquiry won’t affect your credit score and there’s no obligation to proceed. Get a Free Eligibility Check.

At-a-Glance: Your Route to a Small Business Loan

• Who we help: UK small and medium-sized limited companies and growing SMEs seeking loans from £10,000 upwards.
• What we do: We introduce you to lenders and brokers who specialise in the finance you need — we do not lend or provide regulated advice.
• Typical timelines: Matches often arrive within hours on business days; full offers depend on lenders’ underwriting.
• What to expect: A no-impact enquiry, tailored matches, and clear next steps from lenders or brokers.

Why UK SMEs Choose Fast Business Loans

We’re an introducer, not a lender

Fast Business Loans connects your business with relevant finance providers. We don’t provide credit, and completing our enquiry is not an application — it’s a way to find providers who can consider your case.

Trusted network and sector expertise

We work with a broad panel of UK lenders and specialist brokers across sectors such as construction, hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing and retail. That sector knowledge helps match you to providers who understand your cash flow profile and risks.

Speed and simplicity

Our enquiry form is short, secure and designed to get you matched fast. Most users report contact from partners within hours. Start your free eligibility check.

Small Business Loan Options We Can Help You Access

Different funding needs require different solutions. Below are common options our partners can provide or advise on. For a full guide to the types of small business loans available see our detailed small business loans page.

• Unsecured business loans — Typically suitable for working capital and short-term projects. Loan amounts usually start around £10,000; rates and terms vary by provider and credit profile.
• Secured loans — Backed by business assets or property; can offer lower rates or larger amounts for established companies with collateral.
• Invoice finance & factoring — Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Useful for businesses with recurring B2B invoices seeking improved cash flow.
• Asset & equipment finance — Spread the cost of machinery, vehicles or specialist equipment while preserving working capital.
• Merchant cash advances — Advance against future card sales for businesses with strong card turnover; repayments vary with sales levels.
• Revolving credit facilities & overdrafts — Flexible access to funds for fluctuating cash flow needs.
• Refinance & consolidation — Restructure existing debt to improve monthly cash flow or simplify repayments.

Learn more about the full range of small business loan options on our small business loans information page.

For a deeper overview of these options and case examples, visit our pillar page about small business loans.

How Our Matching Process Works

1. Submit your enquiry: Tell us a few details about your business, funding amount and purpose. We protect your information and only share it with relevant partners. Submit a quick enquiry.
2. We match you: Our system and team identify brokers and lenders who specialise in your sector and need.
3. Receive contact: Brokers or lenders will contact you to discuss options. They may request supporting documentation and, with your consent, run credit checks later.
4. Compare offers & decide: Review proposals, ask questions, and select the deal that fits your business.

We aim to make the first match contact as timely as possible, but final timescales depend on the lender’s underwriting and the complexity of the request.

What UK Small Businesses Use Funding For

Business finance supports many practical needs. Common uses include:

• Managing seasonal or short-term cash flow gaps.
• Buying stock or raw materials to fulfil large orders.
• Funding plant, vehicle or equipment purchases via asset finance.
• Refurbishments, premises fit-outs or expansion projects.
• Hiring, training or payroll cover during growth phases.
• Marketing, digital upgrades and ecommerce investment.

When you complete your enquiry, describe the purpose of funds — it helps us match you with the right specialists.

Eligibility & Documentation Checklist

Typical criteria lenders consider

• Company type (limited companies and SMEs).
• Trading history and annual turnover.
• Profitability or management accounts.
• Existing debts and director credit profiles.
• Collateral where applicable.

Documents that speed up the process

• Recent business bank statements (3–6 months).
• Management accounts or statutory accounts.
• Details of outstanding debts and existing facilities.
• Invoices or contracts where invoice finance is sought.
• Asset details (for asset finance) and proof of ownership/valuation.

Quick tip: If your business has limited trading history or past credit issues, many specialist brokers can still identify suitable lenders — explain your circumstances in the enquiry. Request a tailored assessment.

Comparing Offers Responsibly

When evaluating offers, consider the full cost and practical terms:

• APR and all fees (arrangement, origination, early repayment).
• Repayment schedule and whether payments flex with revenue.
• Any covenants, personal guarantees or security requirements.
• Impact on cash flow and contingency plans for repayments.

Ask brokers for clear, written illustrations and timelines before signing. If unsure, seek independent professional advice.

Client Stories & Sectors We Support

Below are anonymised examples of outcomes businesses have achieved after using our matching service.

Retail & E‑commerce: A growth-stage retailer secured £60,000 unsecured working capital via a specialist lender to fund seasonal stock — lender contact received within 24 hours; funding in under two weeks.

Construction contractor: A limited company obtained £150,000 of invoice finance to bridge payment timings on large contracts, improving cash flow and enabling new project starts.

Hospitality venue: A pub operator used asset finance for kitchen equipment worth £45,000, spreading the cost and preserving cash for marketing and payroll.

Want to see how this could work for your sector? Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Free Eligibility Check — What Happens Next?

After you submit the short enquiry: (1) we identify relevant lenders/brokers, (2) partners contact you to explore options and may request documents, (3) you review proposals and decide whether to progress. There is no obligation to accept any offer.

Get Your Free Eligibility Check — it takes less than two minutes.

Key Considerations & Responsible Borrowing

Borrow only what your business can afford to repay. Review APRs, fees and terms carefully. Consider independent professional advice if the borrowing is significant or complex. Make sure any finance aligns with your cash flow forecasts and business plan.

Useful external guidance: MoneyHelper and GOV.UK business finance support.

Start Your Small Business Loan Journey

Fast Business Loans helps you save time, compare options and connect with finance partners who understand your sector. If you need business funding from £10,000 upwards, tell us about your requirements — we’ll match you to the most relevant brokers and lenders.

Get a Free Eligibility Check — Start Now

Fast Business Loans is an introducer service and does not provide financial advice or lend money. Eligibility is subject to lender assessment. Consider independent advice to ensure any finance is right for your business.

Internal links for site structure: How it works, Industries, Contact

– What is Fast Business Loans and are you a lender?
Fast Business Loans is a free UK business finance introducer that matches SMEs and limited companies with suitable lenders and brokers by sector and need—we are not a direct lender and don’t provide regulated advice.

– Will completing the enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the quick enquiry is not an application and won’t affect your credit score; any credit checks happen later only with your consent.

– How much can I borrow through your partners?
Most partners consider small business loans from around £10,000 upwards, with larger facilities available depending on product, security and eligibility.

– How fast will I hear back and how long does funding take?
You’ll typically hear from matched lenders or brokers within hours on business days, while final funding times depend on underwriting and deal complexity.

– What types of business finance can you help me access?
We can match you to unsecured and secured loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, merchant cash advances, revolving credit/overdraft-style facilities, and refinance or consolidation.

– Do you charge any fees to use the service?
No—our eligibility check and lender matching are free for businesses, and any broker/lender product fees will be disclosed before you decide to proceed with no obligation.

– Can I get finance with limited trading history or adverse credit?
Yes—many specialist partners consider start-ups and businesses with past credit issues, though available options and terms will vary.

– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Common documents include 3–6 months of business bank statements, management or statutory accounts, details of existing debts, and relevant invoices or asset details for specialist products.

– Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
Some facilities are unsecured, but others may require collateral or a director’s personal guarantee depending on the loan amount, risk and lender policy.

– What interest rates and fees should I expect?
Rates and fees vary by product, profile and security, so compare APR, all charges and repayment terms carefully before choosing an offer.