Business Finance: Compare Trusted UK Lenders in Minutes

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies access business finance from £10,000 upwards by matching you quickly with suitable lenders and brokers. Submitting an enquiry is not an application and does not affect your credit score — it simply lets us connect your business with providers who can offer quotes. Use our Free Eligibility Check to get matched fast: Get Your Free Eligibility Check.

What is business finance?

Business finance describes the various ways a company raises money to run, grow or restructure its operations. That can include short‑term working capital to cover payroll, equipment purchase finance, invoice funding to unlock unpaid invoices, property finance for premises, and refinance solutions to improve cashflow. Fast Business Loans doesn’t provide finance itself; we introduce your business to lenders and brokers who can.

Quick overview:

• Purpose: working capital, growth, assets, property, refinancing, sustainability projects.
• Amounts: we focus on finance requests of around £10,000 and upwards.
• Process: one short enquiry connects you to multiple suitable partners — no hard commitment.

Why UK SMEs seek business finance

Many businesses need extra cash at different stages. Common reasons include:

• Cashflow gaps between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments.
• Buying or leasing new equipment, vehicles or technology.
• Funding a premises purchase, expansion or fit-out.
• Seasonal peaks, one-off orders or bridge funding.
• Refinancing existing debt to reduce monthly costs.
• Investing in sustainability (solar panels, EV chargers, energy upgrades).

Evidence shows access to appropriate finance helps businesses grow and manage volatility — but choosing the right product matters. That’s where a quick, sector-aware match can save time and money.

Business finance options we can help you compare

Through our panel you can be connected to brokers and lenders who offer a wide range of commercial finance products. Below are the most common types we match businesses with, plus typical use-cases and a shortcut to check eligibility.

Unsecured & secured business loans

Fixed‑term loans that can be unsecured (no asset security) or secured against business assets or property.

• Use cases: growth investment, consolidation, one‑off purchases.
• Typical amounts: from £10,000 to several million, depending on lender and security.

Free Eligibility Check

Cashflow & working capital solutions

Short-term funding to smooth day-to-day operations.

• Use cases: payroll, supplier payments, seasonal stock.
• Formats: short-term loans, overdrafts, merchant cash advances.

See if your business qualifies – Free Eligibility Check

Asset & equipment finance

Specialist loans or leases to fund machinery, vehicles, IT or other capital equipment.

• Use cases: replace fleet, buy production machinery, upgrade IT systems.
• Benefits: preserve working capital while spreading cost.

Invoice & trade finance

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices or fund international trade transactions.

• Use cases: improve liquidity, grow sales without waiting for payment terms.
• Formats: invoice discounting, factoring, trade finance facilities.

Commercial mortgages & property funding

Funding to buy or refinance commercial property, development loans for refurb or build projects.

Sustainability & green finance

Loans or specialist packages for energy efficiency, renewables, EV infrastructure — often with favourable terms.

Refinance & consolidation

Restructure multiple facilities to improve cashflow or lower monthly servicing costs.

To explore options tailored to your business, Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Our 4‑step matching process

1. Quick Enquiry: You complete a short form with basic business details and funding need — this is not an application.
2. We Match: Our platform identifies lenders/brokers on our panel who typically specialise in your sector and finance type.
3. Rapid Response: Matched partners usually contact you by phone or email to discuss options and may request documents.
4. Compare & Decide: Review offers, choose the best fit, and progress directly with the provider. You’re under no obligation to accept anything.

We do not carry out lender checks on your behalf until you choose to proceed — your initial enquiry does not impact your credit file. Start your Free Eligibility Check.

Who we work with (industries & business stages)

Our panel includes brokers and lenders experienced across a broad range of UK industries. Typical businesses we help:

• Construction, trades and building services
• Retail & e‑commerce
• Hospitality, pubs, restaurants and hotels
• Manufacturing and engineering
• Healthcare, clinics and care providers
• Agriculture, logistics, fleet operators
• Franchises and family businesses

If you’re operating in a specialist sector, we’ll try to match you with partners who understand your cashflow patterns and funding needs.

Eligibility snapshot & success factors

Exact criteria vary by lender, but common success factors include:

• Trading history: many lenders prefer at least 12 months trading, though some partners support earlier-stage businesses.
• Turnover: a rough guide — lenders often look for consistent revenue, but thresholds vary by product.
• Management accounts, recent bank statements and last filed accounts help speed decisions.
• Clear purpose and realistic repayment plan.

Top tips to improve match rates:

• Be honest about current debts and trading performance.
• Have bank statements and management accounts ready.
• Explain sector seasonality or one-off income sources in your enquiry notes.

Ready to share a few details? Get Quote Now – Free Eligibility Check.

Business finance costs & considerations

Costs depend on product, lender risk assessment and security. Typical items to consider:

• Interest rates (fixed or variable) and APR equivalents for comparison.
• Arrangement, broker or facility fees and early‑repayment charges.
• Security requirements — unsecured facilities usually cost more than secured loans.
• Repayment schedule impact on cashflow — run stress tests for worst‑case scenarios.

We encourage responsible borrowing: only request what you need and ensure payments remain affordable if revenue fluctuates. We do not offer financial advice; consider speaking to an accountant or qualified adviser where appropriate.

Why choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: a short enquiry can produce relevant lender/broker contact quickly.
• Panel breadth: we match you with partners experienced in your sector and funding type.
• No cost to you: our service is free for businesses — we may receive commission from partners.
• Privacy: your details are only shared with partners relevant to your enquiry.
• Clear process: submitting an enquiry is not an application and won’t affect your credit file.

Start your Free Eligibility Check

It takes under two minutes to tell us about your business and funding need. Have to hand: business name, turnover band, how much you need, and a contact number or email. After you submit, we’ll match you to suitable partners and they’ll contact you with potential options.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Case snapshots (anonymised)

Curious about similar outcomes for your business? See Your Options — Free Eligibility Check

Business finance FAQs

Final call to action & compliance reminder

Fast Business Loans makes it faster and simpler for UK businesses to find and compare business finance options by matching you with brokers and lenders who understand your sector. To begin, complete a short enquiry — it’s free, non‑binding and does not affect your credit file. Get Your Free Eligibility Check.

Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not lend money and do not give regulated financial advice. Any funding offer is made by a lender and is subject to their terms and credit assessment. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. We may receive a commission from partners for successful introductions. We only share your information with relevant finance partners to help match you with suitable options.

For a wider guide to business funding types and detailed pillar content on options and how they work, see our business finance hub: business finance.

– What is Fast Business Loans — are you a lender?
A: We’re an introducer that connects UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers to compare business finance options; we don’t lend or give financial advice.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
A: No — the initial enquiry is just an information match and does not impact your credit file, with checks only happening if you proceed with a provider.

– Is the enquiry a formal loan application?
A: No — it’s a quick, non-binding eligibility check used to match you with suitable lenders or brokers.

– How much can my business borrow?
A: We help with business finance from around £10,000 upwards, reaching several million depending on the product, security and lender criteria.

– How quickly could I receive funding?
A: You’ll typically be matched within hours and, subject to documents and lender assessment, funding can complete in days.

– What types of business finance can you help me compare?
A: Unsecured and secured business loans, working capital and cashflow solutions, asset and equipment finance, invoice and trade finance, commercial mortgages, green finance, and refinance or consolidation.

– Who is eligible — do you work with start-ups and different sectors?
A: UK trading businesses (typically limited companies) across many industries are eligible, with some partners able to consider earlier-stage firms.

– What information and documents will lenders ask for?
A: Start with basic business details and funding amount, then lenders may request recent bank statements, management accounts and filed accounts.

– Do I need security or a personal guarantee?
A: Both secured and unsecured options exist, though many lenders may require a personal guarantee for unsecured facilities and secured loans may need assets or property.

– What will it cost and do you charge a fee?
A: Rates and fees vary by product, risk and security (including any arrangement or early-repayment charges), while our matching service is free for businesses and we may receive commission from partners.