Small Business Loans for UK SMEs: Fast, Fair, and Free to Compare

Get matched with trusted lenders in minutes

Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and SMEs find the most suitable business finance solutions by matching your enquiry with trusted lenders and brokers. We do not lend money or provide regulated advice — our free, no-obligation enquiry connects you to providers who can offer loans from around £10,000 upwards. Complete a short enquiry and receive rapid contact from lenders or brokers to discuss options and quotes.

Your enquiry is not an application — it simply helps us match your business to lenders and brokers who understand your sector and funding needs. Ready to check eligibility? Free Eligibility Check

Table of contents

• What counts as a small business loan?
• Why use Fast Business Loans?
• Small business finance options we can introduce
• Eligibility & what lenders look for
• How our matching process works
• Costs, fees & repayment considerations
• When a small business loan makes sense
• Practical funding checklist for SMEs
• Industry coverage spotlight
• Success snapshot
• FAQs
• Call to action & next steps
• Regulatory & transparency note

What counts as a small business loan?

“Small business loan” is a broad term for credit products designed to meet the capital needs of businesses rather than consumers. Typical features include:

• Amounts: through our panel providers, loans typically start around £10,000 and can range up to several million depending on lender and purpose.
• Types: unsecured or secured, short-term (months) or long-term (years).
• Uses: working capital, buying equipment, refinancing, fit-outs, fleet purchases, seasonal cash flow gaps or growth investment.

We match businesses with brokers and lenders offering a range of products so you can compare the right options for your plans and cashflow.

Why use Fast Business Loans?

Searching multiple lenders takes time and often produces confusing offers. Fast Business Loans simplifies the process:

• Save time — a single short enquiry connects you to a panel of suitable lenders and brokers.
• Better matches — we route your enquiry to partners that understand your industry and funding needs.
• No obligation and free — our service is free for businesses and does not commit you to any lender.
• Soft initial approach — your enquiry allows matching without an immediate credit footprint; lenders may perform checks only when you proceed.

Free, no-obligation access to vetted lenders and brokers: complete a short form to see who can help. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Small business finance options we can introduce

Our panel includes brokers and lenders offering a broad mix of finance types. Below are common options and when they are typically used.

Unsecured small business loans

Short to medium-term loans without a specific asset as security. Best for working capital or short-term needs. Amounts often start around £10k. Interest rates vary by lender and business profile.

Secured loans (including property-secured)

Lower rates possible when you offer assets (commercial property, machinery) as security. Suitable for larger amounts or longer-term investment.

Invoice finance

Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Options include factoring and invoice discounting. Useful for improving liquidity without adding long-term debt.

Asset & equipment finance

Finance for machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist equipment. Options include hire purchase, leasing or refinancing existing assets.

Merchant cash advance

Repayment is linked to card takings; often a faster but more expensive route for businesses with strong card turnover.

Government-backed & specialist schemes

Where applicable, brokers may identify government or sector-specific funding schemes that complement commercial finance. If relevant for your business, we’ll route your enquiry appropriately.

Quick comparison

Eligibility & what lenders consider

Eligibility varies by lender but common factors include:

• Business age and trading history — many lenders prefer established businesses, though options exist for growing SMEs.
• Turnover and cashflow — lenders assess repayment capacity from accounts and bank statements.
• Credit profile — directors’ and company credit histories are often reviewed. Initial matching typically uses non-intrusive checks.
• Security and collateral — required for secured products.
• Sector risk — lenders specialising in certain industries may offer more competitive terms.

Documents to prepare

• Latest management accounts and/or annual accounts
• Business bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
• Details of existing finance and liabilities
• Brief on intended use of funds and projected benefits

How our matching process works

We keep the process simple and fast:

1. Complete the short enquiry (it takes around 2 minutes).
2. We match your details to lenders and brokers who fit your profile.
3. Selected partners contact you directly with eligibility feedback and quotes.
4. You compare offers and decide — there’s no obligation to proceed.

Remember: your enquiry is for matching only, not an application. To begin: Start Your Enquiry

Costs, fees & repayment considerations

Costs depend on the product and lender. Key items to check:

• Interest rate (fixed or variable) and APR where provided
• Arrangement or application fees
• Early repayment charges
• Security valuation or legal fees for secured lending
• Overall cost of borrowing over loan term

We do not charge business owners — our service is free. Any fees or repayments are between you and your chosen lender or broker. Always ask lenders for a full breakdown so you can compare like-for-like offers.

When a small business loan makes sense

A loan can be the right solution when it enables measurable business outcomes. Common scenarios include:

• Stabilising cashflow during seasonal dips
• Funding expansion, new premises or an additional site
• Purchasing essential equipment that increases capacity
• Refinancing expensive short-term credit to reduce costs

If borrowing will improve profitability, cash conversion or capacity to deliver orders, it’s worth exploring options. Our partners will help you weigh alternatives and affordability.

Practical funding checklist for SMEs

Before you enquire, use this checklist to speed up the process:

• Decide the funding amount (aim for realistic figure, starting from £10,000).
• Clarify the purpose: working capital, equipment, refinance, property, etc.
• Gather accounts, bank statements and list of business liabilities.
• Know your preferred repayment term and any seasonal variance in income.
• Be ready to explain what the funding will achieve and how it will be repaid.

When you’re ready, complete our simple enquiry for a tailored match: Get Quote Now

Industry coverage spotlight

We match businesses across many UK sectors. Popular areas include construction, hospitality, manufacturing, agriculture, retail, logistics and healthcare. Our panel includes brokers with specialist knowledge of niche sectors, so you can be matched with lenders who understand your market.

For more industry-specific information see our dedicated small business resources on small business loans.

Success snapshot

Businesses that prepare documentation and use a specialised broker/lender typically get faster, more suitable offers. Examples include:

• A manufacturing firm that used asset finance to replace machinery and increased output within 6 weeks.
• A hospitality group that secured seasonal working capital to cover staffing and stock through invoice and short-term loans.

Your results will depend on lender criteria and your business details — our role is to connect you to the right specialists quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. Fast Business Loans introduces UK businesses to a panel of lenders and brokers. Any loan contract you sign is directly with the chosen provider.

What information do I need to provide?

Basic business details, approximate amount required, intended use of funds and contact information. More detailed documents may be required later by lenders.

Will checking my eligibility affect our credit score?

No — the initial matching is non-binding and does not leave a credit footprint. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you choose to proceed.

How quickly could I receive funding?

Timing varies by product and lender. Some short-term or invoice finance solutions can be in place within days; secured or large facilities typically take longer.

Do you charge any fees?

Fast Business Loans does not charge businesses to submit an enquiry. Fees, interest and charges are set by the lender or broker you choose.

What loan amounts are typically available?

Our partners work with loans from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on product and security offered.

Call to action & next steps

Ready to explore options and receive personalised quotes? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders or brokers best placed to help your business secure the right funding. It takes less than two minutes and there’s no cost or obligation.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Matched with Lenders Today

Prefer to discuss first? Provide your contact details in the enquiry and one of our partner brokers will call or email to explain suitable next steps.

Regulatory & transparency note

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches businesses with finance providers. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Completing our enquiry helps us identify suitable lenders and brokers — any contract, fees or credit checks are arranged directly with your chosen provider. Always consider affordability and request full terms and costs from lenders before you commit.

1) Is Fast Business Loans a lender? – No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK SMEs with trusted lenders and brokers; any loan is agreed directly with the provider.

2) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? – No, the free eligibility enquiry is for matching only and leaves no credit footprint, with checks only if you choose to proceed.

3) What loan amounts are available? – Our partners typically offer from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on product, security and your business profile.

4) How quickly can I get funding? – Some unsecured or invoice finance facilities can complete in days, while larger or secured loans usually take longer due to due diligence.

5) What types of finance can you introduce? – We connect businesses to unsecured and secured loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, merchant cash advances, and relevant government-backed or specialist schemes.

6) Who is eligible and what do lenders look for? – Lenders assess trading history, turnover and cash flow, company and director credit, sector risk, and any available security, with specialist options for start-ups and growing SMEs.

7) What documents will I need? – Be ready with recent management or annual accounts, 3–6 months of business bank statements, details of existing finance, and a short outline of how you’ll use the funds.

8) What does it cost and do you charge fees? – Fast Business Loans is free for businesses, while lenders may charge interest, arrangement fees, early repayment charges, and (for secured loans) valuation or legal fees—always compare total cost.

9) Are your lenders and brokers regulated? – We only introduce to verified UK brokers and lenders who follow FCA guidelines and treat customers fairly.

10) How does the process work and is there any obligation? – Complete a short enquiry to be matched with suitable providers who’ll contact you with options and quotes, and you can compare and decide with no obligation.