Business Finance for UK Companies: Compare Funding Options with Fast Business Loans

Summary — Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and SMEs (funding requests from £10,000+) quickly find suitable lenders and brokers. We’re an introducer — not a lender — and we match your enquiry (not an application) to the providers most likely to help. Complete a short Free Eligibility Check and receive tailored contact from vetted finance partners so you can compare options without an initial credit hit. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

What is business finance and why it matters right now

Business finance means funding solutions designed for companies to manage cashflow, buy assets, refinance debt or invest in growth. With cost pressures and supply-chain uncertainty, many UK businesses need flexible finance that aligns to cashflow cycles and investment plans.

Fast Business Loans connects businesses to brokers and lenders who specialise in commercial funding — helping you find options without filling dozens of lender forms or harming your credit file. If you want a speedy, no-obligation assessment, Start a Free Eligibility Check.

When to consider business finance for your company

Consider business finance when you need to:

• Bridge cashflow gaps between billing and receipts.
• Fund expansion, new premises or hire staff for growth.
• Buy or lease equipment, vehicles or technology.
• Refinance existing borrowing to improve monthly affordability.

Managing cashflow peaks and troughs

Short-term facilities such as overdrafts, revolving credit or invoice finance can smooth working capital. These help seasonal businesses and companies with irregular payment cycles.

Funding growth or expansion

For new premises, recruitment drives or acquiring another business, term loans and commercial mortgages may be appropriate. Fast Business Loans can match you to specialists who assess viability quickly.

Investing in equipment or sustainability

Asset and equipment finance enable you to acquire machinery, vehicles or green upgrades with structured payments that preserve working capital.

Consolidating or refinancing borrowing

Refinancing or consolidating multiple facilities can reduce monthly repayments or simplify administration — but terms and eligibility vary by lender.

Talk to a business finance specialist — Free Eligibility Check

Business finance options available via our lender & broker panel

Through our panel you can be introduced to lenders and brokers offering a broad range of solutions. Below are common categories — exact products, rates and speeds depend on the lender’s assessment.

Unsecured & secured business loans

• Overview: Fixed-term loans, unsecured or secured against assets.
• Typical sizes: From £10,000 upwards.
• Use cases: Growth capital, refinancing, working capital.
• Indicative speed: Decisions from hours to weeks (depending on documentation).

Revolving credit & overdraft facilities

• Overview: Flexible, repay-and-reborrow facilities for day-to-day cashflow.
• Typical sizes: Vary widely; often from £10k upwards.
• Use cases: Seasonal trading, short-term gaps.

Asset & equipment finance

• Overview: Hire purchase, lease, or conditional sale for machinery, vehicles, IT.
• Typical sizes: From small equipment budgets to multi-£100k deals.

Invoice finance & factoring

• Overview: Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices; options include factoring or invoice discounting.
• Use cases: Improve liquidity when invoices are slow to be paid.

Commercial mortgages & property funding

• Overview: Purchase or refinance commercial property, development finance for projects.
• Use cases: Buy-to-let, owner-occupied purchases, development bridging.

Specialist finance

• Overview: Vehicle fleets, fit-out finance, sustainability projects (solar, EV charge points).
• Use cases: Sector or asset-specific lending where specialist lenders add value.

Industries we help secure business finance

We connect companies across many UK sectors with partners who understand their markets. Examples include:

• Construction & trades
• Hospitality, restaurants & pubs
• Healthcare clinics and care providers
• Engineering & manufacturing
• Agriculture & farming
• Retail & e-commerce
• Logistics, transport & fleets
• Sustainability and energy projects

If your sector isn’t listed, you can still enquire — many of our partners specialise in niche lending. Match me with a sector specialist — Free Eligibility Check

How our fast business finance matching process works

1. Short enquiry: Complete a quick form (usually under 2 minutes) describing your business and funding needs. This is an enquiry only, not an application. Get Quote Now
2. Targeted shortlisting: We identify brokers and lenders in our panel best suited to your case.
3. Rapid contact: Expect a call or email, often within hours, to discuss options and next steps.
4. Compare offers: Receive indicative terms from partners and decide whether to proceed. Credit checks are performed by the lender at the formal application stage only.

Eligibility insights: what lenders usually look for

Typical factors lenders consider include:

• Trading history and business structure (limited companies favoured).
• Annual turnover and recent profitability or cashflow.
• Director credit profiles and previous refusals or defaults.
• Security availability for larger or property-backed loans.
• Sector risk and the purpose of funds.

Criteria vary by product and provider; a good match improves your chance of a suitable offer. Remember: submitting an enquiry via Fast Business Loans does not perform a credit check — lenders conduct checks only if you apply with them.

Start your Free Eligibility Check

Indicative costs and terms (for guidance only)

The table below gives broad ranges — actual costs are set by lenders after assessment.

Figures are illustrative only; use them to get a sense of options. For tailored guidance, Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Why UK businesses choose Fast Business Loans

• Speed: simple enquiry, fast matching to relevant partners.
• Choice: multiple lenders and brokers so you can compare.
• Sector expertise: we connect you to partners who understand your industry.
• Transparent: we don’t charge businesses to use our service — there’s no obligation to proceed.
• Privacy: we only share details with lenders/brokers relevant to your enquiry.

Business finance case snapshots (illustrative)

Construction company — challenge: cashflow while awaiting a large invoice. Solution: invoice finance arranged via a specialist broker; funds released within 48 hours to cover labour and materials.

Hospitality group — challenge: refurbishment and equipment upgrades. Solution: blended asset finance and term loan matched by a broker; staged funding aligned to project milestones.

Get tailored finance options — Free Eligibility Check

How to apply for business finance with confidence

• Prepare documents: recent accounts, management accounts, business bank statements, and a brief funding use plan.
• Be clear on purpose: lenders appreciate a simple, honest explanation of how funds will be used.
• Compare offers: look at total cost, fees and repayment profiles, not just headline rates.
• Ask questions: your broker or lender should explain affordability and penalties for early repayment.

FAQs: Business finance through Fast Business Loans

Are you a lender?

No. Fast Business Loans introduces businesses to brokers and lenders — we do not lend or set loan terms.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Making an enquiry with us does not perform a credit check. Lenders may carry out checks only when you apply formally.

What loan sizes can you help with?

We typically handle enquiries from £10,000 upwards and can assist with multi-£million facilities where appropriate.

How fast will I hear from someone?

Often within hours during business times. Timescales depend on lender availability and case complexity.

Do you charge businesses to use the service?

No. Our matching service is free for business owners. Any lender or broker fees will be disclosed by them at the point of offer.

Can I enquire if I’ve been declined elsewhere?

Yes. Different lenders use different criteria; a broker may find an alternative route.

What information do I need to provide?

Basic business details, funding amount and purpose, turnover, and contact information to start.

Is my data safe?

Yes. We only share your enquiry with partners relevant to your request. See our privacy policy for full details.

Do you provide advice?

We introduce — we do not give regulated financial advice. If you need advice, please speak to an independent adviser or the lender/broker you are introduced to.

How do I start?

Complete a short enquiry so we can match you to the best lenders and brokers: Free Eligibility Check.

Compliance & transparency promise

We aim to be clear, fair and not misleading. Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not guarantee loan approval, pricing or timing — those are determined by the lender or broker after their full assessment. Always review offers carefully and seek independent advice if unsure.

Ready to explore your business finance options?

If your company needs funding from £10,000 and up, we can quickly match you to partners who may help. Complete a short enquiry (under 2 minutes) and receive tailored contact from experienced finance professionals. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

To learn more about the types of business funding you can explore, read our detailed guide to business finance.

1) What is Fast Business Loans and how does it work?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches your enquiry (not a loan application) with vetted UK lenders and brokers via a quick Free Eligibility Check so you can compare business finance options fast.

2) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—your enquiry doesn’t trigger a credit check; any checks are done by the lender only if you proceed to a formal application.

3) What types of business finance can you help me compare?
We can match you with providers for unsecured and secured business loans, revolving credit/overdrafts, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance/factoring, commercial mortgages, and specialist funding.

4) How quickly can I get funding?
You’ll typically hear from a matched UK finance partner within hours, and depending on the product and documentation, some facilities can complete in days.

5) What loan amounts and terms are available?
We support enquiries from £10,000 upwards with typical terms ranging from 3–24 months for short‑term working capital and up to 10 years for term loans (product and lender dependent).

6) Am I eligible and what do lenders look for?
Eligibility varies by lender, but they commonly assess trading history and structure, turnover and cashflow, director credit profiles, available security, sector risk, and the purpose of funds.

7) What documents will I need to provide?
Expect to share recent accounts, business bank statements, management figures, and a brief plan for how the funds will be used.

8) What will it cost—what interest rates and fees should I expect?
Pricing is set by lenders after assessment, with short‑term facilities typically carrying higher rates and secured loans tending to be cheaper, and any fees disclosed at offer stage.

9) Do you charge businesses to use the service?
No—the matching service is free for business owners, and there’s no obligation to proceed with any offer.

10) Are your partners regulated and is my data safe?
We introduce you to vetted UK lenders and brokers who follow FCA guidelines, and we only share your enquiry with relevant partners in line with our privacy policy.