Business Loans for UK Companies: Compare Lenders with Fast Business Loans
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and growing SMEs find business loans and finance solutions from a wide panel of lenders and brokers. We don’t lend money or give financial advice; instead we match businesses seeking funding (from around £10,000 upwards) with the providers most likely to offer suitable terms. Use our short, no‑obligation enquiry to get matched quickly for a free eligibility check and responsive quotes.
Find the Right Business Loan with a Fast, Fair Matching Service
When cash flow, growth or investment decisions matter, shopping dozens of lenders wastes time. Fast Business Loans helps company directors save time by connecting your business with brokers and lenders who specialise in your sector and funding need. Our service is free to use, non‑binding and designed to produce targeted quotes quickly so you can compare real options without having to complete multiple lengthy applications.
What Are Business Loans and How Do They Support Growth?
Business loans are capital provided to companies to meet objectives such as working capital, equipment purchases, premises investment, refinancing, or short‑term cash‑flow gaps. They may be unsecured or secured against assets (property, plant, invoices or stock). Terms and structures vary: some products suit short seasonal needs, others support multi‑year investment.
Fast Business Loans doesn’t set rates or terms — providers determine those based on your situation — but we’ll match you with lenders and brokers that typically handle requests like yours so you see relevant options sooner.
For a deeper overview of common loan types and use cases, see our pillar on business loans.
How Fast Business Loans Connects You to the Right Finance Partner
Our process is simple and built to reduce friction:
Step 1 – Share Your Funding Goals
- Complete a short enquiry with basic business facts (takes under 2 minutes).
- Tell us the amount you need (we work with requests from ~£10,000 upwards), purpose and timeframe.
Step 2 – We Match You with Vetted Brokers and Lenders
- We compare your brief against our panel and select partners that specialise in your sector and requested product.
- Only relevant partners with a track record in similar cases will be contacted.
Step 3 – Compare Offers with No Obligation
- Providers will contact you directly with eligibility guidance and indicative quotes — you decide whether to progress.
- Submitting an enquiry is not a loan application and does not automatically trigger a full credit check.
Step 4 – Decide and Fund on Your Terms
- Choose the offer that best suits cost, term and operational needs. Brokers and lenders handle completion and funding.
Start Your Free Eligibility Check
Types of Business Finance You Can Compare
Through our network you can explore many finance products. Examples include:
| Product | Typical amount | Typical term |
|---|---|---|
| Unsecured business loans | £10k–£250k | 1–5 years |
| Secured loans / Commercial mortgages | £50k–£5m+ | 3–25 years |
| Invoice finance (factoring / discounting) | From £10k | Facility-based |
| Asset & equipment finance | £10k–£2m | 1–7 years |
| Bridging & short-term finance | £50k–£5m | Days–12 months |
| Merchant cash advance | £10k–£500k | Short-term, turnover-linked |
| Refinance / debt consolidation | Varies | Depends on structure |
| Sustainability & green finance | £10k–£5m | 3–15 years |
Actual availability, rates and terms depend on the lender/broker. Compare offers to find the product that fits your risk appetite and cash‑flow profile.
Talk to a Specialist Broker – Get Quote Now
Who Can Apply? Typical Eligibility and Documents
We match limited companies and small-to-medium enterprises seeking funding from around £10,000 upwards. Lenders assess applications individually, but these are common criteria:
Minimum Criteria Lenders May Look For
- Company trading history (often 6–12 months or more for many products).
- Turnover and profitability aligned with loan size.
- Director(s) with acceptable credit history — some products accept adverse credit.
- Security or guarantees if requested for larger or secured facilities.
Documents Checklist
- Recent management or statutory accounts (usually last 1–3 years).
- Bank statements (typically 3–6 months).
- Proof of identity and address for directors.
- Details of assets to be used as security (if applicable).
- Business plan or cash‑flow forecasts for larger growth loans.
Understanding Costs, Rates and Repayment Terms
Costs vary widely by product and provider. Key elements to compare include:
- Interest rate type: fixed or variable.
- Representative APR or equivalent—compare like for like.
- Arrangement and broker fees.
- Early repayment charges or prepayment options.
- Security costs (valuation, legal fees) for secured lending.
Use multiple quotes to see trade‑offs between monthly cost and total cost of credit. Any examples given by brokers or lenders are illustrative — your final offer depends on their full assessment.
Why UK Companies Choose Fast Business Loans
- Speed — quick matching saves hours of research.
- Specialist sector knowledge — we connect you to brokers who understand your industry.
- Soft enquiry stage — submit details without an immediate credit footprint.
- Free service — there’s no cost to businesses for the initial match.
- Choice — compare multiple lenders and structures to find the best fit.
“Fast, knowledgeable and saved us weeks of calls — matched within 24 hours.” — anonymised client case study
Timeline – How Long Does a Business Loan Take?
Typical timelines (indicative):
- Initial matching & contact: within 24–72 hours.
- Indicative quote after initial call: 1–3 days.
- Application, underwriting and due diligence: 3 days to several weeks depending on complexity.
- Funding: can be the same day (for simple unsecured lending) up to several weeks for secured or larger facilities.
Factors that speed decisions: complete documentation, prepared financials, and clear use of funds. Complex property or development financings naturally take longer.
Tips to Improve Approval Chances and Secure Better Terms
- Prepare accurate, recent accounts and bank statements.
- Clarify the purpose of the funds and the expected ROI or cash‑flow impact.
- Resolve unnecessary director credit issues where possible before applying.
- Consider the right product — short‑term needs may suit invoice or merchant finance rather than a longer bank loan.
- Be transparent about past issues — brokers can often find specialist lenders willing to help.
Business Loan FAQs
Is Fast Business Loans a direct lender?
No. We’re an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — the initial enquiry is a soft process and does not create a credit footprint. Lenders may perform credit checks only once you choose to proceed.
What loan amounts are available?
Our partners typically handle requests from around £10,000 upwards. Larger facilities of several million are available through specialist lenders and brokers.
How quickly will I hear from a lender or broker?
Most enquiries receive a response within 24–72 hours; many are contacted within hours during business hours.
Do you help businesses with less-than-perfect credit?
Yes. Because we work with a broad panel, we can introduce you to specialist brokers and lenders who consider non-standard credit histories.
Important Information & Regulatory Guidance
Fast Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend or give financial advice. We endeavour to provide clear, fair and not misleading information. Submitting an enquiry does not constitute an application and will not, by itself, create a credit search. We only share your details with selected finance partners in order to place your enquiry with those best able to help; your personal data is handled in line with our Privacy Policy.
Ready to Explore Your Business Finance Options?
Get matched with lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector. It takes under two minutes to complete our short enquiry and you’ll receive contact from suitable partners quickly. There’s no cost and no obligation.
1) What is Fast Business Loans and are you a direct lender?
Answer: We’re an introducer that matches UK businesses with vetted lenders and brokers, and we do not lend money or provide financial advice.
2) Is the enquiry form a loan application or a credit check?
Answer: It’s a free, no‑obligation enquiry that does not create a credit footprint, with credit checks only occurring if you choose to proceed with a provider.
3) How much can I borrow and over what term?
Answer: Our partners typically offer funding from around £10,000 up to £5m+ with terms ranging from days to 25 years depending on the product.
4) How fast can I get a business loan?
Answer: You’ll usually be matched within 24–72 hours, receive indicative quotes in 1–3 days, and funding can be same day for simple unsecured deals or several weeks for larger secured facilities.
5) Who is eligible to apply?
Answer: UK limited companies and SMEs with 6–12+ months trading (varies by product), appropriate turnover, and directors with acceptable credit can apply, with options available for adverse credit.
6) What documents will I need to provide?
Answer: Lenders typically request recent accounts, 3–6 months of bank statements, director ID and address, plus security details or forecasts for larger loans.
7) What types of business finance can I compare?
Answer: You can compare unsecured and secured business loans, commercial mortgages, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, merchant cash advances, bridging finance, refinance, and green/sustainability funding.
8) Do I need security or a personal guarantee?
Answer: Some products are unsecured, but larger or higher‑risk facilities may require assets as security or a director’s personal guarantee.
9) What does your service cost and how are loan costs shown?
Answer: Our matching service is free for businesses, and any lender or broker fees, interest rates, APRs, and early repayment terms will be disclosed by the provider before you proceed.
10) Do you support my industry or sector?
Answer: Yes, we connect businesses across sectors such as construction, hospitality, healthcare, retail, logistics, manufacturing, professional services, agriculture, and more with specialist lenders and brokers.
