Business Loans for UK SMEs — Compare Lenders in Minutes

Summary: Fast Business Loans is a free, no‑obligation introducer that matches UK limited companies and growing SMEs with lenders and brokers for business loans and finance from £10,000 upwards. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to specialists who can discuss terms and next steps. Enquiries are not loan applications and do not affect your credit score. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

How Fast Business Loans Helps You Secure the Right Business Finance

Fast Business Loans is an introducer: we don’t lend, underwrite or provide personal financial advice. Instead we simplify your search for funding by connecting your limited company or SME to a carefully selected panel of UK lenders and brokers with experience across industry sectors. Our service is free to businesses and designed to save you time while increasing the chance of a suitable match.

• Quick matching: your enquiry goes to a shortlist of partners who specialise in your need.
• Tailored introductions: lenders and brokers who understand your sector and funding purpose.
• Fast responses: most enquiries receive contact within business hours — often within hours.
• No obligation: submitting an enquiry is not an application and does not commit you to borrowing.

Get a Free Eligibility Check — it takes under two minutes to complete our enquiry form.

What Is a Business Loan and Is It Right for Your Company?

A business loan is finance provided to a company to support working capital, growth, equipment purchases, commercial property needs, refinance existing debt or other business purposes. Loans can be short‑term (for cashflow) or longer‑term (for investment or asset purchase). Key questions to consider:

• What is the funding for? (cashflow, capex, vehicle/equipment, property, refinance)
• How quickly do you need funds?
• Can your business comfortably meet monthly repayments?
• Do you have assets to secure a larger facility, or do you need unsecured options?

If you’re unsure, our matching service connects you with providers who will help clarify which product type best fits your goals. To explore options now, Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

Business Loan Options We Can Help You Explore

Through our network you can explore a wide range of commercial finance solutions. Below are common options and how they are typically used.

Unsecured Business Loans

Short to medium‑term loans that do not require security. Useful for working capital or smaller investments. Amounts commonly start from £10,000 upwards depending on lender criteria.

Secured & Asset‑Backed Finance

Larger funding for growth or property that is secured against business assets, property or equipment. Suitable when higher amounts or longer repayment terms are needed.

Invoice Finance (Factoring and Discounting)

Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Ideal for companies with slow paying customers who need day‑to‑day working capital without taking on traditional loans.

Asset & Equipment Finance

Finance to buy machinery, vehicles, IT or specialist equipment. Options include hire purchase or leasing with terms matched to asset life.

Commercial Mortgages & Property Finance

Funding for purchase, refinance or development of commercial premises. Structures and rates vary by lender and property type.

Refinance & Debt Restructuring

Consolidate existing borrowing to improve monthly cashflow or secure better terms. Our partners can assess whether refinance is cost‑effective for your business.

For a broader guide to the general category of business loans, follow this pillar resource to compare types and typical uses (this is a general overview—your enquiry remains the fastest route to personalised options).

Free Eligibility Check — tell us the funding type and amount you need and we’ll match you to specialists.

Step‑by‑Step: Fast Business Loans Application Journey

1. Complete the Quick Enquiry — tell us about your company, funding need and contact details (under 2 minutes). This is not an application.
2. We match you — your details are sent to a tailored shortlist of lenders/brokers who best suit your sector and need.
3. Partner contact — one or more partners will contact you to discuss options and, with your consent, may progress a formal application.
4. Compare offers and decide — you choose which provider to proceed with; lenders conduct their own checks and confirm terms before funds are issued.

Typical timings: initial responses often arrive within business hours on the same day; formal offers and funding times depend on the product and provider (from days to several weeks for larger secured loans).

Business Loan Eligibility Factors Lenders May Consider

Eligibility varies across providers, but common factors include:

• Trading history and legal structure (limited companies and incorporated entities).
• Annual turnover and profitability — lenders assess capacity to repay.
• Director credit histories and personal guarantees (may be requested for certain facilities).
• Sector and customer concentration — some sectors attract specialist lenders.
• Security available (assets, property) for secured lending.
• Existing debt levels and previous lending history.

If you’ve had declined applications before, don’t assume it’s the end — our wide panel includes lenders who consider varied circumstances. Lenders will normally carry out a credit check only with your consent and during a formal application stage.

Start Your Quick Enquiry — we’ll pass your details to the right specialists who understand your situation.

Costs, Terms and Responsible Borrowing

Costs vary significantly between products and providers. Typical cost components include:

• Interest rates (fixed or variable) expressed as a percentage.
• Arrangement or facility fees, which may be upfront or added to the loan.
• Early repayment charges for some long‑term facilities.
• Additional costs for security registration or legal fees on large secured loans.

Always compare the total amount repayable and the repayment schedule, not just the headline rate. Before proceeding, partners will outline full costs and risks so you can make an informed decision. If monthly repayments could strain cashflow, talk to partners about alternatives such as invoice finance or staggered repayment schedules.

Mini checklist before you enquire:

• Decide the exact amount you need (from £10,000 upwards).
• Know your recent turnover and P&L highlights.
• Have basic company details and director contact info ready.

Why UK Businesses Choose Fast Business Loans

• Free, no‑obligation matching — save time and reach multiple specialist providers quickly.
• Sector expertise — we connect you to partners who know your industry.
• Simple process — a short enquiry is all that’s needed to get started.
• Secure handling of data — we only share your details with relevant partners to find suitable options.

Get My Free Shortlist of Lenders — complete our secure form and we’ll do the matching for you.

Success Snapshots: Funding We’ve Helped UK SMEs Access

Frequently Asked Questions About Business Loans

Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. We are an introducer that matches businesses with lenders and brokers who handle lending and formal applications.

Will my enquiry affect my credit score?

No — submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit record. Lenders may perform formal credit checks only with your permission during an application.

How long until I receive offers?

Initial contact usually within business hours the same day. Timescales for formal offers depend on the product and provider — from a few days for quick unsecured facilities to several weeks for large secured loans.

What loan sizes can I apply for?

Our partners typically arrange facilities from around £10,000 to multi‑million pound transactions, depending on product and security.

Do you charge businesses to use the service?

No — the enquiry and matching service is free for businesses. Any fees or charges will be disclosed by the lender or broker before you accept an offer.

What documents might lenders ask for?

Common requests include recent accounts, management accounts, bank statements, company registration details and ID for directors. Requirements vary by lender and loan type.

Ready to Check Your Eligibility?

If your company needs funding — whether for cashflow, equipment, property or refinancing — Fast Business Loans makes it fast and simple to explore suitable options. Complete our short, secure enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders or brokers who can provide personalised quotes.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Important: Submitting an enquiry is not a loan application. We will only share your details with relevant partners to find suitable finance options. Lenders/brokers will provide full costs and terms before any loan is agreed. Always consider affordability and risks before borrowing.

1) What is Fast Business Loans and are you a lender?
Fast Business Loans is a free UK introducer that matches limited companies and SMEs with vetted lenders and brokers; we are not a lender and do not provide financial advice.

2) Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—our quick enquiry is not a loan application and won’t impact your credit record; any credit checks happen later only with your consent.

3) How much can I borrow and what can the funds be used for?
Our partners typically arrange from around £10,000 to multi‑million pounds for cashflow, growth, equipment, vehicles, property or refinancing.

4) How fast could I get matched and funded?
You’ll usually be contacted the same business day, with some unsecured facilities completing in days and larger secured loans taking longer.

5) What types of business finance can you help me compare?
We introduce unsecured business loans, secured and asset‑backed finance, invoice finance (factoring/discounting), asset and equipment finance, commercial mortgages and refinance options.

6) What factors do lenders consider for business loan eligibility?
Lenders commonly assess trading history, turnover and profitability, director credit profiles, existing debt, sector risk and any available security.

7) What documents might I need to provide?
Typical requests include recent accounts or management accounts, business bank statements, company registration details and director ID, varying by product and lender.

8) Will I need security or a personal guarantee?
Some facilities are unsecured, but many lenders may request security or a director personal guarantee, especially for larger amounts or higher‑risk cases.

9) How are interest rates and fees set, and do you charge for the service?
Rates and fees depend on the product, risk, security and lender, and while partners disclose full costs before you proceed, our matching service is free and without obligation.

10) Can you help if I’ve been declined for finance before?
Yes—because we work with a wide UK panel, we can often match businesses to lenders who consider varied circumstances even after previous declines.