Small Business Loans for UK SMEs – Quick Connections to Trusted Lenders
Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and growing SMEs with lenders and brokers who can provide business loans from £10,000 upwards. We’re an introducer platform — not a lender or regulated adviser — and our free, no‑obligation eligibility check helps you find suitable finance quickly so you can compare offers and choose what’s right for your business. Ready to explore options? Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Find the right small business loan quickly — without searching dozens of sites. Our matching service connects your limited company or SME to lenders and brokers who specialise in UK business funding.
- Free eligibility check — no obligation
- Match with lenders/brokers for loans from £10,000 upwards
- Fast responses so you can compare offers
Why Fast Business Loans for Small Business Funding?
Fast Business Loans is a specialist introducer: we don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice. Instead, we use your enquiry to match your company with lenders and brokers who have the products and sector experience relevant to your needs.
Save time
Tell us what you need once — we do the searching and match you to suitable partners.
Secure a better fit
Our panel includes brokers and lenders experienced across sectors such as construction, hospitality, manufacturing and retail, increasing the chance of finding appropriate terms.
Stay in control
You receive contact from the matched partners and decide which offers to pursue. There’s no obligation to proceed.
How Our Small Business Loan Matching Works
Step 1 – Share your business needs
Complete a short enquiry describing your company, required amount (from £10,000), purpose and contact details.
Step 2 – We handpick trusted partners
We match your enquiry to selected UK lenders and brokers based on product fit and sector expertise. Matches are made to speed up useful responses — not to push a single product.
Step 3 – Compare offers & choose
Matched partners contact you with possible routes and indicative terms. You compare options and decide which to proceed with. Initial checks are typically soft enquiries; lenders may perform full credit and affordability checks later.
Funding Options Available for Small Businesses
Through our network you can be connected to providers offering a broad range of finance from £10,000 up to multi‑million facilities. To read more about typical small business loan types, see our guide to small business loans.
Unsecured small business loans
Unsecured facilities for short to medium term working capital and expansion where no business assets are taken as security (suitable for lower amounts and strong credit profiles).
Secured loans & commercial mortgages
Loans secured against property or assets, often available at lower rates for larger sums or longer terms.
Cashflow & working capital facilities
Short-term facilities to manage seasonal sales, payroll or supplier payments — includes overdrafts and revolving credit lines.
Asset & equipment finance
Finance for purchasing machinery, vehicles or IT. Options include hire purchase and leasing where the asset itself often acts as security.
Invoice finance & factoring
Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices to improve liquidity without taking on new loans.
Short-term bridging loans
Fast, interim funding for property transactions or time‑sensitive opportunities; typically repaid once longer-term finance completes.
Start-up and early-stage funding
Products aimed at new limited companies and growing SMEs — eligibility varies and tends to require detailed business plans and forecasts.
Typical suitability: ideal for expansion, equipment purchases, refinancing, stabilising cashflow, and one-off capital projects.
Find the Right Loan for Your Business – Free Eligibility Check
Understanding Costs, Terms and Responsibilities
Costs vary by lender, product and the risk profile of your business. Expect differences in interest rates (expressed as APR), arrangement fees, and any ongoing facility fees.
- Interest: fixed or variable — check whether rates can change over the term.
- Fees: arrangement, valuation, legal and early‑repayment fees may apply.
- Repayment period: ranges from months (short-term) to several years (asset finance, mortgages).
For impartial regulatory guidance on clear, fair and not misleading financial communications see official FCA guidance.
Eligibility Snapshot & Documents Checklist
Common lender criteria
- Company status: typically UK limited companies and incorporated SMEs.
- Trading history: many lenders prefer 12+ months trading, though options exist for earlier stage businesses.
- Turnover: minimum turnover thresholds vary by product.
- Credit profile: includes director and business credit checks.
Documents you may need
- Recent business bank statements (3–6 months)
- Management accounts or certified accounts
- Cashflow forecasts and business plan (for growth funding)
- Proof of ID and address for directors (for AML checks)
Don’t worry if you’ve had past rejections — our partners work across a broad panel and may be able to find alternative routes.
Timeline: How Quickly Could You Receive Funding?
- Day 0: Submit enquiry via our short form.
- Within 24 hours: A broker or lender typically contacts you to clarify needs.
- 48–72 hours: Indicative offers or routes may be presented.
- 1–2 weeks: Dependent on product — funds released after underwriting and documentation.
Timing varies by product, security and speed of document provision. For urgent needs submit an enquiry early in the working day.
Small Business Success Scenarios We Support
Retailer expands with seasonal stock loan
Challenge: urgent stock purchase to meet seasonal demand. Solution: short-term working capital facility arranged by a specialist broker, funded within 7–10 days. Outcome: increased sales during peak season and repayment from seasonal cashflow.
Hospitality refurbishment funded via asset finance
Challenge: refurb and new kitchen equipment for a pub. Solution: asset finance where the equipment forms security, spread over 3–5 years. Outcome: manageable monthly payments and improved trade from upgrade.
Engineering SME smooths cashflow with invoice finance
Challenge: long client payment terms created cash shortfalls. Solution: invoice factoring to release 80–90% of invoice value instantly. Outcome: steady supplier payments and reduced late fees.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Update management accounts and bank statements so they’re current.
- Prepare a short cashflow forecast showing how funds will be repaid.
- Resolve any outstanding company filing or compliance issues.
- Explain one‑off credit issues clearly — context helps underwriters.
- Be ready to discuss realistic security or director support if requested.
Fast Business Loans helps set expectations and connect you to partners who can advise on next steps — but we do not give regulated financial advice.
Why Businesses Trust Our Introducers
- Sector experience: brokers who understand construction, hospitality, manufacturing and more.
- Partner due diligence: we select introducers based on reputation and track record.
- Transparent process: clear next steps after you submit an enquiry.
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Start Your Small Business Loan Enquiry
Ready to explore tailored loan options? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers likely to help. It takes under two minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
- Complete the short form.
- We match you to relevant lenders/brokers.
- Compare offers and choose what suits your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a direct lender?
No. Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers who provide finance directly.
Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
Our initial matching enquiry is soft and will not impact credit files. Lenders or brokers you contact may perform full credit checks later if you proceed.
What loan amounts & terms are available?
Our partners can assist with facilities from £10,000 upwards. Terms vary by product — short-term bridging to multi-year asset finance or mortgages.
Can start-ups apply?
Yes. Some partners specialise in early-stage funding, though eligibility and documentation expectations differ from established businesses.
Do I need collateral?
It depends. Unsecured loans exist, but larger amounts or lower rates often require security such as property or assets.
How quickly will someone contact me?
Often within hours during business days. Response times depend on the type of finance and the partner’s workload.
What costs are involved with your service?
Our service is free for businesses. We receive remuneration from partners when enquiries convert, but you pay any lender fees directly to the lender.
What if I’ve been declined before?
Different lenders have different criteria. Our panel includes specialist lenders who consider a range of circumstances; being declined by one provider doesn’t mean every option is exhausted.
How secure is my data?
We share your details only with selected partners likely to help. We follow data protection best practice and will not disclose your information beyond matched partners without consent.
Do you cover all UK regions?
Yes — our partners serve businesses throughout the UK. Product availability may vary by region and sector.
Compliance & Disclosure Statement
Fast Business Loans is an introducer platform that connects UK businesses with lenders and brokers. We are not a lender and do not provide regulated financial advice. Any finance is subject to status, underwriting and affordability checks by the lender. Our introduction service is free to applicants; we may receive referral fees from finance partners.
Get Matched with Lenders Today
Unlock working capital, buy equipment, or fund expansion with tailored options from lenders and brokers matched to your needs. Complete our short enquiry now and receive rapid contact from relevant finance partners.
1) Are you a direct lender or an introducer platform?
We’re an introducer platform — not a lender or regulated adviser — connecting UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers.
2) What loan amounts and terms can you help UK SMEs access?
We match enquiries for facilities from £10,000 upwards, with terms ranging from short-term bridging to multi‑year asset finance and commercial mortgages.
3) How fast can I get a small business loan in the UK?
Typically you’ll hear back within hours, see indicative options in 48–72 hours, and, subject to underwriting and documents, funds can complete in around 1–2 weeks.
4) Will submitting an online enquiry affect my credit score?
No — our initial eligibility check is a soft enquiry that won’t impact your credit file, though lenders may run full checks if you proceed.
5) What types of business finance can you connect me with?
We can match you to unsecured and secured business loans, cashflow and revolving facilities, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance/factoring, bridging loans, and selected start‑up funding.
6) Who is eligible to use your UK small business loan matching service?
UK limited companies and SMEs across all regions can enquire, with many lenders preferring 12+ months’ trading but options also available for earlier‑stage businesses.
7) Do I need collateral, or can I get an unsecured business loan?
Some products are unsecured, but larger amounts or lower rates often require security such as property or business assets.
8) What documents do lenders usually require for a business loan?
Expect to provide recent business bank statements, management or annual accounts, cashflow forecasts/business plans (for growth funding), and director ID/address for AML checks.
9) Does your service cost anything for businesses?
Our matching service is free for businesses; we may receive referral fees from partners, and any lender fees are disclosed by and payable to the lender.
10) Is your enquiry form a loan application, and what happens after I submit?
The form is a quick, no‑obligation enquiry (not a formal application) used to match you with suitable lenders/brokers who will contact you so you can compare offers and choose.
