Business finance covers loans and facilities that fund working capital, equipment and growth. We arrange business finance over £25,000, with unsecured loans up to £1 million. Secured facilities can go above £25 million. Decisions can take as little as 2 hours, and funds can arrive within 1–2 working days after approval. Instead of one bank's offer, we search our specialist lender panel for options that fit your business.
Loan size
Over £25,000
Secured up to
£25m+
Unsecured up to
£1m
Minimum trading
6 months
Decisions from
2 hours
Funds after approval
From 1–2 days
What types of business finance are there?
The main options are unsecured business loans, secured loans, asset finance, invoice finance, revolving credit and commercial mortgages. The right one depends on what you are funding, how quickly you need it and what security you can offer.
Unsecured business loans
An unsecured business loan is a lump sum repaid in fixed instalments with no specific asset as security. We arrange loans of over £25,000 and up to £1 million, with terms of up to 5 years. Decisions can take as little as 2 hours. Directors are usually asked for a personal guarantee.
Secured business loans
A secured loan is backed by property or other assets. That usually allows larger amounts, longer terms and lower rates than unsecured borrowing. Secured facilities can go above £25 million, for acquisitions, investment and refinancing.
Revolving credit facilities
A revolving credit facility gives you an agreed limit to draw from, repay and draw again. You only pay interest on what you use. It suits businesses with uneven cash flow or seasonal peaks.
Asset finance vs invoice finance
Asset finance spreads the cost of equipment or vehicles over their working life, secured on the asset itself. Asset finance in detail →
Invoice finance releases cash tied up in unpaid invoices. It typically advances up to 90% of their value. Many businesses use both: asset finance for growth and invoice finance for day-to-day cash flow. Invoice finance in detail →
Business loan or invoice finance: which fits?
Secured on the asset itself
Commercial mortgages
A commercial mortgage is a loan to buy or refinance business premises or investment property. We arrange them from £100,000, with terms of up to 25 years, and lenders typically advance up to 70% of the value.
Commercial mortgages in detail: owner-occupied, investment and semi-commercial →Need to move faster? See bridging loans for short-term and time-critical purchases →Will my business qualify?
Most lenders look for three things:
At least 6 months of trading
A UK business bank account
Evidence of positive cash flow
“For the fastest decisions, have your last 6 months of business bank statements and 2 years of filed accounts ready. Lenders pay close attention to recent cash flow. If your account has stayed in credit for the last 3 months, your case is much stronger.” — Ashley Thomas, Director
Business finance FAQs
How much can my business borrow?
We arrange business finance over £25,000. Unsecured loans go up to £1 million, and secured facilities can go above £25 million. The amount depends on your turnover, cash flow, trading history and the security you can offer.
Will checking my eligibility affect my credit score?
No. We don't check your credit when you enquire. A lender only does that if you choose to apply.
What's the difference between secured and unsecured business loans?
The difference is security. An unsecured loan isn't backed by a specific asset, though directors are usually asked for a personal guarantee. We arrange these up to £1 million. A secured loan is backed by property or other assets, which usually means larger amounts, longer terms and often lower rates. Secured facilities can go above £25 million. The right choice depends on how much you need and the security you can offer.
What's the difference between invoice factoring and invoice discounting?
The difference is who collects from your customers. Both release cash tied up in unpaid invoices, typically up to 90% of their value. With factoring, the lender runs your sales ledger and collects payment from your customers. With invoice discounting, you keep control of collections, and customers usually don't know a lender is involved. Discounting generally suits larger businesses with established credit control.
Is asset finance the same as leasing or hire purchase?
Not quite. Asset finance is the umbrella term, and hire purchase and leasing are two types of it. Hire purchase spreads the cost and you own the asset at the end. Leasing lets you use the asset for an agreed period without owning it. Asset refinancing releases cash from equipment or vehicles you already own. We arrange all three.
Can a new business get finance?
Sometimes, but options are limited. Some lenders fund start-ups, often through government-backed schemes or with a personal guarantee, but most need at least 6 months of trading history.
Do you work with sole traders?
Yes. We arrange business finance over £25,000 for sole traders and partnerships, as well as limited companies and LLPs. Lending of £25,000 or less to sole traders and small partnerships is regulated, so we don't arrange it.
Can I get a business loan with bad credit?
Sometimes. Lenders look at your whole case, including trading history, cash flow, security and the reasons for past issues. Recent defaults or CCJs may limit the options or increase the costs, but specialist lenders can often still help. We'll tell you honestly what's realistic.
What documents will I need?
Usually your last 6 months of business bank statements, 2 years of filed accounts and ID for the directors. Lenders may also ask for management accounts or details of the asset or property. For invoice finance, they'll want an aged debtor list. We'll tell you exactly what your case needs.
Do I need to give a personal guarantee?
Often, yes. Many unsecured business loans to limited companies require a personal guarantee from the directors. We'll explain what any guarantee means before you proceed.
How quickly can funds arrive?
Decisions on unsecured loans can take as little as 2 hours. Once approved, funds can arrive within 1–2 working days. Secured loans and commercial mortgages take longer because of valuations and legal work.
Can I use a business loan to pay a VAT or tax bill?
Yes. Many lenders offer short-term loans for VAT and corporation tax bills, so you can spread the cost over several months. We arrange these loans over £25,000, subject to eligibility and lender criteria.
How are you paid?
We are usually paid a commission by the lender when your finance completes. Some cases also incur a broker fee. We tell you about any fee and commission before you proceed.
Is business finance regulated by the FCA?
Most lending to limited companies is not regulated. Lending of £25,000 or less to sole traders and small partnerships is regulated, which is why we only arrange loans over £25,000.
A few details and we'll match you with suitable lenders. No credit check until you choose one.
No obligation. We're a broker, not a lender, and may receive commission from lenders.