Quick answer: What we share

At the enquiry stage we provide lenders and brokers with a compact, relevant profile of your business so they can quickly assess whether they can help. This typically includes:

• Contact details: your name, business email and phone number.
• Business basics: company name, company registration number, trading address, industry sector and months/years trading.
• Funding need: amount required, the purpose (eg working capital / cashflow smoothing), and preferred term.
• High-level financial snapshot: annual turnover band, typical monthly bank deposits (banded), VAT status.
• Ownership / directors: director(s) name(s) and role — limited personal data only as required for matching.

We use this initial information to match your case to lenders or brokers who specialise in cashflow lending so you receive relevant, fast responses. Submitting a form is non-binding and will not automatically trigger a hard credit search. This service is intended for business loans of approximately £10,000 and above.

Why do lenders and brokers need this information?

Lenders and brokers need a short, accurate snapshot of your business to:

• decide quickly whether your enquiry fits their product criteria;
• provide indicative pricing and terms specific to your turnover, trading history and funding purpose;
• avoid wasting time on unsuitable options — which gets you faster, more relevant quotes;
• perform a preliminary affordability and risk assessment (usually at a high level).

For cashflow loans specifically, lenders look for indicators of short-term liquidity: turnover bands, recent monthly bank deposits and length of trading. That helps them assess repayment capacity and match you to appropriate short-term working capital products.

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What we share immediately when you press submit (enquiry-stage data)

The following fields are commonly sent to lenders and brokers at the moment you submit an enquiry. We keep the list short by design — enough to match you accurately but not so much that you must supply sensitive documents up-front.

• Contact — full name, business email, telephone number (required).
• Business details — trading name, company number (or UTR where relevant), registered or trading address, industry/sector.
• Funding details — amount required (or banded), purpose (eg working capital, payroll, seasonal stock), preferred term.
• Trading history — months/years trading and whether you have recent seasonal peaks.
• Financial snapshot — annual turnover band, typical monthly bank turnover (banded), VAT-registered Y/N.
• Ownership — director(s) names and role (percent ownership if provided).
• Optional inputs — brief additional notes and any uploaded supporting file (e.g., short PDF summary).

Example form tooltips you could see on our enquiry form:

• “Amount required — estimate is fine; lenders use bands at first.”
• “Turnover band — helps match to lenders who support your size of business.”
• “Trading time — shorter trading histories may be matched with specialist providers.”

Microcopy: This initial information helps lenders give accurate, tailored quotes quickly. Submitting the enquiry is free and does not commit you to any application.

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What is NOT shared at the enquiry stage

To protect you, we do not share highly sensitive information until a lender or broker has asked for it and you have explicitly agreed. At enquiry stage we will not pass:

• online banking login credentials or passwords;
• full bank statements (these are requested later if required);
• private personal financial details unrelated to the business, unless you supply them voluntarily;
• any information marked “confidential” unless you upload it and consent to share.

What additional documentation lenders may request after the initial introduction

If a lender or broker wants to progress, they’ll typically ask for documents to verify the facts and carry out formal checks. Common requests include:

• last 3–6 months’ business bank statements (or bank transaction report);
• recent management accounts or profit & loss summaries;
• company accounts and VAT returns;
• proof of ID and proof of address for directors (passport, driving licence, utility bill);
• invoice runs or debtor reports for invoice finance cases.

These documents are supplied by you directly to the lender or broker and only with your consent. We act as the introducer — any document exchange or formal application is controlled by you and the provider.

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Credit checks: Soft vs Hard searches

Understanding the difference between soft and hard credit checks is important:

• Soft search — used for eligibility assessments. It does not affect your credit score and is not visible to other lenders in the same way as a hard search.
• Hard search — used when a lender is making a formal lending decision. A hard search can be visible on your credit file and may affect your credit score.

When you make an enquiry via UK Business Loans, the matches we pass are typically used to perform soft eligibility checks only. Should a lender need to conduct a hard search, they will inform you and request your explicit permission before proceeding.

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Who receives your data? Our network, partners & compliance

We share your enquiry with a selected panel of lenders and brokers who specialise in business cashflow lending. Partners are chosen for sector expertise and reliability.

When matching, we follow clear rules: only relevant partners receive your details, and partners must use your information for the purpose of providing quotes or broking services. We are an introducer — we do not make lending decisions or underwrite loans.

For an overview of our cashflow products and how they work, see our cashflow loans page: cashflow loans.

How we keep your information safe

Protecting your data is a priority. Our security and data handling include:

• SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit;
• secure storage with access controls and partner agreements;
• data retention policies — we keep enquiry data only as long as needed to match and manage the lead, unless you ask us to remove it;
• legal basis for processing — your consent for matching and legitimate interest for processing lead information.

If you want us to delete or anonymise your data, contact our data team (see Privacy Policy). We will also provide steps to withdraw consent or restrict processing.

Read our Privacy Policy

Marketing, calls and consent: what to expect after you submit

After you submit an enquiry, expect contact from lenders or brokers by phone or email — usually within a few hours during business hours. Contacts may include:

• an introductory call to clarify details;
• an indicative quote or combination of options;
• requests for documents to progress to formal application.

Marketing communications beyond the match will only be sent if you opt-in. You can opt out of non-essential marketing at any time. Suggested consent checkbox wording for the form:

I consent to UK Business Loans sharing my enquiry details with selected lenders and brokers so they can contact me with cashflow loan options. I have read the Privacy Policy. This enquiry is free and will not affect my credit score.

Examples: sample responses and typical timeline for cashflow loans

Example 1 — Seasonal retailer, £25,000: enquiry passed → broker contacts within 4 hours → soft checks → bank statements requested → decision in 24–48 hours.

Example 2 — Limited company with short invoice delays, £50,000: matched to an invoice finance specialist → initial call same day → documentation requested → facility set up in 48–72 hours if approved.

Typical timeline: enquiry → match (hours) → soft eligibility checks (same day) → document request (24–72 hours) → lender decision (24–72 hours) depending on product and complexity.

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Your rights & complaints

You have rights under UK data protection law (subject access, rectification, erasure, portability and objection). To exercise these rights or complain:

• contact our Data Protection team via the contact details on our Privacy Policy page;
• if unresolved, you may escalate to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO);
• for product or conduct complaints about a lender or broker, follow the provider’s complaints process; if appropriate, escalate to the regulator or ombudsman.

Complaints procedure

Frequently asked questions

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans will not affect your credit score. Lenders may run soft eligibility checks; any hard search will be done only with your permission.

Do you share bank login details or passwords?

No. We never ask for or share bank login credentials. Lenders may later request bank statements or use secure data aggregation tools with your consent.

Who will contact me after I submit an enquiry?

Selected lenders and brokers from our panel who are likely to match your funding need. You control whether you progress with any of them.

Can I choose who my details are shared with?

You can indicate preferences in the form and decline further contact from any named provider at any time.

How long do you keep my details?

We retain enquiry data while actively matching and for a defined period afterwards for record-keeping and to comply with legal obligations. See our Privacy Policy for exact retention periods.

What happens if I change my mind?

You can withdraw consent and request deletion of your data; we will stop sharing your information and confirm when this is complete.

Final reassurance & next steps

Submitting an enquiry is quick, free and no obligation. We match eligible limited companies and SMEs (loans of around £10,000 and above) to lenders and brokers who can offer cashflow solutions tailored to your needs. You control every step — providers will ask for permission before any hard credit checks or formal applications.

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