Sustainability Business Loans — Are Brokers & Lenders FCA‑regulated?

Important — UK Business Loans is an introducer and not an FCA‑authorised firm. We do not provide regulated financial advice or lend money. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers; many of those firms are FCA‑authorised where required.

Table of contents

• Quick answer: plain English
• What “FCA‑authorised” means
• Who needs FCA authorisation — checklist
• How this affects sustainability business loans
• What UK Business Loans does
• How to check FCA status — step by step
• FAQs
• Next steps & final reassurance

Quick answer: plain English

– Many lenders and brokers are FCA‑authorised when their activity falls under FCA rules (for example, consumer credit or regulated investment advice).

– Business-to-business (B2B) lending often sits outside the consumer protection parts of FCA rules (for example CONC), but the FCA’s financial promotions rules and perimeter guidance still matter. Some commercial lenders choose to be authorised voluntarily or are otherwise supervised.

– Intermediaries who provide regulated advice or arrange credit for consumers must be authorised. Introducers who only pass leads on and do not give advice may operate outside direct authorisation but still must observe financial promotions rules and commercial law.

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What “FCA‑authorised” means (short explainer)

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authorises and regulates firms that carry out certain financial activities in the UK. Authorisation means a firm has permission to carry out specific regulated activities and is supervised for compliance with FCA rules (conduct, capital, systems, disclosures).

Key points:

• Authorised firms are listed on the FCA Register (search by name or FRN).
• “Regulated activity” depends on the product and who the customer is (consumer vs business).
• Financial promotions (advertising) must be fair, clear and not misleading — this applies widely, including to promotions aimed at businesses in many cases.

Who needs FCA authorisation — practical checklist

Use this checklist to understand where FCA authorisation is typically required:

• Required — Firms advising or arranging regulated consumer credit; lenders offering loans to consumers; firms giving regulated investment advice to retail clients.
• Usually required — Brokers who give regulated advice or arrange consumer credit agreements.
• Often not required — Pure B2B commercial loans where the borrower is a business (not a consumer). However, lenders may still choose to be authorised and many are.
• Always check — Financial promotions: adverts must be fair, clear and not misleading even when aimed at businesses in certain circumstances.

If in doubt, search the FCA Register for firm permissions and scope.

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How this affects sustainability business loans

Sustainability projects — solar PV for business premises, EV charger installations, heat pumps, battery storage, energy efficiency upgrades — are commonly funded through a range of routes: commercial loans, asset finance, leasing, hire purchase, green loans or specialist retrofit finance.

Regulatory implications by finance type:

• Asset finance / leasing / hire purchase: often B2B and typically outside consumer credit rules, but lenders/brokers may be authorised and still subject to business‑facing conduct rules.
• Commercial bank loans and green loans: usually commercial contracts; FCA consumer protections may not apply, but financial promotions and fair dealing standards remain relevant.
• Government or grant-linked schemes: may bring eligibility, evidence and reporting requirements beyond standard commercial checks.

For sustainability projects you should ask lenders/brokers:

• “Are you FCA‑authorised? Please share your FCA Register entry or FRN.”
• “Are you giving regulated advice or simply introducing lenders?”
• “What evidence do you require to substantiate energy savings or green credentials?”

For more on sustainability lending options and project types see our guide on sustainability business loans.

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What UK Business Loans does — clear, simple process

We are an introducer: you complete a short enquiry (it is not an application). We use your information to match your business (minimum typical requests from around £10,000) with lenders and brokers who specialise in sustainability projects.

1. Complete a short enquiry with basic business details (2 minutes).
2. We match you with appropriate partners from our panel.
3. Partner lenders/brokers contact you to discuss terms, checks and next steps.

Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. We only share your details with approved partners who have relevant experience. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

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How to check a broker or lender’s FCA status — step by step

Follow these four simple steps to verify a firm:

1. Use the FCA Register — go to https://register.fca.org.uk/ and search the firm name or FCA Reference Number (FRN).
2. Check permissions — the Register lists the exact permissions the firm holds (e.g., consumer credit, advising on investments).
3. Ask questions — request written confirmation of authorisation and a copy of key terms, APR examples and any fees.
4. Check reputational signals — trade association membership, customer reviews, published complaints or red flags on consumer advice sites.

Quick template you can copy when contacting a broker:

Dear [Name], please confirm your FCA status (FRN) and whether you will provide regulated advice or only an introduction. Please send a link to your FCA Register entry and a summary of fees/charges. Thank you.

Our Business Finance Matching Process

Step 1

Complete Your Details

It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.

Step 2

We Match Your Business

With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.

Step 3

You Get Free Quote + Advice

You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.

It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.

Need help verifying partners? Start Your Enquiry

FAQs

Are all business lenders regulated by the FCA?

No. Many business lenders operate outside the consumer-focused parts of FCA regulation, particularly for large commercial loans. However, a significant number are FCA‑authorised or work via FCA‑authorised brokers. Always verify on the FCA Register.

Do I need an FCA‑regulated product to fund solar or EV chargers at my business?

Not necessarily. Many commercial finance products used for business sustainability projects are not classified as consumer credit. But if any product targets an individual or consumer, consumer protections will apply. Ask the lender about their status and protections.

Is UK Business Loans authorised by the FCA?

No. UK Business Loans is an introducer and not FCA‑authorised. We match businesses with lenders and brokers; we do not provide regulated financial advice or lend money.

Will completing an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — the enquiry form is for matching only and does not perform a credit check. Partner lenders may carry out credit checks later if you apply with them.

Who can I contact if I see a misleading financial promotion?

If you suspect a misleading promotion, you can report it to the FCA via their online reporting form. You can also contact UK Business Loans if the promotion came via our introduction and we will investigate.

Still unsure? Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

Final reassurance & next steps

We help businesses get fast, relevant quotes for sustainability projects from lenders and brokers experienced in green finance. We do not provide regulated advice — our role is to match you to providers who can. To get started, complete our short enquiry (no obligation, no credit impact) and one of our partners will contact you with options.

Get a Free Eligibility Check — Start Your Enquiry

Author & last updated

Content by UK Business Loans Content Team — Business Finance Specialists. Last updated: 29 October 2025.

Sources & further reading

• FCA Register
• FCA — Financial promotions guidance
• gov.uk — Green finance resources
• Privacy & terms: Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

1. Are business loan brokers and lenders in the UK FCA‑authorised?
Many brokers and lenders are FCA‑authorised where their activities fall inside the FCA perimeter, but B2B commercial lending often sits outside consumer‑focused FCA rules so always verify a firm on the FCA Register.

2. Do I need an FCA‑regulated product to fund solar panels, EV chargers or other sustainability upgrades?
Not necessarily — most sustainability business loans are provided via commercial loans, asset finance, leasing or specialist green loans that can sit outside consumer credit rules, though you should confirm protections with the lender.

3. Is UK Business Loans FCA‑authorised or a direct lender?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches businesses with lenders and brokers and does not provide regulated financial advice or lend money.

4. Will submitting an enquiry on UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing our short enquiry is not an application and does not trigger a credit check, though partner lenders may carry out checks later if you apply.

5. What loan amounts are typically available for sustainability and green projects?
Through our network you can access funding from roughly £10,000 up to multi‑million pound facilities depending on the lender and project scope.

6. How quickly will lenders or brokers respond after I submit an enquiry?
Matched lenders or brokers often contact you within hours, with formal offers following once they complete their risk assessments and checks.

7. How do I check whether a lender or broker is FCA‑authorised and what permissions they hold?
Search the firm name or FCA Reference Number (FRN) on the FCA Register and review their listed permissions, scope of activities and any disciplinary history.

8. What types of finance are best for sustainability business projects?
Common options include asset finance, hire purchase, leasing, commercial loans, specialist green loans and occasionally grant‑linked or government schemes depending on the project.

9. Can start‑ups or businesses with imperfect credit histories get sustainability finance?
Yes — some specialist lenders and brokers on our panel work with start‑ups and businesses with adverse credit, although terms and eligibility vary by lender.

10. What information will I need to start an enquiry for a sustainability business loan?
You’ll typically need basic business details, the funding amount and purpose (e.g., solar, EV chargers, heat pumps) and high‑level financials so we can match you to suitable lenders.