Small Business Loans UK: Fast Quotes, Free Eligibility Check

Need working capital, stock, or a cashflow boost — fast? UK Business Loans makes it simple to compare small business loans across trusted UK lenders and brokers. We’re not a lender and we don’t give financial advice. We’re an introducer that matches your enquiry with reputable finance professionals who can provide tailored offers. It’s free to enquire and there’s no obligation to proceed.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Takes about 2 minutes. Enquiring with us won’t affect your credit score. Partners may conduct checks only if you choose to proceed.

What Is a Small Business Loan?

A small business loan is funding designed for UK SMEs to cover working capital, growth, equipment, stock, marketing, refurbishments and more. Depending on your needs, you could access unsecured or secured loans, short-term finance, asset or equipment finance, invoice finance, and other solutions.

• Typical borrowing from £10,000 to £5,000,000+ (amounts depend on lender, turnover, credit and security)
• Terms from around 3 months to 6+ years (varies by product and provider)
• Fixed or variable rates; repayments usually monthly (some products are daily/weekly)
• Subject to status and affordability. Terms and conditions apply.

Free Eligibility Check

How UK Business Loans Works

1) Complete a quick enquiry

Share basic business details, funding purpose and the amount you’re looking for. It takes about 2 minutes.

2) We match you with suitable partners

We connect you to lenders or brokers aligned to your sector, loan size and preferred finance type.

3) Get fast responses

Expect calls or emails — often the same day — with options, indicative terms and next steps.

4) Compare and choose

Review costs and terms. There’s no obligation to proceed unless you’re happy to go ahead.

Important information

• We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice.
• Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score; partners may run credit checks only if you proceed.
• Approval is not guaranteed. Funding is subject to status, affordability and provider criteria.

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Types of Small Business Finance We Can Introduce You To

Unsecured Business Loans

• Useful for working capital, marketing, stock or short-term projects.
• Often requires a personal guarantee for limited companies.
• Typically faster to arrange; no physical collateral required.

Secured Business Loans

• Higher loan amounts and potentially lower rates.
• Secured against property, assets or debentures.
• Risk: if you default, the asset may be at risk.

Short-Term Business Loans

• 3–24 months; designed for speed and flexibility.
• Ideal for bridging cashflow gaps or time-sensitive opportunities.

Asset and Equipment Finance

• Fund or lease vehicles, machinery, IT, or specialist equipment.
• Preserve cashflow; align repayments with the productive life of the asset.

Invoice Finance (Factoring & Discounting)

• Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices.
• Improves cashflow without adding traditional term debt.

Merchant Cash Advance

• Repay via a small, agreed percentage of card takings.
• Flexible for hospitality and retail businesses with strong card sales.

Start-up and Early-Stage Options

• Options may be available for younger limited companies and LLPs.
• Expect to provide robust plans, projections and a personal guarantee.

Explore related options:

• Cashflow Loans
• Asset Finance
• Invoice Finance
• Sustainability Business Loans

Free Eligibility Check

Who Small Business Loans Are For

• SMEs and micro businesses across the UK
• Limited companies and LLPs
• Start-ups (registered companies) and established firms
• Multi-site operators and franchises

Industries we regularly support include:

• Construction and trades
• Hospitality: hotels, pubs, restaurants, catering
• Retail and e-commerce
• Healthcare and care homes
• Logistics and transport
• Manufacturing, engineering, printing and packaging
• Agriculture and food production
• Sustainability and renewables

Get Started — It’s Free and No Obligation

What Lenders Often Look For

• Time trading: from start-up to 2+ years (varies by product)
• Turnover, margins and affordability
• Credit profile: business and personal (some options for adverse credit)
• Security available for secured lending
• Trading performance: bank statements, management accounts, liabilities
• Sector fundamentals: seasonality, supply chain, customer concentration
• Purpose of funds and a realistic repayment plan

Tip: If you’ve had credit challenges, be upfront. Some lenders specialise in complex or adverse scenarios.

Documents Checklist (Typical)

• Registered business details (name, address, company number if applicable)
• Director/owner ID and proof of address
• Recent business bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• Management accounts or filed accounts
• VAT returns (if applicable)
• Aged debtor/creditor list (for invoice finance)
• Asset details/quotes (for asset or equipment finance)
• Business plan and cashflow forecast (more common for start-ups)

Upload during Enquiry — Start Your Free Eligibility Check

Costs, Rates and Fees — What To Expect

• Rates and terms are set by the lender and depend on your credit profile, trading history, sector, loan type, security and amount/term.
• Fees vary by provider and product (e.g., arrangement fees, broker fees, early repayment charges). All costs will be disclosed by the lender/broker before you agree to proceed.
• We may receive a commission from our partners if you proceed — this does not affect the quotes you receive.

Responsible borrowing:

• Only borrow what your business can comfortably repay.
• Missed payments can harm your credit profile and your ability to borrow in future.
• For secured loans, your property or assets may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments.

Compare Offers — Get Quote Now

Why Use UK Business Loans?

Fast matching

Enquire in minutes and get connected to relevant lenders or brokers quickly — often same-day responses.

Trusted connections

We introduce you to reputable UK-based finance professionals with proven track records of helping SMEs.

Free, no pressure

Our service is free to use for business owners. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Sector and product fit

We match by funding need, sector and business stage to improve your chances of finding a suitable solution.

Secure and confidential

Your details are handled carefully and only shared with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.

Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Use Cases: Common Ways SMEs Use Funding

• Working capital during busy season or slower periods
• Buying stock ahead of peak demand
• Hiring staff or bridging payroll
• Marketing and digital growth
• Opening new premises or refurbishments
• Equipment upgrades or vehicle purchases
• Paying suppliers faster to secure better terms
• Funding green upgrades (solar, EV chargers, energy efficiency)

Timeline: How Quickly Could You Get Funds?

• Enquiry: 2 minutes
• Initial contact from partners: often within hours
• Decision/offer: as fast as 24–72 hours for some unsecured or short-term options (complex or secured lending may take longer)
• Drawdown: sometimes within days of approval, depending on due diligence and documents

Timelines vary by provider, product type and case complexity.

Need funding soon? Get Started Now

Small Business Loans vs. Traditional Bank Loans

• Speed: alternatives can be faster to arrange
• Flexibility: wider product choice beyond standard term loans
• Eligibility: options may exist for younger businesses or imperfect credit
• Documents: still required, but often lighter than high-street banks
• Cost: rates can be higher where risk is higher — compare options carefully

Tip: Use our free eligibility check to see a broader market view via multiple lenders/brokers.

Alternatives to a Small Business Loan

• Invoice Finance: unlock cash from unpaid invoices — learn more
• Asset Finance: spread the cost of equipment and vehicles — explore
• Merchant Cash Advance: repay via card takings
• Business Overdraft and Revolving Credit: flexible draw and repay
• Grants and Government Schemes (when available)
• Equity investment (dilutive; consider independent advice)

Talk to Specialists — Start Your Free Eligibility Check

Eligibility, Credit Checks and Your Score

• Your enquiry with UK Business Loans will not affect your credit score.
• If you proceed with a lender/broker, they may run credit and affordability checks in line with their policies.
• Some lenders can assess initially with soft searches; others may require full checks before approval.

Compliance and Transparency

• We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice. We act as an introducer, connecting UK businesses with brokers and lenders.
• All information aims to be clear, fair and not misleading.
• Approval, amounts and rates are subject to status, affordability and provider criteria.
• Late or missed payments can have serious consequences for your business. For secured lending, your assets may be at risk.
• We may receive a commission from our partners if you go ahead with a product they offer. This does not affect the quotes you receive.
• UK only. If unsure, consider seeking independent financial advice.

Ready to explore options? Get Quote Now

FAQs: Small Business Loans UK

Is UK Business Loans a lender?

No. We’re an introducer. We match your enquiry with UK brokers and lenders who can provide funding directly.

Does it cost to use UK Business Loans?

No, our service is free for UK business owners. We may receive a commission from partners if you proceed.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Enquiring with us won’t affect your score. If you proceed with a lender/broker, they may conduct credit checks.

How quickly can I get a response?

Often within hours of submitting your enquiry; sometimes sooner during business hours.

What loan amounts are available?

Partners can consider from around £10,000 up to £5,000,000+, depending on your business, security and needs.

Can start-ups apply?

Yes. Some lenders specialise in start-ups and early-stage limited companies and LLPs. Expect to provide a plan and forecasts.

What if I have bad credit?

Options may still be available. Specialist lenders consider the broader picture, including recent trading performance.

Will I need to provide a personal guarantee?

Many unsecured loans to limited companies require a personal guarantee. Your broker/lender will explain obligations.

What documents will I need?

Typically ID, proof of address, business bank statements (3–6 months), accounts/forecasts, and product-specific items.

Can I repay early?

Many products allow early repayment; check with the lender for any early settlement or break fees.

What’s the next step?

Click Get Started, complete the short form, and we’ll match you with suitable partners for no-obligation quotes.

Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Get Started — Compare Small Business Loans Today

• 2-minute form
• Free, no obligation
• Fast responses from trusted UK brokers and lenders

Get Quote Now

Legal/footer note: UK Business Loans is a trading style of a digital introductions service. We are not a lender and do not provide financial advice. We introduce UK businesses to selected brokers and lenders. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. If you engage with a lender/broker, they may conduct credit and affordability checks. Approval and terms are subject to status, affordability and provider criteria. For secured lending, your property or assets may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments. We may receive a commission from our partners if you proceed. UK only.

– How does UK Business Loans help me compare and apply for UK business finance online? Complete a two-minute enquiry and we instantly match you with trusted UK brokers and lenders who contact you with tailored business loan options to compare.

– Is UK Business Loans a direct lender? No—UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with FCA-regulated UK lenders and brokers; we don’t lend money or give financial advice.

– How fast can I get a response or funding for my small business? You’ll usually hear from suitable partners within hours, with many simple UK business loans funding in a few days subject to approval.

– What types of business finance can I access (e.g., asset finance, invoice finance, cashflow loans, sustainability/green loans)? Our partners cover unsecured and secured business loans, cashflow loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, vehicle finance, commercial finance, fit-out and sustainability loans.

– What loan amounts and terms are available for UK SMEs? You can typically access between £5,000 and £5 million with terms ranging from short-term SME funding to multi-year finance, depending on product and eligibility.

– Do you offer unsecured and secured business loans? Yes—our network includes lenders offering both unsecured and secured options, depending on your credit profile and available security.

– Can start-ups or businesses with bad credit get approved? Yes—many of our UK lending partners specialise in start-up funding and options for businesses with imperfect credit histories.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? No—your online enquiry won’t impact your credit score; any checks are carried out by partners only if you choose to proceed.

– How much does it cost to use UK Business Loans, and am I obliged to accept an offer? Our service is free for UK businesses and there’s no obligation to accept any offer you receive.

– What interest rates and fees should I expect from UK lenders? Rates and fees are set by the lender and depend on factors like credit strength, security, loan type and term, and you’ll get transparent quotes to compare.