Farming Loans — Are the Lenders & Brokers We Introduce FCA Regulated?

Short answer: Where a farm finance product is subject to FCA rules, the lenders and brokers we introduce will be FCA‑authorised or follow FCA financial promotion requirements. Many agricultural finance arrangements are commercial and sit outside the FCA’s consumer-credit remit — in those cases we still match you with reputable, specialist providers who meet strict vetting standards. Submit a Free Eligibility Check to see which partners are right for your particular farm finance need.

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Key takeaways

• Yes — when a product is regulated: UK lenders and brokers must be FCA‑authorised to provide regulated products or regulated advice.
• No — not all farm finance is FCA‑regulated: many commercial agricultural loans or bespoke commercial asset finance fall outside FCA consumer-credit rules.
• Transparency matters: we make clear which partner is FCA‑authorised and where a product is regulated before you proceed.
• We vet partners: for all matches we check reputation, compliance history and commercial suitability for your farm’s needs.

Free Eligibility Check

What is the FCA and why it matters to farmers

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial firms and the way financial products are promoted to the public in the UK. Its role includes:

• authorising firms that carry out regulated activities;
• overseeing conduct and financial promotions so they are clear, fair and not misleading;
• operating consumer protection frameworks such as the Financial Ombudsman Service for regulated products.

For farmers this matters because some types of finance — for example consumer credit, certain hire‑purchase agreements, and mortgages secured on residential property — are regulated. Other forms of commercial finance used by farm businesses (commercial term loans, many invoice finance products, some asset finance structures) can sit outside the FCA’s consumer protection perimeter. Whether FCA rules apply depends on the product, the borrower’s legal structure (limited company vs sole trader), the security taken and how the agreement is structured.

To explore farm-specific options and whether a particular product is likely to be regulated, Get Quote Now and we’ll match you with agricultural finance specialists.

Which farm finance products are usually FCA‑regulated

Regulatory status depends on product type, borrower and contract terms. Typical scenarios:

• Hire purchase & some asset finance — often regulated if the transaction is consumer‑like or the provider treats it as consumer credit; hire‑purchase agreements can attract FCA rules depending on parties involved.
• Leasing vs commercial hire — leasing can be regulated where consumer protections apply; many commercial lease contracts for companies are outside the consumer credit regime.
• Short‑term unsecured business loans — may be unregulated if they are purely commercial and supplied to limited companies; regulated if provided to individuals or micro‑enterprises in consumer‑like circumstances.
• Agricultural mortgages & land purchase — mortgages secured on residential property fall under mortgage rules; commercial property lending is generally outside consumer mortgage regulation.
• Invoice finance & merchant cash advances — usually fall outside the FCA’s consumer credit remit but providers should still follow clear financial promotion standards.

Key factors that change the regulatory status:

• Is the borrower a limited company or an individual/partner?
• Is the loan secured on residential property?
• Are personal guarantees or consumer‑style terms involved?

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Are the lenders and brokers we introduce FCA‑regulated?

UK Business Loans acts as an introducer — we do not lend and we do not provide regulated advice. Our role is to understand your farm’s finance needs and match you with lenders or brokers who can help. Regarding FCA regulation:

• Where a product or firm must be FCA‑authorised: we only introduce firms that are authorised or that operate in compliance with FCA requirements for that product. We check the FCA Register and make authorisation status clear to you.
• Where finance is commercial and outside the FCA consumer scope: we still prioritise reputable specialists — commercial lenders, asset finance houses and brokers experienced in agriculture — and we apply a rigorous vetting process to reduce risk for you.
• Transparency: before you progress we will tell you whether the partner is FCA‑authorised, whether the product is regulated, and what protections (if any) are available to you.

We frequently work with specialist agricultural lenders who understand seasonal cashflow, VAT timings, equipment depreciation and land‑use specifics. If you’d like us to check your options for loans of £10,000 and above, Free Eligibility Check.

How we vet lenders & brokers (our due diligence)

Even where the FCA does not directly regulate a product, farmers deserve to work with trustworthy providers. Our vetting includes:

• FCA Register checks — confirm authorisation where relevant and record authorisation numbers;
• Corporate verification — company status, directors and insolvency checks;
• Compliance & conduct history — review complaints records and regulatory notices where available;
• AML & KYC policies — ensure partners have adequate anti‑money laundering controls;
• Sector experience — proven track record in agricultural finance, demonstrable case studies or references;
• Commercial terms review — clarity on fees, APR (where applicable), early repayment and security requirements.

We only introduce partners who meet our standards for professional conduct and who can demonstrate they treat clients fairly. If you want to see examples of lenders and the kinds of farm finance available, start with our specialist farming loans page and then get a free eligibility check. For more details on sector help see our farming loans information page: farming loans.

What farmers should look for when choosing a lender or broker

Use this practical checklist when comparing offers:

• FCA authorisation number (if applicable) — check the FCA Register online;
• Clear financial promotion — APR (if shown), headline fees, any arrangement fees and default charges;
• Contract terms — personal guarantees, land charges, security on machinery or property, repayment profile;
• Seasonal flexibility — repayment timings that account for harvest cycles and fluctuating income;
• Agricultural experience — knowledge of equipment life cycles, typical loan sizes for farm machinery and specialist lenders for land improvements;
• Complaints & redress — a clear complaints process and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for regulated products.

If you’d prefer an agricultural specialist to review likely options for your business, Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check.

How UK Business Loans handles regulated promotions & your data

Although we are not a lender, we follow best practice for financial promotions and data handling:

• We require partners to ensure any promotions or communications they provide are clear, fair and not misleading.
• We state authorisation status for FCA‑regulated partners and will never hide whether a product is regulated.
• Your enquiry is an information request only — it is not an application. Submitting details does not affect your credit score. We only share your information with selected partners who may be able to help you and who meet our vetting standards.
• Data is processed in line with our Privacy Policy; you can view our Privacy Policy and Terms on the site for full details.

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Farming-specific examples

Two anonymised examples showing how regulation influences product choice:

Example 1 — New combine harvester (asset finance)
Problem: A family farm wanted to buy a new combine with a hire‑purchase package. Because the agreement included conditional sale-style security and a consumer-like structure, FCA hire‑purchase rules applied. Solution: We introduced an FCA‑authorised broker who arranged a regulated hire‑purchase with clear APR disclosures and consumer protections. Outcome: The farm received a regulated agreement with full transparency on fees and a fair complaint route.

Example 2 — Company term loan for land improvements
Problem: A limited company owning farmland needed a commercial term loan for drainage and fencing. This loan was structured as commercial lending to a corporate borrower and fell outside FCA consumer-credit rules. Solution: We matched them with a specialist commercial lender experienced in agricultural projects who provided a bespoke repayment schedule aligned to seasonal income. Outcome: The borrower benefited from sector experience and flexible terms without consumer regulation applying; they still had contractual protections and clear terms.

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Frequently asked questions

Is UK Business Loans FCA authorised?

No. UK Business Loans acts as an introducer — we do not lend and we do not provide regulated financial advice. We will identify and disclose whether a partner is FCA‑authorised where relevant.

Will I be told if a lender is FCA authorised?

Yes. We flag FCA authorisation where it applies and provide the firm’s FCA number so you can verify details on the FCA Register.

Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Filling in our enquiry form is an information request only and will not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform checks later if you apply — we will tell you when that will happen.

Are commercial farm loans regulated by the FCA?

Often commercial farm loans provided to companies are outside the FCA consumer-credit remit, but this can change depending on borrower type and contract structure.

What if my credit record is not perfect?

There are specialist agricultural lenders and brokers who work with businesses with imperfect credit histories. Complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to partners who may be able to help.

Who handles complaints?

If a product is regulated, the provider’s complaints procedure and the Financial Ombudsman Service may apply. For commercial products, the provider’s contractual complaints process applies; we can point you to the right contact.

Start Your Enquiry — Get Quote Now

Next steps — Free Eligibility Check

If you operate a farm and you need finance (equipment, land improvements, working capital or refinancing) from around £10,000 upwards, we can match you with the right lenders and brokers fast. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll:

• identify likely regulated vs commercial routes for your request;
• match you to agricultural finance specialists who understand your needs;
• share partner details and authorisation status before you proceed.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Footer micro-copy / compliance note

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender or FCA‑authorised advisory firm. This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers; where products are regulated we will make FCA authorisation status clear. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms for full details.

1. How does UK Business Loans connect my business with lenders? — Complete a short enquiry and we instantly match your business to trusted UK lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector.

2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No — the Free Eligibility Check is an information request only and will not affect your credit score; lenders may run checks later if you apply.

3. Are the lenders and brokers on UK Business Loans FCA regulated? — Where a finance product is FCA‑regulated we only introduce FCA‑authorised firms, and for commercial products outside FCA consumer credit we still vet partners for reputation and compliance.

4. Is it free to use UK Business Loans to find a business loan UK? — Yes — our service and matching via the Free Eligibility Check are completely free and carry no obligation to proceed.

5. What loan amounts can I apply for through your network? — Our partners offer funding from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial loans depending on your needs and lender criteria.

6. Can I get a business loan if I have bad credit? — Some specialist lenders and brokers in our network work with businesses with imperfect credit histories, and we’ll match you to suitable options where possible.

7. What types of business finance can I apply for through your platform? — We connect you to business loans UK, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, commercial property and development finance, cashflow loans, vehicle finance and other commercial funding solutions.

8. How quickly will I get responses and loan offers after enquiring? — You can typically expect a call or email from matched lenders or brokers within hours, with formal offers and funding timescales depending on the lender and complexity of the application.

9. Will lenders ask for security or personal guarantees? — Security, land charges or personal guarantees depend on the product and borrower type, and we’ll make likely security requirements clear before you proceed.

10. Are farming loans regulated differently from other business loans? — Many agricultural loans to companies are commercial and sit outside FCA consumer‑credit rules, but hire‑purchase, consumer‑style asset finance or mortgages on residential land can be FCA‑regulated and we will disclose the status for each option.