Are the brokers and lenders we connect you with FCA‑regulated?

Short answer: We are an introducer and do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We only put you in touch with brokers and lenders who hold the FCA permissions required for the product and client type, or who operate under recognised commercial exemptions while following good‑practice FCA principles. Read on for a plain‑English breakdown of what that means for your business, how we vet partners, and the checks you can make yourself.

Quick answer

We act as an introducer. We only connect you with firms that either: (a) hold FCA authorisation where required; or (b) operate commercially in an unregulated perimeter (for example certain B2B lending models) but commit to FCA good‑practice standards. We check partners’ permissions, require transparency and will provide FCA registration details on request. Your enquiry is non‑binding and won’t affect your credit score.

Why FCA status matters for small business loans

FCA regulation exists to protect customers by setting rules on conduct, clear and fair financial promotions, complaint handling and (for consumer credit) specific protections like APR disclosure. For business owners and directors, FCA oversight is a marker that a firm must meet minimum standards around transparency and treatment of customers.

What FCA regulation covers (financial promotions, consumer credit, conduct)

The FCA focuses on firms offering regulated products (consumer credit, retail investments, mortgages, etc.) and ensures financial promotions are clear, fair and not misleading. Even where a product is commercially targeted at businesses, aspects of FCA rules—such as conduct expectations and financial promotion standards—remain relevant.

When FCA rules apply to business lending

FCA consumer credit rules apply if a loan is classed as consumer credit (for example a loan to a sole trader or where a director signs as an individual). Purely commercial loans to limited companies may fall outside consumer credit regulation, but lenders and brokers should still follow FCA guidance on clear promotions and fair treatment.

How UK Business Loans works

We make introductions only. Our simple process:

• Complete a short enquiry — it takes under 2 minutes and does not perform a credit check.
• We match your requirements to suitable lenders/brokers in our panel (for loans typically from £10,000 upwards).
• Selected partners contact you with options so you can compare terms and decide whether to apply.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Our partner standards and vetting

We do not rely on reputation alone. Every broker and lender we work with is assessed against a set of minimum standards designed to reflect FCA expectations and good market practice. Our vetting is ongoing and includes documentary checks and behavioural expectations.

Checks we perform

• FCA Register lookup — confirm legal name and registration number where applicable.
• Permissions review — confirm the firm holds permissions relevant to the product (eg consumer credit permissions where required).
• Conduct and complaint history — public sanctions, published complaints records and online reputation checks.
• AML/KYC and data protection policies — evidence of appropriate controls and GDPR compliance.
• Commercial terms transparency — clear financial promotions, fee disclosure and T&Cs on request.

We require partners to confirm their FCA authorisation details when applicable and to follow clear, fair and not misleading advertising principles. If a partner falls short, we remove them from our panel.

When a partner is not FCA‑authorised and why

Some legitimate commercial lenders and alternative finance providers operate outside the FCA’s consumer credit perimeter — for example certain invoice finance, merchant cash advance, or commercial loans to limited companies. That isn’t necessarily a red flag, but it does change the protections available to you.

When a partner is not FCA‑authorised we ensure they explain why, confirm which laws they do comply with, and disclose any risks (for example the use of personal guarantees). If a product could trigger consumer credit rules because a director or individual signs personally, we make that explicit and recommend you ask the lender for their FCA status.

Common funding types and FCA status (practical examples)

Different products sit in different regulatory positions. Below are practical examples to help you know what to expect.

Business loans, asset finance, commercial mortgages

Loans to limited companies and many asset/vehicle finance arrangements are typically treated as commercial finance and may fall outside consumer credit regulation. However, if a personal guarantee is taken or a director signs as an individual, consumer credit rules can be engaged — in which case FCA authorisation is relevant.

Invoice finance, merchant cash advance, bridging loans

Invoice finance and merchant cash advances are usually commercial products and often provided by non‑regulated lenders or specialist lenders. Bridging and development finance can be commercially arranged; some bridging loans for individuals or consumer‑facing promotions may require FCA permissions — so check each offer’s status.

When consumer credit rules may apply

If a director or owner is a natural person signing personally, or funds are used for personal consumption, the loan can be treated as consumer credit. In those circumstances ask the lender for their FCA number and confirm the product’s regulated status before proceeding.

For sector‑specific information see our small business loans guidance: small business loans.

What you should expect from lenders / brokers we connect you with

Whether FCA‑authorised or operating under commercial exemptions, partners must meet these minimum expectations:

• Clear financial promotions that explain costs and key terms.
• Disclosure of fees, charges, and whether an APR applies.
• Transparent information about personal guarantees, security and exit fees.
• A published complaints procedure and contact details.
• Confirmation of whether they are FCA‑authorised and their FCA number (if applicable).

Clear financial promotions — checklist

Before you proceed, expect lenders/brokers to provide:

• A plain‑English summary of the product and costs.
• Examples showing total payable and breakdown of fees.
• Whether credit checks will be performed and when.

Disclosures, fees, credit checks & your rights

Your rights include access to clear information, the ability to complain and, for regulated products, protection under the FCA’s rules. Always request the firm’s legal name and FCA registration number if you think the product may be regulated.

Privacy, data and security when you submit an enquiry

We only share your details with selected lenders/brokers who are set up to help your particular request. We keep data secure, process it under GDPR, and never sell leads to indiscriminate third parties. Completing our enquiry is a consented lead‑generation step and will not trigger a credit search — lenders may only check credit if you proceed with an application.

See our Privacy Policy for full details and how we handle your information.

How to verify a broker or lender is FCA‑regulated (step‑by‑step)

1. Ask the firm for its full legal name and FCA registration number.
2. Go to the FCA Register: https://register.fca.org.uk/ and enter the details.
3. Confirm the firm’s permissions — check whether consumer credit permissions are listed if the product might be regulated.
4. If you’re unsure, contact the FCA or ask us and we will verify partner credentials on your behalf.

If you’d rather we handle verification, Get Started — Free Eligibility Check and we’ll confirm partner credentials before sharing them with you.

FAQs

Ready for a quick, no‑obligation quote?

Complete our short enquiry (no credit check) and we’ll match you with suitable lenders and brokers for loans from £10,000 upwards. It’s free, quick and non‑binding.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

1. Are the brokers and lenders UK Business Loans connects me with FCA‑regulated?
We only introduce firms that hold required FCA permissions where applicable, or legitimate commercial lenders operating outside the consumer credit perimeter who still follow FCA good‑practice and disclose their status.

2. Will submitting your quick enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing our short, non‑binding enquiry is not a credit application and will not trigger a credit check; lenders may run checks only if you choose to proceed.

3. Do you lend money or provide regulated financial advice?
No — we act solely as an introducer, connecting you with trusted UK brokers and lenders rather than lending or giving regulated advice ourselves.

4. How quickly will lenders contact me after I submit an enquiry?
Most partners respond within hours during business hours, allowing you to compare business loan options fast.

5. What business loan amounts can I access through UK Business Loans?
Our panel can help find funding from around £10,000 up to multi‑million pound facilities depending on your needs and lender capabilities.

6. Can start‑ups, sole traders or businesses with bad credit apply for a business loan via your service?
Yes — we work with lenders and brokers who specialise in start‑ups, sole traders and applicants with imperfect credit records to find suitable funding options.

7. What types of business finance can you match me with (invoice finance, asset finance, etc.)?
We connect businesses to a broad range of finance including unsecured and secured business loans, invoice finance, asset and equipment finance, merchant cash advance, bridging finance and sustainability loans.

8. Will I need to provide personal guarantees or security for a business loan?
Some commercial loans and specialist facilities may require personal guarantees or security, and our partners must disclose such requirements transparently before you apply.

9. How can I verify a lender or broker is FCA‑authorised?
Ask for the firm’s legal name and FCA registration number and check them on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk, or ask us to verify partner credentials for you.

10. Is your eligibility check free and does it obligate me to accept any offer?
Yes — our eligibility check and matching service are free, quick and non‑obligatory, so you can compare offers without commitment.