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

Short answer: UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend or give regulated financial advice. Many of the brokers and lenders we work with hold FCA authorisation where that authorisation is required by law; other commercial refinance options fall outside the FCA’s consumer‑credit remit. Read on to learn how regulation applies, how to check a firm’s FCA status, and what protections you can expect. Ready to explore refinance options? Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Intro / Quick answer

UK Business Loans acts as a matchmaker: we collect basic details via a short enquiry form and introduce your business to lenders and brokers who may be able to provide refinance or other commercial finance. We do not provide regulated financial advice and we are not a lender.

Whether a broker or lender must be FCA‑authorised depends on the product offered and the legal classification of the borrower. For many commercial refinance deals made to limited companies (with no consumer credit elements) FCA authorisation is not required. However, when the product or borrower brings the activity into the scope of consumer credit or regulated mortgage activities, FCA authorisation is expected. If FCA authorisation applies, our partners will supply their FCA registration details on request.

Get a Free Eligibility Check — tell us about your refinance requirements (loans from £10,000 upwards) and we’ll match you with suitable brokers and lenders quickly.

Who is regulated by the FCA? A plain‑English primer

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates firms carrying out certain financial activities in the UK to protect consumers and promote market integrity. Key points:

• The FCA covers regulated activities such as consumer credit, regulated mortgages, certain investment services and payment services.
• “Consumer credit” rules generally apply where individuals borrow for personal purposes or where a personal guarantee or personal borrowing element converts the arrangement into consumer credit.
• Commercial lending to limited companies is typically outside the FCA’s consumer credit rules — although other laws and protections apply (contract, insolvency, Commercial Court precedents, anti‑fraud and data rules).

Useful FCA resources: the FCA Register and the FCA guidance on financial promotions.

How UK Business Loans vets and selects partners

We connect businesses to lenders and brokers; we don’t make lending decisions. To protect our customers we follow an onboarding and ongoing vetting process for partners:

• Identity and business checks for each partner (company registration, referees and references).
• Request evidence of FCA authorisation where partners state they are FCA‑authorised — we record the FCA firm reference number.
• Review complaints handling procedures and professional conduct history.
• Require clear, fair and not misleading marketing material in line with FCA financial promotions rules.
• Security and privacy checks: partners must meet basic data protection and information security expectations before receiving leads.

Where a partner provides a product or service that must be FCA‑authorised, we expect them to hold that authorisation and to be transparent about what it covers. If you need assistance verifying a partner, we can confirm the details as part of your enquiry.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match your business to partners who specialise in refinance solutions for companies seeking £10,000 and above.

Which refinance options are usually FCA‑regulated and which aren’t?

Regulation depends on the legal form of the borrower, product type, and whether there is a consumer element (personal guarantee, director borrowing, regulated mortgage). Below are common refinance products and a practical rule of thumb.

Refinancing for limited companies (business‑to‑business)

Typical status: often not FCA‑regulated. If a limited company borrows and the contract is purely commercial (no personal guarantee or consumer credit element), this tends to sit outside the FCA’s consumer credit remit. The agreement is governed by commercial law and contract terms.

Refinancing that includes director personal guarantees or personal borrowing

Typical status: may be FCA‑regulated. Where the borrowing involves an individual’s personal liability or the product is offered to a person rather than a corporate entity, consumer credit rules can apply and FCA authorisation is likely required.

Commercial mortgages vs residential buy‑to‑let / regulated mortgages

• Commercial mortgage secured on a purely commercial property is usually not under MCOB (mortgage conduct of business) rules.
• If the property is a dwelling or the borrowing has a residential purpose (or the borrower is an individual), mortgage regulation and consumer protections may apply.

Invoice finance, asset finance and specialist commercial products

Many of these products are treated as commercial finance and fall outside consumer credit regulation — but elements (e.g., lending to an individual, consumer‑facing guarantees) can pull them into FCA scope. Always ask the provider whether the product is regulated for your situation.

If you’re evaluating a refinance offering, it’s sensible to confirm regulatory status before applying. For a deeper look at refinance solutions we match, see /refinance-loans: /refinance-loans.

How you can check a broker or lender is FCA‑authorised

Simple verification checklist you can use right now:

1. Ask the firm for their FCA firm reference number (FRN).
2. Check that number on the FCA Register.
3. Ask which activities are covered by their authorisation (e.g., consumer credit, mortgage lending).
4. Request their formal complaints procedure and whether the Financial Ombudsman Service covers complaints.
5. Confirm any FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) coverage relevant to the product (FSCS rarely covers purely commercial lending).

Need help verifying partner credentials? Get a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll include partner FCA details (when applicable) with your matches.

What FCA authorisation means for you

If a lender or broker is FCA‑authorised, you gain certain protections and obligations apply to them, for example:

• They must meet conduct rules and act fairly, clearly and professionally.
• They are typically required to have complaints procedures and potentially be subject to the Financial Ombudsman Service for certain consumer disputes.
• Some regulated products may offer FSCS protection for certain losses — but FSCS protection is limited and rarely applies to commercial finance for companies.

Important: FCA authorisation does not guarantee a loan is suitable or a “good” deal for your business — it means the firm must follow regulatory rules. Always compare terms, total cost, security and repayment profile before committing.

How UK Business Loans handles regulated financial promotions and compliance

Our website content and partner introductions are designed to be clear, fair and not misleading. Key points:

• We are an introducer — not a lender and not a regulated adviser. We do not provide regulated financial advice.
• We require partners to provide accurate product information and to comply with applicable financial promotion rules where those rules apply.
• We only pass enquiries to vetted partners and ask them to be transparent about whether their product and communications are regulated by the FCA.
• Your personal data is shared only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry and handled in line with our privacy policy.

Before you proceed with any lender or broker you’ll meet after a successful match, ask them for their FCA details and a clear breakdown of the offer in writing.

Real examples — three common refinance scenarios

Case A — Limited company refinancing business debt

Scenario: A limited company wants to refinance a mix of commercial loans and overdrafts. Status: usually commercial lending outside FCA consumer credit. What to ask: does the lender require personal guarantees? If not, FCA consumer protections typically do not apply.

Case B — Director personally refinancing a loan

Scenario: A director takes a personal loan to clear business debts (or personally guarantees the loan). Status: likely within FCA consumer credit remit. What to ask: confirm the lender’s FCA FRN and whether the product is regulated.

Case C — Property‑backed refinance with mixed use

Scenario: Refinancing a mortgage on a mixed‑use property where parts are residential. Status: may be partially regulated depending on use and borrower type — ask the lender which rules apply and whether regulated mortgage protections exist.

Each case is different. Provide the details in your enquiry and we’ll match you to partners with the right expertise and clarity about regulatory status.

Get Quote Now — tell us which scenario fits you and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can explain the regulatory position for your situation.

What to do next — step‑by‑step

1. Click Get Quote Now and complete the short enquiry (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match your business to suitable lenders and brokers (loans from £10,000+).
3. Matched partners contact you with quotes and will supply FCA authorisation details when the product requires it.
4. Compare offers, ask for written terms and FCA numbers, then proceed with the provider you choose.

FAQs

Are UK Business Loans or the brokers you connect me with FCA‑authorised?

UK Business Loans is an introducer and is not a lender or regulated adviser. Many brokers and banks we work with hold FCA authorisation where required; others provide commercial finance that is outside FCA consumer credit scope. Always ask for FCA details if you want confirmation.

Will completing your enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our short enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks only if you proceed with a formal application.

What if a lender is not FCA‑authorised?

Not all commercial lenders need FCA authorisation. If a lender is not FCA‑authorised we’ll explain why the product sits outside FCA rules and what contractual and legal protections you have instead. You should still request full written terms and consider legal advice for significant transactions.

How quickly will I hear back?

Most matched partners contact businesses within hours during business hours. Response times vary by partner and the complexity of the enquiry.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Started

Closing summary & final CTA

To summarise: whether a lender or broker is FCA‑regulated depends on the product and the borrower. UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers and vets partners for credibility and transparency; where FCA authorisation is required we expect partners to hold it and to provide their FCA registration details. To get matched to the right refinance specialists and to receive partner FCA details where relevant, Get a Free Eligibility Check today — quick, no obligation, and for loans from £10,000 upwards.

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1. How do I apply for a business loan in the UK via UK Business Loans?
Complete our short enquiry form (takes under two minutes) and we’ll introduce your business to matched brokers and lenders — the form is not an application and the service is free.

2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — filling in our enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out credit checks only if you proceed with a formal application.

3. Are the brokers and lenders on UK Business Loans FCA‑regulated?
Many brokers and banks we work with hold FCA authorisation where required, but some commercial finance providers operate outside the FCA’s consumer‑credit remit — always ask for and verify their FCA details.

4. What types of UK business finance can you match me with (e.g., asset finance, invoice finance, refinance)?
We connect businesses to brokers and lenders offering a wide range of finance — business loans, asset finance, invoice finance, refinance, commercial mortgages and specialist products — from around £10,000 to multi‑million facilities.

5. How quickly will I hear back with business loan options?
Most matched partners contact businesses within hours during business hours, though response times vary by partner and the complexity of your enquiry.

6. Can start‑ups or businesses with bad credit get a business loan through your service?
Yes — many of our partners specialise in start‑ups and businesses with imperfect credit histories, though eligibility and terms depend on the lender’s criteria.

7. Do I have to pay to use UK Business Loans or to get matched?
No — our matching service is free for businesses; any lender or broker fees will be disclosed by the provider in the offer documentation.

8. What’s the difference between secured and unsecured business loans and do you list both?
Secured loans use collateral (e.g., property or assets) while unsecured loans do not, and we match you with brokers and lenders that offer both types depending on your needs and security available.

9. How can I check a lender or broker’s FCA authorisation and complaints process?
Ask the firm for its FCA firm reference number (FRN), verify it on the FCA Register, and request details of the activities covered, their complaints procedure and whether the Financial Ombudsman or FSCS apply.

10. What should I compare when reviewing multiple UK business loan offers?
Compare the total cost (interest, fees and APR), repayment terms, security required (personal guarantees or assets), lender/regulator status and whether the offer suits your cashflow and growth plans.