Why this matters for farms and growers

Farming businesses face seasonal cashflow swings, expensive equipment purchases, and often complex security arrangements (land, plant, stock). Knowing whether the firm you deal with is FCA‑authorised or follows FCA-style consumer‑protection practices helps you understand the levels of transparency, dispute routes and legal protections available — especially if personal guarantees or consumer-type credit are involved.

Quick answer: Do the lenders or brokers we introduce fall under FCA regulation?

Short answer: it depends. UK Business Loans introduces agricultural businesses to a wide panel of specialist brokers and lenders. Where a broker or lender offers a product that falls within the FCA’s regulatory perimeter (for example, certain consumer-credit style agreements or regulated broker activities), those firms are typically FCA‑authorised and listed on the FCA register. However, many commercial farm finance products (lending to limited companies or corporate farming businesses, commercial asset finance, private investment) are outside the FCA’s consumer credit scope — and therefore are not regulated by the FCA.

That does not automatically mean unregulated equals unsafe. Commercial lenders, specialist asset financiers and private investors operate within company law and other regulatory frameworks — but you should perform due diligence before accepting offers.

How FCA regulation actually applies to farming finance

When FCA rules usually apply

The FCA typically regulates:

• Consumer credit and regulated hire‑purchase agreements (where the borrower is a consumer or in some cases a sole trader).
• Mortgage activity on residential property, including some buy‑to‑let scenarios with consumer elements.
• Retail investment and certain types of financial advice and intermediary activities.

If a farm owner is borrowing in a personal capacity or a product has consumer characteristics, FCA rules and protections (clear financial promotions, affordability checks, complaint handling and access to the Financial Ombudsman) generally apply. See the FCA register for firm details: register.fca.org.uk.

When lending to farms may not be FCA regulated

Many loans to limited companies, LLPs or corporate farming groups are commercial in nature and not covered by consumer credit regulation. Typical examples include:

• Commercial property or agricultural land mortgages to companies.
• Invoice finance, merchant cash advance and many types of working capital provided to incorporated businesses.
• Private investment, peer-to-business or mezzanine facilities arranged as bespoke deals.

In these cases the lender may not be FCA‑authorised because the activity falls outside the FCA perimeter — but commercial firms remain subject to contract law, company law and agreed dispute resolution procedures.

How UK Business Loans selects & checks partners

Our role is to introduce businesses to lenders and brokers who can meet agriculture sector needs. We don’t lend ourselves and we don’t provide regulated financial advice. When vetting partners we focus on:

• Reputation and track record with farming clients — experience funding tractors, combines, livestock, and seasonal working capital.
• Regulatory status where applicable — we check for FCA authorisation when a partner’s activity requires it and we will request their FRN.
• Commercial terms transparency — we prioritise partners who publish clear information about fees, interest, and charges and who will share terms before asking for security or personal guarantees.
• Data protection and fair dealing — we only share enquiries with selected partners who meet our standards for confidentiality and customer service.

To see the types of farm finance we commonly help with, visit our agriculture page for full details: agriculture business loans.

Practical steps you can take before engaging with a broker or lender

Whether a firm is FCA‑authorised or not, doing a few checks will protect your business and help you compare offers quickly.

1. Ask for an FCA Firm Reference Number (FRN) and verify it at register.fca.org.uk if the product could be regulated.
2. Request full terms in writing — interest rate, fees, early repayment charges, and any security or guarantees required.
3. If the firm isn’t FCA‑regulated, ask for company registration details (Companies House number), examples of similar transactions, and client references.
4. Check complaints handling — find out whether the Financial Ombudsman Service can consider your dispute.
5. Compare total cost and exit terms — effective comparison is easier when you receive full cost information up front.

Sample questions to ask a broker/lender:

• “Can you provide your FRN or company registration number?”
• “Who will be my main contact and how quickly can I get a written quote?”
• “What security or guarantees do you typically require on a farm equipment loan of £10k+?”

What this means for typical agriculture loan types

Asset / equipment finance

Equipment funding (hire purchase, lease, asset refinance) may fall into regulated consumer credit if structured with consumer-style protections or if the borrower is an individual. Commercial asset finance provided to incorporated businesses is often outside the FCA’s consumer remit — but contract terms still matter. Always ask for the full repayment schedule and details of repossession rights.

Seasonal working capital & invoice finance

Invoice finance and bespoke working capital facilities are typically commercial products for businesses and may not be FCA‑regulated. That makes clear contractual terms and reputable references especially important.

Property & land mortgages

Mortgages secured on residential property or consumer-facing borrowing are usually regulated. Commercial mortgages for agricultural land or farm business property (where the borrower is a company) may fall outside consumer regulation — but specialist mortgage brokers often operate under FCA rules where they give regulated mortgage advice.

Bridging & short‑term finance

Short-term bridging can be offered by FCA‑authorised lenders or by commercial lenders/investors. For emergency bridging loans always get written terms and compare total costs (including arrangement and exit fees).

FCA and financial promotions: what we follow

While UK Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender, we expect partners to present offers that are fair, clear and not misleading — consistent with FCA financial promotions guidance. That means accurate descriptions of costs, eligibility and risks. You can read the FCA’s financial promotions guidance here: FCA financial promotions.

If you’re being approached directly by a lender or broker, insist on written, comparable quotes before you sign anything.

Our promise & how to get a free eligibility check

We connect farming businesses (loans typically from around £10,000 and upward) with lenders and brokers experienced in agriculture finance. Our enquiry form is a short, no‑obligation eligibility check — it does not by itself affect your credit score. Complete our quick form and we’ll match you with the most appropriate partners who can provide a written quote.

Ready to get matched? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (2-minute enquiry form)

FAQs

Are all brokers on your panel FCA‑authorised?

No. Many of the brokers we work with are authorised where their activities require FCA authorisation. Some specialist commercial lenders operate outside the FCA’s consumer-protection remit because they provide B2B finance to incorporated businesses. Always ask for an FRN and do your checks.

Does applying through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry via our form is an information request and won’t affect credit records. Lenders may carry out credit searches later when you proceed with an application.

What if a lender or broker is not FCA‑regulated?

If a firm is not FCA‑regulated, request company registration details, client references and a clear written quote. Ensure you understand complaint handling and whether the Financial Ombudsman can consider disputes.

How can I verify a broker or lender?

Ask for the Firm Reference Number (FRN) and check it at register.fca.org.uk. For unregulated commercial firms, confirm Companies House registration and seek references from other agricultural clients.

How quickly will I get a quote?

Typical response times vary; many of our specialist partners will respond within hours during business days once they have the necessary details. To speed things up, have basic trading numbers, the loan amount (from £10k+), and security details ready.

Closing reassurance & Start your enquiry

If you run a farm or agricultural business and need funding, it’s worth checking with specialists who understand seasonal cycles and equipment needs. Complete our short eligibility form and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers suited to your needs — no obligation, no hard sell.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check