Which bank statements and accounts do lenders typically request through UK Business Loans?
Short answer (40–50 words)
Lenders usually ask for your primary business current account (3–12 months), any secondary business accounts (VAT, payroll, savings), merchant/payment-processor and marketplace settlement reports, director personal statements (where relevant), and business/personal credit or loan statements. PDFs, exported transaction files or Open Banking access speed the process.
Supporting details
- Key accounts to provide:
- Primary business current account (required).
- Secondary business accounts (VAT, payroll, reserve/savings).
- Merchant/payment-processor statements (Stripe, PayPal, Square) and marketplace settlements (Amazon, eBay).
- Director(s) personal bank statements (often 3–6 months) if personal guarantees or mixed-use transfers are relevant.
- Existing loan, overdraft and credit-card statements (business and personal).
- Director loan account records or shareholder drawings and multi-currency accounts if material.
- How many months & formats:
- 3 months (fast-decision lenders), 6 months (typical), 12 months (mainstream/larger facilities).
- Preferred formats: official PDFs, CSV/MT940/OFX exports or Open Banking consent. Screenshots may be accepted but can slow verification.
- What lenders check:
- Turnover consistency, average balances, net cashflow patterns, major outflows, overdraft frequency, unexplained transfers and refund/chargeback rates.
- Practical tips:
- Include 3–12 months of statements, a one‑page cover note explaining seasonality or one‑offs, and merchant settlement reports to reconcile net bank receipts with gross sales.
- You may redact non‑essential personal data but do not alter balances or transactions.
How UK Business Loans helps
We act as an introducer (not a lender), matching your enquiry and secure documents to suitable lenders and brokers. Use our free Eligibility Check to upload documents securely and get matched to providers most likely to offer suitable cashflow finance.
Last updated: 1 November 2025
Author: UK Business Loans — introducer connecting businesses with lenders and brokers.