Commercial finance when your bank says no — can UK Business Loans help?
Bank turned your business down? UK Business Loans introduces businesses to specialist lenders and brokers who may still be able to help. Complete a quick, free eligibility check and get tailored quotes from the right providers.
Quick answer: yes — often, and here’s how
Many businesses refused by a high‑street bank can still access commercial finance through specialist lenders, asset‑based financiers, invoice funders, bridging and development lenders, merchant and receivables finance, or niche challenger banks. UK Business Loans does not lend money. Instead, we introduce your company to lenders and brokers who assess alternative routes to funding and provide personalised quotes.
Here’s how it typically works: you complete a short enquiry, we match your needs to the right specialists, and those partners contact you with options. The enquiry is free and not an application.
Why banks say no — and why that doesn’t mean the end
High‑street banks have strict criteria. A refusal often reflects a mismatch between their rules and your business profile — not the absence of any financing options. Common reasons for bank decline include:
- Insufficient trading history — many banks require several years of accounts. Specialist lenders will consider forward cashflow, contracts, or asset security instead.
- Cashflow volatility or seasonality — banks dislike unpredictable income. Invoice finance, merchant cash advances or renewables of receivables can smooth cashflow.
- Poor or limited credit history — some lenders use alternative credit models or take asset security and director experience into account.
- High‑risk sectors or contract concentration — niche lenders often specialise in specific industries and can underwrite sector risk more sensibly.
- Property/development complexity — bridging or development finance providers handle short-term and staged funding for projects banks avoid.
- Unusual security needs — asset finance and invoice finance can use equipment, vehicles or invoices as security rather than solely relying on property or personal guarantees.
In short: a bank decline is a signal to change approach, not to stop. Different lenders use different underwriting methods and could say yes where a bank has said no.
Note: options, eligibility and rates vary by lender and by product; matched partners will advise on suitability and terms.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Commercial finance options commonly available after bank refusal
If a bank has declined you, these finance routes are commonly available via our panel:
Asset & equipment finance
Use to buy machinery, vehicles or plant. Lenders typically take a charge over the asset, so your business’s history matters less than the asset’s value and use.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Why a bank might decline: early stage or weak cashflow. Why a specialist may lend: asset-backed security reduces risk.
Invoice finance & factoring
Release cash tied up in unpaid B2B invoices — useful for seasonal or growing businesses waiting on supplier payments. Funding can be available quickly, often within days.
Why a bank might decline: unpredictable receivables. Why a specialist may lend: advances based on invoice quality, not company history.
Bridging & short‑term property finance
Short-term loans for time‑sensitive purchases, property refinances or when traditional mortgage processes are too slow or unsuitable.
Why a bank might decline: timing, valuation or unusual exit strategy. Why a specialist may lend: flexible terms and quicker decisions.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Development & commercial property finance
Funding for construction, conversion or commercial property projects where staged lending and specialist underwriting are needed. For large projects, lenders focus on GDV (gross development value) and exit plans.
Why a bank might decline: complexity or valuation uncertainty. Why a specialist may lend: experience in project finance and staged drawdowns. Learn more about specialist commercial finance solutions for property and development: commercial finance.
Merchant cash advance / receivables finance
Ideal for retail, hospitality and other card‑taker businesses — repayments link to card volumes, helping seasonal sales swings.
Why a bank might decline: variable revenue. Why a specialist may lend: flexible repayment tied to takings.
Growth, working capital & unsecured commercial loans
Shorter-term loans to support growth or immediate cash needs. These can be higher-cost but fast to arrange for qualifying businesses.
Why a bank might decline: risk profile or loan size. Why a specialist may lend: higher appetite for short‑term or higher‑margin deals.
Specialist lenders & challenger banks
Lenders with sector expertise or bespoke underwriting can be more flexible — particularly for construction, manufacturing, sustainability projects and hospitality.
Why a bank might decline: lack of sector knowledge. Why a specialist may lend: tailored assessments and experience in niche markets.
What UK Business Loans does — and what we don’t do
We act as an introducer between your business and lenders or brokers. Our role is to match your requirements to the most suitable providers so you can receive tailored quotes quickly.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
- We introduce and match businesses to lenders and brokers who may provide commercial finance from around £10,000 upwards.
- We are not a lender and we do not provide regulated financial advice.
- Your enquiry is used to find suitable partners and is shared only with relevant providers who can help — see our Privacy Policy for details.
- Submitting an enquiry is free and carries no obligation. You decide whether to proceed with any offer.
Submitting a short enquiry helps us identify specialist partners who understand your sector and funding needs.
How we match businesses declined by a bank
1. Complete a short enquiry form
The form takes around 2 minutes. You tell us your business, the amount you need (£10k+), and the purpose of funding. This is not an application — it’s an eligibility check.
2. We match you to suitable lenders and brokers
We use sector, product and risk filters to select partners likely to consider your case. That means less time explaining details to unsuitable providers.
3. You receive a fast response
Matched partners typically contact you by phone or email — often within hours for straightforward requests. Complex cases take longer but are handled promptly.
4. Compare offers and choose
Review quotes, request full terms (APR, fees, repayment schedule) and choose the option that fits your business. We recommend asking matched partners for all costs and the timing of any formal credit checks.
Get Quote Now — start your free enquiry
All final offers and contractual terms come from the lender or broker you deal with directly.
What information helps after a bank rejection (eligibility checklist)
To speed up matching and improve quotes, have these ready:
- Company name, registration number and trading history (how long you’ve traded)
- Amount required and purpose of funds (purchase, cashflow, development, equipment)
- Latest annual turnover and recent bank statements (usually last 3–6 months)
- Any CCJs, defaults, insolvency history or director credit issues (be upfront)
- For property/development: project costs, valuations, planning permissions and exit strategy
If you’re missing documents, submit what you can — partners can advise on next steps.
Real examples (anonymised)
Construction subcontractor — invoice finance within days
A £2m turnover subcontractor was refused by their bank because of seasonal cashflow. We introduced invoice finance; the client received an advance within 48–72 hours and smoothed payroll and materials payments.
Property developer — specialist development funding
A conversion project was declined by a high‑street bank due to valuation uncertainty. A specialist development lender provided staged funding based on progress draws after a quick review arranged through our match process.
Frequently asked questions
If a bank turned my business down, can UK Business Loans help?
Often yes. We match declined businesses to lenders and brokers who use different underwriting approaches. Complete a free enquiry and we’ll introduce you to partners who may be able to help.
My business was declined by a bank — will applying here affect my credit score?
No. Completing our initial enquiry does not affect your credit file. Lenders or brokers may carry out formal credit checks later in the process and will tell you when that happens.
How quickly will I hear back?
Many straightforward enquiries receive a response within hours during business days. Complex or development cases may take longer while documents and valuations are reviewed.
Do you charge for this service?
No — submitting an enquiry is free for business owners. Any fees or interest will come from the lender or broker you choose to work with.
What costs or rates will I pay?
Costs vary widely by product, lender and business risk. We cannot promise rates. Matched partners will supply personalised quotes and full terms for you to review.
Next steps — get your free quote now
If a bank has declined your business, you still have options. Fill in a short, no‑obligation enquiry and we’ll match you with specialist lenders and brokers who understand commercial finance and can provide quotes.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
It takes around two minutes to submit the enquiry. Our partners will contact you with options and full terms — you decide whether to proceed.
1) If my bank declined my application, can UK Business Loans still help me get a business loan in the UK?
Yes — UK Business Loans introduces businesses declined by banks to specialist lenders and brokers who may offer alternative commercial finance solutions after a free eligibility check.
2) Will completing a UK Business Loans enquiry affect my credit score?
No — the short enquiry is not an application and does not impact your credit file; matched lenders may perform formal credit checks later with your consent.
3) What types of finance can I access if a high‑street bank says no?
You can be matched to asset/equipment finance, invoice finance, bridging and development loans, merchant cash advances, working‑capital or unsecured commercial loans and specialist lender solutions.
4) How quickly can I expect to hear back after submitting a free eligibility check?
Many straightforward enquiries receive responses within hours on business days, while more complex property or development cases may take longer for document and valuation checks.
5) What loan amounts are available through UK Business Loans’ partners?
Our panel typically handles loans from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial and development facilities, depending on the lender and product.
6) I have limited trading history or poor credit — are there lenders who will consider my business?
Yes — some specialist and asset‑backed lenders, invoice funders and challenger banks use alternative underwriting and may lend despite limited trading history or imperfect credit.
7) What information should I have ready to speed up matching and quotes?
Have your company details, trading history, amount and purpose of funding, latest turnover and 3–6 months of bank statements, plus any CCJs or insolvency history and project docs for property deals.
8) How much will I pay in interest and fees for alternative commercial finance?
Costs vary widely by product, lender and risk profile, so matched partners will provide personalised quotes showing APR, fees and repayment schedules for you to compare.
9) Are the brokers and lenders you introduce regulated and trustworthy?
Yes — we work with reputable, UK‑based brokers and lenders (many FCA‑regulated) and only share enquiries with approved partners who meet our standards.
10) How do I start the process of finding a business loan if my bank said no?
Complete the free two‑minute eligibility enquiry on UK Business Loans to be matched quickly with specialist lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes and next steps.