Do you work exclusively with FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers for sustainability financing?

Summary: UK Business Loans acts as an introducer that connects UK companies (seeking business finance of £10,000+) with lenders and brokers for sustainability projects. We prioritise FCA‑authorised partners where a product sits within the FCA’s remit, but we do not work exclusively with FCA‑regulated firms because many commercial sustainability loans are provided outside FCA regulation. Below we explain what that means, how we vet partners, the practical implications for borrowers, and the steps you can take next. Start your Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

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Quick answer

We do not work exclusively with FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers for sustainability financing. We prioritise FCA‑authorised partners for products that fall under consumer or regulated business credit rules, but many commercial sustainability products (corporate project finance, certain asset and development finance) are outside the FCA’s scope. We will always tell you the regulatory status of any lender or broker we introduce.

Why FCA regulation matters for business owners

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) supervises many types of financial firms to protect customers and ensure promotions are “clear, fair and not misleading.” For business owners this can mean:

• clear pre‑contract information and representative APR where required;
• access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for regulated consumer disputes;
• obligations on firms to follow anti‑money laundering, data handling and complaint handling rules.

Not every form of business lending is regulated by the FCA — regulation depends on the borrower type, the product and whether it is classed as credit to a consumer or small business under specific rules. You can check a firm’s status on the FCA Register: https://register.fca.org.uk.

How UK Business Loans selects partners for sustainability loans

We introduce businesses to lenders and brokers. Our matchmaking is based on a structured vetting process designed to reduce risk for the business owner and improve the chance of a good outcome:

1. Product suitability first: If a finance request is for a product that is typically regulated (for example, certain consumer‑facing credit agreements) we prioritise FCA‑authorised brokers and lenders who can provide the necessary regulated disclosures.
2. Vetting and reputation checks: prospective partners are assessed for sector experience (sustainability, renewables, energy efficiency), client feedback, company registration and trading history, and basic AML/KYC procedures.
3. Compliance checks: we ask partners to confirm they will comply with relevant financial promotion rules when a promotion is regulated, and that they will supply clear terms and complaint information to businesses.
4. Commercial specialists where appropriate: some sustainability finance—large project finance, corporate-level asset finance or development debt—are commercial B2B products commonly supplied by non‑FCA commercial lenders. For these we match you with specialist commercial providers with proven track records.

We are an introducer. We will only share your enquiry with vetted partners who match your requirements. If you want to get started, submit a short enquiry — Free Eligibility Check.

Regulated vs non‑regulated sustainability finance — what to expect

Sustainability financing spans a range of loan types. Understanding whether a product is regulated will help you know what protections and disclosure standards apply.

Commonly regulated examples

• Agreements that fall under consumer credit or contain personal guarantees tied to individuals in a way that brings them within the FCA’s remit.
• Some invoice finance or merchant cash advances where structures create consumer‑type protections (less common for larger corporate borrowers).

Commonly non‑regulated examples

• Commercial project finance for solar farms, rooftop PV on commercial premises, battery storage and large installations.
• Asset finance and hire‑purchase agreements arranged at company level with corporate security.
• Development finance and commercial mortgages for renewable projects or energy efficiency retrofits for corporate premises.

Practical implications for borrowers:

• Documentation: regulated deals usually include standardized pre‑contract disclosure; commercial deals can be more bespoke and negotiable.
• Pricing and transparency: FCA rules require that regulated promotions are clear and not misleading. Non‑regulated commercial lenders still disclose commercial terms but the format and obligations differ.
• Dispute routes: if a product is regulated you may have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman; if it is commercial you’ll rely on contractual dispute mechanisms and the lender’s own complaints process.

If you’re unsure whether your proposed sustainability project is regulated, tell us when you complete the enquiry and we’ll match you to the right specialist. Start the process — Get Quote Now.

Our compliance and transparency commitments

We follow clear principles to help you make informed decisions:

• We act as an introducer. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice.
• Where a product is regulated, we prioritise partners who are able to meet FCA financial promotion and disclosure requirements.
• We require partners to provide clear terms, disclose fees and complaint routes in writing for regulated products.
• Your data is handled securely and in line with our Privacy Policy; we only share your details with relevant, vetted partners for the purpose of matching and quoting.

Microdisclosure you will see near the enquiry form: “UK Business Loans introduces your business to selected lenders and brokers. We are not a lender or authorised to give regulated financial advice. Completing an enquiry is free, no obligation and will not affect your credit score.”

Typical sustainability loan products we match businesses with

Common finance solutions we introduce for green projects include:

• Solar PV and battery storage finance – asset finance, lease and hire‑purchase structures (commonly commercial).
• Energy efficiency/refurbishment loans – funding for insulation, LED upgrades and building works (can be secured or unsecured depending on size).
• EV charger installation finance – equipment finance and installation packages.
• Green equipment and manufacturing upgrades – machinery finance or equipment hire arranged through specialist asset lenders.
• Commercial mortgages & project finance – for larger installations or on‑site generation for businesses and property developers.

Many of these are commercial B2B arrangements; for smaller business borrowing there may be regulated elements depending on the legal and security structure.

How to check whether a lender/broker is FCA‑regulated

Quick steps you can take before you proceed:

1. Visit the FCA Register: register.fca.org.uk.
2. Ask the firm for their FCA firm reference number (FRN) and verify it on the register.
3. Read the firm’s terms and financial promotion carefully — look for representative APR and complaint procedures for regulated products.

If you’d prefer us to do the matching for you, complete a short enquiry and we’ll only introduce you to suitable, vetted partners — Free Eligibility Check.

Real examples & scenarios

Example 1 — SME energy upgrade (regulated route): A mid‑sized retail business sought funding to install energy‑efficient heating and LED lighting in leased premises. The best route was an FCA‑authorised broker who arranged a business loan with clear regulated disclosures because the structure involved personal guarantees from directors. We introduced them to an authorised broker; the firm received transparent terms and a clear complaints route.

Example 2 — Commercial rooftop solar (commercial route): A property developer needed a five‑figure facility to fund rooftop PV across multiple commercial units. This was structured as corporate project finance with security at legal entity level. We matched the developer to a specialist commercial project lender outside the FCA regulatory scope, chosen for sector experience and competitive terms.

FAQs

Ready to get a free eligibility check?

Get matched to vetted lenders and brokers for sustainability projects from £10,000 upwards. Complete a short enquiry and we’ll introduce you to the partners best suited to your project. No obligation. No impact to your credit score.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

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Additional resources: check the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk and learn about financial promotions in the FCA Handbook (CONC and Perimeter Guidance).

For more detail on the sustainability products we introduce, see our dedicated page on /sustainability-loans.

1. How does UK Business Loans help me find a business loan?
We act as a free introducer that matches UK businesses to vetted lenders and brokers for business loans and sustainability finance from £10,000+ via a short eligibility enquiry.

2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing our initial, no‑obligation enquiry is a soft step that will not affect your credit score; lenders may run formal checks only if you proceed with an application.

3. Do you work only with FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers for sustainability loans?
No — we prioritise FCA‑authorised partners where a product is regulated but also introduce specialist commercial lenders for B2B sustainability and project finance that sit outside the FCA’s remit, and we always disclose each partner’s regulatory status.

4. What types of sustainability loans can you match my business with?
We match businesses with finance for solar PV and battery storage, EV charger installations, energy‑efficiency upgrades, asset and equipment finance, commercial mortgages and larger project finance tailored to sustainability projects.

5. How can I check whether a lender or broker is FCA‑regulated?
Ask the firm for their FCA firm reference number (FRN) and verify it on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk.

6. Are non‑FCA commercial lenders safe for project finance?
Non‑FCA commercial lenders commonly provide suitable B2B project and asset finance; safety depends on their reputation, contract terms and your due diligence, and we only introduce partners who pass our vetting checks.

7. How quickly will lenders or brokers respond after I submit an enquiry?
Most enquiries receive a response within hours during business hours, though bespoke or larger projects may take longer while partners assess technical and commercial details.

8. Do you lend money or provide regulated financial advice?
No — we are not a lender and do not provide regulated financial advice; our role is to introduce you to lenders and brokers who can offer quotes and, if authorised, give advice.

9. What loan amounts can I apply for through UK Business Loans?
Our network can connect you with funding options ranging from around £10,000 to multi‑million commercial facilities, depending on your requirements and the lender.

10. What information will you share about my business and how is my data used?
We securely share only relevant enquiry details with vetted lenders and brokers to match you with suitable providers and process your request in accordance with our Privacy Policy and your consent.