Can I Get Same‑Day Small Business Funding in the UK — What You Need & How Fast It Can Arrive

Quick answer: Yes — same‑day business funding is possible in the UK in certain circumstances, but it depends on the product, the amount requested (UK Business Loans arranges facilities from £10,000 upward), how quickly you can supply required documents, and a lender’s internal checks. Products that commonly fund fastest include merchant cash advances, some invoice finance releases, online short‑term facilities and a limited number of challenger lenders. For an immediate assessment, get a free eligibility check — Get Quote Now. Submitting an enquiry is free and won’t affect your credit score. We are an introducer — not a lender or financial adviser.

Quick answer — when same‑day funding is realistic

Same‑day funding is realistic for targeted, document-light products and smaller amounts where lenders can verify information quickly. Typical fast options are:

• Merchant cash advances or card advance facilities — often within hours if card turnover can be verified.
• Invoice finance (select invoices) — when eligible invoices and debtors are verified, cash can be released the same day.
• Short-term online loans from specialist lenders — possible same day for smaller amounts if documentation is ready.
• Bank overdrafts or existing facility top-ups — occasionally instant for existing, vetted customers.

For larger, secured or complex facilities you should expect 24–72 hours minimum to several days. If you want to see what’s possible for your business right now, Get Quote Now for a free eligibility check.

Which lenders commonly offer same‑day or same‑hour funding?

Different provider types move at different speeds. Below are the lender types most likely to provide the fastest turnaround and typical timelines.

• Specialist online lenders / marketplace lenders — many operate automated underwriting and can deposit funds the same day or within 24 hours for smaller unsecured facilities when documents are ready.
• Invoice finance providers — when you submit qualifying invoices and the debtors pass checks, funds can be released the same day (often within hours of verification).
• Merchant cash advance / card advance providers — if a lender can instantly verify card terminal turnover (via reports or API), advances can land within hours.
• Short‑term / bridging lenders — quick for well documented, short-term deals and smaller sums; same day sometimes possible, more often within 24–48 hours.
• Challenger banks and fintechs — some offer fast onboarding and instant account verification; speed varies by product and KYC requirements.
• Brokers placing urgent cases — experienced brokers with relationships can prioritise and speed up responses from lenders.

If you need funds fast, tell us about your business and we’ll match you to lenders who specialise in speedy decisions — Free Eligibility Check.

What affects whether you can get same‑day funding?

Speed depends on a combination of factors. The faster you can get cash, the more likely you’ve prepared in advance and chosen an appropriate product.

• Application completeness — full answers and quick follow-up speed approvals.
• Document availability — lenders want bank statements, ID, invoices and specifics; having them ready matters.
• Amount requested — smaller amounts (<£50k typically) are quicker; larger facilities often require more checks.
• Product type — unsecured online products and merchant advances are quickest; secured loans and asset finance take longer.
• Bank & lender checks — AML, KYC and fraud checks sometimes add time.
• Debtor verification — for invoice finance, the speed of debtor verification is critical.
• Open banking / API access — lenders using instant bank verification often reach decisions faster than those requesting manual statements.

Typical timelines (realistic):

• Instant–same day: merchant advances, some invoice finance releases, very small unsecured online loans.
• Same day–48 hours: many specialist online loans and short‑term facilities if docs are ready.
• 2–7 days: asset finance, larger secured loans, complex facilities and property lending.

Documents you’ll need for same‑day (core checklist)

To maximise your chances of same‑day approval, gather digital copies of the following before you apply. Use clear PDFs or good-quality photos — many lenders accept open banking access which can speed verification further.

Business identity & registration

• Company name, registered trading name and company number (for limited companies).
• Registered business address and trading address (if different).
• VAT registration number (if applicable).

Banking & cashflow

• Last 6–12 months of business bank statements (PDF). Some lenders accept 3 months for faster products.
• Bank account name, sort code and account number. Where possible, enable open banking or bank API access for instant verification.
• Latest merchant card terminal summary (for merchant cash advances) showing recent card turnover.

Financial performance

• Recent management accounts, profit & loss and balance sheet (latest period available). For quick cases, last 3 months’ turnover summary may suffice.
• Forecast or cashflow statement if you’re seeking funding for a specific short-term need (e.g., payroll).

Invoices, contracts & receivables (for invoice finance)

• Copies of the invoices you want to finance.
• Debtor contact details and proof of delivery or purchase orders where available.

Asset documentation (for asset / equipment finance)

• Supplier quotes, invoices or pro‑forma invoices for the equipment or vehicle.
• Asset specifications and any VAT receipts if relevant.

Ownership and ID

• Photo ID for all company directors and beneficial owners (passport or driving licence).
• Proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months).

Other helpful items

• List of major customers and suppliers.
• Details of existing borrowing (facility sizes, lenders, monthly repayments).
• Brief note explaining the purpose of the funds and how they will be repaid.

Speed hacks: use PDFs (not photos if possible), enable open banking, keep all documents in a single folder, and be ready to answer any follow‑up lender questions quickly.

Practical checklist: how to prepare your application for same‑day funding

1. Decide the exact amount you need and the purpose (working capital, payroll, equipment).
2. Choose the product that matches your need — e.g., invoice finance for unpaid invoices, merchant cash advance for urgent card turnover cash, short‑term loan for immediate working capital.
3. Gather the documents above in digital form and enable open banking if you can.
4. Submit a single enquiry through UK Business Loans and specify “urgent/same day” in the notes. Our partners often respond within hours.
5. Answer lender follow‑up queries the same day and authorise any bank/API checks asked for — this materially speeds decisions.

Sector tips: construction firms often rely on invoice or retentions finance; hospitality and retail use merchant advances or short-term overdrafts; e‑commerce businesses benefit from lenders who accept online sales platform statements.

Want a tailored match fast? Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

Realistic expectations & risks of chasing same‑day funding

Speed has trade‑offs. Be aware of the following:

• Cost: Faster facilities — like merchant cash advances and some short‑term products — often carry higher effective costs and fees. Always check the total cost and representative APR where provided.
• Repayment structure: Rapid funding products can have daily/weekly repayments or revenue‑linked collection methods. Ensure your cashflow can sustain these.
• Short due diligence: Quick decisions rely on accurate information. Any inconsistencies found later can lead to withdrawals or revised terms.
• Pressure selling: Avoid providers who make unrealistic guarantees or pressure you into accepting offers without full terms.

This page is informational — not regulated financial advice. We introduce you to lenders and brokers who can help; all lending is subject to lender checks and eligibility.

How UK Business Loans helps you secure same‑day funding

UK Business Loans is a specialist introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers who can act quickly. Our process is simple:

• Complete a brief, 2‑minute enquiry form.
• We match your case with lenders and brokers in our panel who specialise in urgent cases and your sector.
• Selected partners contact you — often within hours — to request any remaining documents and present options.

We work with partners experienced in sectors such as construction, hospitality, e‑commerce and manufacturing. If you’re seeking fast working capital, invoice release or equipment funding (from £10,000 upward), start with a free eligibility check: Get Started — Get Quote Now.

For background on typical options for smaller enterprises, see our guidance on small business loans.

FAQs

Can a start‑up get same‑day funding?

Sometimes — where a start‑up has verifiable card turnover for a merchant advance or qualifying invoices for invoice finance. Many early stage businesses will need more documentation and may not qualify for instant products.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score. Individual lenders may request credit checks later if you progress an application.

What’s the cheapest way to get urgent cash?

Cost varies by situation. Generally, using an existing overdraft or invoice finance arrangement is cheaper than merchant cash advances. Compare total cost, not just headline rates.

How soon will a lender contact me after I submit an enquiry?

Often within hours during business hours; simple cases can see contact within minutes. Response times vary with case complexity and time of day.

Prefer to get matched now? Get Quote Now

Next steps — how to get started

Three quick steps:

1. Click the enquiry link and complete the 2‑minute form — Start Your Enquiry — Get Quote Now.
2. We will match your business to suitable lenders and brokers and pass on your details with your consent.
3. Receive calls/emails with offers and timescales — compare and decide with no obligation.

Legal & compliance

UK Business Loans is an introducer. We are not a lender and we do not give regulated financial advice. We introduce businesses to lenders and brokers who may contact you about funding. All lending is subject to status and lender criteria. Terms and conditions apply. Check any lender’s credentials and full terms before accepting an offer. Your details are handled securely and only shared with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.

– Can I get same‑day business funding in the UK? — Yes — same‑day funding is possible for certain products (merchant cash advances, some invoice finance releases and small online loans) when documents are ready and lender checks clear.
– Which lenders provide the fastest funding? — Specialist online lenders, merchant cash advance providers, invoice finance firms, challenger banks and experienced brokers are the most likely to fund within hours or the same day.
– How much can I borrow if I need funds the same day? — Same‑day funding is most realistic for smaller amounts (typically from £10,000 and often under ~£50k), while larger or secured facilities normally take longer.
– What documents speed up same‑day approval? — Digital bank statements, director ID and proof of address, merchant terminal summaries or invoices, management accounts and supplier quotes (or open banking access) are the key items lenders ask for.
– Will submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans affect my credit score? — No — completing the free UK Business Loans enquiry does not affect your credit score, though individual lenders may run checks later with your consent.
– Can start‑ups access same‑day funding? — Sometimes — start‑ups with verifiable card turnover or qualifying invoices can get rapid advances, but many early‑stage businesses will need more documentation for instant products.
– Are same‑day funding options more expensive than normal loans? — Often yes — rapid products like merchant cash advances and short‑term online loans generally carry higher fees and effective costs than standard overdrafts or invoice finance, so always compare total cost.
– How quickly will lenders contact me after I submit an enquiry? — Typically lenders or brokers contact you within hours (sometimes minutes) during business hours, though response times depend on complexity and the time of day.
– Can open banking speed up my application? — Yes — enabling open banking or API verification can materially accelerate checks and improve the chances of same‑day decisions.
– Is the enquiry form a binding application? — No — the enquiry is a free, non‑binding information form used to match your business with suitable lenders and brokers, not a loan application or commitment to borrow.