Turned down for a business loan? How UK Business Loans can help

Summary: If you’ve been rejected for a business loan elsewhere, there are often alternative routes to funding. UK Business Loans does not lend; we match companies seeking £10,000+ with lenders and brokers who specialise in cases mainstream banks decline. Complete a short enquiry (not an application) for a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll connect you to the right specialist — typically within hours. Get Quote Now

Quick answer: Yes — often we can help

Being rejected by one lender doesn’t mean your business can’t be funded. Lenders use different criteria and some specialise in cases that high-street banks won’t touch. UK Business Loans is a free introducer: we take a short enquiry, match your business to lenders or brokers that understand your sector and credit profile, and help you get a clear, no-obligation response. Free Eligibility Check

Why you may have been turned down

Rejections have many causes. Understanding the reason helps find the right alternative.

• Short trading history: Many banks require 2+ years’ accounts. Specialist lenders consider newer businesses differently.
• Weak cashflow or low profits: Lenders look at ability to repay — some fund based on contracts, invoices or assets rather than profit alone.
• Adverse credit or CCJs: A history of missed payments can block mainstream lenders; specialist lenders and broker-packaged applications can still succeed.
• High existing borrowing: Too much current debt can exceed a lender’s servicing limits — consolidation or refinance options may help.
• Sector risk: Some sectors (hospitality, construction) are treated as higher risk by high-street lenders but have dedicated specialist funds.
• No acceptable security: If property or asset values don’t meet a lender’s criteria, asset-backed or unsecured alternatives may be available from others.
• Poor application or missing documents: Incomplete paperwork often causes refusals; brokers can package and present applications to improve outcomes.
• Lending policy mismatch: Lender appetites change — being declined can simply mean you applied to the wrong provider.

Important: a prior refusal is useful information — it helps us choose lenders more likely to assess your case fairly.

How UK Business Loans helps after a rejection

We don’t lend, underwrite or give regulated financial advice. Instead we streamline the search for lenders/brokers who may accept your application where others haven’t.

Our matching process (simple and fast)

• Short enquiry: You complete a quick form (takes around 2 minutes). This is not an application — it’s information to match you to partners and it won’t affect your credit score. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
• Tailored match: We review the details and identify lenders/brokers with appetite for your industry, loan size and credit profile.
• Partner contact: Matched brokers or lenders contact you directly to run eligibility checks and request documents.
• Compare options: You receive quotes and can compare terms before deciding to progress.

Why this approach helps

• Access to specialist lenders and brokers that consider different evidence and risks.
• Brokers who know how to package applications and present mitigating factors.
• Quicker route than applying to many lenders yourself.
• Multiple options to compare price, term and security requirements.

For general information about the types of borrowing available, read more about business loans and the products lenders offer on our business loans overview.

Typical alternative finance options we can match you with

After a refusal, one of these routes is commonly successful.

• Specialist unsecured business loans — for businesses with limited security but acceptable trading evidence.
• Secured commercial loans — loans backed by property or other business assets.
• Asset finance & equipment funding — finance secured against machinery, vehicles or plant.
• Invoice finance / factoring — unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices.
• Merchant cash advances — funding based on card takings, useful for seasonal businesses.
• Bridging & development finance — short-term property lending for purchases or refurbishments.
• Refinance & debt consolidation — restructure existing debt to improve monthly cashflow.
• Green/sustainability finance — loans for energy projects, EV chargers or efficiency upgrades.

Free Eligibility Check — we’ll match you to the product likely to best fit your circumstances.

What we’ll need from you

You don’t need to have every document ready to start. Give us the basics and we’ll advise the next steps.

• Company name, registration number, trading address and sector
• Time trading and approximate turnover
• Loan amount required and purpose
• Recent business bank statements (typically 3–6 months)
• Last 12–24 months’ accounts or up-to-date management accounts
• Details of existing borrowing and monthly repayments
• Director details and consent for credit checks where needed

The process & expected timings

1. Submit enquiry (2 minutes) — immediate confirmation.
2. Initial contact — matched brokers/lenders usually call or email within hours to 24 hours.
3. Document submission & underwriting — commonly 1–7 days depending on complexity.
4. Quotes & offers — often within 48–72 hours of full documentation.
5. Drawdown — from 24 hours (simple cases) to several weeks (development or secured lending).

Complex property or development finance takes longer; your broker will give realistic timings once they review your case. Start your free enquiry.

Short anonymised case studies

Contractor — short trading history

Problem: A small construction contractor had 9 months’ trading and was declined by a bank. Action: We matched them to a specialist contractor lender via a broker who accepted payment-certified contract evidence and offered asset finance to buy plant. Outcome: Plant funded within 10 days, allowing the contractor to take a profitable contract. Get Quote Now

Hospitality business — historic credit issues

Problem: A family-run pub had historic director credit issues and seasonal cashflow shortfalls. Action: We introduced the owner to brokers who arranged short-term bridging and invoice-style solutions for supplier payments. Outcome: Funding secured in under three weeks and a longer-term refinance plan agreed. Free Eligibility Check

Pricing, fees & transparency

Using UK Business Loans to find a match is completely free for business owners — we are remunerated by partners for successful introductions. Lenders and brokers may charge arrangement fees, interest or other costs; these are disclosed before you sign any agreement. Submitting an enquiry does not trigger a credit search. Lenders or brokers will inform you if and when they need to perform credit checks.

Compliance & privacy

UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not provide regulated financial advice or lend money ourselves.

Your data is handled securely and shared only with selected partners who may be able to help with your funding request. We recommend you review any partner’s regulatory and fees information before proceeding. For impartial consumer information about financial services, see the Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer pages at fca.org.uk/consumers.

Frequently asked questions

Will applying via UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No — submitting our short enquiry does not affect your credit file. Lenders may carry out checks later if you choose to proceed and will tell you in advance.

I’ve been rejected multiple times — is there still hope?

Often yes. Multiple refusals can help identify the right specialist route. Our matching looks for lenders with the appetite to consider your full story.

Do you provide the loan directly?

No. We introduce you to lenders or brokers who provide the finance.

How long until I get a quote?

Many partners respond within hours during business hours; full quotes typically follow 48–72 hours after receiving requested documents.

Is the service free?

Yes — our introducer service is free for business owners. Partners may charge fees that are disclosed by them.

What if I’m a start-up with limited accounts?

Specialist lenders and start-up focused brokers consider alternative evidence (contracts, invoices, forecasts). Complete the enquiry and we’ll match you appropriately.

What happens after I complete the enquiry form?

We review your submission and connect you to partners who can help. They will contact you to discuss next steps — this is not an application and you are under no obligation.

Get Quote Now

Next steps — ready to try again?

If you were turned down elsewhere, don’t give up — specialist lenders and brokers often approve cases mainstream banks decline. Our quick, no-cost enquiry is not an application and won’t affect your credit score. Tell us about your business and funding need and we’ll match you to the best partners for your situation. Start your Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

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business loans

1. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing our short, non‑application Free Eligibility Check does not affect your credit file; lenders may carry out checks later if you choose to proceed.

2. I was turned down by a high‑street bank — can I still get a business loan in the UK?
Yes — specialist lenders and brokers we match you with often fund businesses mainstream banks decline by considering different evidence such as contracts, invoices or assets.

3. What types of business finance can UK Business Loans help me find?
We can match you with lenders and brokers for unsecured and secured business loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance/factoring, merchant cash advances, bridging and development finance, refinance/consolidation and green/sustainability loans.

4. How quickly will I hear back after I complete the enquiry form?
Matched brokers or lenders typically contact you within hours to 24 hours, with full quotes commonly available 48–72 hours after you submit requested documents.

5. Is UK Business Loans a lender or do you give regulated financial advice?
No — we are an introducer that connects you with FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders and we do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice.

6. Can start‑ups or businesses with less than two years’ trading get funding?
Yes — many specialist lenders and start‑up focused brokers consider alternative evidence (contracts, forecasts, invoices and management accounts) to support funding for newer businesses.

7. What information and documents will I need to start the Free Eligibility Check?
You’ll typically provide company name and details, trading history, turnover, loan amount and purpose, recent business bank statements and recent accounts or management accounts plus details of existing borrowing.

8. Are the lenders and brokers you introduce regulated and transparent about fees?
Yes — we work with reputable, FCA‑regulated partners who must disclose interest rates, arrangement fees and other costs before you sign any agreement.

9. How much can I borrow through the lenders you match me with?
Our network offers finance from around £10,000 up to multi‑million pound facilities depending on the product, security and your business circumstances.

10. Does it cost anything to use UK Business Loans to find a business loan?
No — our introducer service is free for business owners, though lenders or brokers may charge fees which they will disclose before any deal is agreed.