Engineering Business Loans — Are Our Partner Lenders & Brokers FCA‑Regulated?

Summary (quick answer): UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects engineering businesses seeking loans (normally from £10,000 upwards) with lenders and brokers. We require partners to provide evidence of appropriate authorisation where the activity is regulated, we carry out onboarding checks and ongoing monitoring, and we encourage you to verify any lender or broker on the FCA Financial Services Register. Submitting an enquiry is a no‑obligation Free Eligibility Check and is not an application — it will not affect your credit score. If you’d like us to match you to suitable providers, Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Quick answer: What you need to know

Engineering firms need predictable, timely finance for machinery, tooling, contract retention and working capital. UK Business Loans does not lend money. We act as a matchmaker: you complete a short enquiry and we share that with vetted lenders and brokers who can help. Where a partner’s activities require FCA authorisation (for example certain consumer credit permissions or regulated intermediary activity), we ask for and verify their FCA reference number (FRN) and permissions. You can also check any firm on the FCA Financial Services Register yourself. Ready to be matched? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check. We are an introducer — not a lender or financial adviser. Submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score.

How UK Business Loans works for engineering businesses

Our process is built for speed and relevance. You tell us about your company, the funding amount (we generally place enquiries for £10,000+), and the purpose — e.g., new CNC equipment, plant and machinery, invoice finance, or working capital for contract fulfilment. We then match your need with lenders and brokers in our panel that specialise in engineering finance.

• Complete a short enquiry (takes under 2 minutes).
• We match you to lenders/brokers who understand engineering needs.
• Partners contact you with quotes and next steps.

Want us to do the legwork? Start your Free Eligibility Check. No obligation and no impact on your credit score unless you choose to proceed with an application.

Definitive answer: Are our partners FCA‑authorised?

Short answer: we require evidence of appropriate authorisation where a partner’s activities fall within the FCA perimeter. During onboarding we request an FCA reference number (FRN) and confirmation of permissions where relevant. However, not every commercial finance activity is regulated by the FCA — some strictly B2B commercial lending or bespoke asset finance structures can sit outside the FCA’s consumer credit rules. That does not mean a firm is unreliable; it simply requires different checks. If a partner carries out regulated activities and cannot provide valid authorisation details, we will not include them in our introduction process.

What “FCA‑regulated” actually means for lenders & brokers

“FCA‑regulated” usually means a firm is listed on the FCA’s Financial Services Register with an FCA Reference Number (FRN) and explicit permissions to carry out specified activities. Key points:

• Authorised firm — appears on the FCA Register with an FRN.
• Permissions — the Register shows what the firm is allowed to do (e.g., credit broking, consumer credit, debt counselling).
• Regulatory remedies — where applicable, regulation brings transparency obligations, complaints routes and conduct rules.

For engineering finance: asset finance, hire purchase and invoice finance are often delivered by FCA‑authorised firms, but some purely commercial lending to limited companies can be outside the FCA perimeter. Always check the Register for the specific product and permissions.

How we vet and monitor our partners

We operate a consistent due diligence regime so the businesses we introduce are matched to providers who meet minimum professional standards. Typical checks include:

• Onboarding evidence: company registration, professional references, anti‑money‑laundering (AML) checks, evidence of insurance and (where relevant) FCA FRN and permissions.
• Compliance documents: copies of internal compliance policies, data protection and privacy statements, and complaint handling procedures.
• Performance & quality monitoring: we track response times, complaint volumes and feedback from customers to identify partners that consistently deliver poor outcomes.
• Ongoing register checks: periodic verification against the FCA Register and changes of status.

If a partner fails to produce necessary documentation or their status changes, we remove them from our panel until concerns are resolved. We only share your enquiry details with partners you authorise us to contact. If you’d rather we check firms on your behalf, we’ll do that — Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

How to check a lender or broker’s FCA status (step‑by‑step)

1. Go to the FCA Financial Services Register: https://register.fca.org.uk/.
2. Search the firm name or enter the FCA Reference Number (FRN) if you have it.
3. Review the firm’s status (Authorised, Registered, Removed) and the listed permissions.
4. Confirm contact details match the firm’s own website and letters you receive.
5. If unsure, ask the firm to provide their FRN in writing and cross‑check it yourself on the Register.

Red flags: no FRN for activities that should be regulated, inconsistent contact details, aggressive unsolicited offers, or inability/refusal to provide written confirmation of status. If you’re short on time, let us verify on your behalf — Start your Free Eligibility Check.

Why FCA regulation matters for engineering businesses

FCA authorisation provides a level of governance and consumer protection where regulation applies. Benefits include clearer terms, obligations on conduct, and in many cases access to complaints routes such as the Financial Ombudsman Service. That said, many commercial finance transactions (B2B lending to limited companies) are not covered by consumer protection regimes — so the absence of FCA permissions does not automatically indicate poor quality. Use the Register and professional judgement to assess suitability and governance.

Common partner types & typical regulation status

• Commercial banks: usually regulated and appear on the FCA Register.
• Asset & equipment finance specialists: often FCA‑authorised (check permissions for credit broking or consumer credit if relevant).
• Invoice finance providers: many are regulated — check for commercial lending permissions and complaints processes.
• Alternative/marketplace lenders: mix of FCA‑authorised firms and specialist commercial lenders — always check FRN.
• Broker/intermediaries: brokers carrying out regulated activities must be authorised or act under an authorised firm; introducers like UK Business Loans do not advise or lend but do require partners to show credentials.

What to check: FRN, listed permissions relevant to your product, complaints & redress procedures, and whether the firm specialises in engineering/asset finance.

Real‑world example (anonymised)

An engineering workshop needed £120,000 to buy a new CNC lathe. After submitting a short enquiry the workshop was introduced to an asset finance broker who provided their FRN and a written quotation. The broker arranged hire‑purchase terms suited to the business cashflow; the firm accepted terms and the supplier released the machine. Outcome: equipment delivered with a finance plan that matched cashflow projections. Want a similar match? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Transparency, advertising & compliance

We act as an introducer — not a lender or financial adviser. All our financial promotions are intended to be clear, fair and not misleading. We ask partners to comply with applicable financial promotion rules and to provide accurate information before we publish or share offers. If you want to review the regulatory status of any partner yourself, check the FCA Register at https://register.fca.org.uk/.

We follow privacy and data protection rules: your details are shared only with selected partners you approve. Submitting an enquiry is not an application and will not affect your credit score.

Frequently asked questions

Are UK Business Loans’ partners FCA‑authorised lenders and brokers?

We require partners to provide evidence of authorisation where their activities require FCA permission. Many partners are FCA‑authorised for the activities they carry out; others operate in the commercial lending space where FCA permissions do not apply. Always verify a firm’s FRN when the product should be regulated.

How do I verify a lender/broker’s FCA authorisation?

Use the FCA Financial Services Register (https://register.fca.org.uk/), search by firm name or FRN, and check the listed permissions and status. Ask the firm for their FRN in writing if you don’t see it.

Does UK Business Loans give financial advice?

No. We introduce you to lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and advice. You decide whether to proceed. We are an introducer — not a lender or adviser.

Will contacting UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our enquiry form is a free eligibility check and does not affect your credit file. Partners may conduct credit checks only if you proceed with an application to them.

What if a lender isn’t FCA‑authorised?

If a lender or broker says they do not require FCA permission for the transaction, ask them for an explanation in writing and consider alternatives. You can also ask us to connect you to partners who can provide regulated alternatives where necessary.

How long until I get a quote?

Typical response times range from a few hours to a few days depending on the complexity of the request and documentation required. For large asset finance transactions allow more time for formal credit assessment.

Next steps — get matched

For engineering businesses needing equipment finance, asset finance, invoice finance or working capital: complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers experienced in the sector. The enquiry is no obligation and is intended as a Free Eligibility Check. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Content checked by UK Business Loans Compliance Team — Last updated: 30 October 2025.

Related industry resource: find sector-specific information on our engineering finance hub for more detail about funding types and common provider models: Engineering business loans.

1. Are the lenders and brokers on UK Business Loans FCA‑regulated?
Yes — we require partners to provide evidence of FCA authorisation where their activities fall within the FCA perimeter and we verify FRNs during onboarding and ongoing monitoring.

2. Will submitting an enquiry (Free Eligibility Check) affect my credit score?
No — submitting our short enquiry is a free eligibility check and not an application, so it will not impact your credit file unless you choose to proceed with a partner who performs a credit check.

3. Does UK Business Loans lend money directly or provide financial advice?
No — we act only as an introducer that matches you to trusted lenders and brokers and do not lend money or give regulated financial advice.

4. What types of business finance can UK Business Loans help engineering businesses find?
We can match engineering firms with providers for asset and equipment finance, hire purchase, invoice finance, working capital and other commercial loans starting typically from around £10,000.

5. How quickly will I get quotes after submitting a business loan enquiry?
Response times vary but many partners contact you within hours to a few days, with larger or more complex asset finance deals taking longer for formal assessment.

6. How much can I borrow through the lenders you introduce?
Our network covers a wide range of amounts, typically from about £10,000 up to multi‑million financing depending on the lender and the transaction.

7. Can start‑ups or businesses with bad credit get matched to lenders?
Yes — we work with specialist lenders and brokers who consider start‑ups and businesses with imperfect credit histories, though eligibility and terms depend on individual circumstances.

8. What documents will I typically need for an equipment or asset finance enquiry?
You’ll generally need basic company details, financial overview, proof of identity for directors, and information about the asset or funding requirement to receive an accurate quote.

9. How can I check a lender or broker’s FCA status myself?
Visit the FCA Financial Services Register at https://register.fca.org.uk/, search by firm name or FRN, and confirm the firm’s permissions and status against the product you’re being offered.

10. If a lender says they don’t need FCA permission, what should I do?
Ask the firm to explain in writing why FCA permissions don’t apply, verify their position on the FCA Register if relevant, and consider alternative regulated providers if you prefer FCA oversight.