Logistics Business Loans: Do the lenders we match follow FCA rules and treat customers fairly?

Summary (Quick answer): UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects logistics companies with lenders and brokers. Many of our partners operate within or take account of FCA guidance on financial promotions and fair treatment; we carry out partner checks and encourage you to verify any lender’s status on the FCA register and to ask targeted questions. If you want a rapid, no‑obligation eligibility check and tailored matches, start here: Get Quote Now.

Quick answer: Yes — here’s why

Short version: UK Business Loans acts as an introducer connecting your logistics company to lenders and brokers who specialise in fleet finance, invoice finance, depot/warehouse funding and similar products. We assess and monitor partners for professionalism, clarity in financial promotions and customer‑facing conduct. That said, commercial lending covers a wide range of providers and not every partner will be FCA‑regulated in the same way consumer credit firms are — so we recommend you confirm a lender’s registration and ask the practical questions we list below.

Free Eligibility Check — complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to the best lenders and brokers for logistics finance.

What UK Business Loans does (clarity on our role)

We are an introducer: we do not provide finance, nor do we give regulated financial advice. Our purpose is to save you time by matching logistics businesses (typically loans and finance starting from around £10,000) with lenders and brokers who have relevant sector experience.

How the enquiry works in practice:

• You complete a short enquiry form (usually 2 minutes).
• We match your need to lenders and brokers in our network — those partners may contact you to discuss terms and next steps.
• Any formal application or contract is between you and the lender/broker — they will perform their own checks and provide full terms.

We review partner credentials and policies, and we encourage partners to follow financial promotion guidance — but we do not control individual lenders’ decisions or contractual terms.

Get Quote Now — free, no obligation. We’ll put you in touch with lenders/brokers who understand logistics.

How we vet lenders & brokers for logistics finance

We apply practical checks to build a reliable panel. The following explains what we look for and why it matters to your business.

FCA registration & permissions (what we check)

• Where applicable, we request proof of FCA registration or confirmation of how a partner is authorised (for regulated activities such as certain consumer credit promotions).
• We review the firm’s business model and whether they act as a lender, a broker, or an intermediary. Commercial lending to companies can sit outside some consumer credit rules — we note these differences and flag them when matching.
• We ask partners to provide evidence of business conduct controls, registration numbers and public contact details so you can verify them on the FCA Register.

Conduct, Consumer Duty & Treating Customers Fairly (what we assess)

• Whether partners publish clear financial promotions and product terms that are fair, clear and not misleading.
• Policies on vulnerability, complaints handling and dispute escalation.
• Evidence of transparent fee disclosures, Representative APRs (where relevant) and example scenarios for typical customers.

Logistics sector expertise (why sector fit matters)

Funding for logistics often involves asset finance (vans, HGVs), invoice finance, fleet refinancing and property/depot funding. We prioritise partners with demonstrable experience in these areas so they can assess seasonality, asset values and cashflow cycles common in logistics.

We also carry out sanctions checks and request written partner commitments on financial promotions to help ensure prospective borrowers receive clear, accurate information.

Start your Free Eligibility Check — tell us about your fleet or working capital need and we’ll match you to experienced finance partners.

FCA rules and guidance relevant to logistics businesses

Here are the main FCA principles and how they apply in plain English:

• Financial promotions: Promotions must be fair, clear and not misleading. That means lenders and brokers should present key costs and risks up front. See the FCA page on FCA financial promotions guidance.
• Consumer Credit (CONC): CONC rules mainly apply to regulated consumer credit. Commercial lending to limited companies may not be covered in the same way, but many good-practice rules (clear terms, robust affordability, reasonable collections processes) still apply.
• Treating Customers Fairly & Consumer Duty: These principles encourage firms to consider customers’ outcomes — even for small businesses, transparency and fair complaint handling are standards you should expect.
• Complaints handling: Regulated firms must have clear procedures; for commercial lending the Financial Ombudsman may not always have jurisdiction, so checking a lender’s complaints route is important.

Always check the FCA Register and read a lender’s terms before signing.

What “treating customers fairly” means in practice for logistics firms

Practical markers of fair treatment you should expect:

• Clear, written terms showing interest, fees, penalties and any security required.
• Affordability checks tailored to business cashflow and seasonality — not just a simple snapshot.
• Transparent examples of typical costs (example monthly payments, total cost) for vehicle, invoice and asset finance.
• Reasonable default and repossession processes with clear notice periods.
• Accessible complaints contact details and a published escalation path.
• Honest marketing — no misleading “guaranteed” promises.

For logistics: expect specialists to explain how residual values on vehicles, maintenance costs and downtime affect affordability, and to offer solutions that fit fleet cycles.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to lenders/brokers who know logistics finance.

Examples: How compliant lenders support logistics businesses

Fleet purchase / asset finance (example)

A commercial lender offering asset finance should provide: a breakdown of price, deposit, term, monthly payment, representative APR (where relevant), and details of ownership vs. lease. They will carry out affordability checks against projected route income and maintenance schedules before issuing terms.

Invoice finance to smooth cashflow

Invoice financiers should explain advance rates, fees, reserve mechanics and when funds are released. They will typically ask to see invoice ageing, debtor profiles and credit policies before offering a facility.

Depot refinance / expansion

Property or commercial refinance offers should include clear security requirements, early repayment charges and detailed repayment schedules. Lenders experienced in logistics will factor depot utility, leasehold terms and access considerations into lending decisions.

Each of these providers should be able to show you sample agreements and representative cost scenarios during discussion.

What to ask before you agree to an offer — practical checklist

• Are you FCA‑regulated? If so, what is your FCA registration number? (Then check on the FCA Register.)
• Can you provide a worked example showing all fees, charges and the total cost of finance?
• How do you assess affordability for a logistics business with seasonal income and vehicle costs?
• What security is required and what happens in a default scenario?
• Who handles complaints and what is your escalation process?
• Will you carry out a credit search and will it be a soft or hard enquiry?

Keep written records of all conversations and ask for key terms in writing before you sign.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now

How UK Business Loans protects your data and what happens after you submit

We handle your information under GDPR. Your details are shared with selected lenders and brokers only with your consent and solely to obtain suitable finance matches. You can opt out at any time. We do not sell your data to unrelated third parties and we require partners to maintain appropriate security standards.

After you submit the enquiry: we match your request, pass details to relevant partners and you can expect contact by phone or email to discuss options. Completing the enquiry does not commit you to borrow and does not itself trigger a credit check.

FAQs

Are the lenders you match me with FCA‑regulated?

Some are and some operate in parts of commercial lending that are outside consumer credit rules. We encourage you to check any lender or broker on the FCA Register and to review their terms before proceeding.

Will contacting UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No — submitting our enquiry is a soft, no‑obligation step and does not affect your credit record. A lender may carry out a credit check later if you apply for finance.

Who is responsible if a lender behaves badly?

If your contract is with a lender or broker, they are responsible for their conduct. For regulated firms, you may have rights via the Financial Ombudsman Service; for commercial-only lending, remedies are typically via contractual dispute routes. We’ll help by supplying partner details so you can escalate directly.

How quickly will lenders contact me?

Often within hours during working days; response times can vary depending on the size and complexity of the request.

Do you support logistics-specific finance?

Yes — we match logistics businesses to partners experienced with fleet finance, invoice finance, depot or warehouse funding and related solutions. Learn more about logistics-specific options at our logistics page: logistics business loans.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Final reassurance and compliance note

UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects your logistics business to lenders and brokers who can provide finance solutions. We vet partners for professionalism and clarity, but you should always check a lender’s details on the FCA Register and read full terms before committing. If you have concerns about a partner’s conduct, contact them directly and keep records — you can also seek independent legal or regulatory advice.

Ready to see your options? Complete a short enquiry now for a quick, no‑obligation match: Free Eligibility Check.

1. How do I apply for a business loan through UK Business Loans? — Complete a free two‑minute eligibility enquiry online and we’ll match you to suitable lenders or brokers who will contact you.
2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No, completing our enquiry is a soft, no‑obligation step that does not affect your business or personal credit score, although lenders may perform credit checks later if you apply.
3. Are the lenders you match me with FCA‑regulated? — Many partners operate under FCA guidance and we vet their credentials, but you should always verify any lender or broker’s FCA registration on the FCA Register.
4. What types of finance can you help my logistics business get? — We match logistics firms with lenders offering asset and vehicle finance, invoice finance, fleet refinancing and depot/warehouse funding.
5. How quickly will lenders contact me after I submit an enquiry? — You can often expect a call or email within hours on working days, though response times vary with complexity and lender capacity.
6. How much can I borrow through lenders on your panel? — Our partners provide facilities from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial loans depending on the product and business profile.
7. Can start‑ups or businesses with bad credit get matched to finance options? — Yes, we work with lenders who specialise in start‑ups and those willing to consider businesses with imperfect credit, though terms may differ.
8. What information do I need to complete the free eligibility check? — Basic business and contact details, the amount and purpose of funding, and a brief outline of turnover and security are usually sufficient.
9. How will fees, APR and the total cost of finance be shown to me? — Reputable lenders should provide clear written worked examples showing all fees, representative APRs where relevant and the total cost before you sign.
10. Who is responsible if a matched lender or broker behaves unfairly? — The lender or broker holding your contract is responsible for conduct, you should raise complaints with them, check FCA regulation for Ombudsman eligibility, and retain records while seeking independent advice if needed.