Do UK Business Loans charge fees for Small Business Loans?

Short answer: No — UK Business Loans does not charge business owners or company directors to use our service. We’re an introducer that matches UK businesses (loans from £10,000 and above) with lenders and brokers. Completing our enquiry is free, non‑binding and not an application — it simply helps us find the best lenders or brokers for your business. Get Quote Now

TL;DR — quick summary

UK Business Loans does not charge business owners or directors any fees to use our matching service. Our platform connects businesses (seeking loans from £10,000 and up) with lenders and brokers. We earn revenue from partners (lenders or brokers) when a lead is delivered and accepted — not from you. The enquiry form is for matching only and is not an application. Free Eligibility Check

Do you pay UK Business Loans anything to use the service?

No. You will not be charged by UK Business Loans for submitting an enquiry or for being introduced to lenders or brokers via our platform. Our service is free to use for businesses that want to explore finance options. If a broker or lender does charge a fee for their own services, that fee is between you and that third party — and must be disclosed to you before you agree.

How UK Business Loans makes money (so you know who pays)

We act as a commercial introducer. Here’s the simple model:

• You submit a short enquiry about the finance you need (this is informational — not an application).
• We match your business with relevant lenders and brokers in our network who specialise in the sector and loan size you require.
• If a partner receives your lead and later engages or completes an agreed lead outcome, that partner pays UK Business Loans a referral or lead fee.

The referral fee is between UK Business Loans and the partner — it is not billed to you. Our aim is to save you time and get you connected to lenders/brokers who can give quick, tailored quotes. You remain under no obligation at any stage.

Who might charge you fees — brokers, lenders and when fees can apply

While UK Business Loans never charges business owners, third parties you engage with may have fees. Always confirm charges with the lender or broker you are speaking to.

Broker fees

• Success / commission fees: Some brokers charge a success fee or commission when they place funding. Often this is paid by the lender as commission, but some brokers may agree a fee with you for added advisory services.
• Upfront arrangement fees: Rare but possible — ask whether a broker requires payment before work begins.
• What to do: Ask any broker you speak with to confirm in writing whether they charge you directly and exactly how fees are calculated.

Lender fees

• Arrangement / commitment fees: Many lenders charge an arrangement or facility fee which may be added to the loan or taken up front.
• Valuation & legal fees: For secured finance, lenders often charge valuation, legal or property-related fees.
• Early repayment & admin charges: Check for early repayment penalties and ongoing administration fees.

Fees vary by product and lender. Always request a full breakdown (interest, fees and total payable) in writing before you sign any agreement. If a broker or lender asks you to pay UK Business Loans directly — decline. We do not accept direct payments from business owners.

What you can expect when you complete our enquiry form

Filling our enquiry form is quick and informational — it helps us identify the best matches for your business. Key points:

• No obligation: Submitting an enquiry does not commit you to any product or provider.
• Fast response: Matched lenders or brokers typically contact you by phone or email — often within hours during business hours.
• Who contacts you: A matched lender or broker will contact you to discuss options, request supporting documents and — if appropriate — provide written quotes.
• Credit checks: Submitting an enquiry does not trigger a credit search. Lenders or brokers may perform soft or hard credit checks later if you decide to proceed; they should tell you in advance whether a hard search is required.

Ready for a free eligibility check? Get Quote Now

How to protect your business — questions to ask and red flags

Before accepting any finance offer, ask clear questions and insist on written disclosure:

• Who am I contracting with? (Name of lender or broker; contact details)
• What exact fees will I pay and when? (arrangement, valuation, legal, early repayment)
• What is the APR and the total amount repayable?
• Will a hard credit search be carried out now or only on application?
• If a broker is involved, will they charge me directly, or are they paid by the lender?
• Can I see all terms and a full repayment schedule in writing before I sign?

Watch for these red flags:

• Pressure to pay fees to secure a loan or “guarantee approval.”
• Requests to pay UK Business Loans or unidentified third parties directly.
• Missing or unclear written terms and refusal to provide a breakdown of costs.

Privacy & data sharing — how we handle your enquiry

Your information is used only to match you with lenders and brokers who can help. When you submit an enquiry:

• You consent to us sharing the details you provide with selected partners who may contact you with offers.
• We transfer data securely to approved partners and retain it in line with our privacy policy.
• You can withdraw consent or request deletion of your data — contact us or see the Privacy Policy for full details.

Step-by-step: from enquiry to offer

1. Complete the short enquiry form (it takes around 2 minutes).
2. We match your business to suitable lenders and brokers in our network.
3. Matches contact you to discuss options and may request documents.
4. Receive written quotes and compare interest, fees and terms.
5. Choose a provider and follow their application process; only then might fees or credit checks apply.

Ready to start? (no cost, no obligation)

UK Business Loans helps make the search for business finance quick and efficient. We only charge partners for leads — you pay nothing to be matched. If you’re looking for finance from £10,000 and up, get started with a free eligibility check and we’ll match you to the best lenders or brokers for your needs. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

Frequently asked questions

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — completing our enquiry form does not trigger a credit check. Matched lenders or brokers may carry out soft or hard credit checks later if you decide to proceed; they will tell you if a hard search is required.

Do I have to accept any offers you send me?

No — you are under no obligation. Use the responses to compare options and only proceed with the lender or broker you choose.

Does UK Business Loans ever charge business owners directly?

No. We do not charge business owners or directors. Any fees must be disclosed by the lender or broker in their offer.

What if a broker asks for an upfront fee?

Ask for a written explanation and a breakdown of services. If the request is unclear, pressured or seems excessive, pause and consider alternative providers.

Can you match me for specialist sectors?

Yes — we match businesses with partners that have sector experience. For more details about products and sectors we cover, see resources about small business loans and finance options. You can also learn more about our process on our How It Works page.

Learn about solutions for smaller businesses and typical options on our dedicated small business loans information page: small business loans.

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We only pass enquiries to third‑party lenders and brokers; always read any partner’s written terms and confirm fees and regulatory status before proceeding.

– Do UK Business Loans charge fees to business owners for using the service?
No — UK Business Loans is a free introducer and does not charge business owners or directors for submitting an enquiry or being matched with lenders or brokers.

– Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing the enquiry form does not trigger a credit check, though matched lenders or brokers may perform soft or hard searches later if you choose to proceed.

– What loan amounts can I be matched with via UK Business Loans?
We match businesses seeking finance from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial facilities through our lender and broker network.

– Is the enquiry form an application for a business loan?
No — the enquiry form is informational only and is used to match your business with suitable lenders or brokers, not to submit a formal loan application.

– How quickly will I hear from lenders or brokers after I submit an enquiry?
Matched lenders or brokers typically contact you quickly — often within hours during business hours — to discuss options and next steps.

– Do lenders or brokers charge fees, and who pays them?
Third‑party brokers or lenders may charge arrangement, valuation, legal or success fees, but any such fees must be disclosed by them and are between you and that provider, while UK Business Loans receives referral fees from partners, not from you.

– Can startups or businesses with bad credit be matched to lenders through UK Business Loans?
Yes — we work with partners who specialise in start‑ups and businesses with imperfect credit histories, though eligibility depends on the lender’s criteria.

– What types of business finance can UK Business Loans help me find?
UK Business Loans can connect you with lenders and brokers offering business loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, cashflow loans, commercial property finance, vehicle finance, sustainability loans and more.

– Are the lenders and brokers you introduce FCA‑regulated?
We aim to work with reputable, FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders, but you should always confirm a partner’s regulatory status and request written terms before proceeding.

– How can I protect my business from hidden fees or loan‑related scams?
Ask for written fee breakdowns and APR, insist on seeing full terms and repayment schedules, refuse requests to pay UK Business Loans or unnamed third parties directly, and watch for pressure tactics as a red flag.