Sustainability loans — are we a lender or an introducer?
Short answer: UK Business Loans is not a lender. We act as an introducer that matches businesses needing sustainability or green business loans with lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and proceed with funding. Ready to compare options? Get Quote Now for a free eligibility check (no obligation).
Quick answer — short and clear
UK Business Loans acts solely as an introducer. We do not provide funds, underwrite loans, or issue loan contracts. Instead, we collect basic project and business details via a short enquiry form and use that information to match you with lenders or brokers who specialise in green finance. Those lenders or brokers contact you with quotes, terms and (if you progress) formal application steps.
Using our service is free for businesses. The enquiry form is for matching purposes only — it is not a loan application. If you want to proceed with a lender or broker’s offer, you enter an agreement directly with them. For a fast, no-obligation eligibility check and personalised introductions, Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
What are sustainability loans / green business finance?
Sustainability loans (also called green business loans) fund projects that reduce a business’s environmental impact, improve energy efficiency or support low-carbon operations. Common uses include:
- Solar PV installations for commercial roofs or car parks
- EV charging stations and fleet electrification
- Heat pumps and low-carbon heating systems
- Battery storage and grid-interactive technologies
- LED lighting and broad energy-efficiency upgrades
- Building fabric upgrades, insulation and low-carbon retrofits
Types of finance used for these projects include dedicated sustainability loans, asset and equipment finance, leasing, commercial mortgages or refurbishment finance, and working capital loans combined with government grants or incentives. Typical loan sizes and terms vary with project scale: many business sustainability projects start around £10,000 and can run into hundreds of thousands depending on the technology and scope. Timelines from enquiry to funds depend on complexity — some straightforward asset finance or leasing deals can be arranged in days, larger secured facilities take longer.
For more detail on the different green funding options and project-specific guidance, see our page on sustainability loans.
How we help — matching you to lenders & brokers
Our role is to save you time and surface lenders or brokers that already work with sustainability projects similar to yours. The process is straightforward:
- Complete a short enquiry — basic business details, loan amount, project type and contact info (takes under 2 minutes).
- We match — your enquiry is routed to a small number of finance partners who specialise in the type of green project you describe (solar, EV charging, heat pumps, etc.).
- Partners respond — lenders or brokers contact you with an initial eligibility view or quote, usually by phone or email within hours to a couple of days.
- Compare and decide — you review offers, ask questions and instruct the lender/broker you prefer to progress with formal checks and documentation.
We match by lender specialism, typical credit profile, loan size and security preferences so you see relevant options quickly. We only share your details with approved partners who are likely to be able to help; you can opt out at any time. Remember: completing the enquiry is not an application and does not commit you to proceed. To begin, Get Quote Now for a free eligibility check.
Are we a lender? — detailed legal & practical explanation
No. UK Business Loans is an introducer. It helps to clarify what that means in practice and how it differs from a lender or a broker:
- Lender: provides the funds, underwrites the risk, issues the contract and collects repayments.
- Broker: assesses your needs, may give regulated or unregulated advice (depending on the product), prepares applications and negotiates with lenders on your behalf; brokers often have direct relationships that speed approval.
- Introducer (UK Business Loans): collects basic enquiry information and passes qualified leads to lenders and brokers. We do not underwrite debt, set rates, or sign loan agreements. When you are introduced, any offer you receive will come directly from the lender or broker who will provide the full terms and contract.
How we are paid: our revenue comes from partners who pay to receive qualified introductions. That payment happens only when an enquiry is completed and passed on — you do not pay us. Because of that model, we focus on making good matches that are useful for both your business and our partners. If you prefer, ask the lender or broker who contacts you for details of any fees, APR or commissions before accepting an offer.
Compliance and clarity: we aim to make all information clear, fair and not misleading. The enquiry is for matching only — it is not a formal loan application and does not trigger credit searches unless you progress with a lender/broker who performs those checks. If you need regulated financial advice for a regulated product, ask the broker or lender you speak to whether they are authorised to provide that advice.
To start matching with specialists for your project, Free Eligibility Check.
What this means for your sustainability project
Benefits of using an introducer like UK Business Loans:
- Faster shortlist of specialist lenders and brokers who already work with similar green projects.
- Free service to explore options and receive multiple quotes without searching individually.
- No obligation — you choose whether to engage with anyone who contacts you.
What to expect after you submit an enquiry:
- Lenders/brokers may request documents (project quotes, EPCs, accounts, bank statements).
- Initial offers may be indicative — full terms come after formal checks and documentation.
- Credit checks are typically only performed by lenders or brokers if you agree to proceed.
Risks and safeguards:
- Always check the identity and credentials of any firm contacting you and ask for a written quote showing APR, fees and security requirements.
- If you require regulated advice, confirm the adviser’s status before relying on their recommendation.
- Keep copies of all paperwork and read terms carefully before signing.
If you want a quick market view of likely options for your project, Get Started — Get Quote Now.
Who qualifies — typical eligibility & documents
Eligibility varies by lender, but typical factors for sustainability finance include:
- Company trading history and structure (limited companies and SMEs with trading records are commonly supported).
- Turnover and profitability — lenders assess the ability to service debt.
- Credit profile for the business and its directors.
- Project specifics — installer quotes, expected energy savings, warranties, and technical specifications.
- Security or collateral where required for larger or secured facilities.
Common documents lenders ask for:
- Recent business bank statements (3–12 months).
- Management accounts or company accounts and VAT returns.
- Director ID (passport/driving licence) and proof of address.
- Supplier/installer quotes and any EPCs or technical reports supporting energy savings assumptions.
- Information on existing debt and any security over business assets.
Tip: preparing a short project summary (cost, installation timetable, expected savings, installer name) will speed up meaningful quotes from lenders and brokers. When you’re ready, Get Quote Now and we’ll match your enquiry to the right finance partners.
Frequently asked questions
- Is UK Business Loans a lender?
- No. We are an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers for sustainability loans — we do not provide funds or loan contracts.
- Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
- No. Your initial enquiry does not affect your credit rating. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks only if you agree to proceed with a specific product.
- Do you charge businesses to use the service?
- No. It is free for businesses to complete the enquiry and receive introductions.
- Who pays UK Business Loans?
- Our partners pay for the introductions we provide. You will not be charged by UK Business Loans for the match-making service.
- How quickly will lenders contact me?
- Often within a few hours during business days; more complex requests may take 24–48 hours to route to the right specialist.
- Can I get finance for solar, EV chargers or heat pumps?
- Yes — our partners commonly provide finance for those project types. Provide project details in the form so we can match you appropriately.
- What documents will lenders ask for?
- Typical requests include bank statements, accounts, installer quotes, EPCs and ID for directors — see the eligibility section above for details.
- How do you make money?
- We receive payment from finance partners for qualified introductions when an enquiry is passed. You never pay us directly for the match-making service.
Ready to get a fast quote for your sustainability project?
If you’re planning a solar install, EV charging rollout, heat pump upgrade or other energy-saving project, we can quickly connect you with lenders and brokers who specialise in green finance. Completing the short enquiry takes less than two minutes and does not obligate you to proceed — it simply helps us find the best partners for your needs.
Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now
Privacy reassurance: we only share your details with approved finance partners relevant to your enquiry and never sell your data. By submitting an enquiry you agree we may contact you to discuss your options — the enquiry is not a loan application.
1. Are you a lender or an introducer?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches businesses seeking sustainability loans or green business finance with brokers and lenders but does not provide funds or issue loan contracts.
2. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No — completing our short enquiry and free eligibility check does not affect your credit rating; lenders or brokers may perform credit checks only if you choose to proceed.
3. Is the service free for businesses?
Yes — UK Business Loans is free for businesses to use; our revenue comes from finance partners who pay for qualified introductions.
4. How quickly will lenders or brokers contact me?
Typically you’ll hear from suitable lenders or brokers within a few hours to 24–48 hours depending on request complexity and specialist matching.
5. What sustainability projects can I get finance for?
Our partners commonly provide finance for solar PV, EV charging and fleet electrification, heat pumps, battery storage, LED lighting and low‑carbon building retrofits.
6. How much can I borrow for a green business project?
Loan sizes vary by lender and project but many sustainability projects start around £10,000 and can scale into hundreds of thousands or more for larger commercial installations.
7. What documents will lenders typically require?
Lenders usually ask for business bank statements, management or company accounts, director ID and proof of address, installer/supplier quotes, EPCs or technical reports and details of existing debt or security.
8. Can start‑ups or companies with bad credit get sustainability finance?
Yes — some lenders and brokers specialise in start‑ups or businesses with imperfect credit histories, but eligibility and terms depend on the lender’s criteria and your project specifics.
9. Who pays UK Business Loans and do I owe any commission?
Our partners pay for introductions when an enquiry is passed, so you do not pay UK Business Loans any fees or commissions for the matchmaking service.
10. Do you provide regulated financial advice and how do I get it?
We do not provide regulated advice — if you need regulated guidance, ask the broker or lender who contacts you whether they are FCA‑authorised before relying on their recommendation.
