Equipment finance — are our partner brokers & lenders UK‑based and FCA‑compliant?

Short answer: Yes — we prioritise UK‑based lenders and brokers and only work with partners who meet our strict vetting standards. Where FCA authorisation is required for a firm’s activity (for example, arranging regulated consumer or certain small business credit), we ensure partners hold the appropriate FCA permissions or make their regulatory status clear before sharing your details. Want a quick check? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (No obligation • Free • Takes 2 minutes • Won’t affect credit score).

Quick answer (summary)

We connect businesses seeking equipment finance (typically from £10,000 and up) to UK‑based lenders and brokers who pass our checks. Where FCA authorisation applies to the service offered, partners have the relevant FCA permissions — and if a partner falls outside FCA scope (commercial‑only funders), we still require robust checks on governance, transparency and complaints handling. Start your Free Eligibility Check: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

Why FCA status & UK location matter for equipment finance

When you arrange finance for expensive equipment, you want clarity and a route to remedy if something goes wrong. Here’s why these two factors matter:

• FCA authorisation: firms authorised for regulated activities must follow conduct rules, clear financial promotion standards and have an official complaints process. That gives you consumer protections and, where relevant, access to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
• UK location: UK‑based lenders understand local tax, VAT treatment, hire‑purchase law and repossession rules. That makes contract terms practical and enforceable within the UK legal framework.

What this means for you: greater transparency on fees, clearer contracts and a defined complaints route if things go wrong.

Are the brokers and lenders we partner with UK‑based?

Yes — the majority of partners we work with are UK‑based companies (including UK branches of international groups). If a partner operates from outside the UK, we ensure a UK authorised entity or branch handles UK business and contracts are governed by UK law where appropriate. We will always tell you where a lender or broker is based before sharing your information.

Types of partners we work with

Our panel includes a range of suppliers to meet diverse equipment finance needs:

• High‑street and challenger banks offering commercial term loans and asset-backed lending.
• Specialist equipment finance companies that provide leasing, hire purchase and asset refinance.
• Independent commercial brokers who search multiple funders and package deals for you.
• Vendor and OEM finance arms (manufacturer finance). These often provide tailored packages for buyers of specific equipment — we disclose the nature and regulatory status of these firms before introduction.

Are they FCA‑regulated and what that means

FCA regulation applies to firms conducting certain regulated activities (for example, arranging regulated credit, consumer credit activities and some advice). For business‑only lending, large commercial funders sometimes operate outside FCA regulation because the activity falls entirely into commercial contract law rather than consumer credit rules.

Here’s how we approach it:

• Where FCA authorisation is required: we only introduce firms that hold the necessary FCA permissions and appear on the FCA Register for those activities.
• Where FCA does not apply (commercial-only lending): we still require a rigorous set of non‑regulatory checks (UK presence, solvency, clear T&Cs, complaints process) and make their regulatory status clear to you in advance.

What “FCA‑regulated” covers for brokers vs lenders

• Brokers: firms arranging regulated credit (including hire‑purchase or consumer‑style arrangements where the firm’s activities fall under FCA rules) must be authorised and are bound by FCA conduct, disclosure and record‑keeping rules.
• Lenders/funders: many lenders who deal with small businesses are FCA‑authorised for relevant permissions; some specialist commercial lessors that only lend to limited companies may operate outside FCA consumer credit scope — but still follow commercial law and industry best practice.

How UK Business Loans vets partners (our due diligence)

We don’t list everyone — only approved partners who pass our checks. Before we introduce a broker or lender we carry out detailed onboarding and ongoing review.

Our vetting checklist includes:

• Confirm UK incorporation or a UK trading branch (Companies House records).
• Verify FCA registration and permissions (where required) and record the FCA registration number.
• Check for adverse regulatory or disciplinary history via the FCA and public records.
• Assess financial standing, trading history and sector experience in equipment finance.
• Review terms & conditions, representative APR examples, fees and transparency of promotions.
• Confirm complaints handling procedures and whether the Financial Ombudsman Service would be available where relevant.
• Confirm appropriate insurance and professional indemnity cover where applicable.
• Review AML/KYC processes and GDPR data handling standards.
• Periodic re‑audit, mystery shopping and ongoing monitoring of promotional material for compliance with FCA/advertising rules.

Important: If a firm should be FCA‑regulated for an activity and is not, we will not work with them.

Talk to a specialist — Start your enquiry or Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

How you can verify a partner’s FCA status (step‑by‑step)

1. Ask the firm for their exact legal name and FCA registration number.
2. Search the FCA Register: https://register.fca.org.uk. Look for matching name, reference number and current permissions.
3. Check the permissions listed — they should match the activity being offered (eg “consumer credit”, “arranging regulated credit”).
4. Ask for written confirmation of representative APRs, fees and the complaints process. If they say the Financial Ombudsman Service does not apply, ask why — and request this in writing.

Sample question to a broker/lender: “Please confirm your FCA registration number and whether you are authorised to arrange hire‑purchase or other regulated credit for UK businesses.” If in doubt, send the firm’s details to us and we’ll confirm their status before we pass your enquiry on.

How our equipment finance matching works

Here’s how we help you find an equipment finance partner — simple and transparent:

1. You complete a short enquiry form (about 2 minutes) — Start your Free Eligibility Check.
2. We match you with up to 3 best‑fit UK partners from our vetted panel.
3. Partners contact you directly with quotes and terms (typically within hours on business days).
4. You choose which deal to progress. Brokers or lenders then take over and complete any credit checks and final negotiations.

We act as an introducer — not a lender and not authorised by the FCA to provide regulated advice. We simply match you with suitable lenders or brokers so they can provide formal quotes and contractual terms.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (No obligation • Free • Won’t affect credit score).

What to expect after you submit a Free Eligibility Check

Typical timeline and next steps:

• Initial response: usually within a few hours during business hours.
• Documents commonly requested: company registration number, recent accounts, VAT details, details of the equipment (make/model/cost), and a brief cashflow overview.
• Credit checks: your initial enquiry doesn’t affect your credit score. Lenders may perform soft or hard searches later if you proceed.
• Offers & negotiation: quotes usually include term, repayment schedule, fees and any deposit requirements; you negotiate directly with the lender/broker.

Fees, charges and who pays what

Our service is free to businesses — we generate revenue when you complete the enquiry form and a partner engages. Brokers or lenders may charge arrangement fees, commission or have different pricing models. We require partners to disclose all fees up front so you can compare total cost of funding.

Data protection, privacy & compliance

We handle your personal and business data securely and only share it with approved partners to obtain quotes. We store data in line with GDPR, keep processing logs and only use your details for the purpose of matching you with finance providers. You can read our full Privacy Policy via the site footer (or ask us for a copy).

We also ensure promotional content is clear, fair and not misleading to meet FCA guidance and Google advertising policies. Reminder: We are an introducer — not a lender and not authorised by the FCA to provide regulated advice.

Quick FAQs

Are all your partners on the FCA Register?

We work with FCA‑authorised firms where FCA authorisation is required for the activity offered. For commercial‑only funders that fall outside FCA scope, we apply alternative checks on governance, transparency and complaints handling and will make their regulatory status clear before an introduction.

Will an enquiry affect our credit score?

No. Completing our short enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit searches later if you choose to proceed with an application.

Our Business Finance Matching Process

Step 1

Complete Your Details

It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.

Step 2

We Match Your Business

With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.

Step 3

You Get Free Quote + Advice

You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.

It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.

Do you charge businesses for matching?

No. Our matching service is free to businesses. Any borrower fees or lender arrangement fees will be disclosed by the partner before you commit.

How quickly can I get equipment finance quotes?

Often within hours on business days. Complex cases may take longer if additional documentation is required.

Do you support leasing, hire purchase and refinance?

Yes. Our partners provide leasing, hire‑purchase, asset refinance and other specialist equipment finance products. If you want specific OEM or vendor options, tell us in the enquiry and we’ll match you accordingly.

Can I choose which partners receive my enquiry?

Yes. You control who receives your details. If you prefer to limit introductions, tell us in the form or contact our team directly.

Closing — next steps & trust signals

Ready to see live quotes from UK equipment finance specialists? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with the best lenders and brokers for your project. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (No obligation • Free • Takes 2 minutes).

Disclaimer: We are an introducer — not a lender and not authorised by the FCA to provide regulated advice. We introduce you to lenders and brokers who will provide quotes and, where appropriate, are FCA‑regulated. Check any firm’s status on the FCA Register before proceeding.

For example, if you are specifically looking for equipment financing options like leasing or hire purchase, see our equipment finance resource for more product detail: equipment finance.

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1. Are your equipment finance partners FCA‑regulated and UK‑based? — Yes; where FCA authorisation is required we only introduce firms on the FCA Register, and the majority of our partners are UK‑based or operate via a UK branch with UK‑governed contracts.

2. Will submitting a Free Eligibility Check affect our business credit score? — No; completing our short enquiry does not affect your credit score, although lenders may carry out soft or hard searches later if you choose to proceed.

3. Do you lend money directly or provide regulated financial advice? — No; we act only as an introducer that matches you with trusted brokers and lenders and we are not authorised by the FCA to give regulated advice or to lend.

4. How quickly can I get equipment finance or business loan quotes? — Often within hours on business days for standard cases, with more complex enquiries taking longer if additional documentation is required.

5. What types of equipment finance and business loans can you help me find? — We connect you to partners offering leasing, hire‑purchase, asset refinance, commercial term loans, vehicle and vendor/OEM finance and a wide range of business loan products.

6. Is the matching service free and who pays arrangement or broker fees? — Yes, our service is free to businesses; any arrangement fees or lender charges are set by the lender or broker and must be disclosed to you before you commit.

7. How do I verify a lender or broker’s FCA status myself? — Ask for the firm’s legal name and FCA registration number and check the details and permissions on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk to ensure they match the activity offered.

8. Can start‑ups or businesses with imperfect credit get equipment finance through your service? — Yes, many of our partner lenders and brokers specialise in start‑ups and non‑prime cases and can match you to suitable options based on your profile.

9. What information and documents will lenders typically request after my enquiry? — Lenders commonly ask for your company registration number, recent accounts, VAT details, equipment specs and a brief cashflow overview to produce accurate quotes.

10. How do you handle my personal and business data when I submit an enquiry? — We process and store data securely in line with GDPR, only share your details with approved partners relevant to your enquiry, and retain processing logs for compliance.