Business loans without the bank runaround.
Tell us what you need it for and we'll match you with one specialist who finds the right lender for businesses like yours. No business plan, no forecasts, no hard credit check to start.
- Unsecured and secured options
- Already turned down by your bank? You may still have options
- Free to use, no obligation
Good business. Wrong timing.
A loan can spread a big tax or VAT bill so it doesn’t empty your account in one go.
Specialist lenders look at how you trade now. A no from your bank isn’t a no from everyone.
A lump sum with fixed repayments, so you can plan growth properly.
What is a business loan?
A lender pays your company a lump sum, and you repay it with interest in regular instalments over an agreed term, usually one to five years for unsecured loans.
Businesses use them for one-off needs: hiring, stock, equipment, a refurbishment, a tax bill, buying a competitor, or replacing more expensive borrowing. If your cash gap comes from customers paying slowly, invoice finance may suit you better, because it grows with your sales and has no fixed repayments.
Unsecured
No property or asset pledged. Quicker and simpler, but costs more, and a director usually gives a personal guarantee.
Secured
Backed by property or other assets. Larger amounts at lower rates, but slower to arrange, and the asset is at risk if you can't repay.
What could the repayments look like?
Move the sliders to see how amount, term and rate change your monthly repayment.
Illustration only, not a quote. Assumes a fixed rate with equal monthly repayments and excludes arrangement fees. Your real rate depends on your business and the lender.
See what I could actually getTypes of business funding
Term loan
A lump sum repaid in fixed monthly instalments, usually over one to five years unsecured. Best for one-off costs.
Revolving credit
A limit you draw from, repay and draw again, paying interest only on what you use. Good for ups and downs in cash flow.
Merchant cash advance
Repaid as a share of your card takings, so a quiet month means a smaller repayment. Suits retail and hospitality, but often costs more.
Tax and VAT loans
Spread a corporation tax or VAT bill over a few months instead of paying it in one go.
Secured and property-backed loans
Larger amounts at lower rates, using property or assets as security. Slower to arrange.
Invoice finance
If you invoice other businesses, borrow against unpaid invoices instead, with no fixed repayments.
Secured vs unsecured at a glance
| Unsecured | Secured | |
|---|---|---|
| Security needed | None, but usually a director’s personal guarantee | Property, equipment or other assets |
| Typical size | From around £10k up to several hundred thousand | Can go well into the millions |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Speed | Days | Weeks |
| Paperwork | Lighter: accounts and bank statements | Heavier: valuations and legal work |
| If you can’t repay | The lender can call on the personal guarantee | The secured asset is at risk |
| Often suits | Speed, or no assets to offer | Larger needs from established businesses |
A rough guide only. Every lender sets its own terms.
Will lenders say yes?
Every lender is different, but this is what most look at.
A UK limited company or LLP
We only work with limited companies and LLPs, not sole traders or partnerships.
Trading history
Most lenders want at least 6 to 12 months of trading. Some go lower for smaller loans.
Turnover and affordability
Loan size is usually linked to your turnover and whether the repayments fit your cash flow.
Credit history
Recent missed payments or County Court Judgments make it harder, though not always impossible.
A director guarantee
Most unsecured loans need one. Know what you’re signing.
Already declined?
A bank decline is common. Specialist lenders often look at things differently.
What a business loan costs
Compare offers on what you actually receive and what you'll pay back in total.
Interest
The main cost. Usually fixed for the term on unsecured loans. Lower for secured loans and established businesses.
Arrangement fee
Many lenders charge a one-off fee, often taken from the loan, so you receive less than you borrow.
Early repayment
Some lenders charge to settle early. Others don’t. Worth knowing if you might repay sooner.
Questions to ask any lender
- How much will actually land in my account after fees?
- What is the total amount I’ll repay, in pounds?
- Can the monthly repayment sit comfortably alongside wages, tax and suppliers?
- What does it cost to repay early? Can I see a settlement example?
- Is a personal guarantee needed, and can it be capped?
The honest pros and cons
What works well
- Fixed repayments you can plan around
- Use it for almost any business purpose
- Unsecured loans can be quick
- Secured options for larger amounts at lower rates
- Repaying on time builds your business credit record
What to watch
- Repayments are due whether sales come in or not
- Unsecured loans usually need a personal guarantee
- Secured loans put the asset at risk
- Newer businesses pay higher rates
- Merchant cash advances can cost more overall
What you'll need
Nothing to send to start. For the specialist's call, it helps to have:
Your borrowing need
How much, what for, how long you’d like to repay over, and any assets you could offer as security.
Your business
Companies House number, annual turnover, the last six months of bank statements, and your latest accounts or management accounts.
Your directors
Names, home addresses and dates of birth, which lenders need for their checks if you go ahead.
What happens after you enquire
Two minutes online
A few questions. We find your company on Companies House as you type.
A text from us
Straight away, with the name of the specialist who'll call you.
A short call
Usually within a working day. About 15 minutes on how your business trades.
Options in plain English
What is available, the full cost in pounds, and what they would need.
You decide
No obligation. Saying "not right now" is fine.
How it can look in practice
Illustrations of common situations, not real customers.
A £45k VAT bill
A wholesaler has a quarterly VAT bill that would empty the account the week stock needs reordering. A short-term loan spreads it over six months.
Hiring ahead of a contract
An IT services firm wins a contract that needs four new engineers before the first invoice. A three-year unsecured loan covers six months of salaries.
Replacing expensive borrowing
A restaurant group has two merchant cash advances eating into takings. A single term loan with fixed monthly repayments replaces both.
Business loan questions
It depends mainly on your turnover, profit, how long you have traded and whether you can offer security. Lenders look at whether the monthly repayment is affordable from your cash flow, and that sets the real limit.
Business loans for your industry
What lenders look at, and what businesses like yours use funding for.
Other ways to fund your business
Invoice finance
Release cash from unpaid invoices, with no fixed repayments.
Asset finance (coming soon)
Spread the cost of vehicles, plant and equipment.
Merchant cash advance (coming soon)
Repay from card takings, so quiet months cost less.
Find out what your business could borrow.
Two minutes. Free. No hard credit check. One specialist, not ten calls.