UK business loans for SMEs, working capital and growth.
Explore fixed-term business funding from £25,000 to £5,000,000 for equipment, stock, hiring, refurbishment and expansion. Compare eligibility, repayment structure and the information needed before making an enquiry.
Quick estimate
See an indicative repayment
Indicative monthly repayment
£4,500 to £5,625
Illustration only, based on a range of typical total costs. Actual pricing depends on trading history, sector, term, amount and credit profile, and differs between providers.
A UK business loan can provide a lump sum for a defined commercial purpose, from working capital and equipment to a refit, hire, acquisition or expansion project.
A fixed-term facility normally provides a lump sum followed by scheduled repayments over an agreed period. The exact rate, payment frequency, security and total repayable depend on the written offer. Review and completion times depend on the file, verification and any conditions.
Best suited for
- Expansion, refurbishment or fit-outs
- Asset purchase or strategic stock investment
- Hiring, marketing or M&A activity
- Refinancing existing, more expensive debt
How it works
Tell us the basics
Share the amount, intended use and a few details about the business through a short initial enquiry.
We structure the offer
A real underwriter reviews your file and we present terms you can compare like-for-like.
Review and decide
Read the written terms, including cost, security and repayment, before deciding whether to proceed.
Eligibility at a glance
A short list of the information commonly considered. Eligibility and available terms depend on the individual business and facility.
- UK-registered limited company or LLP
- Trading for at least 6 months
- Minimum £10,000 monthly turnover
- A UK business bank account
- Director ID and 3–6 months of bank statements
- No active formal insolvency proceedings
Careful with your data, clear about your terms.
Commercial lending sits outside the FCA perimeter, so the protections of a regulated agreement do not apply. We set out how we work so you can judge it for yourself.
Your data is used to assess your enquiry, never sold or passed on for third party marketing.
Every page and every submission is served over TLS.
Where used, access is read only through FCA authorised providers and can be revoked at any time.
Finance for UK registered businesses and business purposes, not consumer credit.
The initial form is an enquiry. If a credit search is needed later, its type and impact will be explained first.
Total repayable, term, fees and any security stated in writing before you sign.
What a UK business loan is, in plain terms
A business loan is an agreement between a UK limited company (or LLP) and a lender to receive a fixed sum today and repay it over a defined term at a fixed interest rate. The rate is set at the point of offer, so the total cost of capital is known before you sign and the monthly repayment does not move with base rate.
That predictability is the point. Fixed-term lending is what most owners default to when the use of funds is planned, a fit-out, a hire, a stock build for a known season, an acquisition, because monthly cash flow can be modelled against a known outflow.
What can affect UK business loan rates
Business loan rates are not set by turnover alone. A provider may consider trading history, recent cash flow, sector, the amount and term requested, existing commitments, security and the credit standing of the business and its directors.
Recent business bank statements help explain revenue, regular costs, existing repayments and cash-flow pressure. Filed accounts, management information or further documents may also be requested, depending on the business and facility.
The written offer should show the rate, fees, repayment schedule and total repayable. Compare total cost alongside the monthly cash-flow impact rather than relying on one headline number.
How to prepare for a business loan quote
Set out the amount required, the commercial purpose and the expected benefit to the business. Prepare recent bank statements, current borrowing details, filed accounts where available and a realistic view of how the repayment fits alongside tax, payroll and other commitments.
A quote is easier to compare when the term, payment frequency, fees, security, personal guarantee requirements, early-settlement position and total repayable are all clear. Do not compare offers using the headline rate alone.
When a fixed-term business loan may fit
A fixed-term loan can suit a planned cost with a measurable business purpose, such as equipment, stock, refurbishment, recruitment or expansion. The repayment should remain workable if revenue is lower than forecast.
Where income changes materially by season or tracks card sales, a revenue based facility or merchant cash advance may offer a different repayment shape. The right comparison depends on total cost, payment profile, security and how the business receives revenue.
How business loans compare to alternative UK products
| Feature | Business loan | MCA | Revenue based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repayment shape | Fixed monthly | % of card sales | % of monthly revenue |
| Term shown on this site | 3–24 months | Varies by offer | Varies by offer |
| Amount range | £25k – £5M | £5k – £300k | £25k – £5M |
| Funding timing | File dependent | File dependent | File dependent |
| Security | Depends on offer | Depends on offer | Depends on offer |
| Often considered for | Planned investment | Businesses with card sales | Businesses with measurable revenue |
Illustrative repayment example
- Amount borrowed
- £100,000
- Term
- 18 months
- Example annual rate
- 14.9%
- Monthly repayment
- £6,246
- Total repayable
- £112,432
- Total cost of credit
- £12,432
Illustrative only. Your rate depends on trading history, sector, term, amount and credit profile. See our /business-loan-calculator for interactive figures.
Explore by structure
Types of business finance
Different funding structures suit different assets, revenue patterns and repayment preferences. Compare the practical differences before making an enquiry.
Merchant cash advance
A structure linked to card sales for eligible card-taking businesses.
Explore option →Revenue based financing
Repayments linked to agreed revenue measures rather than a fixed monthly amount.
Explore option →Unsecured short term loans
Shorter-term funding without security over a specified business asset.
Explore option →Secured business loans
Funding supported by an eligible asset or other agreed security.
Explore option →Asset finance
Funding structured around equipment, machinery or vehicles used by the business.
Explore option →Invoice finance
Working capital linked to eligible unpaid customer invoices.
Explore option →VAT and tax funding
A way to spread an eligible tax liability while preserving working capital.
Explore option →Bridging loans
Short-term property-backed funding for time-sensitive commercial situations.
Explore option →Explore by need
What do you need funding for?
Bridge a cash flow gap
Cover a quiet month or a slow paying customer.
See options →Pay a VAT or tax bill
Spread a large HMRC bill over a set term.
See options →Buy stock or equipment
Spread the cost of a known purchase.
See options →Card takings business
Repayments that follow your card sales.
See options →Grow online revenue
Funding linked to monthly revenue.
See options →Expand or hire
Fixed monthly repayments over a set term.
See options →Frequently asked
How are UK business loan rates calculated?
Pricing can reflect trading history, recent cash flow, sector, amount, term, existing commitments and the credit profile of the business and its directors. The written offer should set out the repayment schedule, fees and total amount repayable.
Are there early-repayment fees?
Early settlement terms vary by facility. Any fees or reductions are shown clearly in the written offer before you sign.
Will a personal guarantee be required?
It depends on the amount and your business's trading profile. For larger facilities a director's guarantee is common. We'll be clear about this before you sign.
What can a business loan be used for?
Common uses include working capital, equipment, stock, refurbishment, recruitment, marketing, expansion and refinancing. The proposed use is considered as part of the review.
What documents are needed for a business loan application?
A review commonly starts with recent business bank statements, filed accounts where available, director identification, company details, current borrowing and a clear explanation of how the funds will be used. Requirements vary by facility.
Can an established business apply for an SME business loan?
Yes. An established UK business can make an enquiry for working capital or planned investment. Its trading history, cash flow, existing commitments and funding purpose help determine which options may be suitable.
What is the difference between secured and unsecured business loans?
A secured loan is supported by an identified asset or charge. An unsecured loan does not take security over a specific asset, although a personal guarantee or other security may still be requested. Terms and risks differ, so compare the written offer carefully.
Related guides
Authoritative UK references
Independent sources cited on this page.
- FCA, Register of authorised firms Financial Conduct Authority
- Bank of England, Bank Rate Bank of England
- British Business Bank, SME finance British Business Bank
- Companies House, File company accounts GOV.UK
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