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of those who completed the journey on money.co.uk are eligible for funding*. Find a loan
Eligibility is determined by a mix of factors, including your company's credit rating, turnover, and trading history.
Use our eligibility checker to see how likely you are to be approved, with no impact on your credit score.
You can borrow between £500 and £15,000,000, depending on your credit history, business finances and type of loan you need.
Compare secured and unsecured business loans from our trusted UK providers to find the best option for you.
You can apply for a loan in a few minutes, while approval decisions can be instant with online banks or up to three weeks with high-street lenders.
You'll receive the funds between 48 hours and five days after approval.
A business loan means you can borrow a specific sum of money and pay it back, with interest, over a defined period of time.
The loan must be used for business purposes, which include:
Starting/expanding your company
Paying for stock
Hiring employees
Investing in equipment
You can also use the funds to help manage your business cash flow.
Search over 150 trusted UK lenders and explore a wide range of business loans from £500 to £15,000,000.
Tell us what you’re looking for and see options that match your business needs, with no impact on your credit score.
Compare rates, fees and terms upfront, so you can apply for the loan that ticks all your boxes with confidence.
We work with partners who can approve your business loan in as little as 24 hours, so you can quickly access your funding.
The government-backed Start Up Loan scheme aims to help small businesses in the early stages of their journey with a loan of between £500 and £25,000.
To apply, you'll need to live in the UK, be over 18, and either have a UK-based business or plan to start one. The loan term is 1-5 years at a fixed interest rate of 7.5%, and your company must have been trading for less than 60 months.
As part of the scheme, the government offers 12 months of free mentoring to help your business too. There are also no application fees or early repayment costs.
You can find out if your business is eligible for the Start Up Loan before you apply.
A secured business loan means you need to provide assets as security to cover the amount being borrowed. Assets can include property or company shares.
A startup loan works in the same way as a business loan but is specifically for funding a new business or one that has been trading for less than 36 months.
Business vehicle finance helps you borrow money to purchase new vehicles for your company, turning what would be an up-front cost into a monthly cost.
Invoice finance helps your business maintain a healthy cash flow, allowing you to access money which is owed by your customers without waiting for the payment to arrive.
Asset financing allows your business to purchase, or hire, assets such as equipment, vehicles, or machinery. You pay for the asset through instalments without investing large amounts of cash up front. The finance your borrow is often secured against the asset itself.
A loan of this type makes it possible for your business to borrow money without having to offer any assets (including real estate) as security.
A secured business loan means you need to provide assets as security to cover the amount being borrowed. Assets can include property or company shares.
A startup loan works in the same way as a business loan but is specifically for funding a new business or one that has been trading for less than 36 months.
Business vehicle finance helps you borrow money to purchase new vehicles for your company, turning what would be an up-front cost into a monthly cost.
Invoice finance helps your business maintain a healthy cash flow, allowing you to access money which is owed by your customers without waiting for the payment to arrive.
Asset financing allows your business to purchase, or hire, assets such as equipment, vehicles, or machinery. You pay for the asset through instalments without investing large amounts of cash up front. The finance your borrow is often secured against the asset itself.
A loan of this type makes it possible for your business to borrow money without having to offer any assets (including real estate) as security.
Before getting a business loan, it's important to understand how much it will the total cost will be, including the interest you'll pay.
The amount your business can borrow will depend on a range of factors, including:
Your business credit history
Business turnover
Length of loan
For smaller businesses, lenders will typically offer loans worth up to £500,000.
Larger businesses with higher turnover are generally more likely to be accepted for loans over £1 million, but this varies depending on the lender and the business’s eligibility.
Below are three examples² of how much business loans could cost with different terms and rates:
| Loan amount | APR | Loan term | Monthly repayment | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | 8% | 5 years | £506.91 | £30,414.59 |
| £25,000 | 10% | 5 years | £531.18 | £31,870.57 |
| £75,000 | 12% | 5 years | £1,668.33 | £100,100.01 |
Lenders will consider a range of factors when deciding whether to accept your business loan application.
To give your company the best chance of securing funding for things like equipment, business growth, or managing cash flow, it’s important to keep your finances well-organised.
Lenders want to be confident that your business can repay any money it borrows, so you need to demonstrate that your company is in a strong financial position.
This means you need to have:
Up-to-date accounts
A healthy bank account history
A clear plan for how your business will use the funds
You also need to show that your company generates enough income to cover the loan repayments. Typically, lenders look for a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of at least 1.25 — meaning your income is at least 25% higher than your company’s debt obligations.
For more information on how to make sure your business has everything sorted, read our expert guide on how to get loan-ready.
Whether you need a business account for a business loan depends on the lender and the type of loan. Some banks may require you to have a business current account with them before they approve your loan application. However, certain loan programs, such as the government-backed Start Up Loan, may allow the loan to be deposited directly into your personal bank account instead. Always check the specific requirements of your lender to understand their policy on business accounts.
No, you don't need to be the owner of a company to get a loan. Registered company directors can apply for most business loans.
Yes, small businesses can get loans, but you may be offered different ones depending on your firm's size and revenue. For instance, only businesses that are less than three years old can get a government Start Up Loan.
Yes, your business does have a credit record and it may affect whether or not your loan application will be accepted. You can find the credit score for your business through credit referencing agencies such as Experian.
At the start of 2026, many forecasts expected the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to lower the Bank of England base rate, which has stood at 3.75% since December 2025.
However, the outlook has shifted. Financial markets are now pricing in the possibility of multiple rate rises during 2026, driven by renewed concerns about inflation, particularly linked to energy costs.
Higher base rates typically lead to increased borrowing costs for businesses. That said, lenders set their own criteria and pricing, so any changes will depend on how financial providers respond to future rate decisions.
The next BoE interest rate decision is due on Thursday April 30 2026, and you can track updates on the Bank of England's explainer page.
The length of time to be approved for a business loan depends on the provider, the checks they carry out, the information they need to see and how quickly you're able to provide it. It also depends on the type of loan. For example, secured loans can have longer approval times.
Yes, it is possible to get a business loan with bad credit, but it can be more challenging. Lenders typically look at your business’s financial health, cash flow, and overall stability, rather than just your personal credit score. However, you may face higher interest rates or stricter terms if you have bad credit.
It depends on the type of loan. Some UK business loans are secured, meaning you pledge assets like property, equipment, or inventory as collateral. Secured loans often offer lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits.
Other loans are unsecured. So, while no collateral is required, they may come with higher interest rates or stricter eligibility criteria.
The loan that's right for your business will depend on your financial situation, the amount you need to borrow, and how comfortable you are putting assets at risk.
Not always. Many business loans are flexible and can be used for a wide range of purposes, such as managing cash flow, purchasing equipment, hiring staff, or funding growth. However, some products come with conditions on how the funds can be used.
For example, equipment financing must be used specifically to buy equipment, commercial mortgages are limited to purchasing or refinancing property, and invoice financing is tied to the value of your unpaid invoices. Government-backed loans or grants may also require spending in approved areas, such as sustainability, training, or innovation.
Lenders will not allow loan funds to be used for illegal activities, and doing so could have serious legal consequences. Funds also should not be used for personal spending or high-risk investments. Before applying, it’s important to check the loan terms and conditions or speak to the lender to confirm what is and isn’t allowed. Misusing funds could lead to penalties or early repayment requirements.
Yes, you can, but your options may be more limited. Lenders will look at factors beyond profits, such as your personal credit history, projected cash flow, and the strength of your business plan. Some loans may require collateral or a guarantor to secure funding, while unsecured loans will place more emphasis on your creditworthiness and available funds. Having a solid plan and clear projections can improve your chances of approval.
Yes, you can usually repay a business loan early, but some lenders charge early repayment fees.
Many business loans allow early settlement in full or via overpayments to reduce your balance, which can help you save on interest. However, some providers apply early repayment charges (ERCs) or exit fees to cover lost interest, especially on fixed-term or fixed-rate loans.
Before repaying early, check your loan agreement for fees, notice periods, or overpayment limits to make sure it’s cost-effective.
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*Based on average eligibility data from trackable providers (01/05/25-31/12/25). Accurate as of 14/01/26.
