Nationwide Finance has been helping businesses for over 20 years, approving over £3 billion in startup loans.
Get a free instant decision with no impact on your credit score.
Loans available from £6,000 to £10 million.
Receive funds in as little as 24 hours.
Alternative loan providers
As a sole trader, accessing funding can sometimes feel like a challenge. With its flexible eligibility criteria and secured finance options, Nationwide Finance helps over 50,000 clients per year secure the funds they need.
Loans must be repaid with interest, so it’s crucial to ensure affordability before committing.
Check your business credit report with Experian powered by Capitalise and get a clear picture of your credit status.
Free business credit report with no impact on your credit score.
View your credit file and spot any errors.
Free funding eligibility check to see your access to better deals.
Credit reporting
Your business credit report plays a crucial role in how lenders and service providers assess your financial reliability. Ultimately, it helps to determine whether you qualify for loans, contracts, or other deals. Checking your credit report regularly will ensure there are no errors, and will give you a chance to improve your score.
As a sole trader, your business credit score will be closely tied to your personal credit score. This means maintaining a good personal credit score is just as important as keeping your business credit score strong.
Zempler provides an easy and affordable way to manage your business finances, with no monthly fees and a host of features.
£0 monthly account fee with a one-off setup fee of £9.95.
FSCS protection on eligible deposits up to £85,000.
24/7 fraud protection and UK customer service when you need it.
Business bank accounts
A business bank account helps you manage your finances more efficiently by clearly separating personal and business transactions. This not only streamlines your financial management, but can also make accessing funding easier, as lenders typically prefer to see well-organised business records.
It can also improve your accounting, enhance cash flow tracking, and help you build a more professional image. Having a dedicated business account is a key step toward laying a solid foundation for your business's success.
If the options we’ve outlined don’t seem like the right fit for your business, don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to secure funding. Government grants can provide valuable support, particularly for businesses working on innovative projects or contributing to key industries like sustainability or technology.
Similarly, angel investors might be worth exploring if your business has strong growth potential and a compelling story to share.
Improving your credit profile is another vital step to consider as it can open up a broader range of funding options. By demonstrating financial reliability, your business may become eligible for better rates, more flexible terms, and alternative funding solutions.
Business plans
A business plan helps you to lay out your vision for the business, including what you want to achieve over the coming years and how you plan to get there.
Funding sources
If you're looking to grow an existing business, you’re likely to need a cash injection at some point to help cover the cost of your plans.
Business credit score
Find out how to check your business credit score and the steps you can take to improve it.
