Loans for businesses of every size and industry, from top UK lenders including:
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A business loan is a form of finance that can be used to help support and expand your organisation.
As with personal loans, you borrow a sum of money, and pay it back, with interest.
One of the most important differences between personal loans and business loans is that with a personal loan, you will be personally liable for repaying the amount you have borrowed.
With a business loan, as long as the appropriate company structure is in place, that responsibility falls to the business instead. This will not be the case, however, if you are a sole trader, or you have secured your business loan with a personal guarantee.
You can also typically borrow more through a business loan, while the interest payments on your business loan may be tax deductible unlike payments on a personal loan.
Secured business loans require that you put down an asset such as property as security. Secured loans often come with lower interest rates than unsecured loans as they represent less risk for the lender. They may also give you access to a larger loan amount over a longer term. However, secured loans come with the added risk that you could lose your assets if you miss the payments.
Unsecured business loans are a type of finance that does not require security. These types of loans tend to have higher interest rates because there is a greater risk of the lender losing money if you can't pay off what you owe. Unsecured business loans also require a good financial history and credit rating as evidence that the business will be able to repay the loan.
There may be government-backed business loans you can access. Examples include the Recovery Loan Scheme, introduced to help with the financial stresses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has now been extended. What schemes are available can vary depending on government policy and changing economic circumstances across the country. So it can be useful to regularly check the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy's search tool for guidance on the business loan schemes available in your region.
The Start Up Loan Scheme is a government-backed fund that currently offers personal loans of up to £25,000 to UK businesses owners that have been fully trading for less than 36 months or those looking to start a business. You can apply for free, and there are no early repayment charges. If your application is successful, you'll also get up to 12 months of free mentoring. Government Start Up Loans have a fixed annual interest rate of 6% and must be repaid over a period of one to five years.
Small business loans are for start ups and small businesses to access funding. They can be used for a variety of purposes from hiring new staff to managing cash flow. As with all loans, small business loans are repaid over an agreed time period with interest. Large business loans tend to be cheaper than small business loans because there is less perceived risk with lending to a bigger company.
Asset finance is a type of loan used by a business to buy expensive assets such as machinery, company cars or IT equipment, without overstretching its financial limits. The business pays a regular amount to use the asset over an agreed period, rather than spending a large lump sum in one go to buy it outright.
An asset finance loan might be considered an alternative to other business funding options, such as overdrafts and bank loans.
For all the potential benefits of asset finance, it isn’t right for every business.
You’ll need to make sure you can make the regular repayments on time over the agreed term. You should also be clear on the terms of the contract, including the interest rate charged and the total amount you’ll be paying. Consider carefully if it suits your company’s financial situation before you sign an agreement.
It’s worth knowing that:
You can get asset finance through a finance provider, an equipment provider or manufacturer, or a broker.
First, research the asset you want, including preferred brands and models. This will help you determine the amount you need to borrow.
When you are ready to apply, check your eligibility with that provider. Your business may need to be a limited company or limited liability partnership, and UK-based. Though some providers also welcome sole traders. Your business may also need to have a minimum trading time or annual turnover and a good credit history.
Like any business loan, you will need to provide documents to prove your eligibility and show that your business can make agreed repayments on time. This may include financial forecasts, bank statements and tax returns, so it’s important to get these in order before you apply.
Timescales depend on the provider, the amount you are asking for and your business structure, among other things. But some providers may approve an application and put the agreement in place within just 24 hours. If you get follow-up requests from your lender asking for additional documentation, it may affect timings.
Use our table to compare asset finance deals from a range of providers. You’ll see:
Then just click on the deal for more information.
How flexible is asset financing?
Can a limited company get asset finance?
What’s the difference between asset financing and asset-based lending?
What’s the minimum amount you can get through asset finance?
What’s the maximum amount you can get through asset finance?
Can I finance second-hand assets?
What is asset refinancing?
What happens if my assets are stolen or damaged?
Will I have to pass a credit check?
Can a business asset loan affect my personal finances?
