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Business Loans

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The small business loans section has in-depth advice articles and guides on how and where start-up companies and small businesses can get a UK business loan, whether from established commercial finance providers, online providers or even family and friends. SmallBusiness.co.uk is working with a panel of trusted partners to help you find the right finance for your business.

A business loan can be sought for many reasons but is typically used to either: start a new enterprise, fund expansion, fund major capital expenditures, or to cover operational costs that a company may otherwise be unable to afford (i.e. for cash flow reasons).

There are two key categories of loan – secured or unsecured – and both types can be made available over short, medium or long-term periods. There are a wide variety of lenders servicing the many different niches and almost all will usually approve business loans based upon the financial strength of the borrowing business and its perceived ability to earn a profit.

Borrowing money is a major step for a company and almost inevitably introduces a raised level risk. However, taking on debt in the form of a loan is also one of the commonest forms of financing small business operations. Our experts write about business loans from the perspective of the UK SME community and our aim is to help readers understand how small business loans work, the many options available, and how to compare and choose between them.

Ultimately, though, a business loan may not always be the best finance option, so we also encourage readers to look at other routes such as grants and the ever expanding alternative finance channels.

An introduction to debt finance for small business operators

Here, Adam Pescod of Fleximize explores today's debt finance options available for small businesses.

Business Loans

Business Loans

SMEs urged to apply for finance before it’s too late

Trade body UK Finance says small business owners should apply for a bank loan now, regardless of whether they need it yet, before an economic slowdown turns off the credit tap

Business Loans

Government to launch £3bn recovery loan scheme

Replacement recovery loan scheme will offer loans of up to £2m to businesses, backed by a 70% government guarantee in event of default. But small business owners will have to offer personal guarantees first

Business Loans

Can I liquidate my company if I have a Bounce Back Loan?

Thousands of small businesses due to start repaying Covid support loans could find themselves unable to make payments. Can you wind up your company if it already has a Bounce Back Loan?

Business Loans

One third of small businesses turn to Bank of Mum and Dad

Family and specifically parents are the first port of call when a small business runs into trouble, according to a Liberis survey

Business Loans

Small business owners who duck out of repaying Covid debt face ban

Insolvency Service given power to investigate company directors who deliberately wind up firms to avoid repaying emergency Covid-19 debt

Business Loans

eBay launches small business loan service for its 300,000 SME sellers

eBay goes into the same-day small business loan market, offering finance anywhere between £500 to £1m

Business Loans

Small businesses struggling to get credit from Recovery Loan Scheme

Applications for Recovery Loans, designed to replace Bounce Back Loans, were in the 'low thousands' in the first week of the new scheme going live, according to reports

Business Loans

eBay launches small business loan service for its 300,000 SME sellers

eBay goes into the same-day small business loan market, offering finance anywhere between £500 to £1m

Business Loans

Small businesses struggling to get credit from Recovery Loan Scheme

Applications for Recovery Loans, designed to replace Bounce Back Loans, were in the 'low thousands' in the first week of the new scheme going live, according to reports

Business Loans

Recovery Loan Scheme 2021 full update – where do I apply for my loan?

The Government has launched the Recovery Loan Scheme to help businesses. Here is a list of accredited lenders and information on where to apply

Business Loans

Covid debt drowning small businesses to the tune of £104bn

Bank lending to small businesses rockets by 82% as owners scramble for Government coronavirus support

Business Loans

Recovery Loan Scheme up to £10m will replace CBILS and BBLS

In his Budget, Rishi Sunak has announced a Recovery Loan Scheme to replace the CBILS and Bounce Back Loan schemes.

Business Loans

Government Bounce Back Loan for your small business

Everything you need to know about the Covid Bounce Back Loan Scheme – what it is, who offers them, and how much it will cost your small business to take out a loan.

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

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