Category

Business Loans

Sponsored By:

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.

HSBC handling of bounce-back loans branded ‘shambles’ by businesses

Small businesses are being pushed to collapse because of length of time HSBC is taking to process bounce-back loans, say owner-managers

Business Loans

Business Loans

Nearly half of small businesses do not intend to repay government loans

Either small business owners do not believe government will take them to court for non-repayment or they fear they will have gone bust within a year

Business Loans

Only one in nine coronavirus emergency business loans are approved

Just 13% of firms who have applied for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan have been successful, according to latest British Chambers of Commerce survey

Business Loans

Where female entrepreneurs can get a business loan

One of the greatest challenges for female entrepreneurs is securing finance. Boost your company's growth with these business loans

Business Loans

Government plans permanent state-backed small business loan scheme

Business could borrow anything up to £10m through 80% state-guaranteed bank loans in successor to existing coronavirus financial support

Business Loans

Secured vs unsecured business loans

Adam Parker explains the difference between loan types to help you decide which one is best for your small business.

Business Loans

NatWest adds another £2.2bn to its Brexit Growth Fund

Nearly £6bn drawn down already from Brexit preparation fund, designed to help small business through no-deal

Business Loans

HSBC adds billions to its £14bn small business loan fund ahead of Brexit

SME loan fund ringfences cash for agriculture and companies that want to expand overseas post Brexit

Business Loans

NatWest adds another £2.2bn to its Brexit Growth Fund

Nearly £6bn drawn down already from Brexit preparation fund, designed to help small business through no-deal

Business Loans

HSBC adds billions to its £14bn small business loan fund ahead of Brexit

SME loan fund ringfences cash for agriculture and companies that want to expand overseas post Brexit

Business Loans

What is asset finance and how does it work?

Asset finance is helpful if you need to buy equipment or transport to grow your small business but don’t have ready cash. It can also be advantageous for tax purposes.

Business Loans

Knight Capital to open London office offering small business loans

UK offshoot of Malaysian financier Knight Capital promises personal service to small business borrowers.

Business Loans

How to prepare your application for a business loan

Sourcing a business loan is easy through online marketplaces such as Know Your Money. Deciding whether to go for a high-street bank or a new alternative lender is the hard part. Which kind of business lender is right for you?

Business Loans

Start Up Loans Q&A: how do I get a loan for my new business?

We ask Richard Bearman, managing director of Start Up Loans, what brand-new businesses should do to secure that loan.

Partner content

Attracting and keeping top talent through Total Reward

Employment benefits specialist, Drewberry, explain why you should base your benefits around a Total Reward Strategy

Partner content

5 things every small business owner needs to know before starting

HSBC - Advertising feature

Partner content

What is professional indemnity insurance?

Professional indemnity insurance provides cover if somebody sues your business and they allege that your advice caused financial loss or damaged their brand. It’s not just for accountants and lawyers but for anyone offering a personal service, even web designers

Partner content

Benefits of switching to the right business bank account

We've teamed up with the Current Account Switch Service to explain the benefits of switching your business bank account.