Business funding for UK businesses, from cash advances to loans
The cheapest funding is the one your track record qualifies for: a 7.5% Start Up Loan if the business is under five years old, a bank loan or overdraft on clean accounts, and a card-sales cash advance when you need money fast and your takings are steady. One enquiry reaches a panel of more than 200 UK lenders through our specialist commercial finance partner. Typical lender decision within 24 hours, funds in 2 to 3 days.
Free, no obligation. Takes about 60 seconds. Contact details come last, not first.
Prefer to talk it through? 0333 041 3933, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5:30pm
Not repaying from card sales? Still covered.
Card-sales funding is our starting point, not the whole panel. Through our specialist commercial finance partner the same enquiry can be placed for a loan repaid by monthly direct debit, a secured loan against property or assets, or a bridging loan, whichever fits how your cash actually moves.
Merchant cash advance
Repaid as a share of card takings. Flexes with busy and quiet weeks.
Start an enquiry →Business loan by direct debit
Fixed monthly payments from your bank account. No card terminal needed.
Work out repayments →How Business Funding Works
Get funding based on your card sales in 4 simple steps
Apply Online
Quick 3-minute application. We only need basic business info and recent processing statements.
Instant Assessment
The lender reviews your card sales and bank statements to size an offer.
Get Approved
Typical lender decision within 24 hours. You see the total repayable before you sign anything.
Receive Funds
Funds typically arrive 2 to 3 days after you accept the offer.
Am I Eligible for Funding?
Find out in 30 seconds with our quick eligibility checker
Which business funding fits
Start with the cheapest product you qualify for and work down. Each row below uses the lender's or scheme's own published terms, checked 1 November 2026.
| Funding | Best for | Published terms | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Up Loan | Businesses trading less than 5 years (60 months) | £500 to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% a year, 1 to 5 years | Start Up Loans |
| Bank loan | Clean accounts, a fixed project | NatWest £1,000 to £100,000; representative 12.57% APR on £10,000 | Loan calculator |
| Overdraft | Gaps of weeks, seasonal stock | Representative EAR 13.30% to 16.85% (Barclays, by limit), plus fees | Overdraft vs loan |
| Unsecured online loan | Limited companies wanting speed | Funding Circle £10,000 to £750,000, from 6.9% a year; panel 7% to 44% | Unsecured loans |
| Card-sales cash advance | Shops and hospitality, money this week | One fixed fee, repaid from takings; not regulated by the FCA | How it works |
| Secured or bridging | Property owners, larger sums | Panel secured 6% to 22% a year; bridging 0.55% to 1.5% a month | Calculator |
| CDFI loan | Turned down by a bank | Typically £25,000 to £250,000 | Bad credit loans |
| Growth Guarantee Scheme | Viable firms short of security | Up to £2m, 70% guarantee to the lender | Working capital |
Worked example: £10,000 over 22 months
The house example: a shop taking £5,000 a month on cards needs £10,000 for a refit. Interest over 22 months, using equal monthly repayments:
- Start Up Loan at 7.5%: £487.93 a month, £734.42 interest.
- NatWest's published example at 11.90%: £508.17 a month, £1,179.77 interest.
- Unsecured loan at 15%, the middle of our partner's panel: £522.72 a month, £1,499.92 interest.
- Overdraft left fully drawn at NatWest's 13.37% representative EAR: about £2,736.74 including the arrangement fee.
The verdict: the same £10,000 costs anywhere from £734 to £2,737 depending on the product. If the refit can wait for a Start Up Loan or a bank decision, wait. If card processing fees are part of the squeeze, a free statement review is the cheaper first step.
Tell us what you need and our partner will find the fit
One enquiry reaches our partner's panel of more than 200 UK lenders. A specialist calls you back, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5:30pm.
Funding enquiries are handled by our specialist commercial finance partner. We may receive a commission; it never changes the rate you are offered. Finance is subject to status.
Questions people ask
What business funding is available in the UK?
The main routes are government-backed Start Up Loans (£500 to £25,000 at a fixed 7.5% a year), bank loans and overdrafts, unsecured loans from online lenders, card-sales cash advances, secured and asset finance, CDFI loans for businesses banks turn down, and Growth Guarantee Scheme facilities up to £2m. Grants exist too, but they are tied to region, sector or project.
How quickly can I get business funding?
From the same day to about a month. NatWest pays a Small Business Loan the same day if you apply online, are unconditionally accepted and sign by 16:30, Monday to Friday; Funding Circle decides in as little as 5 minutes and pays typically within 48 hours of accepting an offer; a Start Up Loan can arrive within a month if your plan and cash flow forecast are ready. Through our partner, the typical lender decision is within 24 hours.
Do I need a personal guarantee?
For most limited company borrowing, expect one. Barclays states that Ltd and LLP lending up to £100k requires a personal guarantee, NatWest says one may be required, and Growth Guarantee Scheme lenders can take one at their discretion. Our guide to funding without a personal guarantee covers the alternatives.
What is a business cash advance?
A lump sum repaid as a fixed share of your future card takings rather than a monthly instalment. The provider buys those future sales for one fixed fee. Square, for example, takes a percentage of every card sale until the balance is met, bases offers on your Square sales data, not your credit history, and is not regulated by the FCA.
Does MerchantSwitch lend the money?
No. We introduce your enquiry to our specialist commercial finance partner, whose panel covers more than 200 UK lenders. The lender makes the decision and sets the rate. We may receive a commission, and it never changes the rate you are offered.
What is the cheapest way to fund a small business?
If you qualify, a Start Up Loan at 7.5% or a bank loan on clean accounts. On £10,000 over 22 months, a Start Up Loan costs £734 in interest against £1,179.77 on NatWest's published example and £1,500 at the middle of our partner's unsecured panel range. Card-sales advances cost more and are worth it only when speed or flexible repayments matter.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the lender's or scheme's own published page, read on 1 November 2026. Panel rate ranges come from our partner's lender-panel catalogue, checked 1 September 2026. We do not use comparison sites as sources.
- British Business Bank, Start Up Loans guidance
- business.gov.uk, Applying for a Start Up Loan
- NatWest, Small Business Loan
- NatWest, Business Overdraft
- Barclays, business overdrafts
- Funding Circle, business loans
- Funding Circle, small business loans
- British Business Bank, Growth Guarantee Scheme
- Square, Cash Advance
- British Business Bank, What to do if a bank turns you down
- British Business Bank, Who qualifies for a loan from a CDFI?
Funding guides by city and sector
Rates and lender appetite vary by trade and location. These guides cover the detail for your city or industry.
Ready to Fund Your Business Growth?
Compare funding options across UK lenders. Free, no obligation, and no impact from simply comparing.
No credit check to get a quote · Decision in 24 hours · Options with & without personal guarantee