Senior term loans
£200k to £100mSecured or unsecured lending for growth, refinancing and investment.
- Pricing
- From 6.5% a year, or 2.5% over Bank Rate
- Leverage
- Up to 4x EBITDA on cash-flow lending
- Unsecured
- Up to £2m
- Term
- 1 to 10 years
Business loans
Business loans, £200k to £100m
Senior term loans, revolving credit facilities, acquisition finance and Growth Guarantee Scheme lending, sourced from 650+ UK lenders. Priced from 6.5% a year, or 2.5% over Bank Rate, with up to 4x EBITDA on cash-flow lending and up to 5x on acquisitions.
No credit search and no upfront fee.
- facility sizes
- £200k to £100mfacility sizes
- a year on senior term loans
- From 6.5%a year on senior term loans
- EBITDA on acquisitions
- Up to 5xEBITDA on acquisitions
- unsecured
- Up to £2munsecured
What we arrange
Every way to borrow, £200k to £100m
Every facility is priced on its own merits. These are the sizes, leverage and pricing we arrange today, as maximums and starting points.
Revolving credit facilities
£200k to £100mA committed line you draw, repay and redraw as cash flow moves.
- Pricing
- From 2.5% over Bank Rate on drawn funds
- Term
- Typically 3 to 5 years, committed
- Interest
- Only on what you draw
Acquisition and leveraged finance
£200k to £100mSenior, stretch senior and unitranche debt for acquisitions, MBOs and MBIs.
- Leverage
- Up to 5x EBITDA on acquisitions
- Structures
- Senior, stretch senior, unitranche, vendor loan notes
- Term
- Up to 7 years
Recurring revenue finance
£200k to £100mTerm loans for SaaS and subscription businesses, sized on ARR rather than EBITDA.
- Facility size
- Up to 70% of ARR
- Covenants
- Minimum ARR and cash rather than EBITDA
- Term
- 3 to 5 years, often interest-only at first
Growth Guarantee Scheme
Government-backed lending where security is limited.
- Size
- Up to £2m per business group (the scheme cap)
- Guarantee
- 70% government guarantee to the lender
- Term
- Up to 6 years for term loans
What it is for
Structured around what the money is for
From fast unsecured facilities to multi-million pound acquisition debt, we find the structure that fits.
Unsecured business loans
Up to £2m with no assets pledged, for businesses with a solid trading record that need working capital, a one-off investment or growth funding.
Cash-flow lending
Senior debt of up to 4x EBITDA, sized on the profits the business generates rather than the assets it owns. Terms of 1 to 10 years.
Acquisitions, MBOs and MBIs
Senior, stretch senior and unitranche debt of up to 5x EBITDA, run end to end by our debt advisory team.
Learn moreRefinancing and consolidation
Bring several loans into one facility, often at a lower overall cost, to free up cash flow, extend the term and simplify your covenants.
Revolving credit facilities
A committed line you draw, repay and redraw over 3 to 5 years, from 2.5% over Bank Rate on drawn funds only.
Growth Guarantee Scheme loans
Government-backed lending of up to £2m per business group, with a 70% guarantee to the lender where security is limited.
Worked example
An £18m senior debt package for a £60m services group
Acquisition debtIllustrative
- Combined EBITDA after buying a £20m competitor
- £5.0m
- Senior term loan over 6 years at 3x EBITDA
- £15.0m
- Revolving credit facility for working capital
- £3.0m
- Total senior leverage, inside the 5x acquisition limit
- 3.6x
£18m funding the purchase and refinancing existing loans, from 2.5% over Bank Rate
The term loan pays for the acquisition and clears the buyer's existing borrowing, so the enlarged group has one lender and one set of covenants. The revolving facility sits alongside it for working capital and is only charged on what is drawn.
At 3.6x EBITDA there is headroom for a vendor loan note or a stretch senior tranche if the price moves. Our debt advisory team runs the lender process, term sheets and negotiation through to completion.
Illustrative figures. Leverage, pricing and terms depend on the quality of earnings, cash conversion, sector and the lender.
Why use a broker
Access capital without giving away equity
A business loan is capital borrowed by your company and repaid over an agreed term with interest. Unlike equity funding, you keep full ownership of your business, which is why debt is the first choice for most growing UK companies.
The hard part is finding the right product from the right lender at the right price. That is our job. We know which lenders are actively lending, to which profiles and on what terms, right now.
- One application put in front of the right lenders from 650+
- Your case written up properly, so lenders see its strengths
- Every offer explained in plain English, total cost included
- We manage due diligence, legals and drawdown for you
- No upfront fee: we are paid when your facility completes
How it works
From first call to funded
A clear, managed process from start to finish. You can follow every step in your client portal.
- 1Day 1
Tell us what you need
A short conversation about the business, how much you need and what it is for. No long forms and no credit search at this stage.
- 2Day 1 to 2
We find the right lenders
We shortlist the lenders most likely to back your deal and structure the application to secure the best terms.
- 3Day 1 to 3
You receive indicative terms
Offers often arrive the same or next day. We compare them with you, including fees, security and covenants.
- 41 to 6 weeks
Funds in your account
Once you accept, we manage the lender's checks, legals and drawdown. Unsecured loans can fund in 5 to 10 working days, larger secured facilities in three to six weeks.
Repayment calculator
Estimate your monthly repayments
Move the sliders for an indicative cost on loans from £200k to £25m. Your actual rate depends on your business profile and the lender.
£1,000,000
5 years
7.50%
- Monthly repayment
- £20,038
- Total interest
- £202,277
- Total repaid
- £1,202,277
Illustrative only, on a capital and interest basis with no fees. Senior term loans are priced from 6.5% a year, or 2.5% over Bank Rate, and we arrange facilities up to £100m. It is not a loan offer or financial advice. Your actual rate and fees depend on your business and the lender.
What lenders will ask for
Have these ready and your loan moves faster
- Six to twelve months of business bank statements
- Your last two years of filed accounts, and recent management accounts
- Forecasts and a short overview of what the money is for
- Details of any existing borrowing and security
- Photo ID and proof of address for each director
Upload once, in your client portal
Your portal shows exactly which documents your deal needs and keeps them in one secure place, so you never send the same file twice.
Open your client accountSectors
Business loans across every UK sector
If your business generates profit and cash, we can usually find a lender to support it.
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale and distribution
- Construction
- Recruitment
- Hospitality
- Retail and ecommerce
- Professional services
- Healthcare
- Logistics and transport
- Technology
- Food and drink
- Property
Alongside a business loan
Related facilities we arrange
Many clients combine a business loan with one of these, and we arrange them together so the security and covenants fit.
Debt advisory and transactions
Acquisitions, MBOs and MBIs, refinancing, recapitalisations and growth capital.
£200k to £350m
Learn moreAsset based lending
One revolving facility secured on receivables, stock, plant and machinery and real estate.
£2m to £120m
Learn moreReal estate finance
Commercial mortgages, Bridging finance, Development finance, Investment and portfolio finance.
£1m to £100m
Learn moreAsset finance
Machinery, vehicles and equipment on hire purchase, lease or refinance.
Up to 100% of the asset cost, 2 to 7 years
Merchant cash advances
Fast funding repaid as a share of card takings, for retail, hospitality and online businesses.
Up to 2x monthly revenue
What are business loans and how do they work in the UK?
A business loan is a fixed or flexible sum borrowed by a company and repaid over an agreed period with interest. Unlike a personal loan, it is assessed mainly on the financial health of the business: turnover, profitability, cash generation, existing debt and the purpose of the borrowing.
In the UK, business loans come from high street banks, challenger banks, government-backed schemes run through the British Business Bank, and a wide range of specialist lenders and private credit funds. We arrange facilities from £200,000 to £100 million, and the right option depends on the amount, the term, the assets available and the overall credit profile of the business.
Secured, unsecured and cash-flow loans
An unsecured loan, up to £2 million, needs no collateral: the lender relies on the creditworthiness and trading history of the business. These are usually the fastest to arrange.
Cash-flow lending is sized on EBITDA, up to around 4x for established businesses and up to 5x on acquisitions, and secured on the business as a whole. Asset-secured loans are backed by property, plant and machinery or receivables, and usually offer the lowest rates and longest terms.
Business loan interest rates: what to expect
Senior term loans are priced from 6.5% a year, or 2.5% over Bank Rate, and revolving credit facilities from 2.5% over Bank Rate on drawn funds. Shorter unsecured loans and more complex situations cost more, and every facility is priced on its own merits.
Most lenders also charge an arrangement fee, typically 1% to 3% of the loan, payable on completion. We compare the total cost of finance, rate plus fees, not just the headline rate.
What can a business loan be used for?
- Growth and expansion into new markets, premises or territories
- Buying equipment, vehicles, plant or machinery
- Working capital and seasonal cash flow gaps
- Acquiring another business or funding a management buyout
- Hiring staff and covering payroll during a growth phase
- Refinancing more expensive or short-term debt
- Paying VAT, corporation tax or business rates
- Buying stock ahead of peak trading
How long does it take to get a business loan?
Unsecured loans can be approved and funded within 5 to 10 working days. Larger secured facilities and revolving credit facilities usually take three to six weeks from application to drawdown, and acquisition finance runs to the transaction timetable.
Working through a broker shortens this. We know which lenders are active and quick at any given time, and we prepare your application so there is less back and forth.
Talk it through
Tell us what the money is for and we will tell you which facility fits and which lenders will back it.
FAQs
Business loan questions
How much can I borrow?
We arrange business loans from £200,000 to £100 million. Cash-flow lending runs to around 4x EBITDA, and up to 5x on acquisitions, while unsecured loans go up to £2 million. The right amount depends on your profitability, existing debt, any security available and what the money is for. Where the balance sheet is strong, asset based lending from £2 million to £120 million can raise more again.
How quickly can I get a business loan?
Many lenders on our panel give indicative terms the same day. Unsecured loans can fund within 5 to 10 working days, larger secured loans and revolving credit facilities typically complete in three to six weeks, and acquisition finance runs to the transaction timetable.
What trading history do I need?
Most lenders want at least six months of UK trading, and many want two years of filed accounts for larger facilities. Some specialist lenders will consider younger businesses with strong numbers or security.
Do I need security or a personal guarantee?
Not always. Unsecured loans of up to £2 million rely on trading history and financial strength, though directors' personal guarantees are common. Senior cash-flow loans are secured on the business itself rather than personal assets, and the Growth Guarantee Scheme can help where security is limited, up to £2 million per business group. Asset-secured loans usually come with the lowest rates and longest terms.
What interest rate will I pay?
Senior term loans are priced from 6.5% a year, or 2.5% over Bank Rate, and revolving credit facilities from 2.5% over Bank Rate on drawn funds. Shorter unsecured and more complex facilities cost more. We compare the total cost, rate plus fees, across the lenders most likely to back your deal.
How long can a business loan run?
Senior term loans run from 1 to 10 years, acquisition finance up to 7 years and Growth Guarantee Scheme term loans up to 6 years. Revolving credit facilities are usually committed for 3 to 5 years, and you pay interest only on what you draw.
Can you fund an acquisition or management buyout?
Yes. We arrange senior, stretch senior and unitranche debt of up to 5x EBITDA for acquisitions, MBOs and MBIs, often alongside vendor loan notes and a working capital facility. Our debt advisory team runs the whole debt process, from the information memorandum to completion.
Can I get a business loan with poor credit?
Often, yes. Several lenders on our panel focus on turnover, assets and future cash flow rather than credit history alone. We present your application to the lenders best suited to your profile, which avoids needless declines.
Will applying affect my credit score?
Talking to us and getting indicative terms involves no credit search. A lender only runs a credit check once you decide to proceed with a formal application, and only with your consent.
How much does Growth Business Finance charge?
There is no upfront fee. We are paid on completion of your facility, and we agree any fee with you in writing before we start. Lender arrangement fees, typically 1% to 3% of the facility, are separate and charged by the lender. We show you every cost before you commit.
Is Growth Business Finance FCA regulated?
Growth Business Finance is an Appointed Representative of Swoop Finance Limited (FRN: 936513), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a credit broker. We are a credit broker, not a lender.
Ready to fund your next stage of growth?
We will search 650+ lenders and come back with indicative terms, usually the same day and always with no upfront fee.