Best non-bank business loans

Looking for bank-beating rates, a streamlined application process and better approval systems? Explore increased flexibility and better customer service with non-bank lenders.

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By

Chris Lilly

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Non-bank lenders often provide businesses with better flexibility because they’re younger, more agile outfits that aren’t subject to the confinements of a banking licence. They’ve also usually had to elbow their way into the market by offering something better – perhaps using smart tech to enable them to approve loans for customers who feel let down by the big banks. These factors are making non-bank business loans increasingly preferable among UK SMEs.

If you’re thinking about looking for financing, don’t limit your options to traditional, high-street banks. You should look at all options available, especially if these options can provide you with better rates, fees, loan conditions and customer service.

Compare business loans

Name Product Finder Score Loan type Loan amounts Loan terms Turnover/trading criteria Key benefit
Tide Business Loan
Finder Award
Tide Business Loan
4.0
★★★★★
Fixed or variable rate loan
£500 to £500,000
1 month to 72 months
No specified minimum turnover or time trading
Connect your business bank account and gain access to business loans (Terms & Conditions apply).
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View details
Funding Options Unsecured Loan
Funding Options Unsecured Loan
4.5
★★★★★
Unsecured loan
£1,000 to £20,000,000
12 to 72 months
£5,000 per month minimum turnover,
minimum 6 months trading
Representative example: Borrow £50,000 over 24 months at a rate of 7.63% APR. Monthly repayment of £2,252.94 and the total amount payable is £54,070.56.
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View details
Nest Unsecured Business Loan
Nest Unsecured Business Loan
4.0
★★★★★
Fixed rate Unsecured loan
£10,000 to £5,000,000
No specified loan terms
£200,000 minimum turnover,
minimum 12 months trading
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View details
Love Finance business loan
Love Finance business loan
4.0
★★★★★
Fixed rate loan
£5,000 to £500,000
No specified loan terms
£10,000 (subject to loan type) minimum turnover,
minimum 3 months trading
View details
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At a glance: Three things to know about getting a business loan from an alternative lender

  1. The number of alternative business lenders has grown considerably in recent years, giving you more choice than ever.
  2. These loans are generally unsecured and available for amounts up to around £300,000. Terms differ but are usually between six months and five years.
  3. To apply, you’ll need to meet minimum requirements (set by the lender) typically covering your annual turnover and how long you’ve been trading.

What other types of non-bank business finance are available?

As well as straightforward unsecured business loans, non-bank business lenders offer the following finance options:

  • Line of credit. This is a revolving loan (similar to a credit card or overdraft) that allows you to withdraw any amount you need, whenever you need it, subject to an agreed credit limit. Monthly repayments are highly flexible, subject to an agreed minimum, and you can top-up as and when you need to.
  • Short-term loan. This is an upfront lump-sum loan with a fixed repayment schedule ranging from 3-12 months.
  • Invoice finance. Invoice financing allows you to unlock the value in outstanding invoices. You sell the invoice to the lender for a percentage of its value, giving you immediate access to funds rather than having to wait for your creditors to pay you. This could be handy if your business would benefit from a more steady and predictable income.
  • Asset finance. This is a secured loan that allows you to spread the cost of new equipment or to unlock the value in existing equipment. If you fall behind on repayments, the lender can repossess the assets and sell them. Business owners typically use asset finance to get the latest tech or new business vehicles. This type of finance may appeal either to businesses that are asset rich but don’t have the spare cash for a particular project or to businesses that have a strong, dependable income but not the spare cash to access the latest equipment.
  • Merchant cash advance. This is an upfront lump-sum in return for a fixed fee (rather than ongoing interest). You’ll repay a percentage of all your sales until you have paid off the debt and the fee, which makes this an appealing option for businesses with hard-to-predict incomes.

How to find the best non-bank business loan

There is no one “best” business loan on the market, as it will depend on your particular situation. However, keep the following in mind when weighing up lenders:

  • Consider the types of finance available. What would suit your particular company best? A straightforward, fixed-term loan or one of the alternatives listed above?
  • What’s the overall cost? Do you know the overall cost upfront? Is the interest rate fixed or variable? Are there fees to pay? Be aware of one-off fees such as application fees, exit fees and termination fees. Other charges include ongoing fees such as service and advance fees.
  • What’s the monthly cost? Only apply for a loan if you’re confident it’s affordable. As a general rule, longer loans cost more overall, but have lower monthly payments.
  • Is the company eligible? Never apply for a loan without checking the eligibility criteria. These are typically based on factors like your turnover and how long you’ve been in business.
  • Is the loan flexible enough to cope with changes in your company’s circumstances? If there’s a good chance that your business’s situation could change significantly during the term of the loan, then do you have the flexibility you need? Can you repay early? Will doing so save you money? Can you top-up your loan?

Have you weighed up the pros and cons of borrowing from non-bank lenders?

  • Competitive rates. Non-bank lenders tend not to have the overheads of big high-street banks and can be competitive on rates.
  • Customer service. Let’s face it: the big banks don’t have the best rep when it comes to looking after their customers. Non-bank lenders may offer better service, better communication and quicker decision-making.
  • Alternative decision processes. Many alternative lenders will look at factors other than just your personal and business credit scores when deciding whether to approve a loan.
  • Inconsistent rates. There’s a huge, huge range of rates out there – from those that are so good they must barely make a profit to others that are quite simply a rip-off. That makes comparing a must.
  • Vulnerability. Without the backup of a big bank, there’s a chance that a startup loan company might not be around in a couple of years’ time.

What pitfalls do you need to avoid?

You should always be cautious of debt. Avoid borrowing too much money and learn exactly how much debt your business can handle. Also, try not to apply for amounts that exceed your business needs.

Understand all the fees involved, including one-off and ongoing fees, and be aware of interest rates that exceed the market rates as well as your ability to repay.

You should also be cautious of applying too many times for credit products. Applying for lots of loans will negatively affect your credit history and your ability to be accepted for future loans. Take your time weighing up your options and apply only when you meet all eligibility requirements set out by your lenders.

Frequently asked questions

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.

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