Business funding guides
Straight answers on loans, cash advances and finance, written for the people who run the business.
- Business loans
How long does a business loan take in the UK?
How long a business loan takes in the UK depends on the lender, the type of loan and how ready your paperwork is. What affects the timeline and what slows it down.
6 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Invoice finance
Invoice factoring costs and fees in the UK: what to expect
The charges behind invoice factoring and invoice discounting: service fee, discount charge, advance rate and other fees, with an illustrative example.
6 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Invoice finance
Invoice finance for construction: how it works for contractors
How construction invoice finance works: applications for payment, retentions, CIS deductions and what providers look at, explained in plain English.
6 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Business loans
What happens if you can't repay a business loan?
What can happen if a UK business can't repay a loan: missed payments, default, security and personal guarantees, and where free independent help is available.
6 November 2026 · 4 min read
- Asset finance
Asset finance explained: equipment and vehicle finance for businesses
Asset finance, equipment finance and vehicle finance spread the cost of vans, machinery and equipment. How it works, the main types and what to check.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Bridging finance
Business bridging loans explained: how they work and the risks
A plain explanation of short-term bridging finance secured on property, what it's used for, what it typically costs, and why a clear plan to repay matters.
1 November 2026 · 4 min read
- Business loans
Business loans with bad credit: what's possible and what to expect
A poor credit record doesn't always rule out business finance. How lenders view it, the types of funding that look beyond the credit score, and the trade-offs to understand.
1 November 2026 · 4 min read
- Cash flow
Customers paying late? How to protect your cash flow
Late-paying customers can squeeze a healthy business. Here are practical ways to get paid sooner, and how invoice finance can release the cash while you wait.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Business loans
What documents do you need for a business loan?
The documents UK lenders usually ask for, why they ask for each one, and how to have them ready so your application isn't held up.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Cash flow
Quiet season or seasonal dip? How to keep your business funded
Many UK businesses have months when takings fall but costs don't. Here's how to plan for a seasonal dip and the kinds of finance that can bridge it.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Business loans
How to get a business loan in the UK: a step-by-step guide
What lenders look at, what you'll need to have ready, and the steps from deciding how much to borrow through to the money arriving in your account.
1 November 2026 · 4 min read
- Invoice finance
Invoice factoring vs invoice discounting: what's the difference?
Invoice factoring and invoice discounting are two types of invoice finance. How each works, who collects payment, who knows, and what to check in the terms.
1 November 2026 · 4 min read
- Merchant cash advance
What is a merchant cash advance and how does it work?
What a merchant cash advance is, how it works, the terms to check and what it costs, with the risks stated plainly.
1 November 2026 · 4 min read
- Business loans
Secured vs unsecured business loans: what is the difference?
The difference between secured and unsecured business loans, including the risks of each, so you can decide what suits your business.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Business loans
Turned down for a business loan by your bank? What to do next
A refusal from your bank isn't the end of the road. Learn why applications get declined, what to check, and the other places a UK business can look for funding.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read
- Cash flow
Unexpected tax bill? Options for a small business
An unexpected tax bill, such as VAT or corporation tax, isn't the time to panic. What to do first, and how finance can fit in if you need it.
1 November 2026 · 3 min read