Clear, practical guides to UK business finance. No jargon, no sales pitch, just the information you need to make the right decision.
The best 365 Business Finance alternatives include YouLend for advances above its £400,000 ceiling, Liberis for advances from £1,000, Capify for businesses trading only 4 months, iwoca and Bizcap for businesses that do not take card payments, Nucleus Commercial Finance for facilities up to £2 million, and Funding Circle for a fixed annual rate you can actually compare.
Read guideThe best Allica Bank alternatives include Funding Circle for businesses with 1 year of trading, Aldermore for 12 month trading and loans from £2,000, Shawbrook for published commercial mortgage rates, LendingCrowd for a 6% rate floor, Recognise Bank for property-secured lending at 2 years, OakNorth for bespoke facilities above £1 million, and ThinCats for acquisition and buyout funding to £30 million.
Read guideThe best Bizcap alternatives include iwoca for a £25,000 turnover threshold instead of £120,000, Fleximize for rates from 0.9% per month, Funding Circle for a 13.9% representative APR, Nucleus Commercial Finance for facilities up to £2 million, Capital on Tap for a revolving line rather than a lump sum, LendingCrowd for a fixed annual rate, and White Oak UK for a decision in around 4 hours.
Read guideUse the standard amortisation formula: monthly payment = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1], where P is the loan amount, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of monthly payments. For a flat-rate loan, multiply the principal by the flat rate and add it to the principal divided by term.
Read guideThe documents required for a business loan depend on the loan type and amount, but most applications need 2–3 years of business accounts, 3–6 months of bank statements, proof of identity and address for directors, and details of any existing borrowing. Larger or secured loans require additional items such as property valuations, management accounts, and a business plan. Open Banking connections now allow many lenders to access bank data directly, speeding up the process.
Read guideUK business loan lenders assess trading history, annual turnover, credit profile, and affordability. Across 14 lenders on this site's panel offering business loans, minimum trading history ranges from 3 months (iwoca) to 24 months (Close Brothers, LendingCrowd), and minimum turnover ranges from £24,000 (Capital on Tap) to £250,000 (Close Brothers). Start Up Loans is the exception, requiring no trading history or turnover for pre-revenue applicants. Most lenders also require a personal guarantee from directors and supporting documents such as filed accounts and bank statements.
Read guideYes, bad credit does not automatically exclude you from business lending in the UK. Specialist lenders, fintech platforms, and alternative finance providers assess applications using live bank data and business performance as well as credit history. You should expect higher rates, lower loan amounts, shorter terms, and stronger security requirements. What counts as 'bad credit' varies by lender, a CCJ from three years ago may be acceptable to a specialist lender even if it disqualifies you from a high-street bank.
Read guideIt is possible but uncommon. Most UK lenders offering unsecured business loans ask company directors to sign a personal guarantee, because the guarantee is what stands in for the asset security a secured loan would otherwise have. Truly guarantee-free lending is more realistic through routes such as invoice finance, where the lender's security is the invoice itself, or for larger, well-established businesses with strong financials that are in a stronger negotiating position. Most smaller and newer businesses should expect a personal guarantee to be requested, even on modest loan amounts.
Read guideA business start up loan can come from several very different sources: the government-backed Start Up Loans scheme (£500 to £25,000, fixed rate, no trading history required), a bank or specialist lender's own start-up lending product, asset finance, a director's loan into the company, or non-repayable grants from bodies like Innovate UK. Which one fits depends on how established your business is, how much you need, and how quickly you need it. Government backing is only one route among several, not the whole market.
Read guideThe best Capify alternatives include Liberis for a representative factor rate of around 1.18 instead of 1.3, YouLend for advances up to £1 million, 365 Business Finance for a factor rate capped at 1.4, Bizcap for same-day funding, iwoca for a loan without card sales, Fleximize for a 27.6% representative APR, and Nucleus Commercial Finance for facilities up to £2 million.
Read guideThe best Capital on Tap alternatives include Funding Circle for lower-rate term loans, Tide for combined banking and credit, Starling for a full business bank account, Revolut Business for multi-currency spending, iwoca for larger unsecured loans, and ANNA Money for invoicing and credit combined.
Read guideThe best Fleximize alternatives include iwoca for businesses trading under 6 months, Funding Circle and Allica Bank for lower published annual rates, Nucleus Commercial Finance for facilities above £500,000, Capital on Tap for a lower turnover threshold, Bizcap for businesses trading only 4 months, and Start Up Loans for pre-revenue founders.
Read guideThe best Funding Circle alternatives include iwoca for faster decisions, Fleximize for flexibility, LendingCrowd for competitive peer-to-peer rates, BizcCap for same-day funding, Capify for adverse credit, Start Up Loans for new businesses, and Capital on Tap for revolving credit.
Read guideA government backed business loan is a commercial loan where the government guarantees part of the amount to the lender if the borrower defaults, making lenders more willing to fund businesses they might otherwise decline. The guarantee protects the lender, not the borrower: you remain fully liable for repaying every penny. In August 2026 the two live UK schemes are the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans (for pre-start and early-stage founders) and the Growth Guarantee Scheme (for established trading businesses).
Read guideThe Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a British Business Bank programme that gives lenders a 70% government guarantee on qualifying commercial finance up to £2 million, making it easier for established UK businesses to access loans, asset finance, invoice finance, and overdrafts. It replaced the Recovery Loan Scheme in July 2024, has since been extended to run until 31 March 2030, and was expanded further in July 2026 with a higher turnover threshold and longer terms. The guarantee protects the lender if you default; you remain fully liable for the debt.
Read guideTo get a business loan in the UK, you match the loan type to your need, then check your trading history and turnover against the lender's minimum criteria, gather filed accounts and bank statements, and go through a credit check. Across the 14 lenders on this site's panel that offer business loans, minimum trading history ranges from 3 months (iwoca) to 24 months (Close Brothers, LendingCrowd), and minimum annual turnover ranges from £24,000 (Capital on Tap) to £250,000 (Close Brothers). Most unsecured loans also need a personal guarantee from the directors.
Read guideTo get a small business loan, look at lenders sized for smaller facilities rather than applying to a mainstream lender built for larger borrowing. Start Up Loans and Capital on Tap both start from £500, and several panel lenders accept 3 to 6 months of trading history and turnover as low as £24,000 to £25,000 a year (Capital on Tap, iwoca), well below the £250,000 turnover some larger lenders require. Documents are lighter for smaller facilities, but a personal guarantee is still typically required.
Read guideThe best Investec alternatives include Allica Bank for a published annual rate, OakNorth Bank for faster mid-market decisions, ThinCats for relationship-led lending from £1 million, Cynergy Business Finance for asset-based facilities from £200,000, Shawbrook Bank and Octopus Real Estate for property finance well below Investec's £10 million floor, and Aldermore Bank for published eligibility across several products.
Read guideThe best iwoca alternatives include Funding Circle for lower rates on larger loans, YouLend for revenue-based repayment, Capital on Tap for revolving credit, Fleximize for flexibility, Capify for fast decisions, Start Up Loans for new businesses, and BizcCap for same-day funding.
Read guideThe best Liberis alternatives include YouLend for advances up to £1 million, 365 Business Finance for a tighter factor rate ceiling, Capify for businesses trading only 4 months, iwoca for a revolving facility you can redraw without reapplying, Capital on Tap for a business credit card, Bizcap for businesses without card terminals, and Nucleus Commercial Finance for amounts above £500,000.
Read guideThe best LendingCrowd alternatives include Funding Circle for a same-day decision on a comparable annual rate, Allica Bank for bank-funded lending, ThinCats above the £500,000 ceiling, Nucleus Commercial Finance for facilities up to £2 million, iwoca when 2 years of trading is the blocker, Fleximize for repayment holidays and top-ups, and Start Up Loans for businesses trading under 5 years.
Read guideA merchant cash advance (MCA) is a form of business finance where a lender advances a lump sum in exchange for a percentage of your future card sales, plus a fixed fee. Repayment is automatic, a set percentage of daily or weekly card takings is collected until the advance and fee are fully repaid. Because repayments flex with revenue, MCAs suit businesses with variable income but consistent card payment volumes.
Read guideThe best Nucleus Commercial Finance alternatives include Funding Circle for a fixed annual rate, iwoca for businesses trading under 6 months, Fleximize for a lower monthly rate floor, Bizcap for a 4 month trading history, LendingCrowd for profitable established firms, Allica Bank for borrowing above Nucleus's £2 million ceiling, and Close Brothers for asset finance and term lending from one bank.
Read guideThe best OakNorth alternatives include Allica Bank for facilities below the £1 million floor, Shawbrook Bank for published property rates, Aldermore Bank for published SME criteria, ThinCats for mid-market acquisition debt, Investec for real estate finance above £10 million, Cynergy Business Finance for asset-based lines from £200,000, and Hampshire Trust Bank for property deals on a 21 day timetable.
Read guideThe best Starling Bank alternatives include Mettle for a free account from NatWest with the same £120,000 FSCS cover, Tide for a business loan of £1,000 to £500,000 alongside the account, Revolut Business for multi-currency trading, ANNA Money for automated tax saving, Allica Bank for an account from a bank that also lends at 9.90% to 13.75% per annum, iwoca for borrowing from 3 months trading, and Capital on Tap for a credit line decided in minutes.
Read guideThe best Start Up Loans alternatives include Tide for the same scheme loan alongside a day one business account, iwoca for £1,000 to £500,000 from 3 months of trading, Capital on Tap for a credit line decided in minutes, Bizcap for adverse credit from 4 months of trading, Nucleus Commercial Finance for loans and asset finance from one lender, Funding Circle for rates from 6.9% per annum once you have a year of trading, and Shire Leasing if the money is for equipment.
Read guideThe Start Up Loans scheme is a British Business Bank programme offering personal loans of £500 to £25,000 to people starting or running a UK business under five years old, at a fixed interest rate (7.5% per year from 6 April 2026, up from the previous 6%), repaid over 1 to 5 years. The loan is made to you personally, not the company, comes with no arrangement fees and no security or personal guarantee, and includes up to 12 months of free mentoring and business support.
Read guideThe best ThinCats alternatives include OakNorth Bank for bank-underwritten facilities from £1 million, Shawbrook Bank (which acquired ThinCats in 2025) for property-backed lending, Investec for deals above £30 million, Cynergy Business Finance for asset-based lines from £200,000, Allica Bank for published rates, Close Brothers for mid-market asset and invoice finance, and Aldermore for borrowing below the £1 million floor.
Read guideThe best Tide alternatives for UK business banking include Starling for a full licensed bank account, Revolut Business for international and multi-currency needs, Mettle for sole traders and freelancers, ANNA Money for invoicing-first businesses, Monzo Business for simple SME banking, and Cashplus for businesses with adverse credit.
Read guideYes, though the options are narrower than for an established business. The clearest route is the government-backed Start Up Loans scheme, offering fixed-rate personal loans of £500 to £25,000 into the business with no trading history required. Some fintech lenders will also consider very early-stage businesses using live bank data rather than years of accounts, though typically only once a few months of trading activity exists. Expect a personal guarantee to be requested in most cases, since a new business has little trading history for a lender to assess on its own.
Read guideAn unsecured business loan is finance provided without pledging a specific asset, such as property, equipment or invoices, as security. That does not mean the borrowing is risk-free: most UK lenders still require a personal guarantee from company directors, so you can remain personally liable even though no named asset is charged. Loan amounts typically run from around £1,000 up to £500,000, and rates vary widely by lender, loan size and credit profile, commonly from around 7% up to 50% APR or more.
Read guideThe best YouLend alternatives include Liberis for ecommerce and platform-embedded funding, 365 Business Finance for high-volume MCAs, Capify for flexible advance structures, iwoca for traditional loan alternatives, Funding Circle for lower-rate term loans, and Capital on Tap for revolving credit.
Read guideThe best White Oak UK alternatives include Funding Circle for a published fixed rate, Nucleus Commercial Finance for loans and asset finance from one lender in 24 hours, Bizcap for adverse credit and 4 months trading, Aldermore for four product lines from a bank, Close Brothers for mid-market facilities to £5 million, Kriya for invoice finance, and Praetura Asset Finance for equipment.
Read guideThe best Aldermore Bank alternatives include Close Brothers for sector-specialist mid-market deals, Shawbrook for property-backed lending with no turnover test, Allica Bank for commercial mortgages up to £15 million, Novuna Business Finance for small-ticket asset finance from £1,000, Lombard for facilities up to £50 million, White Oak UK for speed with no published turnover threshold, and Cynergy Business Finance for asset-based lines up to £40 million.
Read guideYes, startups can access asset finance, though the options are more limited than for established businesses. Lenders focus on the asset's value rather than trading history, which makes asset finance more accessible to new businesses than unsecured loans. You will typically need a 10–30% deposit, may be asked for a personal guarantee, and should expect to deal with specialist lenders rather than high-street banks.
Read guideThe best Close Brothers alternatives include Lombard for an 8.5% representative APR and facilities to £50 million, Novuna Business Finance for same-day decisions up to £100,000, Aldermore for businesses with only 12 months of trading, Paragon Bank for specialist sector assets, Shire Leasing for young or adverse-credit businesses, Funding Circle for an unsecured loan instead, and Ultimate Finance for the invoice finance leg.
Read guideThe best Haydock Finance alternatives include Novuna Business Finance and Aldermore Bank for published annual rates, Lombard for facilities up to £50 million, Close Brothers for larger established businesses, Shire Leasing for businesses trading only 3 months, White Oak UK for a published decision time, and Paragon Bank for a bank-funded facility to £1 million.
Read guideThe best alternatives to Hitachi Capital, now trading as Novuna Business Finance, include Shire Leasing for businesses trading only 3 months, Nucleus Commercial Finance at 6 months, Aldermore Bank for same-day decisions up to £250,000, Lombard for facilities to £50 million, Close Brothers for adverse credit, Haydock Finance for the Growth Guarantee Scheme, and White Oak UK for a 4 hour average decision.
Read guideWith hire purchase (HP), you pay instalments over an agreed term and own the asset outright at the end. With leasing, you pay to use the asset for a set period but never own it, at the end you return it, extend, or (with a finance lease) enter a secondary rental. HP suits businesses who want to build equity in the asset; leasing suits those who want to use and upgrade without ownership.
Read guideThe best Lombard alternatives include Aldermore Bank for same-day decisions on 12 months of trading, Novuna Business Finance for deals from £1,000, Shire Leasing for startups and adverse credit, Close Brothers for sector specialism, White Oak UK for a roughly 4 hour decision, Praetura Asset Finance for asset refinance, and Propel Finance for green and point-of-sale asset finance.
Read guideAn operating lease is essentially a rental, the asset stays on the lessor's balance sheet, you return it at the end, and payments are treated as an operating expense. A finance lease transfers most ownership risks and rewards to you, the asset appears on your balance sheet as both an asset and a liability, and you typically have an option to purchase or continue using it at a nominal cost at the end.
Read guideThe best Paragon Bank alternatives include Aldermore Bank for a published rate card, Novuna Business Finance for deals from £1,000, Lombard for facilities up to £50 million, Close Brothers for asset and invoice finance together, Investec for bespoke large-ticket assets, Cynergy Business Finance for asset-based lines from £200,000, and White Oak UK for a stated 4 hour decision turnaround.
Read guideThe best Praetura Asset Finance alternatives include Propel Finance for green and vehicle asset finance, Haydock Finance for Growth Guarantee Scheme deals, Novuna Business Finance for a published rate from £1,000, Aldermore Bank for same-day decisions to £250,000, Paragon Bank for operating lease and sale and leaseback, and Close Brothers for facilities up to £5 million.
Read guideThe best Propel Finance alternatives include Lombard for deals up to £50 million at 4% to 15% per annum, Novuna Business Finance for same-day decisions up to £100,000, Aldermore Bank for a published 9.3% representative APR, Close Brothers for mid-market facilities up to £5 million, Shire Leasing for start-ups from 3 months trading, Paragon Bank for sector specialists, and Haydock Finance for Growth Guarantee Scheme deals.
Read guideThe best Shire Leasing alternatives include Lombard for deals up to £50 million at 4% to 15% per annum, Novuna Business Finance for an 8.9% representative APR from £1,000, Aldermore Bank for same day decisions up to £250,000, Close Brothers for mid market facilities to £5 million, Nucleus Commercial Finance for asset finance and unsecured lending from 6 months trading, and White Oak UK for an average decision in around 4 hours.
Read guideAsset finance is a way for businesses to acquire equipment, vehicles, or machinery without paying the full cost upfront. Instead of buying outright, you spread the cost over monthly payments, either working towards ownership (hire purchase) or paying to use the asset for a set period (leasing). It allows you to preserve working capital while using the assets you need to trade.
Read guideThe best Avamore Capital alternatives include West One Loans for bridging from £50,000 including regulated cases, Shawbrook for a published maximum monthly rate from a licensed bank, Together for complex and non-standard property, Precise Mortgages for portfolio landlords and HMOs, Octopus Real Estate for regulated bridging and an EPC discount, Hampshire Trust Bank for a 21 day completion target with no early repayment charges, and LendInvest for the lowest published monthly rate floor.
Read guideEnter your property value, loan amount, monthly interest rate, and loan term to get a total cost estimate. The calculator shows your gross loan, total interest, and any rolled-up balance, helping you compare deals and check affordability before applying.
Read guideA bridging loan's total cost includes interest (0.45–1.2% per month), an arrangement fee (1–2% of the loan), valuation fees (£300–£2,000), legal fees (£1,500–£4,000), and potentially an exit fee (0–1%). On a £300,000 loan at 0.75% per month over 6 months with a 1.5% arrangement fee, total costs typically reach £18,000–£22,000.
Read guideThe three main exit strategies for a bridging loan are: sale of the property, refinance to a long-term mortgage (residential, buy-to-let, or commercial), and completion of development works followed by sale or refinance. Lenders want to see a credible, evidenced primary exit, and ideally a clear plan B if the primary exit is delayed. The quality of your exit strategy is one of the most important factors in whether your bridging loan is approved.
Read guideYes, bridging loans are one of the most common ways to fund auction purchases because they can complete within 14–28 days, matching the tight completion deadlines set by most UK property auctions. You should secure a Decision in Principle (DIP) before bidding so you know your maximum bid and can exchange contracts confidently on the day.
Read guideYes, bridging loans are one of the most common ways to fund property renovations in the UK, covering both light refurbishment (cosmetic works under £50,000) and heavy refurbishment (structural works, extensions, or change of use). Funds can be drawn in tranches as works complete, keeping interest costs down. The exit is typically a refinance to a standard mortgage or sale of the completed property.
Read guideUK bridging loan rates in 2026 range from around 0.45% to 1.2% per month, depending on LTV, property type, and your credit profile. At 65% LTV on a standard residential property with a clean credit history, rates start around 0.5% per month (roughly 6% per annum). Higher LTVs, commercial security, or adverse credit push rates higher.
Read guideThe best Hampshire Trust Bank alternatives include Shawbrook Bank and Recognise Bank for published bank rates, Together and West One Loans for faster completions, Octopus Real Estate for lending above £35 million, Precise Mortgages for mid-sized bridging, and LendInvest for the lowest published bridging rate floor.
Read guideA bridging loan is short-term secured finance that bridges the gap between buying a new property and selling an existing one, or provides fast capital while longer-term finance is arranged.
Read guideTo get a bridging loan, you need a property to secure it against, a clear exit strategy (such as a sale or remortgage), and a valuation the lender can rely on. Unlike a business loan, none of the six property-backed lenders on this site's panel require a minimum trading history or turnover; underwriting is based on the property and the exit route instead. Typical timelines run from an indicative decision within 24 to 48 hours to full completion in 2 to 4 weeks.
Read guideThe best LendInvest alternatives include Together for complex cases and a £50,000 floor, Shawbrook Bank for bank-funded bridging, West One Loans for second charge and a 2 to 3 week completion, Octopus Real Estate for schemes above £15 million, Precise Mortgages for portfolio landlords, Avamore Capital for less experienced developers, and CrowdProperty for residential development finance with published rates.
Read guideThe best Octopus Real Estate alternatives include LendInvest for bridging from £75,000, West One Loans for second charge bridging, Together for adverse credit cases, Shawbrook Bank for a full banking licence, CrowdProperty for development finance from £200,000, Avamore Capital for refurbishment decisions in 24 hours, and Atelier Finance for gearing up to 90% loan-to-cost.
Read guideThe best Precise Mortgages alternatives include Shawbrook Bank for a lower entry rate and a £25 million ceiling, West One Loans for a 24-hour credit decision and second charge bridging, Together for heavier adverse credit, Hampshire Trust Bank for lending up to £35 million, Octopus Real Estate for large development-scale facilities, Aldermore Bank for an annual-rate commercial mortgage, and LendInvest for the lowest published bridging entry rate at 0.54% per month.
Read guideThe best Shawbrook Bank alternatives include Together for adverse credit on property security, West One Loans for a 2 to 3 week completion, LendInvest for a headline bridging rate from 0.54% per month, Precise Mortgages for portfolio landlords with four or more mortgaged properties, Octopus Real Estate for facilities above £25 million, Recognise Bank for published credit criteria, Hampshire Trust Bank for a 21 day bridging target through a broker, and Allica Bank for unsecured business loans from £25,001.
Read guideThe best Together alternatives include West One Loans for faster completion and second charge bridging, Shawbrook Bank for a lower rate ceiling, Octopus Real Estate for large development finance, Precise Mortgages for portfolio landlords, LendInvest for the lowest published monthly rate, Hampshire Trust Bank for a 21 day completion target, and Recognise Bank for property-secured lending above £250,000.
Read guideThe best West One Loans alternatives include Together for direct access and a larger £25 million ceiling, Precise Mortgages for portfolio landlords and complex income, Shawbrook Bank for a lower rate ceiling, LendInvest for development finance from 7% per annum, Octopus Real Estate for schemes up to £100 million, Hampshire Trust Bank for a 21 day completion target, and Recognise Bank for commercial property above £250,000.
Read guideThe best Bibby Financial Services alternatives include Ultimate Finance for a lower discount charge from 0.8% of invoice value per month, Aldermore for a bank facility from £2,000, Close Brothers for invoice and asset finance from one provider, Kriya for funds within 24 hours of uploading an invoice, Cynergy Business Finance for funding lines up to £40 million, and White Oak UK for a decision in around 4 hours.
Read guideThe best Cynergy Business Finance alternatives include Close Brothers for a published rate range and a published decision time, Aldermore for facilities from £2,000, Bibby Financial Services for cross-border receivables, Ultimate Finance for a published discount charge from 0.8% per month, ThinCats for acquisition and buyout debt to £30 million, Investec for facilities above £40 million, and Kriya for funds within 24 hours of uploading an invoice.
Read guideWith invoice factoring, the finance company takes over your sales ledger, chases your customers for payment, and is visible to them. With invoice discounting, you retain control of your own credit control, your customers don't know a finance company is involved. Factoring suits smaller businesses with limited admin resource; discounting suits larger businesses that want confidential access to cash against their debtors.
Read guideInvoice finance has two main costs: a service charge (typically 0.5–2.5% of annual turnover) that covers the facility administration, and a discount charge (typically 1.5–4% per annum above base rate) on the funds you actually draw against outstanding invoices. For a business with £1,000,000 annual turnover using 80% of its invoices, total annual costs typically run between £15,000 and £35,000.
Read guideThe best Kriya alternatives include Bibby Financial Services and Ultimate Finance for published invoice finance rates, Aldermore Bank and Close Brothers for bank-backed facilities, Cynergy Business Finance for facilities above £1 million, White Oak UK for a 4 hour decision, and iwoca and Funding Circle for working capital where Kriya's 12 month trading rule blocks you.
Read guideThe best Ultimate Finance alternatives include Bibby Financial Services for a lower £100,000 turnover floor, Close Brothers for bank-backed invoice finance, Aldermore for four product lines under one roof, Cynergy Business Finance for asset-based lines above £5 million, Kriya for funds within 24 hours of uploading an invoice, White Oak UK for a fast decision on small facilities, and Praetura Asset Finance for the equipment half.
Read guideInvoice discounting is a type of invoice finance where you borrow against your unpaid invoices while continuing to manage your own credit control. You raise an invoice, notify the finance company, receive up to 90% of the value within 24 hours, and repay when your customer pays. In most cases it's confidential, your customers never know you're using it.
Read guideThe best Atelier Finance alternatives include Magnet Capital for schemes from £500,000 including first-time developers, CrowdProperty for a published monthly rate from £200,000, Avamore Capital for less experienced developers from £250,000, Hampshire Trust Bank for bank-backed lending to £35 million, OakNorth for bespoke facilities from £1 million, Octopus Real Estate for schemes up to £100 million, and LendInvest for loans from £75,000.
Read guideThe best CrowdProperty alternatives include Magnet Capital for first-time developers, Together for schemes from £50,000, LendInvest for a credit decision in 24 to 48 hours, Avamore Capital for less experienced developers and refurbishment, Octopus Real Estate for schemes to £100 million and an EPC rate discount, Hampshire Trust Bank for a bank balance sheet to £35 million, and Atelier for loans above CrowdProperty's £10 million ceiling.
Read guideDevelopment finance rates in the UK currently range from approximately 0.65% to 1.20% per month (8–15% annualised), depending on project type, LTGDV, developer experience, and the lender. Residential development attracts the lowest rates; commercial and mixed-use development sits higher. Arrangement fees of 1–2% and exit fees of 0–1% add to the total cost.
Read guideThe best Magnet Capital alternatives include CrowdProperty for schemes from £200,000 with published rates, Avamore Capital for less experienced developers, LendInvest for schemes from £75,000, Together for the smallest projects and a bridging exit, Atelier Finance for £3 million to £40 million, Octopus Real Estate above £15 million, and Hampshire Trust Bank for bank-funded development up to £35 million.
Read guideThe best Roma Finance alternatives include West One Loans for published bridging rates from 0.55% per month, Together for facilities up to £25 million, CrowdProperty for development finance priced at 0.65% to 1.1% per month, Avamore Capital for refurbishment approvals within 24 hours, Magnet Capital for 90% loan-to-cost and first-time developers, Octopus Real Estate for schemes up to £100 million, and LendInvest for the same £75,000 entry point as Roma.
Read guideSelf-build finance is released in stages as construction progresses, either in arrears (after each stage is completed) or in advance (before each stage begins). You'll typically need a 20–25% deposit, planning permission secured or in principle, and a build cost schedule. Rates are higher than standard residential mortgages but the product is specifically designed for properties that don't yet exist.
Read guideMost commercial mortgage lenders require a minimum deposit of 25–30%, meaning they lend up to 70–75% LTV. Investment commercial property typically requires 35% down (65% LTV), and specialist or higher-risk assets such as pubs or care homes may require 40% or more. The exact deposit needed depends on the property type, your business profile, and which lender you use.
Read guideYes, commercial mortgages are available for pub purchases in the UK, but pubs are classified as specialist or 'trading' commercial property, which means you need a specialist lender rather than a mainstream bank. Lenders assess the pub's actual net profit (ANP) from trading rather than the bricks-and-mortar property value alone, typically require a 35–40% deposit, and will scrutinise the property licence, lease terms (if tied), and trading history carefully.
Read guideCommercial mortgage rates in the UK currently range from around 5.5% to 8.5% per annum depending on property type, LTV, and borrower profile. Owner-occupied commercial property attracts the lowest rates; semi-commercial and development exits sit higher. Rates are typically quoted as a margin over the Bank of England base rate or SONIA.
Read guideThe best Recognise Bank alternatives include West One Loans for lending from £50,000 at 0.55% per month, Shawbrook Bank for facilities up to £25 million, Allica Bank for commercial mortgages up to £15 million with published loan rates, Together for borrowers with no trading history, Hampshire Trust Bank for a £35 million ceiling, OakNorth Bank for bespoke facilities above £1 million, and Aldermore Bank for the asset and invoice finance Recognise does not offer.
Read guideA commercial mortgage is a long-term loan secured against a commercial property, such as an office, warehouse, retail unit, or mixed-use building. They're used either to purchase the property or to release equity from property you already own. Terms typically run from 5 to 25 years, with deposits of 25–40% required.
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