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LendingCrowd Review

LendingCrowd is a Scottish peer-to-peer business lending platform that connects investors directly with established UK small businesses seeking growth capital. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Edinburgh, LendingCrowd was accredited by the British Business Bank under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and focuses on relationship-based lending for businesses with a proven track record.

Written by the Lendus editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.

200+ UK lenders
2-minute application
No credit check to apply
FCA-regulated brokers

Amount

£25k – £500k

Rates

6% – 18%

per annum

Speed

Within 5–7 working days

Trustpilot

4.3/5

120 reviews

What is LendingCrowd?

LendingCrowd (LendingCrowd Ltd) is a UK-based business finance provider founded in 2014 and headquartered in Edinburgh. LendingCrowd is a Scottish peer-to-peer business lending platform that connects investors directly with established UK small businesses seeking growth capital. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Edinburgh, LendingCrowd was accredited by the British Business Bank under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and focuses on relationship-based lending for businesses with a proven track record. They have lent £180 million to date, helping 1,500+ UK businesses.

Founded 2014 Edinburgh LendingCrowd Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a peer-to-peer lending platform. FCA reference number 630723.

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Products offered

Business Loans

Rates and costs

Rate range
6% – 18% (per annum)
Representative APR
10.5% APR representative
Amount range
£25,000 – £500,000
Approval speed
Within 5–7 working days

Representative example

Borrow £50,000 over 24 months. Total repayable: £55,700. Cost of credit: £5,700. Your rate depends on your circumstances.

Eligibility requirements

Minimum trading history
24+ months
Minimum turnover
£100,000
Credit requirements
Good credit history required. Full financial accounts reviewed. Business must be profitable or clearly on a profitable trajectory.

How to apply

1

Check eligibility through Lendus — answer a few questions about your business and funding needs (2 minutes)

2

We compare LendingCrowd against 200+ other lenders to find the best match for your situation

3

Review your matched options — see rates, terms, and eligibility from multiple providers including LendingCrowd

4

Choose the best offer and complete the application with your matched lender directly

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Pros and cons

Pros

  • CBILS-accredited lender with British Business Bank backing
  • Competitive interest rates for well-established businesses
  • Scottish-based — good choice for Scottish and northern UK businesses
  • Relationship-based approach with dedicated loan managers

Cons

  • Slower process than fintech lenders — not suitable for urgent funding
  • P2P model means funding speed depends on investor demand
  • Minimum £25,000 and 2 years trading excludes newer businesses
  • Smaller lender with less public brand recognition than competitors

Is LendingCrowd right for you?

Best for

Profitable, well-established UK SMEs with 2+ years of accounts looking for competitive-rate business loans and willing to accept a slightly longer approval timeline

Not ideal for

Businesses needing same-day or next-day funding, startups, or companies with less than 2 years of trading history

LendingCrowd alternatives

If LendingCrowd isn't the right fit, consider these alternatives:

Funding Circle Fleximize Nucleus Commercial Finance iwoca

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Frequently asked questions about LendingCrowd

Is LendingCrowd legit?
Yes, LendingCrowd is a legitimate and FCA-authorised peer-to-peer lending platform (FCA reference 630723), registered in Scotland at Companies House (SC468346). Founded in 2014 in Edinburgh, LendingCrowd was accredited by the British Business Bank under CBILS and has lent over £180 million to UK businesses. Though smaller than some competitors, it operates under the same regulatory framework as all UK-regulated P2P lenders.
What are LendingCrowd interest rates?
LendingCrowd business loan rates range from approximately 6% to 18% per annum, with a representative APR of around 10.5% for well-qualified borrowers. Rates are set based on the risk profile of your business, loan term, and amount. Well-established, profitable businesses typically access the lower end of the rate range, making LendingCrowd competitive against traditional bank lending for the right borrower profile.
Can I get a LendingCrowd loan with bad credit?
LendingCrowd applies relatively conservative credit criteria as a P2P platform where investors are funding the loans. Businesses with CCJs, significant adverse credit, or a history of missed payments are unlikely to qualify. The lender focuses on established, profitable businesses with clean financials. If you have credit issues, consider lenders such as Bizcap or iwoca that explicitly serve businesses with adverse credit.
How much can I borrow from LendingCrowd?
LendingCrowd provides business loans between £25,000 and £500,000. Loan amounts are determined by your business's annual turnover, profitability, financial position, and credit history. A minimum of 2 years trading and £100,000 annual turnover are typically required. Maximum loan sizes are generally limited to a multiple of your annual revenue.
Is LendingCrowd FCA regulated?
Yes, LendingCrowd Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a peer-to-peer lender under FCA reference number 630723. FCA regulation of P2P platforms includes requirements around capital adequacy, transparent disclosure to investors, and fair treatment of borrowers. You can verify LendingCrowd's regulatory status on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk.
How long does LendingCrowd take to approve a loan?
LendingCrowd typically takes 5 to 7 working days from application to funding, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the deal and how quickly investor funding is raised on the platform. The application review process itself takes 2 to 3 working days, after which the loan is listed for investors. Businesses needing same-day or next-day funding should look elsewhere.
Can I repay a LendingCrowd loan early?
Yes, LendingCrowd allows early repayment of business loans. An early settlement fee may apply, as early repayment can create complications for the investors who funded the loan. Contact LendingCrowd directly to request a formal early settlement quotation, which will detail any charges applicable and the net amount required to clear your balance.
LendingCrowd vs Funding Circle — which is better?
LendingCrowd and Funding Circle are both P2P business lenders, but Funding Circle is significantly larger with a higher profile and faster technology-driven underwriting. Funding Circle is generally the better choice for businesses wanting a well-known brand and faster decisions. LendingCrowd has a more personal, relationship-based approach and is particularly well-suited to Scottish businesses and those who prefer working with a smaller, more attentive team. For competitive rates and scale, Funding Circle typically wins; for service and Scottish focus, LendingCrowd stands apart.

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