Paragon Bank Review

Item: Paragon Bank Business Finance
Author: Lendus

Figures last checked 23 August 2026. Independent review by Lendus — we are an introducer, not a lender, and are not paid by Paragon Bank.

What does Paragon Bank offer UK businesses?

Paragon Bank does not offer a direct lending product. Priced per deal. Figures checked 23 August 2026 and indicative only.

Paragon Bank is a specialist UK bank within Paragon Banking Group plc, a FTSE 250-listed group first established in 1985. Through its Asset Finance division, Paragon Bank provides hire purchase, finance lease, sale and HP back, sale and leaseback, refinance, and operating lease facilities, alongside unsecured business loans, to UK SMEs across sectors including construction, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, aviation and renewable energy. As a PRA-authorised, dual-regulated bank, Paragon funds lending from its own balance sheet rather than third-party wholesale funding.

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

Amount

£5k – £1M

Rates

N/A – N/A

Priced per deal; no public rate card

Speed

Not publicly stated; timescales are assessed per deal based on complexity and asset type.

What is Paragon Bank?

Paragon Bank (Paragon Bank plc (part of Paragon Banking Group plc)) is a UK-based business finance provider founded in 1985 and headquartered in Solihull. Paragon Bank is a specialist UK bank within Paragon Banking Group plc, a FTSE 250-listed group first established in 1985. Through its Asset Finance division, Paragon Bank provides hire purchase, finance lease, sale and HP back, sale and leaseback, refinance, and operating lease facilities, alongside unsecured business loans, to UK SMEs across sectors including construction, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, aviation and renewable energy. As a PRA-authorised, dual-regulated bank, Paragon funds lending from its own balance sheet rather than third-party wholesale funding. .

Founded 1985 Solihull Paragon Bank plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. FCA firm reference number 604551.

Where these details come from

Companies House number: find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk , checked 2026-08-23
Regulatory status: www.paragonbank.co.uk , checked 2026-08-23

Rates and costs

Rate range: N/A – N/A (Priced per deal; no public rate card)
Representative APR: Paragon Bank does not publish a representative APR for asset finance; pricing is quoted per deal.
Amount range: £5,000 – £1,000,000
Approval speed: Not publicly stated; timescales are assessed per deal based on complexity and asset type.

Eligibility requirements

Minimum trading history: Not publicly stated; assessed as part of underwriting.
Minimum turnover: Not publicly stated; deals are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Credit requirements: Paragon does not publish standard credit criteria for asset finance. Facilities are secured against the financed asset, with underwriting based on the business's financials, the asset type, and deal structure.

How to apply

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

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Pros and cons

Pros

Part of a FTSE 250-listed, PRA-authorised UK bank, funding from its own balance sheet
Broad product range: hire purchase, finance lease, sale and HP back, sale and leaseback, refinance, and operating lease
Deep sector specialism across construction, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, aviation and renewable energy
Also offers unsecured business loans alongside asset finance

Cons

No public rate card; pricing is quoted per deal so it is hard to compare in advance
No published minimum turnover or trading history requirement, so eligibility can be unclear upfront
Sector specialist model may mean less focus on business types outside its core sectors

Is Paragon Bank right for you?

Best for

Established UK SMEs in construction, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, aviation or renewable energy needing hire purchase, leasing or refinance from a regulated bank balance sheet lender

Not ideal for

Businesses wanting an upfront published rate card or a fast, fully automated online decision

Frequently asked questions about Paragon Bank

Is Paragon Bank legit?

Yes. Paragon Bank plc is part of Paragon Banking Group plc, a FTSE 250-listed group first established in 1985. Paragon Bank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the FCA and PRA (FCA firm reference number 604551), and is confirmed as an active company at Companies House (company number 05390593).

What asset finance products does Paragon Bank offer?

Paragon's Asset Finance division offers hire purchase, finance lease, sale and HP back, sale and leaseback, refinance, and operating lease, alongside unsecured business loans. Products are aimed at SMEs in construction, transport, agriculture, manufacturing, aviation and renewable energy.

What are Paragon Bank's asset finance rates?

Paragon does not publish a public rate card or representative APR for asset finance. Pricing is quoted per deal based on the asset, deal structure and the applicant's financials.

Is Paragon Bank FCA regulated?

Yes. Paragon Bank plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority and the PRA, under FCA firm reference number 604551.

Is Paragon Bank the same as Paragon Banking Group?

Paragon Bank plc is the banking subsidiary that holds the banking licence and FCA/PRA permissions within Paragon Banking Group plc, the FTSE 250-listed parent company. Asset finance lending is carried out by Paragon Bank plc.