Business Loans
Business loans and working capital for UK businesses
Funding to run, steady and grow your business
Working capital, growth funding and refinancing for limited companies, partnerships and sole traders, arranged around how your business actually trades.
At a glance
- Who it is for
- Limited companies, partnerships and sole traders
- Typical term
- Often 1 to 5 years, longer where the loan is secured
- Secured or unsecured
- Both, depending on the amount, the lender and your trading history
- Usually needed
- Trading accounts and recent bank statements
Business finance, explained simply
The right loan for the job in hand
A business loan can be as simple as a lump sum repaid monthly, or structured around your trading patterns, your assets or your invoices. The right answer depends on what the money is for and how quickly the business can repay it comfortably.
Banks are only one part of the market. Specialist and alternative lenders often look at businesses differently, which is why a decline from your own bank is rarely the end of the story. We look at the whole picture first, then approach the lenders most likely to say yes.
What we arrange
Business funding in the shapes it actually comes in
We will tell you honestly which of these fits, and which would cost you more than it is worth.
Unsecured business loans
Funding without putting property up as security, usually with personal guarantees from the directors.
Secured business loans
Larger or longer-term borrowing secured against property or other assets, usually at a lower cost.
Working capital
Smoothing out cash flow, covering wages, stock or quiet months without starving the business.
Growth and expansion
Funding new premises, new staff, new vehicles or a step up in capacity.
Acquisitions and buy-ins
Funding to buy a business, buy out a partner or bring a new director in.
Refinancing existing debt
Replacing expensive or short-dated borrowing with something more comfortable to live with.
What it gets used for
What businesses come to us for
Tell us what you are trying to achieve rather than which product you think you need. That usually gets a better answer.
- Cash flow and working capital
- Buying stock
- Hiring and payroll
- New premises
- Equipment and fit-out
- VAT and tax bills
- Marketing and growth
- Buying a business
- Consolidating borrowing
- Seasonal trading gaps
Before you apply
What lenders look at
We go through all of this with you first, so the application goes out in its best shape.
01
Trading history
How long you have traded and how steady the business has been. Younger businesses have options, just fewer of them.
02
Turnover and profit
What comes in, what is left, and whether the repayments are comfortable rather than a stretch.
03
Credit profile
Both the business and the directors. Blips are common and are not automatically a problem.
04
Security and guarantees
Whether there is property or other security, and what guarantees the lender expects.
How it works
A clear route from first call to funds released
1
Initial conversation
What the money is for, how much, how quickly, and what the business can comfortably repay.
2
Options and terms
We research suitable lenders and explain the real cost of each option in plain English.
3
Application
We package the application with your figures presented properly and deal with lender questions.
4
Offer and drawdown
We keep it moving to offer, then through to the money landing in your account.
Smaller unsecured facilities can move in days once the paperwork is in. Secured and larger loans take longer, usually several weeks, because of valuations and legal work.
Helpful to have ready
- Two to three years of accounts, or tax returns if you are a sole trader
- Six months of business bank statements
- Up to date management figures if you have them
- A short note on what the funding is for
- Details of any existing borrowing
- Photo ID and proof of address for the directors
Do not worry if you do not have everything yet. We will tell you exactly what your lender needs.
Why Vantage
Personal advice, not a call centre
Vantage is run by husband and wife team Charles and Melanie. Charles has spent nearly 20 years helping people with their mortgages, and together they bring that experience to business owners, landlords and investors.
You deal with us directly from the first conversation to completion, and we can draw on specialist support and a wide range of lenders when your case needs it.
FAQs
Common questions
Can’t see your question? Send us a message and we will be happy to help.
We arrange business loans for businesses across Hampshire, including Fareham, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Secured or unsecured, which is better?
Unsecured is quicker and does not put property at risk, but usually costs more and is limited in size. Secured borrowing is normally cheaper and can be larger, but takes longer and involves a valuation and legal work.
How quickly can we get funding?
Smaller unsecured facilities can sometimes be in place within a few days. Anything secured against property realistically takes several weeks.
Can a new business borrow?
Sometimes, yes, though the options are narrower and lenders usually want personal guarantees and a clear plan. Asset finance and invoice finance are often easier routes early on.
Does a poor credit history rule us out?
Not necessarily. Plenty of lenders look at the business as it trades today. What matters is being upfront, so we approach the right lenders first time.
Will I have to give a personal guarantee?
For most business lending, yes, especially where the loan is unsecured. We will always make sure you understand what you are signing before you commit.
Can we repay early?
Usually, though some lenders charge for it and others do not. We will flag early repayment terms before you commit, because it often matters more than the headline rate.
Get in touch
Let's talk about your plans
Tell us a little about what you would like to fund and Charles or Melanie will come back to you to talk it through.
Helpful to have ready
- A short outline of what you want to fund
- The approximate amount and timescale
- Property, asset or business details if you have them
Send us an enquiry
We will only use your details to respond to your enquiry. Please read our privacy notice before you send us your information.
Calculators and guides
- Business loan calculatorMonthly payment and total cost
- Business loan checklistWhat lenders want to see
- Invoice financeTurn invoices into cash
- Bridging loan calculatorGross loan, interest and redemption
- Commercial mortgage calculatorMonthly payment, LTV and rental cover
- Development finance calculatorProfit, loan to cost and loan to GDV