Business Finance Guides
Plain-English guides to UK business loans, asset finance, invoice financing, and business credit cards. Compare lenders, check what you'll qualify for, and walk into a funding decision already knowing the answers.
Invoice Financing
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How UK SMEs Are Using Invoice Finance in 2026 to Combat Late Payments and Working Capital Gaps
UK SMEs are owed an estimated £26 billion in late B2B payments at any one time, with the average invoice running 23.4 days past agreed terms. In 2026, more businesses are turning to invoice finance — releasing 80–90% of invoice value within 24 hours — to close working capital gaps without waiting 30, 60, or 90 days to be paid.
Invoice Finance for Agencies and Consultancies: Funding Project Work on 30-90 Day Terms
Invoice finance for agencies and consultancies converts unpaid client invoices into immediate cash flow, typically advancing 80-95% of invoice value within 24 hours.
Invoice Financing Costs in the UK: Typical Fees, Discount Rates and Total Interest Explained for 2026
Invoice financing in the UK typically costs between 1% and 2.4% of annual turnover when you combine service fees and discount charges. Service fees run from 0.5% to 3% of turnover, while discount rates sit at roughly 1.5% to 3% above the Bank of England base rate — producing effective annual rates of around 5.25% to 6.75% at current base rates.
Development Finance
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Pre-Planning Development Finance: Can You Borrow Before Permission Is Granted?
Yes, you can borrow money before planning permission is granted, but it typically requires specialist bridging finance rather than traditional development finance. Pre-planning funding helps developers secure land, fund planning applications, and position projects for full development finance once permission is obtained.
Development Finance for Brownfield Sites: Remediation, Planning and Lender Risk
Development finance for brownfield sites requires specialist lenders who understand contamination risks, extended remediation timelines, and complex planning processes.
Commercial Development Finance UK: Warehouses, Industrial Units and Business Parks
Commercial development finance UK for warehouses, industrial units and business parks provides £100k to £50m+ funding for developers building or converting industrial properties. These specialist facilities cover land acquisition, construction costs, and project delivery with flexible criteria and development-focused exit strategies.
Land Acquisition Finance UK: Funding Sites Before Development Starts
Land acquisition finance UK provides developers with funding to purchase development sites before construction begins, typically through bridging loans or specialist development finance.
What Is Development Finance? Complete UK Guide for Developers
Development finance is short-term, property-secured funding for land acquisition and construction or major conversion. The lender normally releases money in stages after monitoring progress.
Mezzanine Finance and JV Equity: UK Development Funding Compared
UK property developers seeking funding beyond traditional senior debt face two primary options: mezzanine finance provides structured secondary loans up to 90% of project costs, while JV equity partnerships can deliver 100% funding in exchange for profit sharing and reduced developer control.
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