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.
Business Loans
View all
Working Capital Ratio: The Key Financial Metric Every UK Business Owner Must Track
The working capital ratio measures your business's ability to pay short-term debts using current assets. Calculate it by dividing current assets by current liabilities - a ratio between 1.2 and 2.0 typically signals healthy cash flow management.
150 UK Small Business Grants Available Right Now
There are currently over 150 UK small business grants available right now, spanning innovation, sustainability, regional development, creative industries, and more. These grants are non-repayable, meaning you keep the money without paying it back.
UK Commercial Real Estate: Refinancing Price War Heats Up in Q2 2026
A £33 billion wave of maturing UK commercial real estate loans is forcing lenders to compete aggressively on price in Q2 2026. Senior loan margins on prime offices have been cut by around 45 basis points over the past year, according to Bayes Business School research.
Development Finance
View all
Development Finance Application Checklist: Planning, Costs, GDV and Exit Evidence
A complete development finance application requires four critical components: valid planning permission or statutory consents, detailed construction cost breakdowns, professional GDV assessments, and a clear exit strategy. Missing any element typically results in application rejection or significantly higher rates.
Development Finance with Adverse Credit: Can Builders Borrow After Defaults or Insolvency?
Yes, builders can access development finance with adverse credit through specialist lenders who focus on project viability and property security rather than credit scores.
Development Finance With or Without Planning Permission: What Changes?
Development finance with planning permission offers lower rates, higher leverage (up to 87.5% LTC), and faster drawdown. Without planning permission, expect 20-30% higher rates, reduced loan amounts, and specialist lenders only.
LTV and GDV Explained: The Numbers Development Lenders Care About
LTV (Loan-to-Value) measures how much you can borrow against your security, while GDV (Gross Development Value) represents your project's completed worth. Development lenders use these ratios to assess risk and determine funding limits — typically offering 65-75% LTV on existing property value and 70-80% of total development costs against projected GDV.
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.
Care Home and Supported Living Development Finance UK: Complete Guide for 2026
Care home and supported living development finance UK provides specialized funding from £250,000 to £40 million for developers building or converting properties for elderly care and assisted living. Lenders require proven sector experience, minimum 40-bed viability, and offer 12-36 month terms with competitive rates starting from 2% over base rate.
Ready when you are
See what funding your business could get
Start a short eligibility check and compare selected business funding options. It only takes about 2 minutes, with no hard credit check to start.