Do you compare the whole market, or only a selected panel of providers?
Short answer: we compare a selected, continually updated panel of UK business finance providers — not the entire market. Our goal is to connect you with suitable lenders and brokers for your needs, fast, while being transparent that no introducer can truly cover 100% of the market at all times. Updated October 2025.
What “whole-of-market” really means in UK business finance
There is no single, fixed “whole market” to compare
The UK business finance landscape is dynamic, with providers entering and exiting, changing criteria, and pausing appetite for specific sectors. Even large intermediaries cannot guarantee coverage of every active lender at any given moment. That’s why claims of “whole-of-market” should be treated carefully.
At Best Business Loans, we operate as an independent introducer that uses AI and a professional network to match you with relevant providers. We do not supply loans directly, and we do not claim universal market coverage. Instead, we focus on curation, suitability, and speed.
Our approach is designed to be fair, clear and not misleading, so you can set realistic expectations from the start. You’ll know what we cover, what we don’t, and how we select partners.
Snapshot: provider types our panel typically includes
- Specialist asset finance and equipment finance providers.
- Invoice finance and receivables funding companies.
- Cash flow and working capital lenders for established SMEs.
- Vehicle and fleet finance providers, including commercial specialists.
- Refinance and restructuring providers for existing agreements.
- Professional broker partners with deep sector expertise.
Coverage evolves based on real-time appetite, sector focus, and product availability. Where a lender pauses lending to your sector or product type, we adjust.
Why we don’t claim to compare every provider
First, there is no definitive, public list of every lender with active appetite for every scenario today. Appetite varies by sector, loan purpose, quantum, security, and region. Second, some lenders only accept applications through select channels.
Third, our promise is about relevance rather than blanket breadth. We aim to introduce you to providers who are both suitable and available for your situation. That helps you move faster and avoid dead ends.
If we think you may benefit from options beyond our network, we will say so. You stay in control throughout the process.
How our curated panel works (and why it helps you)
Depth over breadth: we prioritise fit, speed, and clarity
Our panel is selected to cover the core needs of established UK trading businesses. It leans into categories where criteria can be assessed upfront, reducing the risk of declined or delayed applications. We then use AI to shortlist likely matches.
This approach saves you time compared with contacting dozens of providers on your own. It also reflects lender reality: two providers offering “asset finance” could have very different criteria and pricing bands.
We aim to connect you with providers who are actively lending to your sector, at your stage, and for your purpose. That is what drives better outcomes in practice.
How we choose and maintain our panel
- Live lending appetite: we favour providers actively writing business in your sector.
- Product depth: options across asset finance, invoice finance, and working capital.
- Sector familiarity: lenders used to dealing with your industry’s realities.
- Service standards: clarity, responsiveness, and consistent processes.
- Transparency: clear costs, terms, and eligibility requirements.
The panel is reviewed regularly to reflect changes in credit appetite and product availability. We remove or pause providers when their criteria no longer align with our users’ needs.
What our AI matching considers
Our system uses the details you share to identify relevant categories and candidate providers. It then introduces you to suitable lenders or brokers for next steps, documentation, and pricing.
The aim is to reduce friction and avoid unnecessary hard searches early on. You decide which option to pursue once you have enough information.
Typical factors the matching process weighs
- Your sector, trading history, and location.
- Loan purpose and amount; asset type if relevant.
- Business financials and affordability indicators.
- Security or guarantees available, where applicable.
- Any existing facilities to refinance or consolidate.
Note: we do not currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance, or commercial mortgages. Our focus is on established trading businesses.
Transparency about limitations, fees, and independence
Clear scope: what we do and what we don’t
We introduce — we don’t lend or advise. That means we help you explore options and connect with providers, but we do not recommend a single “best” product for your personal circumstances.
We can’t guarantee the lowest rate or acceptance. All finance is subject to status, affordability, and underwriting by the provider you choose to engage.
Providers may request documents and conduct credit checks as part of their process. We’ll flag where soft searches are possible.
How we’re paid
We may receive a commission or introducer fee from a lender or broker if you proceed with a facility through their service. This does not change the decision you make, nor does it obligate you to proceed.
We believe users should know this upfront. Transparency supports better decisions and aligns with FCA and ASA expectations for fairness and clarity.
Fair, clear, not misleading — our compliance approach
We aim to comply voluntarily with the spirit of the FCA’s financial promotion rules for clarity and balance, even though we do not provide regulated advice. Our content avoids unrealistic claims and sets accurate expectations.
We also take Google’s financial services advertising policies seriously. We provide sufficient information so users can understand next steps and potential costs before engaging any provider.
If you work in a regulated sector like healthcare, you may prefer sector-ready providers. See our guide to healthcare business loans for more context.
What you can expect from the matching journey
Four simple steps to a faster shortlist
- Complete a Quick Quote: tell us your sector, purpose, and funding amount. It takes a couple of minutes.
- AI analysis: we review your profile and map it to relevant finance categories and providers.
- Introductions: we connect you with lenders or brokers who look a strong fit for your case.
- You decide: compare options, ask questions, and proceed if a solution works for you.
Submitting a Quick Quote is free and carries no obligation. You remain in control at every stage, with the freedom to pause or decline.
Where possible, we help you understand likely documentation early. That means fewer surprises and a smoother path to an offer.
Will a credit check be performed?
We do not run credit checks. Some providers may use a soft search initially, which does not impact your score, and later a hard search if you proceed.
The provider will inform you before any hard search takes place. It is best practice to ask directly about credit search stages and timing.
Where multiple providers are involved, manage the sequence to avoid duplicative hard searches. We can help you plan that order.
Typical timelines and information requests
Indicative feedback can be quick when documentation is available. Formal offers require underwriting and may take longer depending on facility type.
Prepare recent management accounts, bank statements, and details of existing finance. For asset or vehicle finance, include asset specs and supplier quotes.
For invoice finance, be ready with aged debtor reports and key customer concentrations. Clarity here can expedite decisions.
When a whole-market search might be better — and how we help you decide
Scenarios where you may look beyond our panel
If you want to test niche or emerging products outside our scope, a wider search may be sensible. Some grant-backed or regional schemes may not be available via our network.
If your business is pre-revenue or structured as a sole trader, we are not currently the right fit. The same applies to commercial property finance and mortgages.
In these cases, we will be upfront and, where possible, point you toward general resources to continue your search independently.
How to get started — with no obligation
It’s free to submit your Quick Quote, and there’s no commitment to proceed. You can compare introductions, ask questions, and walk away if it isn’t right.
We don’t promise the absolute lowest rate available anywhere. We do aim to make your route to relevant providers faster, clearer, and more confident.
Ready to explore options now? [Get Your Free Quick Quote Now]
Key takeaways
- We compare a selected, regularly updated panel — not every provider in the UK.
- Our focus is on suitability and speed for established trading businesses.
- We introduce; we don’t lend or provide regulated financial advice.
- Commissions may be paid by providers if you proceed; your choice remains yours.
- You can submit a free, no‑obligation Quick Quote to see potential matches.
FAQs
Do you cover high-street banks and alternative lenders?
Our network typically includes a mix of bank-owned and non‑bank lenders, plus specialist finance houses. Availability varies by product and appetite.
If a particular bank is essential for you, tell us up front. We’ll confirm whether it is currently within our network.
How many lenders are on your panel?
The panel is broad and continually updated to reflect live appetite. We avoid giving a fixed number because coverage changes responsibly over time.
What matters most is whether we have strong options for your sector, purpose, and facility type right now.
Will you always present the cheapest option?
No, and no introducer can promise that. Pricing depends on your profile, security, and current lender appetite.
We aim to present relevant options so you can compare value holistically — not just the headline rate.
Do you charge me for the service?
Submitting a Quick Quote is free, and there is no obligation. If any broker or lender fees apply, they will disclose them clearly before you decide.
We may receive a commission from the provider if you proceed. This supports the service at no upfront cost to you.
Will my credit score be affected?
We don’t run credit searches. Providers may run soft searches first and hard searches before final approval.
You will be informed and can choose whether to proceed before any hard search occurs.
Who is this service best for?
Established UK trading businesses seeking asset finance, invoice finance, vehicle funding, cash flow facilities, or refinance options. Sectors include construction, manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and more.
We’re not suitable right now for start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance, or commercial mortgages.
Important information and fair‑use notices
Best Business Loans operates as an independent introducer. We don’t lend, and we don’t provide personalised financial advice.
All finance is subject to status, credit checks, affordability, and underwriting by the chosen provider. Terms, conditions, rates, and fees vary and may change.
Information on this page is intended to be fair, clear and not misleading and is provided for UK businesses only. Please consider professional advice if you need guidance specific to your circumstances.