Do you charge any fees to applicants, and do you receive introducer commissions?

The short answer — our fees and commissions policy

No — Best Business Loans does not charge applicants any fees to submit a Quick Quote, check eligibility, or be introduced to potential lenders or brokers. Our service for UK businesses is free to use and carries no obligation to proceed.

Yes — we may receive introducer commissions from lenders or brokers if you choose to proceed with a finance product following an introduction we make. This is a common way comparison and introducer services are funded in the UK.

Any fees that apply to a finance product are set by the lender or broker, not by Best Business Loans. Those partners are responsible for clearly disclosing their charges before you make a decision.

Who pays us, and when?

We are paid by some finance providers or brokers for successful introductions that lead to a completed agreement. These payments are commonly called “introducer commissions”.

They are paid by the provider, not by you, and are part of that provider’s normal distribution costs. We do not add any fee to your finance.

If you do not proceed with any option, we do not receive any commission and you pay nothing to us.

Does this affect the price you pay?

Our aim is to connect you with relevant, reliable providers who can help in your sector and circumstances. We do not promise the lowest rate on the market, and we stay transparent about that.

Providers set their own pricing and eligibility rules, and we do not increase the cost you pay. We also encourage you to compare options before deciding.

If you ever want to understand how we are remunerated on a specific introduction, you can ask us or the provider for more information.

Important context

Best Business Loans is an independent introducer and does not provide loans, credit broking, or financial advice. Where introductions involve regulated activities, they are made to firms authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

All information on this page is designed to be clear, fair and not misleading in line with UK advertising standards. You should always read provider terms carefully before you commit.

We never sell your data, and we only share your details with relevant providers for the purposes of your enquiry.

How our model works — and what costs you might see from providers

Best Business Loans uses AI-powered matching and a professional network to introduce you to suitable lenders or brokers based on your business profile and funding needs. This saves you time and helps you reach providers who are active in your sector.

We do not charge for this matching or introduction. Instead, we may receive a commission from a provider if your application completes.

Any third-party charges will always be disclosed by the provider or broker directly, and you can choose whether to proceed.

Common provider fees you may encounter

Depending on the product and provider, you may see some of the following charges. These are examples and not exhaustive.

• Arrangement or facility fees charged by the lender.
• Broker fees charged by a broker you instruct to act on your behalf.
• Documentation, valuation, or legal fees on asset-backed facilities.
• Early settlement fees, minimum terms, or termination charges.
• Monthly service or monitoring fees for revolving facilities.

Providers must explain these costs before you sign. If you are unsure about any fee, ask the provider to clarify in writing.

Examples by finance type

Cash flow or working capital loans may include an arrangement fee and fixed or variable interest. Invoice finance may include service fees and discount rates on drawn funds.

Asset finance can include documentation fees, option-to-purchase fees, and charges for late or missed payments. Vehicle and equipment finance can include administration or delivery charges.

Refinance, consolidation and restructuring facilities can involve legal or valuation costs paid to third parties. Always review the fee schedule before agreeing.

Sector note: healthcare businesses

Some sectors have more specialist pricing and due diligence. For example, care homes and private clinics may face sector-specific underwriting and valuations.

If you operate in health and care, you can learn more about options at our page on healthcare business loans. This resource explains typical products, uses and considerations.

Sector familiarity can shorten timelines and improve clarity around costs and terms.

Transparency, commission disclosure, and how we manage conflicts

We take transparency seriously and support your right to understand how we are paid. While commission structures vary by provider, we will always explain our role and how our service is funded.

Where you request details about our remuneration on an introduction, we will tell you what we know and help you obtain disclosures from the provider. Many regulated firms disclose commission on request.

We also maintain internal policies to mitigate conflicts of interest and to keep our matching process focused on suitability.

How we prioritise suitability

Our AI matching considers your sector, funding purpose, trading history, and indicative affordability. It helps spot providers that are actively lending to businesses like yours.

We do not rank partners solely based on commission. Commercial terms, eligibility fit, service track record, and sector alignment matter more.

You remain in control at every step, and there is no obligation to proceed with any option introduced.

Commission: what you can expect

Introducer commissions are typically a fixed amount or a percentage-based fee paid by the lender or broker upon completion. We do not add this to your price.

The exact structure differs by provider and product type, and it may change over time. We keep reasonable records of our arrangements and review them periodically.

If you want clarity on a specific introduction, ask us or the provider for disclosure. We support fair, clear and not misleading communications.

Our partner selection criteria

• Regulatory status where required (FCA-authorised where applicable).
• Sector expertise and appetite to lend to UK SMEs.
• Transparent pricing and clear documentation standards.
• Service levels, responsiveness and decision times.
• Customer feedback and conduct history.
• Product breadth across cash flow, asset and invoice-based facilities.

We review our network to prioritise relevance and reliability. We welcome feedback on your experience with any provider.

Our goal is to help you make informed decisions, not to sell one product over another.

What to expect in the process — and when costs become visible

We keep the journey simple and signposted, so you know when and how costs will be shown by providers. Below is a typical path from Quick Quote to Decision in Principle.

Timeframes vary by product and provider, but clear communication reduces delays and surprises. You can stop at any time before you sign a provider’s agreement.

There is no charge from Best Business Loans at any stage.

Step-by-step

1. Quick Quote: Share basic details about your business, funding need, and amount required. No fees, no obligation.
2. AI Matching: We analyse your profile and identify relevant lenders or brokers in our network. We introduce you where appropriate.
3. Discovery call/docs: A provider may request recent accounts, bank statements, and ID checks. They will outline any potential fees at this stage.
4. Decision in Principle (DiP): You may receive an outline of terms, subject to underwriting. Fees should be disclosed in writing.
5. Underwriting/completion: Final checks are completed. You sign only if terms and costs are acceptable.

At steps 3–5, the provider should present all material charges and terms. If anything is unclear, ask for a written explanation.

We encourage you to compare options and consider impact on cash flow before proceeding.

Typical costs you may see from providers

• Interest or discount rates: The core cost of borrowing or drawing funds.
• Arrangement fees: One-off fees for setting up the facility.
• Broker fees: If you appoint a broker to represent you, they may charge a fee.
• Service/monitoring fees: Ongoing charges for managing the facility.
• Third-party costs: Valuation, legal, or surveyor fees where applicable.
• Early repayment/termination fees: Charges for closing or altering the facility early.

Providers should make these transparent and explain how they are calculated. Never sign if you do not understand the cost breakdown.

If needed, seek independent advice from a qualified professional before committing.

Will introducer commission change your rate?

Introducer commission is a distribution cost borne by the provider and is not an extra fee from us. It should not be presented as an additional cost charged by Best Business Loans.

Pricing is set by providers taking into account many factors, including risk, market conditions and operating costs. Your eligibility, security, and financials are often the key drivers of price.

We focus on matching suitability and clarity so you can choose an option that fits your goals and cash flow.

FAQs, key takeaways, and next steps

FAQs about fees and commissions

Is your service free for applicants? Yes. You can submit a Quick Quote, receive AI-led matching, and be introduced to suitable providers at no cost from us.

Do you receive introducer commissions? Yes. Some lenders or brokers pay us if a facility completes following our introduction. This is a standard practice in the UK market.

Do you charge any hidden fees? No. We do not charge applicants any fees. Any applicable fees are set and disclosed by the provider.

Can I ask how much commission you receive? Yes. You can ask us or the provider for information about commissions related to your case. We support fair disclosure.

Does commission bias your recommendations? We prioritise suitability, eligibility fit, and service quality. We do not rank partners purely by commission potential.

Will my rate be higher because of commission? Providers set pricing based on risk and market factors. We do not add fees to your facility, and commission is not an extra charge from us.

Can providers charge their own fees? Yes. Lenders or brokers may charge arrangement, service or third-party fees. They must disclose them before you sign.

Are you FCA-authorised? We operate as an independent introducer and do not provide loans or financial advice. Where an introduction amounts to credit broking, it is made to firms authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Do you guarantee the lowest rates? No. We do not guarantee the lowest rate. We help you find relevant, trusted providers so you can compare and choose.

Key takeaways

• We do not charge applicants any fees for Quick Quotes, eligibility checks or introductions.
• We may receive introducer commissions from lenders or brokers if you proceed with a facility.
• Any fees you pay are provider fees and will be disclosed by that provider before you commit.
• You can ask for commission disclosure related to your introduction at any time.
• Our priority is clarity, suitability and control so you can make informed decisions.

We aim to keep all communications clear, fair and not misleading in line with FCA, ASA and Google policies. Your information is handled securely and only shared with relevant providers.

If you have questions, contact us at hello@bestbusinessloans.ai and we’ll be happy to help.

Start with a free Quick Quote

It takes minutes to submit your details, and there is no obligation to proceed. You’ll see which providers may be suitable based on your sector, purpose and trading profile.

From cash flow loans and equipment finance to invoice finance and refinance, our network supports a wide range of established UK businesses. We do not currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance or commercial mortgages.

Ready to explore smarter business finance, powered by AI? Get your Free Quick Quote now and see your potential options.

About Best Business Loans

Best Business Loans is an independent introducer helping UK SMEs explore commercial funding. We do not provide loans, financial advice, or credit broking services.

Our AI-led matching and professional network save time, reduce guesswork, and surface relevant providers for your sector. You stay in control throughout the process.

Updated: October 2025. Contact: hello@bestbusinessloans.ai | Website: https://www.bestbusinessloans.ai