How long does it take from enquiry to funds being released?
The short answer
Most established UK businesses can receive funds in as little as 24–72 hours for simple working capital solutions, and 3–14 days for more detailed facilities. Larger, secured or specialist finance can take 2–6 weeks due to valuations, legal work, and due diligence. Timelines always depend on your documents, the lender’s underwriting capacity, and the complexity of the transaction.
Typical timeframes by product:
- Unsecured business loan: 1–5 working days for smaller sums; up to 2 weeks for larger limits.
- Merchant cash advance: 24–72 hours once card statements are verified.
- Invoice finance: 3–10 working days to set up; 24 hours per drawdown after that.
- Asset finance (HP/lease): 3–10 working days; longer if equipment is unusual or used.
- Refinance/asset-backed lending: 1–3 weeks, allowing time for valuations and legals.
- Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS): 1–3 weeks depending on lender queue and eligibility checks.
| Funding type | Fastest realistic timeframe | What can slow it down? |
|---|---|---|
| Unsecured term loan | 24–72 hours | Missing bank statements, trading dips, large loan size |
| Merchant cash advance | 24–48 hours | Card settlements, acquirer statements, chargeback history |
| Invoice finance | 3–7 days | Debtor due diligence, contracts, sector risk |
| Asset finance | 3–7 days | Valuations, supplier invoices, asset age/location |
| Refinance/ABL | 7–21 days | Legal charges, multiple assets, third-party consents |
| GGS-backed loan | 7–21 days | Eligibility checks, demand on lender pipeline |
What determines how fast funds are released?
Lender type and product complexity
Unsecured working capital from specialist commercial lenders tends to be the quickest because underwriting is streamlined. Facilities that require valuations, site visits, or legal charges take longer. Banking partners generally move slower than fintechs due to layered approvals and process controls.
Loan size, sector, and risk profile
Small requests with strong bank statements can complete in days, while larger tickets often require more evidence. Higher-risk sectors or seasonal revenue patterns may trigger deeper underwriting. Lenders also look closely at affordability, existing leverage, and any adverse credit.
Documents and data quality
Most delays happen because required documents arrive late, incomplete, or inconsistent. Clean, recent bank statements and filed accounts help underwriters decide quickly. If you can provide management figures, aged debtor/creditor lists, and VAT returns upfront, you reduce back-and-forth.
Security, valuations, and legal steps
When security is taken, timelines stretch to allow checks on title, asset condition, and legal documentation. Freehold property charges, debentures, or multiple director guarantees each add steps. Early coordination with your accountant and solicitor can cut days from the process.
KYC/AML and compliance checks
Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering checks are standard and may include identity verification and Ultimate Beneficial Owner screening. International shareholders or trusts can lengthen onboarding. Fast responses to KYC requests keep the file moving.
Good to know
Every lender’s policy differs, and timelines are indicative, not guaranteed. Best Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender, so we help you find providers aligned with your timing and needs. Prompt, accurate information is the single best way to accelerate approval and release.
The typical journey from enquiry to cash in your account
Step 1 — Quick Quote and triage (minutes to a few hours)
You complete a Quick Quote with key details: company name, purpose, amount, and turnover. Our AI-driven matching highlights suitable funding types and potential provider fit. A broker or lender contact may ask for initial documents to confirm eligibility.
Step 2 — Document collection (same day to 2 days)
Common requests include six months of business bank statements, latest filed accounts, and ID for directors. For larger or specialist cases, you may be asked for management accounts and a simple cash flow forecast. Responding the same day can materially shorten the wait for terms.
Step 3 — Indicative terms / Decision in Principle (24–72 hours)
Once the basics stack up, many providers issue indicative terms or a Decision in Principle. These outline the proposed amount, rate, fees, and term, subject to final underwriting. You review, ask questions, and provide any remaining items.
Step 4 — Underwriting and due diligence (1–7 working days)
The lender verifies affordability, checks credit files, and validates trading performance. If security is involved, they may instruct valuations or request asset details. Queries are normal; fast answers reduce underwriting time.
Step 5 — Final offer and signing (same day to 3 days)
Accepted deals move to final documentation, which can be e-signed in many cases. For secured deals, legal documents or guarantees may take a little longer. Make sure signatories are available and ID verification tools are accessible.
Step 6 — Funds release (same day to 2 days)
Upon completion, many lenders release funds by Faster Payments, often the same day. Larger transfers may use CHAPS, typically same day if processed before cut-off. If a drawdown is tied to an invoice or asset delivery, the release will follow that trigger.
Practical timing tip
Work around bank cut-off times and Fridays to avoid weekend delays. Let your broker know any deadlines so the process can be sequenced accordingly. Keep your mobile and email handy for quick ID checks and e-sign requests.
How to get funded faster — a practical checklist
Prepare your documents upfront
Have six months’ business bank statements downloaded as PDFs, plus your latest accounts. Keep photo ID and proof of address for directors ready, dated within the last three months. If you have management accounts, a recent P&L and balance sheet help.
Explain your funding purpose clearly
Two short sentences on the purpose and expected impact can speed up decisions. Lenders want to see how the facility helps cash flow or growth without undue risk. Clear use-of-funds examples include stock purchases, payroll smoothing, or equipment upgrades.
Match the product to your cash flow
If card takings are your main income, a merchant cash advance could fit best. If you invoice other businesses, invoice finance may release cash reliably. For equipment needs, asset finance can align repayment with the asset’s productive life.
Be responsive to queries
Underwriters work in queues; each day of silence risks a reset to the back. Reply promptly with full answers, not partials. If something is missing, explain when it will be available.
Choose providers actively lending in your sector
Sector appetite changes with market conditions, so targeting the right lenders saves time. Best Business Loans helps match you to providers with current appetite for your profile. This reduces declines and accelerates time to funds.
Documents you might be asked for
- Business bank statements (last 6–12 months)
- Filed accounts and, if available, management accounts
- VAT returns or SA302s for director income where relevant
- Director IDs and proof of address for KYC
- Debtor lists, sample contracts, or invoices (for invoice finance)
- Asset details, supplier quotes, serial numbers, or valuations (for asset finance)
Timeframes by funding type — examples and edge cases
Unsecured business loans (1–5 working days)
For established SMEs with steady turnover, unsecured loans can fund quickly. Smaller limits with clean statements may complete in 24–72 hours. Larger amounts or recent trading volatility may extend underwriting to 1–2 weeks.
Merchant cash advance (24–72 hours)
If you take card payments, advances can be rapid once acquirer statements are verified. Funding aligns with card revenue, with repayments taken as a small percentage of future takings. Seasonal businesses should discuss expected peaks and troughs upfront.
Invoice finance and factoring (3–10 working days)
Setting up the facility takes a few days as the lender analyses your debtors. Once live, approved invoices can fund within 24 hours of submission. Expect longer setup for complex contracts, export debtors, or concentration on a single customer.
Asset finance: hire purchase and leasing (3–10 working days)
Simple, new equipment deals can move quickly with supplier quotes and asset details. Used or specialist assets may require an inspection or independent valuation. Delivery dates and supplier paperwork timing can affect the release of funds.
Refinance and asset-based lending (1–3 weeks)
Refinancing plant, vehicles, or mixed assets involves valuations and legal steps. Multi-asset or multi-entity structures add coordination time. Early access to asset schedules, finance agreements, and settlement figures speeds execution.
Growth Guarantee Scheme loans (1–3 weeks)
GGS-backed loans involve lender eligibility checks and documented affordability. Demand for government-backed schemes can slow queues at busy times. Strong trading evidence and a clear purpose help keep things moving.
Fit-out and refurbishment funding (2–4 weeks)
Fit-out projects often blend asset finance, unsecured top-ups, and staged payments. Suppliers, quotes, and schedules of works are essential to underwrite quickly. If you’re planning a refurbishment, explore dedicated fit-out finance options early so documentation is ready.
Case-style scenarios
- £50k unsecured top-up for payroll: indicative same day, funds in 48 hours with clean statements.
- £150k equipment HP for CNC machine: approval in 5 days, release on supplier invoice and delivery confirmation.
- £500k invoice discounting line: facility agreed in 8 business days, first draw within 24 hours after go-live.
Key expectations, compliance, and next steps
What Best Business Loans does — and doesn’t do
Best Business Loans is an independent introducer that uses AI matching to connect UK businesses with suitable lenders or brokers. We don’t lend money ourselves, set rates, or make credit decisions. Submitting an enquiry is free, with no obligation, and you stay in control throughout.
Clear, fair, and not misleading
All timelines quoted are indicative and depend on your circumstances and the provider’s processes. We do not guarantee acceptance, rates, or speed. You should consider total cost, fees, security, and the impact on cash flow before proceeding.
Will a Quick Quote affect your credit score?
Initial checks are often soft searches by many commercial lenders and brokers. If you decide to proceed, some providers may run a hard search before final approval. You will be informed by the provider before any hard search is conducted.
Important information
Business finance is subject to status, affordability, and eligibility criteria. Where security is required, guarantees and indemnities may be requested and assets may be at risk if you do not keep up repayments. For regulated products, your provider will supply the appropriate disclosures.
Summary and next steps
In short, funding can be as quick as 24–72 hours for straightforward working capital, and 1–3 weeks for facilities that require valuations and legal steps. The fastest path is to submit a concise Quick Quote, provide full documents on day one, and choose a provider active in your sector. If speed matters, say so early; we’ll prioritise matches with streamlined processes.
- Answer first: amount, purpose, and timing needs.
- Provide bank statements, accounts, and ID promptly.
- Pick the product that fits your cash flow and documentation.
- Engage your accountant and solicitor early for secured deals.
- Respond to underwriting queries same day where possible.
Ready to check your options? Complete a Quick Quote for a fast Eligibility Check or Decision in Principle. Our AI will help match you to relevant UK providers so you can move from enquiry to funds as quickly as your case allows.
Updated: October 2025 — This guidance is general information, not financial advice. Always review terms from any provider carefully and consider professional advice where appropriate.