How many providers might contact me after I submit a Quick Quote?

Most businesses are introduced to between 1 and 3 suitable providers. We limit introductions to a small, relevant shortlist to avoid overwhelming you, though the exact number depends on your sector, funding type, and profile.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Our initial matching process does not involve a credit check. Credit searches are only performed by a provider if you explicitly consent. Early stage checks are often 'soft' and do not impact your score.

Can I choose email-only contact or set specific times for calls?

Yes. You can request email-only contact or specify preferred call times. We share your preferences with providers and you can change them or pause contact at any time.

Do you charge fees for introductions?

Submitting a Quick Quote is free. If a lender or broker charges fees, they will disclose this clearly before you proceed. We may receive a commission from providers if you take up a facility.

How quickly will providers respond?

In many cases, suitable providers make first contact the same business day, or within one working day, to confirm your needs and outline next steps.

How many providers might contact me, and am I obligated to proceed?

Q: Am I obligated to proceed with any offer?

No. There is no obligation to proceed at any stage. Submitting an enquiry is free and without commitment, and you can decline or pause the process whenever you wish.

Short answer

Typically, 1–3 carefully chosen providers may contact you after you submit a Quick Quote, and you are never obligated to proceed with any offer. We limit introductions to a small, relevant shortlist and you can set your contact preferences at any time.

Submitting an enquiry is free and without commitment, and no credit checks are carried out unless you explicitly consent to a lender or broker doing so. You remain in full control throughout the process.

How many providers will contact me?

Our AI-powered matching process focuses on quality over quantity, so most businesses are introduced to between one and three suitable lenders or brokers. The aim is to give you credible options without overwhelming you with calls or emails.

In some cases, particularly for complex or larger facilities, you might be introduced to a broker who then approaches a small pool of lenders on your behalf. In that scenario, you would typically have one primary point of contact coordinating the market search.

If your profile is niche or your funding need is highly specialised, it’s possible we will introduce only one provider who is best placed to help. Conversely, if there are several strong fits, you might receive up to a handful of introductions to compare, but we keep this carefully managed.

What influences the number of introductions?

Funding type: Asset finance, invoice finance, and cashflow loans often have different specialist panels.
Sector: Active appetite varies by industry (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, hospitality or agriculture business loans).
Loan size and term: Larger amounts or longer terms can narrow the pool of providers.
Trading profile: Years in business, turnover, and profitability influence suitability.
Security and collateral: Whether you’re seeking unsecured funding or asset-backed options.
Geography and timing: UK-wide lenders differ in current appetite and deal timing.

Am I obligated to proceed?

No. There is no obligation to proceed at any stage, and you will not be charged by Best Business Loans for submitting an enquiry. You can withdraw, decline, or pause the process whenever you wish.

Any quote or illustration you receive is for information and comparison only and does not commit you to taking finance. If you decide not to go ahead, simply let the provider know and we can close the introduction for you.

Should you proceed beyond an initial conversation, you will receive documents and disclosures from the provider that explain any fees, terms, and next steps. Read these carefully and only authorise a credit check or application if you are comfortable.

If you choose not to proceed

Tell the provider you’re declining or pausing; they will stop contacting you about the offer.
Notify us if you want us to close all introductions or adjust your preferences.
No penalties apply for not proceeding via our platform; you remain in control throughout.

What contact should I expect, and how do I control it?

Once matched, you’ll usually receive an introductory email with the provider’s details, followed by a brief call or email to confirm your needs and request any documents. Contact is typically during UK business hours and focused on progressing your enquiry efficiently.

We encourage providers to respect your preferences, including email-only contact if that suits you better. If you prefer specific times, we can share that with the provider to accommodate your schedule.

If at any point you feel you are receiving too many communications, tell the provider or contact us and we’ll reduce or pause contact immediately. You can also ask us to route enquiries through a single provider to simplify your experience.

How to set your contact preferences

On the Quick Quote form, add notes like “email only”, “no calls after 5pm”, or “contact Tue–Thu”.
Reply to the introduction email specifying your preferred channel and times.
Contact our support at hello@bestbusinessloans.ai if you need us to update or enforce your preferences.
Tell the provider directly to limit or stop contact; they must adhere to this.

Will enquiries trigger credit checks or affect my credit score?

Submitting a Quick Quote with Best Business Loans does not trigger a credit check. We perform data-matching to identify relevant providers, and credit checks only occur if you give explicit consent to a lender or broker.

Many providers begin with a soft search or an eligibility assessment which does not impact your credit score. A hard search may be undertaken by a provider only when you choose to proceed with a formal application and authorise it.

To avoid duplicate searches, you can ask a broker to coordinate with multiple funders behind the scenes. This way, you can review indicative terms first and progress to a single hard search when you’re ready.

Good practice before you authorise any checks

Ask whether the initial check is a soft search or hard search.
Confirm what data is needed for an eligibility view before a hard search is required.
Request a summary of rates, fees, and conditions so you can compare options.
Proceed to a hard search with one provider at a time to limit unnecessary footprints.

What happens after you’re matched, and what are your next steps?

After your introduction, expect a brief discovery call to confirm the loan purpose, amount, and timing. You’ll likely be asked for recent bank statements, filed accounts, management information, or ID documents, depending on the funding type.

The provider may then share indicative terms such as estimated rates, fees, likely limits, and any security required. Use this to compare with other offers and decide if you want to progress to full underwriting.

If you choose to proceed, the provider will outline the approval process, potential timelines, and any conditions. You can pause at any stage and you are under no obligation to accept an offer until you sign a formal agreement.

Important information and disclosures

We are an introducer, not a lender. We help connect UK businesses with relevant lenders and brokers.
Submitting an enquiry is free. If a broker or lender charges a fee, they will disclose this clearly before you proceed.
Finance is subject to status, affordability, eligibility, and provider assessments. Terms and availability change over time.
No guaranteed approvals and we don’t claim to find the lowest rate every time. We aim to match you with suitable options.
Data protection: We only share your details with carefully selected providers relevant to your enquiry, and you can ask us to stop sharing at any time.
Business-only: We focus on established UK businesses. We do not currently support start-ups, sole traders, franchises, property finance, or commercial mortgages.

Key takeaways

1–3 providers typically contact you; we keep introductions targeted and manageable.
You are not obligated to proceed and can decline at any time.
No credit checks occur unless you give explicit consent to a provider.
Set your contact preferences (email-only or specific times) and we’ll enforce them.
Use indicative terms to compare, then proceed to a single application when confident.

Ready to explore tailored funding options without pressure or obligation? Complete your Quick Quote for a fast Eligibility Check and introductions to relevant providers.

Get Your Free Quick Quote Now — fast, secure, and no obligation.

Content last updated: October 2025. This information is for UK businesses and is not financial advice. Always review provider documents and disclosures before proceeding.