Will submitting a Quick Quote affect my credit score?
Short answer
No. Completing a Quick Quote with Best Business Loans does not trigger a credit check and will not affect your personal or business credit score. We are an introducer, not a lender, and our initial eligibility triage uses the details you provide plus open-source data — not a credit search.
Only if you choose to proceed with a specific lender or broker and give consent might a credit search be carried out. At that stage, most providers start with a soft search, and a hard search only happens when you move to a full application.
Updated: October 2025
1) What happens when you submit a Quick Quote?
Our Quick Quote is an initial, no‑obligation enquiry designed to assess finance suitability without impacting your credit file. You tell us about your company, funding needs, and goals in a short form that takes a few minutes to complete. We then use AI-led matching to identify relevant lenders or brokers for your sector and requirements.
At this stage, Best Business Loans does not conduct any credit searches. We rely on the information you provide, public records, and non-credit data signals to guide matching. You remain in control and can decide whether to be introduced to suggested providers.
If you decide to move forward, we introduce you to selected finance providers who may be able to help. Those providers may undertake an eligibility check, often via a soft search, to refine their view of your options. They should ask for your permission first.
Submitting a Quick Quote will not leave a footprint on your personal or company credit file. No hard search is conducted by Best Business Loans during this step. Your exploration is free, secure, and designed to protect your credit profile while you compare routes.
Because we are not a lender, we cannot approve or decline applications. Our role is to narrow the field and save you time. You decide when and if to proceed to underwriting with a selected provider.
Our approach is transparent, fair, and people‑first. We will not make misleading claims about guaranteed approval, universal lowest rates, or instant decisions.
2) Soft search vs hard search: what lenders and brokers actually do
There are two common types of credit search in UK finance: soft searches and hard searches. A soft search is an initial check that does not affect your credit score and is visible only to you, not other lenders. Providers use it to pre‑assess eligibility and indicative terms.
A hard search is a full credit inquiry recorded on your file, visible to other lenders, and can impact your score in the short term. This typically happens when you submit a full application or formally agree to proceed beyond indicative terms. Providers will request consent before performing a hard search.
In commercial lending, many funders run soft searches at the discovery or pre‑approval stage. Hard searches are usually reserved for final underwriting or just before drawdown. The exact point varies by product and provider.
Multiple hard searches across a short time frame may negatively influence your personal or company credit standing. That is why a single, well‑matched route is preferable to scattergun applications.
Our matching aims to reduce unnecessary checks by aligning your profile to funders actively lending in your niche. This reduces duplication and helps you make an informed decision with minimal impact on your credit footprint.
Always ask a provider which type of search they will run and when. You are entitled to clear explanations and a consent step before any credit file access.
3) Business credit vs personal credit: how checks work for UK SMEs
UK business finance assessments can involve both company credit data and, for many SMEs, a director’s personal credit. Limited companies and LLPs are often evaluated on trading history, financials, and corporate credit bureau data. Providers may also consider sector, asset base, and cash flow.
For owner‑managed businesses, lenders may check a director or guarantor’s personal credit file, especially for unsecured facilities. This is common in working capital loans, cashflow finance, fit‑out funding, and smaller ticket facilities. It helps providers assess affordability and risk.
Asset finance and invoice finance can place more weight on the asset or debtors. Even then, a soft personal check may be used to validate identity and fraud controls. A hard personal check typically occurs later, and only with permission, if a personal guarantee is required.
Business credit agencies such as Creditsafe and Dun & Bradstreet are commonly used alongside Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each uses different scoring models and data sources. Small variances across agencies are normal.
If you operate in a specialist sector, providers may apply sector‑specific criteria. For example, seasonal revenue patterns in agriculture can shape underwriting and repayment structuring. Read more about how funding is assessed in our page for farming loans and agricultural finance.
Best Business Loans exists to help you navigate these nuances. Our introductions are targeted, so you spend less time explaining your business and more time reviewing viable offers.
4) How to protect your credit score while exploring finance
Start with an enquiry that does not trigger a credit search, such as our Quick Quote. Provide accurate information so early assessments are reliable. This minimises the need for repeat checks later and supports a smoother journey.
Confirm the type of credit check at each stage before proceeding. Ask the provider whether they will run a soft or hard search and why. Request that hard searches only occur when you are confident you want to proceed.
Avoid multiple full applications at once with lots of different lenders. Concentrate on one or two matched options that fit your sector, size, and purpose. This reduces the risk of clustered hard searches.
Prepare essential documents early to build lender confidence without triggering checks. Typical items include filed accounts, recent bank statements, aged debtor and creditor listings, management accounts, and details of existing finance. A well‑prepared pack can unlock quicker, clearer answers.
Understand when personal guarantees may be requested and on what terms. A guarantee can change the type of checks conducted and when. If you are uncomfortable with guarantees, ask about alternatives or structured security.
Monitor your credit reports periodically with major bureaus. Correct any inaccuracies and keep filings up‑to‑date. Lenders look favourably on clean, consistent records aligned to real trading.
5) FAQs, compliance and next steps
Will the Quick Quote run a credit check automatically?
No. Best Business Loans does not run credit checks at the Quick Quote stage. Submitting the form will not affect your credit score.
Could the lender or broker you introduce me to run a check?
Yes, once you agree to be introduced, the provider may run a soft search to assess eligibility. A hard search would only occur with your explicit consent during a full application.
What is the difference between soft and hard searches?
A soft search does not affect your score and is visible only to you. A hard search may impact your score and is visible to other lenders.
Will I always face a personal check for a business loan?
Not always, but many SME products involve a director check, especially unsecured lending. Asset‑backed solutions may rely more on the asset or debtors, but identity and fraud controls still apply.
Can multiple enquiries damage my credit?
Multiple Quick Quotes will not affect your score. However, multiple hard searches in a short period can temporarily reduce your score and may be viewed negatively by lenders.
Do you guarantee the lowest rate or approval?
No. We do not guarantee the lowest rate or acceptance. Our aim is to help you find relevant, trusted providers for your situation so you can compare options responsibly.
Are you regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority?
We are an independent introducer helping UK businesses find commercial finance providers. We align our content with the FCA principle that promotions should be fair, clear and not misleading. If you proceed, any regulated activity will be conducted by the authorised lender or broker we introduce.
How is my data used?
Your information is handled securely and shared only with relevant finance professionals connected to your enquiry. We never sell your data. You can withdraw consent to introductions at any time.
What should I do if a provider proposes a hard check early?
Ask why it is necessary at that point and whether a soft search will suffice. Only proceed with a hard search if you are comfortable and intend to apply.
Which credit agencies do providers use?
Common agencies include Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, plus business bureaus like Creditsafe and Dun & Bradstreet. Providers choose agencies based on their policies and product type.
Key takeaways
- Submitting a Quick Quote with Best Business Loans will not affect your credit score.
- Soft searches are common for eligibility checks and do not impact your score.
- Hard searches require consent and usually occur at full application stage.
- Limit multiple applications to avoid clustered hard searches.
- Use matched introductions to reach lenders active in your sector faster.
Next step: submit a Quick Quote to see which finance options suit your business. It is fast, secure, and does not affect your credit score. You stay in control throughout the process.
We will connect you to suitable lenders or brokers so you can compare terms, timelines, and structures. There is no obligation to proceed, and you can ask providers to confirm the type of search before any credit check occurs.
Ready to explore your options responsibly? Complete your Quick Quote now and let our AI‑driven matching introduce you to relevant UK finance providers — without risking your credit score.
Important information and fair‑marketing statement
Best Business Loans is an independent introducer helping UK businesses find suitable commercial finance providers. We do not supply loans or make lending decisions. Any finance is subject to provider eligibility, underwriting, and status.
We aim to ensure all information is fair, clear and not misleading. We do not claim guaranteed approval, instant funding, or the lowest rates. If you proceed, you will receive the provider’s terms, fees and risks before you decide.
We may receive an introducer commission from providers for successful introductions. This does not change the rate or terms you are offered. Our service is intended for UK business customers only.