You may need to buy stock, take on work or cover a gap before customers pay. An unsecured business loan could help, provided the repayments fit your cash flow. Just B2B helps you compare options from its lender panel and understand the cost and commitments before you decide.
Just B2B is a credit broker, not a lender. Finance is subject to status, affordability and the lender’s criteria.
An unsecured business loan gives your business a lump sum to repay, with interest, over an agreed period. You do not normally pledge a specific business asset as security. A lender may still ask for a personal guarantee, which can make you personally responsible if the business cannot repay.
The decision depends on the business’s finances, the purpose of the borrowing and the lender’s assessment. The amount you want, the amount offered and the repayments you can comfortably manage may be different.
General guidance: British Business Bank on business loans.
The reason for borrowing should shape the amount and term. Start with the expense you need to cover and when the business expects the cash to repay it.
A supplier may need payment before you have made the sales. Funding could help bridge that gap, but repayments may begin before the stock has sold.
Consider what happens if sales arrive later than expected or margins are lower. Borrowing should leave room for your other operating costs.
You may need materials or staff before a customer’s first payment. The order value alone does not tell you whether the repayments will be manageable.
Bring the delivery schedule, payment terms and expected costs into the discussion. They help explain the size and length of the funding gap.
A refurbishment, recruitment plan or marketing campaign may need funding before it generates income. That income can also take longer than planned to arrive.
Look at the repayments your existing business could support. If you are buying a specific vehicle or machine, compare asset finance as well.
Map the payment dates against wages, tax, rent and existing borrowing. A loan can help with a temporary gap, but it adds another commitment. If the business is already struggling to meet its bills, discuss that pressure with your accountant or an appropriate adviser before taking on more debt.
Lenders assess businesses differently. Their criteria, pricing and repayment terms can vary, which makes a headline rate a limited starting point for a decision.
Just B2B compares products from its panel and helps you understand the options available for your circumstances. Its panel does not include every lender in the market. You make the final decision, and the lender decides whether to offer finance.
Discuss the amount, purpose and timing, alongside how the business trades and what it could repay. Existing borrowing and any difficulties with cash flow belong in that conversation too.
Just B2B uses the information you provide to compare potential funding routes. Ask which lenders may be approached and what checks would be needed before an application is submitted.
Compare what reaches your bank account, what leaves it and when. Ask the team to explain fees, repayment conditions and any guarantee in the written terms.
The team helps handle the information and paperwork with the provider. An initial indication is not an approval; the lender’s checks and final agreement determine what is available.
For an independent explanation, see the British Business Bank’s guide to commercial finance brokers.
Ask for a written breakdown. A repayment that looks manageable each month can still come with a longer commitment, additional fees or conditions you need to understand.
Scroll sideways to see all three columns.
| Compare | What to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Money received | What amount will reach the business’s bank account after any deductions? | Fees taken from the advance can reduce the money available for the expense. |
| Total repayable | What will we pay over the full term, including interest and fees? | It gives you a fuller comparison than the instalment alone. |
| Repayment schedule | How much is due, how often, and when does the first payment leave? | The dates need to work alongside the business’s other commitments. |
| Rate and term | Is the rate fixed or variable, and how long are we committed? | A longer term can change both the instalment and the overall cost. |
| Fees | Are there arrangement, broker, administration or late-payment charges? | You need to know which charges are included and which could be additional. |
| Early repayment | What would settlement cost if we repaid early? | Charges and the treatment of remaining interest differ between agreements. |
| Guarantees | Who is personally liable, for how much and under what conditions? | The commitment can extend beyond the company borrowing the money. |
There is no single rate that applies to every unsecured business loan. The lender considers the application and its assessment of risk. Ask how the interest is calculated and compare offers for the same amount and term where possible.
Just B2B receives commission from the lender. Depending on the product, a broker fee may also apply. Ask for the amount and payment terms in writing before proceeding, alongside the lender’s own charges.
Background: business-loan costs and conditions and how brokers are paid.
A personal guarantee is a separate commitment to repay if the company does not meet its obligations. Although the loan may be unsecured, the guarantee can put your personal finances and assets at risk.
Read the guarantee itself, as well as the loan agreement. Check the amount covered, when it can be called on and what is required for you to be released from it. If more than one person guarantees the debt, understand how liability is shared.
Get independent legal advice if you are considering signing one. The purpose is to understand the commitment before deciding whether it is acceptable for you.
Lenders want to understand how the business trades and how it will repay. Requirements vary, so use this as preparation for a conversation rather than a fixed eligibility checklist.
A lender may ask for accounts, bank statements or forecasts, together with details of existing borrowing and the intended use of the money.
The business structure, sector, trading history and recent financial performance.
Money coming in and going out, including seasonal changes and current commitments.
What you need to pay for, the amount required and when it is needed.
Relevant accounts, statements and forecasts, with contracts or orders where they help explain the application.
Use realistic income and cost assumptions, including existing debt payments. Explain any recent difficulties accurately. A clear account of the business gives the broker and lender something useful to assess; it does not guarantee an offer.
Preparation guidance: how to apply for a business loan.
The way you use the money matters. Compare how each route works and what supports the borrowing, as well as the headline amount.
Scroll sideways to see all three columns.
| Funding route | How it works | What to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Unsecured business loan | A lump sum repaid over an agreed term, without a specific business asset normally being pledged. | The repayment plan, total cost and any personal guarantee. |
| Secured business loan | Borrowing supported by security over an asset, such as property. | The valuation, costs, repayment terms and asset at risk. |
| Asset finance | Finance linked to acquiring or using a particular asset, such as equipment. | Ownership, deposit, use of the asset and end-of-term options. |
| Invoice finance | Funding linked to eligible unpaid business invoices. | Customer eligibility, fees and who collects payment. |
| Revolving credit | A facility that allows borrowing and repayment within an agreed limit. | Drawdown costs, availability, reviews and repayment conditions. |
Explore the routes in the British Business Bank’s Finance Finder.
A lender may ask for one even when the loan is unsecured. It can make you personally responsible if the company cannot repay. Check the guarantee’s scope and obtain independent legal advice before deciding whether to sign.
That depends on the lender’s criteria and assessment of the business, including its finances, existing borrowing and ability to repay. The amount offered may be lower than the amount requested. Discuss the purpose and required amount before comparing options.
Credit history can affect eligibility, price and the terms available. Lenders assess applications differently, so explain any difficulties accurately. Just B2B can discuss possible routes from its panel, but neither an enquiry nor a broker’s introduction guarantees approval.
Ask what checks will be carried out before information is submitted. A soft credit check does not affect your credit score, while a full application may involve a hard search. Confirm the process for the particular lender and application.
Timing depends on the lender, the information available and the checks required. An indication of eligibility is different from approval and release of funds. Tell the broker when the money is needed and ask what timetable is realistic for your case.
The agreement determines whether early repayment is allowed and what it will cost. Ask how a settlement figure is calculated, including any charge and how remaining interest is treated, before choosing a loan.
That depends on the rate and agreement. A fixed rate can provide predictable repayments; a variable rate may change. Check the actual payment schedule, any fees and the circumstances in which your payments could change.
Just B2B receives commission from the lender, and a broker fee may also apply depending on the product. Ask for any fee and its payment terms in writing before proceeding. The lender’s interest and other charges are separate parts of the comparison.
Tell Just B2B what the money would help you do, how much you need and when. The team can discuss options from its panel and the information needed to explore them, so you can weigh up the commitment before applying.
Discuss your funding optionsOr call 020 3764 1144General funding information updated on 19 October 2026. Lender terms depend on your circumstances. Read our terms of business for the scope of the broking service. Finance is subject to status and affordability.
