Top Unsecured Working Capital Lenders in the UK

Top Unsecured Working Capital Lenders In The UK

Marcus Ashford

November 4, 2025

Top Unsecured Working Capital Lenders in the UK

When you need cash to cover payroll, supplier deposits, or a seasonal spike, unsecured working capital can bridge the gap without property as collateral. To frame the landscape, the British Business Bank explains the main types of working capital finance in plain language, and the same hub outlines how speed, eligibility, and total cost vary by product. You can also scan the Growth Guarantee Scheme overview to understand when a government guarantee might sit behind a loan provided by a participating lender.

This list focuses on well known options used by UK SMEs today. We highlight what each provider is best for, then link you to the page that spells out amounts, decision times, and eligibility.

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Quick take

If you want a direct lender with fast decisions, many owners start with Funding Circle’s small business loan journey, which shows a 30 second eligibility check and typical funding inside two working days. If you would rather compare across multiple lenders through a single application, Funding Agent’s unsecured working capital route explains how UK SMEs can be triaged to suitable providers in minutes.

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Funding Circle

Established SMEs often like the simple process that starts with a quick check on the main Funding Circle page, then moves to an unsecured loan journey where you can see decision speed and typical funding timelines. The unsecured section notes that applications can receive a decision in as little as one hour and funds can arrive within 48 hours, which suits time sensitive cash flow needs while keeping predictable monthly repayments within a fixed term.
Funding Agent

Owners who want to check multiple lenders in one pass can use the broker route that Funding Agent describes on its unsecured working capital page. The platform presents your business to a short list of lenders, then helps package the application to fit product criteria, which is useful when you want speed with minimal form filling across several options.
iwoca

If you prioritise flexible limits and quick access, the unsecured loan explained on iwoca’s product page shows decisions targeted within one working day and funds available within 24 hours for approved applications. Their broader loan pages also emphasise early repayment without penalty and top ups based on performance, which can help when cash flow is uneven across the year.
Fleximize

Businesses that value repayment holidays and top ups often consider the Fleximize unsecured loan range, which outlines £10,000 to £250,000 over terms up to 42 months. The lender’s FAQs also spell out typical trading history requirements so you can judge fit before you apply, which is helpful when you want a quick yes without guesswork on eligibility.
Nucleus Commercial Finance

For straightforward cash flow loans, Nucleus sets out its business loan product with unsecured options and quick decisions. If you are exploring working capital as a concept, Nucleus also keeps a glossary that explains when unsecured loans are used and how affordability is assessed in practice.
Capify

Retail, hospitality, and seasonal firms often look at Capify’s working capital page because it points to fast eligibility checks and loans from £5,000 up to seven figures. The site also explains how repayments can be structured to reduce pressure on monthly cash flow, which is useful when card takings rise and fall through the year.
365 Business Finance

Card taking merchants sometimes prefer a cash advance that flexes with turnover, and the 365 Finance working capital explainer sets out how repayments mirror card sales rather than fixed instalments. The product page for a merchant cash advance also highlights typical limits and the absence of APRs, which can make budgeting simpler when sales are volatile month to month.
Liberis

Platforms and SMEs that want revenue linked repayments can explore the Liberis working capital product, described as a merchant cash advance rather than a loan. The site makes clear that it is a form of receivables finance with repayments that vary with takings, which many seasonal businesses find easier to manage during peaks and troughs.
YouLend

Embedded finance platforms and omnichannel sellers often consider YouLend’s capital products, where revenue based finance and flexible lines are aligned to sales patterns. The merchant facing journey also stresses quick eligibility and offers within a short window, which helps when you want working capital to track real world turnover rather than fixed dates.
HSBC UK

If you prefer a high street bank, HSBC’s Small Business Loan page states that funding can be used for working capital, stock, or asset purchases. The bank’s borrowing hub also lays out other routes, including flexible loans and trade solutions that release cash from receivables, which is helpful when you want a mix of term finance and cash flow tools in one place.

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How to choose the right unsecured option

Start by mapping the purpose. If you are covering payroll or buying stock, a fixed term loan may suit; if sales are uneven, a revenue linked cash advance could be easier to service. The British Business Bank’s working capital explainer summarises the trade offs, including the likelihood of a personal guarantee on unsecured loans and the typical speed to funding.

Then compare by total cost, not just the headline rate. Check early repayment rules, look for top up policies, and confirm how affordability is assessed. If you want a single application that routes to several lenders, the Funding Agent lender directory provides a sense of the panel breadth so you can benchmark before you apply.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an unsecured working capital loan?

It is funding without property as collateral. Lenders look at your trading history, turnover, and credit profile, and many will request a personal guarantee. The Fleximize guide to secured versus unsecured loans provides a plain language overview that mirrors how most lenders underwrite these facilities.

How fast can funding arrive?

Several providers advertise decisions inside a day and funding shortly after. You can see concrete timelines on the Funding Circle journey and the iwoca unsecured loan page, which helps set expectations before you start an application.

Are government backed options available?

Some lenders participate in schemes where a government guarantee sits behind the loan. The Growth Guarantee Scheme page lists what the scheme is and how accredited lenders use it, so you can ask informed questions during your application process.

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