Trading history
Homeowner clients generally need at least six months of trading. Non-homeowner clients generally need twelve months of trading and a profit and loss statement.
Use this guide to check out the main business loan eligibility criteria before introducing a UK SME case. We assess each application on its full circumstances and current trading.
These business lending criteria help brokers decide whether a case is ready for an initial conversation. Meeting the points below does not guarantee approval; our team reviews the complete application, affordability, and supporting information.
Homeowner clients generally need at least six months of trading. Non-homeowner clients generally need twelve months of trading and a profit and loss statement.
We look for consistent monthly revenue of around £5,000 or more. Regular trading activity helps us understand how the business is performing now.
Homeowner director cases give us more scope to consider the full picture, including adverse credit. Satisfied CCJs and maintained payment plans can be considered. Non-homeowner cases have tighter criteria, and adverse credit is not considered.
We consider the requested amount, expected repayments, existing commitments, current trading, and how the funding will be used. Funding may support working capital, supplier payments, stock, payroll, tax bills, repairs, contracts, or growth.
We cannot fund religious organizations, adult industries, charities, financial institutions, or non-profits. If you are unsure whether a client’s sector is eligible, contact us with the case details.
Use the criteria as an early sense-check before introducing a client. A strong enquiry explains what the business does, how long it has been trading, how revenue is performing, and why finance is needed now. It should also make clear who the directors are, whether a director is a homeowner, and any credit issues that may be relevant.
The criteria are guideposts for an initial discussion, not a decision in themselves. Two businesses with similar turnover can have different affordability, commitments, trading patterns, or funding needs. Give context where a figure may need to explain, for example, a seasonal dip, a recent contract, or an unusual one-off expense. A clear context helps the team understand the request without making assumptions about the client.
Please distinguish confirmed information from estimates. If a figure is approximate, label it as approximate; if something is not yet known, say so. This keeps the initial review focused and gives the broker team a practical basis for explaining what information may be needed next.
Time trading gives a useful background, but current activity matters too. Homeowner clients generally need at least six months of trading. Non-homeowner clients generally need twelve months and a profit and loss statement. When you refer to a newer business, include its start date and describe the trading activity so far. If the business has changed direction, ownership, or operating model, explain that briefly rather than leaving the timeline ambiguous.
We look for consistent monthly revenue of around £5,000 or more. Revenue is a starting point for understanding trading, while affordability depends on the requested amount, expected repayments, existing commitments, and the wider financial picture. Help us understand whether the revenue figure is typical and flag any meaningful variation. A loan should be presented in the context of the business’s needs and its capacity to meet repayments.
Director for homeowner status affects which cases can be considered and the credit context that may be reviewed. On homeowner director cases, satisfied CCJs and payment plans that are being maintained can be considered. Non-homeowner cases have tighter criteria, and adverse credit is not considered. If there is a relevant event, describe its status accurately, including whether a CCJ is satisfied, or a payment plan is up to date. Avoid describing an issue as resolved unless that is confirmed.
Set out the amount requested and what it will pay for. Working capital, supplier payments, stock, payroll, tax bills, repairs, contract costs, and growth are examples of purposes that may be considered. If the request covers more than one need, a short breakdown is useful. The purpose helps explain why finance is being sought and allows the amount to be considered against the business’s circumstances and affordability.
The business’s activity should be clear, especially where it operates across more than one sector or has recently changed its model. Religious organizations, adult industries, charities, financial institutions, and non-profits are outside the eligible sectors. If the description is not straightforward, share a plain-English summary of the products or services and the team can clarify whether an initial discussion is appropriate.
For an initial review, share the requested amount, funding purpose, time trading, approximate monthly revenue, director for homeowner status, and relevant credit context. Non-homeowner cases should include a profit and loss statement. Make clear which details are confirmed and where you are providing an estimate. We may ask for further details as the review progresses.
Open Banking is optional. A client connection can help us understand current business activity sooner, but a broker can start the conversation without it.
A short, structured introduction is usually the clearest way to start. You could organize it around these points:
This is an initial summary, not a substitute for information requested during a full review. Do not delay an enquiry because optional Open Banking has not been connected; tell us what is available, and we can explain the next step.
For an overview of the process, commission and broker support, see our business loans for broker's page.
For a product-specific overview, visit our guide to unsecured business loans for brokers.
We consider trading history, monthly revenue, director status, credit history, affordability, funding purpose, and sector. Homeowner cases generally need six months of trading; non-homeowner cases generally need twelve months and a profit and loss statement.
No. Open Banking is not a requirement. If the client connects to their account, it can help us review trading activity and reach a decision faster.
On homeowner director cases, satisfied CCJs and CCJs on a payment plan that is being maintained can be considered. We do not consider adverse credit on non-homeowner cases.
Register as a broker, then email us the requested amount, funding purpose, trading history, and relevant credit context. Our team will discuss the case and explain what information is needed next.
Include the amount requested, how the business plans to use the funds, how long it has been trading, approximate monthly revenue, whether a director is a homeowner, and any relevant credit history. A concise summary helps the team understand the case and identify useful next steps.
No. Trading history is one part of the initial criteria. We also consider current revenue, affordability, existing commitments, credit context, funding purpose, business sector, and supporting information. Each application is assessed in its full circumstances, and meeting an initial guideline does not guarantee an offer.
A business with seasonal or changing revenue can still be discussed. Explain the pattern, what is driving it, and how the business expects to manage repayments. We look at the wider trading picture rather than relying on a single month and may ask for further information to understand current performance.
Funding may support working capital, supplier invoices, stock, payroll, tax bills, repairs, contract costs, or planned growth. Tell us what the client needs the funds for and when they need them. A clear purpose helps us understand the request alongside the amount and the business’s ability to repay.
No. Religious organizations, adult industries, charities, financial institutions, and non-profits are not eligible under the current criteria. If a business operates in a specialist or mixed sector and you are unsure how it should be classified, share the details with the broker team before progressing the case.
No. Brokers can start with a short case summary covering the requested amount, purpose, trading history, revenue, director for homeowner status, and relevant credit context. The team can discuss whether it is worth progressing and outline what additional information may be needed.
Talk with our broker team about the client's circumstances and the next step.
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