Short-term loans
Bridge the gap, then move on.
A short-term loan is repaid over months rather than years. It suits a specific need with a clear end, such as stock for a busy season or a gap before a contract pays.
- Borrow
- £1k–£750k
- across lenders on our panel
- Repay over
- 3–12 months
- Repayments
- Daily, weekly or monthly
- Cost to check
- £0
Ranges reflect lenders on our panel. What you’re offered, and the cost, depends on your business and the lender.
Good for
- Stock ahead of a busy season
- Covering a gap before a large payment arrives
- Urgent repairs or equipment
- Acting quickly on a supplier deal or opportunity
How it works
- 1
Tell us what you need
Explain the amount, the purpose and how the loan will be repaid.
- 2
Talk it through
Your adviser checks a short term is right, rather than a longer, cheaper loan.
- 3
Lenders review
We submit to lenders that suit short terms and your profile.
- 4
Decide with the numbers
Compare total cost and repayment schedule before you commit.
Costs and trade-offs
What it costs, honestly.
How it’s priced
Short-term loans often have a higher rate than longer loans, and some are priced as a fixed fee or factor rate rather than interest. Because the term is short, the total cost can still be modest. We show the total repayable so you can judge it properly.
Check the true cost of a quoteWhy people choose it
- Debt-free again quickly
- Lower total interest than a long loan at the same rate
- Often simpler to arrange
Worth knowing
- Higher repayments, because the term is short
- Daily or weekly repayments for some lenders
- Rates can be higher than longer-term loans
What lenders usually look for
Every lender is different. If you don’t tick every box, talk to us anyway: part of our job is knowing who might say yes.
- Trading for at least 3 to 6 months
- Revenue that comfortably covers the repayments
- Recent bank statements
- A clear purpose and repayment plan
How short can a short-term loan be?
Lenders on our panel offer terms from a few months. Shorter terms mean higher repayments but less interest overall.
Are daily repayments normal?
Some short-term lenders collect small daily or weekly repayments. If you’d prefer monthly, tell your adviser and they’ll focus on lenders that offer it.
Other routes
You might also consider
- VAT and tax loansA VAT or tax loan pays your bill to HMRC on time, then you repay in instalments over a few months, keeping cash in the business when you need it most.
- Merchant cash advanceGet an advance against your future card sales and repay a small share of each day’s takings. On quiet days you repay less; on busy days, more.
- Fast business fundingSome lenders on our panel can decide quickly, sometimes within a day. What makes the biggest difference is a well-prepared application sent to the right lender first, which is exactly what an adviser does.
Your next move starts with a clearer view.
Tell us what you need. We'll show you the routes that fit your business and help you take the next step.