20 commercial finance questions, answered clearly

Business-loan enquiries: £5,000–£1 million. Invoice finance: commonly 80%–90% of eligible invoice value, with current routes reaching up to 95%. Asset-finance limits vary by provider and requirement. NBS Finance can discuss larger asset purchases and explore available routes, but availability is subject to provider appetite and assessment. The actual amount is set by affordability, asset or invoice quality, trading and credit information, concentration, security and provider limits. These are enquiry ranges, not guaranteed offers.

Start with the business name, funding purpose, approximate amount and preferred timing. Depending on the route, a provider may later request a quotation, asset details, invoices, debtor information, accounts, bank statements, identification or an existing settlement figure. Use the general enquiry checklist or the more detailed business-loan application checklist.

There is no single reliable completion time. Timing depends on the provider, route, proposal, information supplied and any underwriting, valuation, legal work or security. A new invoice-finance facility can take several working days to establish; once live, approved invoice funding can be available within 24 hours, subject to that provider’s cut-off times and invoice eligibility. Only a provider’s written confirmation fixes a decision, facility-start or funding date.

Total cost can include interest or a discount charge, service or arrangement fees, an initial payment, valuation or documentation costs and end-of-term obligations. Compare the full written terms rather than a headline rate or monthly payment alone. See the cost and rates guide.

Pricing is driven by the product, amount, term, repayment profile and assessed risk. Providers examine trading strength, affordability, credit history, asset or debtor quality, deposit, security and customer concentration. NBS Finance does not set provider pricing, so only written terms state the actual rate, fees and total cost.

Expect business credit, identity and fraud-prevention checks; directors or guarantors can also be searched. Before a formal application, ask whether the search is soft or hard, which people and entities will be searched and whether it will leave a visible footprint. The provider must explain its process and privacy information.

Secured finance is supported by property or another agreed asset. Unsecured finance does not use a specified asset in the same way, but providers may still request a personal guarantee. Compare obligations and consequences, not only the label, using the secured-versus-unsecured guide.

Yes, where the agreement permits it. Request a current written settlement figure showing capital, interest, notice requirements and fees, then compare it with the complete replacement cost. If an owned or partly financed asset is involved, read the asset refinance guide.

NBS Finance is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Where applicable, NBS works with lenders and intermediaries that are FCA-authorised for their own regulated activities, but their status does not make NBS Finance FCA-authorised. Commercial finance is not automatically regulated: borrower type, amount, purpose, agreement and activity can change the position. Ask which firm is providing or arranging the product and which protections, complaints route and ombudsman access apply to that specific agreement.

No. An enquiry starts a conversation and does not guarantee an offer, rate or timescale. If a possible route is identified, a provider completes its assessment and issues any offer and documents; you then decide whether the full terms are suitable. See what happens after an enquiry.