Esme Loans Limited, trading as Esme Loans, is a UK digital lender established in 2017 and owned by NatWest. It offers unsecured business term loans through an online platform, primarily suited to small and medium-sized limited companies or LLPs. The lender is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and provides loans from £10,000 to £250,000 with terms up to five years. Businesses seeking straightforward unsecured funding with quick access may find this option relevant. For broader context, see our unsecured business loans overview and business loans guide.
Practical Features of Esme Loans
Esme Loans emphasises speed and transparency with a fully digital process and fixed interest rates. The lender provides support through UK-based customer service and integration with accounting software.
- Complete the entire application online in under 10 minutes
- Receive instant soft-credit decision that does not affect credit scores
- Use Open Banking and accounting software integrations for faster underwriting
- Benefit from fixed interest rates aiding budgeting and cash flow planning
- Contact UK support team by phone, live chat, or email during business hours
Funding Eligibility Requirements
You may qualify for a loan with Esme Loans if your business has traded continuously for at least 18 months as a UK-registered limited company or LLP. Other requirements include having a business bank account in the company name and at least half of directors or shareholders being UK residents. Certain sectors such as property development, financial services, and charities are excluded. For more details, please review our business loan eligibility guide and tools to prepare your application.
Loan Options from Esme Loans
Esme Loans offers a single core product tailored to established SMEs seeking unsecured term loans with fixed repayments. Loan sizes and terms are designed to support working capital or growth finance.
- Unsecured business term loan: £10,000 to £250,000; 12 to 60 months term; fixed APR between 6.49% and 19.99% based on creditworthiness.
How to Apply with Esme Loans
The application is fully online and typically provides an initial eligibility check within seconds. Full credit decisions are usually given within an hour during business hours.
- Submit an application form online via the lender’s platform
- Provide company registration, director identification, and recent bank statements through secure Open Banking or upload
- Wait for full credit review, then digitally sign the loan agreement if approved
- Receive funds the same business day post agreement, subject to cut-off times
Funding Agent’s view on Esme Loans
Esme Loans delivers a straightforward and transparent unsecured loan product suitable for established SMEs requiring loans between £10,000 and £250,000. Its digital focus and NatWest backing provide speed and credibility, but the personal guarantee requirement and sector exclusions mean it may not suit all businesses. For those eligible, it offers a fixed-rate loan with no fees, enabling clearer budgeting. Before proceeding, compare it alongside other unsecured options with our unsecured business loans comparison and use our business loan calculator to estimate costs.
