February 4, 2026
Lists
Square image with a black border and white background
Best Lenders to Secure a 20k Working Capital Loan

Best Lenders to Secure a 20k Working Capital Loan

Discover the best lenders to secure a £20,000 working capital loan with favourable terms. Compare options and find the ideal loan for your business today.
James Laden
Co-founder and CEO

8 years of experience working with major financial companies in the UK, and now focuses on making business funding simpler for SMEs through a faster, technology-led application journey.

For UK franchise buyers and operators, this guide compares loan periods and amounts, APRs, and terms across leading providers, with a focus on eligibility and fit. Amounts that could not be verified are left blank, prices accurate as of 2026-02-04.

1 Funding Agent Funding Agent helps UK SMEs compare business finance options fast, with a simple application journey and quick eligibility matching. £10,000–£1,000,000; 4%–20% APR; 3–60 months
2 Barclays Barclays is a major UK bank offering a wide range of business loans with various terms and conditions. £1,000–£25,000; 11.2%–21.1% APR; 1–10 years
3 Cashflow Solutions Offering tailored business loans, Cashflow Solutions helps businesses manage their cashflow with flexible loan amounts. £20,000–£500,000; 0%–0% APR; 1–72 months
4 Fleximize Award-winning lender, Fleximize offers business loans customized to meet the needs of UK SMEs across multiple industries. £10,000–£0; 0%–0% APR; Custom
5 HSBC HSBC offers a variety of business loans with fixed and variable rates, servicing both small and large UK businesses. £1,000–£25,000; 5.7%–18.9% APR; 1–10 years
6 Cashsolv Cashsolv provides speedy business loans with simple terms to aid UK businesses in overcoming financial hurdles. £20,000–£250,000; 0%–0% APR; 1–12 months
7 Portman Finance Group Specialist lender Portman Finance provides personalized SME funding solutions with tailored finance options. £10,000–£2,000,000; 0%–0% APR; Up to 6 years
8 Funding Circle Funding Circle facilitates business loans to SMEs with competitive rates and fast processing. £10,000–£750,000; 0%–0% APR; Up to 72 months
9 NatWest NatWest offers a range of business finance options with competitive rates and flexible terms for UK businesses. £1,000–£100,000; 8%–13% APR; 3 months – 25 years
10 Century Business Finance Century Business Finance is a UK-based broker offering a variety of financial products tailored for SMEs. £10,000–£5,000,000; 0%–0% APR; Custom

1. Funding Agent

Funding Agent focuses on helping UK SMEs quickly compare a variety of business finance options through a streamlined application process. It is suitable for franchise buyers and operators seeking fast eligibility matching without requiring collateral. The platform offers multiple loan types with an emphasis on simplicity and speed.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £1,000,000
  • Min APR: 4%
  • Max APR: 20%
  • Loan Duration: 3–60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Unsecured business loans, MCA Loans, Working capital
  • Industries: UK SME's

Pros

  • fastest and easiest application process
  • No collateral required

Cons

  • lower track record, only trading 1 year

Sources: Funding Agent

2. Barclays

Barclays offers a broad range of traditional bank business loans suitable for UK SMEs looking for established lending options. It caters to borrowers requiring clear terms with a variety of loan products, often involving fixed or variable rates. Typical borrowers can expect moderate flexibility with repayment options, supported by one of the major UK banks.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £25,000
  • Min APR: 11.2%
  • Max APR: 21.1%
  • Loan Duration: 1–10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan, Mortgage
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Established bank
  • Variety of loan options

Cons

  • Higher APR for small loans

Sources: Source

3. Cashflow Solutions

Cashflow Solutions specialises in tailored business loans designed to help UK SMEs manage their cash flow with flexible loan terms. It is most suitable for companies seeking adaptable working capital solutions without collateral requirements. This lender provides relatively fast access and personalised service options.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £20,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1–72 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Working Capital Loan, Merchant Cash Advance
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Tailored solutions
  • Fast approval

Cons

  • APR details not transparent

Sources: Source

4. Fleximize

Fleximize provides custom business loans designed to meet diverse needs of UK SMEs across industries. This lender offers flexible terms tailored to borrower requirements, prioritising option variety over standardised products. Suitability includes businesses seeking adaptable finance without fixed APR disclosures or maximum amounts.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £0
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Custom ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured, Unsecured Loans
  • Industries: Retail, Services

Pros

  • Customizable loans
  • Serves various industries

Cons

  • No specific APR info

Sources: Source

5. HSBC

HSBC offers a broad portfolio of business loans including fixed and variable rate options aimed at all sizes of UK businesses. Suitable for borrowers who prefer a large international bank with diverse loan options. HSBC’s terms generally balance flexibility with traditional lending requirements.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £25,000
  • Min APR: 5.7%
  • Max APR: 18.9%
  • Loan Duration: 1–10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Large international bank
  • Variety of loan options

Cons

  • Maximum loan amounts are limited

Sources: Source

6. Cashsolv

Cashsolv specialises in quick business loans with straightforward terms designed to support UK SMEs facing short-term financial needs. It is suitable for borrowers looking for rapid processing and simple eligibility criteria. Loans generally have shorter durations with a focus on accessibility and clarity.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £20,000
  • Max Amount: £250,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1–12 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured, Unsecured Loans
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Fast processing
  • Simple terms

Cons

  • Short loan durations

Sources: Source

7. Portman Finance Group

Portman Finance Group is a specialist lender offering personalised SME finance solutions including asset finance and business loans. It is suited to businesses seeking tailored offers and brokered access to finance with varied loan terms. This lender generally serves clients needing flexible arrangements and a wide financing range.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Up to 6 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan, Asset Finance
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Personalized services
  • Wide loan range

Cons

  • Broker services may incur additional fees

Sources: Source

8. Funding Circle

Funding Circle supports SMEs by providing business loans with competitive interest rates and fast decisions. It suits borrowers looking for straightforward funding solutions without extensive collateral requirements. The platform focuses on efficient processing and accessible financing for diverse business needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Up to 72 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Large loan amounts
  • Quick decisions

Cons

  • APR details not provided

Sources: Source

9. NatWest

NatWest provides a comprehensive range of business finance options with flexible repayment terms and competitive rates for UK SMEs. It is suitable for borrowers seeking adaptable loan products with varying durations. NatWest’s offerings include both short and long-term financing with standard bank lending features.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £100,000
  • Min APR: 8%
  • Max APR: 13%
  • Loan Duration: 3 months – 25 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Flexible repayment terms
  • Competitive rates

Cons

  • Loan amounts depend on approval

Sources: Source

10. Century Business Finance

Century Business Finance operates as a broker offering a diverse range of financial products tailored for SMEs across the UK. It is appropriate for businesses seeking access to multiple lender networks and variety in finance types. The broker facilitates customised solutions prioritising fit and term flexibility.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £5,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Custom ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan, Second Charges
  • Industries: General

Pros

  • Diverse product offering
  • Expert brokers

Cons

  • Unknown APR details

Sources: Source

How to choose

When seeking the best lender to secure a 20k working capital loan, consider how loan size and APR align with your budget. Examine eligibility requirements and whether the lender offers unsecured or secured options. Balance the speed of approval against flexibility in loan terms and repayment schedules. Evaluate whether collateral is needed and how repayments fit with your franchise's cash flow and seasonal factors. Also review potential fees and early repayment terms to avoid surprises during the loan lifecycle.

Conclusion

Choosing the right lender depends on your specific finance needs. Traditional banks offer reliability and broad products, while brokers provide access to multiple lenders and tailored solutions. Specialist lenders deliver customised finance but may have more specific criteria. Funding Agent is a practical option for SMEs wanting quick comparisons and a straightforward application process. Assess your requirements carefully and confirm all terms with the lender before proceeding with a 20 thousand pounds loan.

Table of Contents
Example H2
Example H3

Let’s launch your project?

arrow button

Find the right lender for you!

Generate offers
Cta image

FAQs

What is a working capital loan?
How can I qualify for a £20k working capital loan?
Which lenders offer the best rates for working capital loans?
How long does it take to get approved for a working capital loan?
Are there any fees associated with working capital loans?
Can I use a working capital loan for any business purpose?

Get Funding For
Your Business

Generate offers
Cta image
Apply now