February 12, 2026
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Best Lenders to Secure a 250k Business Line of Credit

Best Lenders to Secure a 250k Business Line of Credit

Discover the best lenders offering a £250,000 business line of credit. Learn how to secure flexible funding to grow your UK 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.

Best Lenders to Secure a 250k Business Line of Credit

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 2026-02-12.

1. Funding Agent

Funding Agent offers a platform focusing on comparing unsecured business finance for UK SMEs. It is suitable for franchise buyers and operators looking for a variety of funding options with straightforward eligibility checks. The service emphasises speed and simplicity, offering flexible terms without the need for collateral with quick matching to suitable lenders.

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. Funding Circle

Funding Circle focuses on connecting small UK businesses with investors through peer-to-peer lending. It suits SMEs and franchise operators seeking transparent loan options with fixed terms. The provider offers relatively fast funding processes with loans generally unsecured, making them suitable for businesses prioritising speed and cost efficiency.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 3.9%
  • Max APR: 23.9%
  • Loan Duration: 6–60 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loan, Invoice Financing
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Low APR rates
  • Fast approval

Cons

  • Strict credit requirements

Sources: Source

3. Tide

Tide provides digital business banking and lending solutions supporting UK SMEs, including flexible loan and overdraft services. It is suited for smaller businesses and freelancers needing accessible, swift finance with convenient online management. Tide emphasises user experience and relatively quick access to funds, with a focus on unsecured credit options.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £150,000
  • Min APR: 12%
  • Max APR: 24%
  • Loan Duration: 3–36 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Overdraft, Business Loan
  • Industries: Small Businesses, Freelancers

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Quick disbursement

Cons

  • Lower maximum loan amounts

Sources: Source

4. Iwoca

Iwoca specialises in short-term and flexible credit facilities for UK SMEs, particularly focusing on quick access to funds for immediate credit needs. It suits franchise operators and small businesses seeking expedited funding with minimal security requirements. Iwoca’s products typically offer revolving credit options with fast decisioning and flexible repayments.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £200,000
  • Min APR: 24%
  • Max APR: 60%
  • Loan Duration: 1–12 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Short-term Loans, Revolving Credit Facility
  • Industries: Retail, Hospitality

Pros

  • Fast access to funds
  • Minimal documentation

Cons

  • High APR for short-term loans

Sources: Source

5. Growth Street

Growth Street provides flexible credit solutions resembling overdraft facilities, designed for SMEs needing adaptable finance to manage cash flow. It is suited for businesses seeking credit without conventional loan constraints, especially where repayments need to accommodate varied cash flow. Growth Street offers revolving credit with no early repayment fees and tailored credit lines.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,000
  • Max Amount: £200,000
  • Min APR: 6.5%
  • Max APR: 25%
  • Loan Duration: 3–24 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Flexible Credit, Overdraft Alternative
  • Industries: Manufacturing, Retail

Pros

  • Customizable credit solutions
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Limited to certain business sectors

Sources: Source

6. ThinCats

ThinCats focuses on bespoke lending for medium-sized UK businesses, working through institutional lenders. It is appropriate for firms requiring larger sums secured against assets or with extended repayment plans. ThinCats offers tailored financing with brokered access, suited to established businesses that need flexible loan structures.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £250,000
  • Max Amount: £5,000,000
  • Min APR: 5%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 12–60 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Asset Finance, Business Loans
  • Industries: Manufacturing, Property

Pros

  • Large loan amounts available
  • Tailored financing

Cons

  • Not suitable for small businesses

Sources: Source

7. MarketFinance

MarketFinance offers invoice finance and business loans aimed at bridging working capital gaps for growing companies. It is well-suited to franchise operators and SMEs that require fast funding against receivables. The platform provides flexible repayment options and an efficient online process to support liquidity needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 10%
  • Max APR: 35%
  • Loan Duration: 1–12 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Invoice Finance, Business Loans
  • Industries: Retail, Technology

Pros

  • Fast online process
  • Flexible loan products

Cons

  • Short loan durations

Sources: Source

8. Capify

Capify provides alternative funding solutions including merchant cash advances and business loans for SMEs. It typically suits businesses in hospitality and retail seeking quick working capital with flexible repayment schedules based on future sales. Capify emphasises speed and less formal credit requirements, usually without the need for traditional collateral.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £200,000
  • Min APR: 18%
  • Max APR: 35%
  • Loan Duration: 3–18 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Merchant Cash Advance, Business Loans
  • Industries: Hospitality, Retail

Pros

  • Flexible repayments
  • Fast approval

Cons

  • Higher interest rates

Sources: Source

9. OakNorth Bank

OakNorth Bank provides complex business loans mainly targeting fast-growing and established UK businesses. It suits companies needing sizeable loans, often secured against property or assets, with customised lending terms. OakNorth offers more traditional banking products with longer durations and structured repayments, useful for property purchase, refinancing or significant growth investments.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £500,000
  • Max Amount: £25,000,000
  • Min APR: 3.5%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 12–84 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Property Finance
  • Industries: Property, Technology, Manufacturing

Pros

  • High loan amounts
  • Personalized service

Cons

  • Not ideal for startups

Sources: Source

10. White Oak UK

White Oak UK offers a range of finance products aimed at helping SMEs grow through asset finance and conventional business loans. It suits industries like healthcare, manufacturing and hospitality seeking predictable terms and competitive rates. The lender provides flexible options including secured loans, useful for franchise buyers managing business expansion.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,000
  • Max Amount: £250,000
  • Min APR: 7.5%
  • Max APR: 25%
  • Loan Duration: 12–60 months

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Asset Finance, Business Loans
  • Industries: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Hospitality

Pros

  • Diverse finance options
  • Competitive rates

Cons

  • Application process can be long

Sources: Source

How to choose

When selecting a lender to secure a 250k business line of credit, consider how the loan size and APR align with your business budget. Carefully assess eligibility requirements and weigh the speed of funding against the flexibility of repayment terms. Factor in whether the lender requires collateral and what types of repayment options are available. Think about how loan repayments will fit into your franchise's cash flow, especially if your business experiences seasonality. Also review fees, early repayment conditions, and the lender's application process before making a decision.

Conclusion

Choosing the right lender depends on your specific financing needs and business profile. Banks often suit businesses needing larger or asset-backed loans, while brokers and specialist providers may offer more varied products and quicker access. Funding Agent is a useful option for SMEs seeking a streamlined way to compare multiple lenders in one place. Always match lender type to your use case and confirm the current terms, especially for a 200 thousand pounds loan.

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FAQs

What is a business line of credit?
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1Funding AgentFunding 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
2Funding CircleFunding Circle connects small businesses with investors, providing fast and affordable funding solutions for growth.£10,000–£500,000; 3.9%–23.9% APR; 6–60 months
3TideTide offers seamless business banking that supports growth by providing flexible, digital finance solutions.£1,000–£150,000; 12%–24% APR; 3–36 months
4IwocaIwoca provides fast and flexible finance solutions tailored to SMEs, focusing on short-term credit needs.£1,000–£200,000; 24%–60% APR; 1–12 months
5Growth StreetGrowth Street specializes in providing flexible overdraft alternatives to help SMEs manage cash flow and growth.£25,000–£200,000; 6.5%–25% APR; 3–24 months
6ThinCatsThinCats provides bespoke business loans designed to meet the needs of mid-sized UK businesses, through a network of institutional lenders.£250,000–£5,000,000; 5%–15% APR; 12–60 months
7MarketFinanceMarketFinance provides fast invoice finance and business loans to bridge working capital gaps for growing companies.£5,000–£500,000; 10%–35% APR; 1–12 months
8CapifyCapify offers alternative business funding solutions for SMEs seeking working capital and business loans.£5,000–£200,000; 18%–35% APR; 3–18 months
9OakNorth BankOakNorth Bank specializes in providing complex business loans to established, fast-growing businesses.£500,000–£25,000,000; 3.5%–15% APR; 12–84 months
10White Oak UKWhite Oak UK offers a variety of finance products to help SMEs achieve business growth through asset finance and business loans.£25,000–£250,000; 7.5%–25% APR; 12–60 months