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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.