April 14, 2026
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Best Lenders to Secure a 280k Secured Business Loan

Discover the best lenders offering secured business loans of £280,000. Compare rates and terms to find the ideal loan to grow your UK business today.
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Best Lenders to Secure a 280k Secured Business Loan
Jesse Spence
Finance content writer / Market researcher

Jesse Spence is a Funding Research and Content Lead at Funding Agent with 4 years of experience in market research. He focuses on turning lender criteria and market insights into practical, plain-English resources that help business owners, not only, improve approval chances and choose the right type of finance but also find the right funding providers for their needs.

Best Lenders to Secure a 280k Secured Business Loan

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 2026-04-07.

1. Funding Agent

Funding Agent focuses on providing UK SMEs with a straightforward platform to compare business finance options quickly. It is suitable for franchise buyers and small businesses seeking unsecured loans with predictable terms. The lender offers a fast application process with flexible repayment options and no collateral requirement for many products.

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. Time Finance

Time Finance specialises in secured funding solutions such as asset and invoice finance designed for UK businesses. It typically serves franchise buyers and businesses needing secured loans backed by collateral. The provider offers flexible terms and aims to balance speed with tailored lending options.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £50,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Up to 5 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Flexible funding options
  • Tailored solutions

Cons

  • Secured loans require collateral

Sources: Source

3. Fleximize

Fleximize provides both secured and unsecured business loans tailored to UK SMEs, often linked to monthly revenue considerations. It suits franchise buyers needing flexible amount options with various collateral and repayment configurations. The lender balances quick funding with flexible loan structures to meet diverse business needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured business loans, Unsecured business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Flexible loan amounts
  • Quick funding

Cons

  • Higher loan rates for certain risk profiles

Sources: Source

4. Nucleus Commercial Finance

Nucleus Commercial Finance offers both secured and unsecured business loans with flexible terms suitable for UK SMEs. Its services target franchise operators and other businesses looking for rapid decisions and tailored loan structures. The provider offers a swift application route with options for various security and repayment formats.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £3,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured business loans, Unsecured business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Rapid decision making
  • Flexible loan terms

Cons

  • Higher rates for unsecured loans

Sources: Source

5. iwoca

iwoca offers flexible business loans mainly for small UK businesses, focusing on quick decisions and short repayment terms. It fits franchise buyers needing accessible funding without lengthy processes. The provider generally offers unsecured loans with straightforward terms and no early repayment fees.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £1,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 24 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Quick decision times
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Short loan durations

Sources: Source

6. Close Brothers Business Finance

Close Brothers Business Finance specialises in lending and deposit taking, providing various finance products including invoice finance and asset-based lending. It suits franchise buyers seeking secured funding with specific collateral requirements. Their solutions offer comprehensive finance options but may require significant security and longer processing times.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £0
  • Max Amount: £0
  • Min APR: 6%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Invoice finance, Asset-based lending
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Specialist funding solutions
  • Comprehensive finance products

Cons

  • May require significant collateral

Sources: Source

7. Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank delivers a broad suite of business loans tailored for UK businesses, with a focus on secured and unsecured options and long repayment terms. It suits franchise buyers seeking a full-service bank with flexible borrowing arrangements. Loans often require an existing banking relationship and offer varied collateral and repayment options.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £1,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Up to 25 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured business loans, Unsecured business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Long repayment terms available
  • Flexible borrowing options

Cons

  • Requires banking relationship

Sources: Source

8. NatWest

NatWest offers a variety of secured and unsecured business finance products including loans, overdrafts, and credit cards. It is suitable for UK franchise buyers seeking adaptable funding solutions with flexible interest rates. The provider supports various security options and aims to accommodate diverse repayment needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,001
  • Max Amount: £10,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Flexible ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured business loans, Unsecured business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Variety of lending options
  • Flexible interest rates

Cons

  • Potential for higher interest rates

Sources: Source

9. Funding Circle

Funding Circle serves the UK SME market with both secured and unsecured loans offered through a digital platform. It is suited to franchise buyers looking for fast approval and efficient online applications. The platform emphasises quick decisions and transparency in loan cost structures.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £0
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured business loans, Unsecured business loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Quick decision process
  • Efficient online application

Cons

  • Strict eligibility criteria

Sources: Source

10. Virgin StartUp

Virgin StartUp focuses on providing start-up loans linked with mentoring and business advice for new UK entrepreneurs. This lender is suitable for franchise buyers at early stages seeking fixed-interest, supported financing. The loans come with a clear repayment structure but are limited to startups rather than established businesses.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £500
  • Max Amount: £25,000
  • Min APR: 6%
  • Max APR: 6%
  • Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Start-up loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Fixed interest rate
  • Access to mentoring and advice

Cons

  • Limited to startups

Sources: Source

How to choose

When selecting the best lender to secure a 280k secured business loan, consider matching the loan size and APR to your financial capacity and business needs. Evaluate eligibility criteria carefully and balance application speed against the flexibility of terms offered. Assess the repayment schedule in relation to your franchise cash flow and any seasonal variations. It is important to review lender fees, collateral requirements, and any restrictions on early repayment. Comparing brokered options against direct lenders can also reveal differences in access and product diversity.

Conclusion

Selecting the right lender depends on your specific business use case and loan requirements. Banks typically offer comprehensive products with longer terms but may require existing relationships and collateral. Brokers can provide access to multiple lenders quickly, ideal for comparing options on a £280 thousand pounds loan. Specialist lenders often focus on tailored products with flexible terms for certain industries or risks. Funding Agent remains a useful starting point for SMEs to compare multiple options efficiently before committing to a lender.

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FAQs

What is a secured business loan?
How can I qualify for a £280k secured business loan?
What assets can be used to secure a business loan?
Which UK lenders offer secured business loans around £280,000?
What are the typical interest rates for secured business loans in the UK?
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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
2Time FinanceTime Finance provides flexible funding solutions to UK businesses, including asset finance, invoice finance, and business loans.£50,000–£500,000; 0%–0% APR; Up to 5 years
3FleximizeFleximize offers business loans to SMEs in the UK, providing secured and unsecured options with amounts ranging from £5,000 to £500,000, tailored to the business's monthly revenue.£5,000–£500,000; 0%–0% APR; Unknown
4Nucleus Commercial FinanceNucleus Commercial Finance provides business loans from £3,000 to £2 million, offering both secured and unsecured options with a fast application process and rapid decision making.£3,000–£2,000,000; 0%–0% APR; Unknown
5iwocaIwoca offers flexible business loans ranging from £1,000 to £1,000,000 to UK small businesses with repayment terms of up to 24 months.£1,000–£1,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 24 months
6Close Brothers Business FinanceClose Brothers provides business finance solutions including lending and deposit taking.£0–£0; 6%–0% APR; Unknown
7Lloyds BankLloyds Bank offers a range of business loans tailored to support businesses in the UK, with flexible borrowing options and terms up to 25 years.£1,000–£1,000,000; 0%–0% APR; Up to 25 years
8NatWestNatWest provides funding options such as business loans, overdrafts, and credit cards to UK businesses.£25,001–£10,000,000; 0%–0% APR; Flexible
9Funding CircleFunding Circle is a UK platform for small business loans, providing a fast and efficient lending process for loans up to £750k, with decisions made quickly.£0–£750,000; 0%–0% APR; Unknown
10Virgin StartUpVirgin StartUp supports UK entrepreneurs with start-up loans ranging from £500–£25,000, providing mentoring and business advice along with financial support.£500–£25,000; 6%–6% APR; Unknown
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