April 14, 2026
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Best Lenders to Secure a 310k Short Term Business Loan

Discover the best lenders to secure a £310k short term business loan. Compare rates, terms, and find quick funding solutions tailored for UK businesses.
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Best Lenders to Secure a 310k Short Term Business Loan
James Laden
Co-founder and CEO

James Laden is the Co-founder and CEO of Funding Agent. He has 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. He writes about business lending, alternative finance, and what lenders look for when assessing applications.

Best Lenders to Secure a 310k Short Term 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 acts as a broker helping UK SMEs compare various business finance products quickly and efficiently. It is suitable for SMEs seeking accessible options with transparent eligibility and straightforward application processes. The provider focuses on ease of use with a speed-oriented approach and offers unsecured loan solutions without collateral requirements.

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 delivers a selection of business loans primarily focused on unsecured lending for UK businesses. These are suitable for franchises and SMEs requiring fast access to funds with flexible borrowing options. Barclays typically offers straightforward terms without requiring collateral, with an emphasis on quick funding availability.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £100,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Up to 5 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Unsecured Business Loans, Green Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Flexible options
  • Quick approval

Cons

  • Limited unsecured loan amount

Sources: Source

3. NatWest

NatWest offers a wide range of business loans suitable for both small and larger UK enterprises. It is geared towards businesses looking for flexible borrowing with options for fixed or variable repayment rates. NatWest loans usually require conventional eligibility and may offer various collateral and repayment structures depending on client needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,001
  • Max Amount: £10,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 25 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Fixed Rate Loans, Variable Rate Loans
  • Industries: General business

Pros

  • No early repayment fees
  • Large borrowing potential

Cons

  • Variable interest rates

Sources: Source

4. Funding Circle

Funding Circle specialises in SME lending within the UK, focusing on small business loans with competitive terms and quick decisions. It is suitable for SMEs requiring timely financing without complex security arrangements. Funding Circle emphasises speed and affordability across its loan products.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 6 months to 5 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: SME Loans, Short Term Loans
  • Industries: SME

Pros

  • Quick decision
  • Affordable rates

Cons

  • Limited to small and medium enterprises

Sources: Source

5. iwoca

iwoca provides tailored loans to small UK businesses with flexible repayment structures. It suits SMEs seeking short-term funding with daily interest calculations and no penalties for early repayment. The lender offers accessible finance with an easy application process focused on speed.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £1,000,000
  • Min APR: 1.5%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 day to 24 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Flexible Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • No penalties for early repayment
  • Quick application

Cons

  • Short loan durations
  • Interest calculated daily

Sources: Source

6. Metro Bank

Metro Bank offers a range of commercial loan products aimed at business growth and capital investments. These loans are suited for franchises or businesses needing flexible repayment options and potential asset-based financing. Metro Bank emphasises personalised service with varying loan terms and structures.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 30 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Commercial Loans, Asset Finance
  • Industries: Commercial

Pros

  • Flexible terms
  • Personalised service

Cons

  • Longer approval times

Sources: Source

7. White Oak UK

White Oak UK specialises in funding solutions tailored to SMEs, offering fast access to loans with flexible terms primarily for VAT, tax, and asset finance. It is suited for businesses that benefit from quicker turnaround and specialised lending options. The lender emphasises flexibility with a focus on SME needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 3 months to 7 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: VAT Loans, Tax Loans, Asset Finance
  • Industries: SME

Pros

  • Quick funding
  • Specialised services

Cons

  • Focused on SMEs

Sources: Source

8. Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank provides a broad array of business loan products across sectors with flexible financing terms. It suits franchises and businesses requiring various loan types, including fixed-term and overdrafts, adaptable for diverse needs. Lloyds Bank offers flexible repayment options alongside established eligibility criteria.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 25 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Fixed Term Loans, Overdrafts
  • Industries: Wide range

Pros

  • Wide range of products
  • Flexible loan amounts

Cons

  • Eligibility criteria apply

Sources: Source

9. HSBC

HSBC provides extensive business loan options including secured and unsecured facilities catering to different sizes of UK businesses. It is suitable for companies needing flexible credit structures with a broad reach and diverse financing types. HSBC loan products reflect a balance of security and repayment flexibility across terms.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £5,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 6 months to 30 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Term Loans, Revolving Credit
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Global reach
  • Diverse financial products

Cons

  • Strict application process

Sources: Source

10. Santander

Santander provides varied business loans aimed at UK companies needing cash flow support or growth finance. Its products suit businesses that prioritise competitive rates and comprehensive service with flexible repayment terms. Santander focuses on practical loan solutions tailored to diverse business needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £1,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 25 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Overdrafts
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Comprehensive support
  • Competitive rates

Cons

  • Fixed loan terms

Sources: Source

How to choose

When seeking the best lenders for a 310k short term business loan, start by aligning loan size, APR, and repayment terms with your business cash flow and funding needs. Assess eligibility criteria carefully to ensure qualification. Consider speed of approval if urgent financing is required, balancing it against desired flexibility. Evaluate whether unsecured loans suit your risk tolerance or if secured options are needed. Lastly, review fees, early repayment terms, and lender reputation for transparency before deciding.

Conclusion

Selecting the right lender depends on your specific needs: traditional banks often provide stability and a broad range of products but may require stricter eligibility and collateral. Brokers like Funding Agent can offer faster comparisons across multiple providers, which is useful for SMEs looking for quick access without extensive paperwork. Specialist lenders tend to focus on niche markets or specific loan types and may provide bespoke solutions. Matching provider type to your loan purpose and business profile helps optimise funding outcomes for a 310 thousand pounds loan requirement.

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FAQs

What is a short term business loan?
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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
2BarclaysBarclays offers a range of business loans tailored for UK businesses, providing unsecured lending up to £100,000 with quick disbursement options.£1,000–£100,000; 0%–0% APR; Up to 5 years
3NatWestNatWest provides a variety of business lending solutions in the UK with loans for both small businesses and larger enterprises.£25,001–£10,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 25 years
4Funding CircleFunding Circle is a popular SME loan provider in the UK, offering fast and affordable small business loans with quick decision processes.£5,000–£750,000; 0%–0% APR; 6 months to 5 years
5iwocaiwoca offers bespoke business loans for small UK enterprises, with amounts ranging from £1,000 to £1,000,000 and flexible repayment terms.£1,000–£1,000,000; 1.5%–0% APR; 1 day to 24 months
6Metro BankMetro Bank offers various business loan products in the UK, with commercial loans tailored for business growth and capital expenditure.£5,000–£2,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 30 years
7White Oak UKWhite Oak UK specializes in SME funding solutions and offers a variety of business loans with fast turnarounds and flexible terms.£5,000–£2,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 3 months to 7 years
8Lloyds BankLloyds Bank provides comprehensive business loan products offering flexible financing options for various business needs in the UK.£1,000–£500,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 25 years
9HSBCHSBC offers extensive business loan products with both secured and unsecured options tailored to UK businesses of all sizes.£1,000–£5,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 6 months to 30 years
10SantanderSantander provides a range of business loans to help UK businesses manage cash flow and finance growth with flexible terms.£5,000–£1,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 25 years
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