April 14, 2026
Lists

Best Lenders to Secure a 320k Short Term Business Loan

Discover the best lenders offering £320k short term business loans. Learn how to secure fast, flexible funding tailored to your business needs.
Square image with a black border and white background
Best Lenders to Secure a 320k Short Term Business Loan
Abdus-Samad Charles
Finance Writer

Abdus-Samad Charles is a finance writer and the Head of Content at Funding Agent, with four years’ experience creating practical, easy-to-follow, SEO-informed guidance for UK small and medium-sized businesses. He specialises in turning complex funding topics, like eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, approval timelines, and lender expectations, into clear, research-led resources that are easy to find and help business owners make confident, informed decisions.

Best Lenders to Secure a 320k 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 focuses on helping UK SMEs quickly compare various business finance options through a smooth application process. It is suitable for businesses that value speed and clarity in their lending choices. Typical offerings include unsecured loans with flexible repayment terms, without the need for collateral.

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 provides a broad range of business loans including unsecured options. It is generally suited for businesses looking for standard bank lending with competitive rates and typical eligibility requirements. Flexibility is offered in repayment durations, though collateral options may vary.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £100,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

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

Pros

  • Reputable bank
  • Flexible terms

Cons

  • High eligibility criteria

Sources: Source

3. NatWest

NatWest offers business lending across a broad range of amounts with tailored options to fit diverse business needs. It suits businesses looking for varied repayment structures including fixed and variable rates. Lending solutions typically include both secured and unsecured loans with adaptable terms.

Loan Details

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

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Fixed Rate Loans, Variable Rate Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Flexible repayment options
  • Large borrowing limits

Cons

  • Requires fixed or variable; no mid-tier

Sources: Source

4. Funding Circle

Funding Circle focuses on providing affordable loans for small businesses with simple terms and fast decisions. It is ideal for SMEs needing straightforward finance with flexible repayment periods. The provider offers accessible unsecured lending suited for quick funding needs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £0
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 5 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Small Business Loans
  • Industries: SMEs

Pros

  • Quick decisions
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Limited to small businesses

Sources: Source

5. iwoca

iwoca delivers fast and flexible loan solutions mainly tailored for smaller businesses. It is suitable for borrowers looking for speed and adaptable repayment options without extensive collateral. Their loan products support a range of short-term financing needs.

Loan Details

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

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Unsecured Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Fast decision
  • Flexible repayment
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Short loan durations

Sources: Source

6. Metro Bank

Metro Bank provides customised business and commercial loans tailored for growing companies. It fits borrowers who require flexible terms and longer repayment durations. Collateral requirements and loan conditions may vary depending on the product.

Loan Details

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

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Commercial Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Long loan durations
  • Tailored solutions

Cons

  • Strict eligibility requirements

Sources: Source

7. White Oak UK

White Oak UK specialises in SME loans, offering flexible financing suitable for a range of business sectors. Best suited for borrowers who need adaptable loan structures and rapid funding. Their products typically focus on unsecured business lending with manageable repayment terms.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 3 to 60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: SME Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Flexible funding options
  • Rapid funding

Cons

  • Short maximum term

Sources: Source

8. HSBC

HSBC delivers a suite of small business loans with competitive interest and flexible repayment options. It is suited for businesses needing reliable bank lending with a reputable institution. Their loan offerings balance affordability and term flexibility for UK SMEs.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £25,000
  • Min APR: 11.3%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 12 months to 10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Small Business Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Global bank
  • Flexible repayment terms

Cons

  • Lower maximum loan amount

Sources: Source

9. Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank offers a wide array of business loans suited to multiple needs and sizes. It is appropriate for businesses seeking conventional bank lending with competitive terms and longer repayment periods. Loan products typically include flexibility with regard to duration and collateral.

Loan Details

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

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Variety of loan products
  • Long repayment periods

Cons

  • Strict borrowing criteria

Sources: Source

10. Santander UK

Santander UK delivers business loan options with adaptable terms to accommodate diverse sector requirements. It suits borrowers seeking a well-established lender offering various financing solutions. Flexibility and customisation are key features of their product range.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,001
  • Max Amount: £0
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: Variable terms ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans
  • Industries: Various

Pros

  • Flexible options
  • Well-established bank

Cons

  • Higher minimum loan amount

Sources: Source

How to choose

When selecting the best lender for a 320k short term business loan, consider aligning the loan amount and APR with your budget. Assess each provider’s eligibility criteria and balance the urgency of funding against the flexibility of loan terms. Collateral requirements and repayment options vary, so evaluate how these fit your franchise’s cash flow and seasonal variations. Review lender fees and options for early repayment to avoid surprises. Prioritise lenders whose offering matches your specific franchise needs and repayment capacity.

Conclusion

Matching your borrowing needs to the right lender type is essential. Banks often suit those seeking established lending with predictable terms, while brokers like Funding Agent help quickly compare multiple lenders for competitive options. Specialist providers may offer faster or more flexible solutions suited to particular industry niches or smaller loans. Understanding your loan purpose and desired loan features will guide optimal lender choice for a 320 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 short term business loan?
Which lenders offer loans around £320,000 in the UK?
What are the typical interest rates for short term business loans?
How quickly can I get approved for a £320k short term business loan?
What factors do lenders consider when approving short term business loans?
Are there any risks associated with short term business loans?

Get Funding For
Your Business

Generate offers
Cta image
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 loan products, including unsecured loans up to £100,000.£1,000–£100,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 10 years
3NatWestNatWest provides small to large business loans, with borrowing options tailored to different business needs.£25,001–£10,000,000; 0%–0% APR; Variable terms
4Funding CircleFunding Circle offers fast, affordable loans for small businesses with borrowing up to £750,000.£0–£750,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 5 years
5iwocaIwoca provides quick, flexible funding solutions for small businesses, with loans from £1,000 to £1,000,000.£1,000–£1,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 day to 24 months
6Metro BankMetro Bank offers tailored business loans and commercial loans designed to meet the needs of growing businesses.£0–£1,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 30 years
7White Oak UKWhite Oak UK specializes in SME funding, offering flexible business loans from £5,000 to £2 million.£5,000–£2,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 3 to 60 months
8HSBCHSBC offers a variety of business loan products with competitive rates and flexible repayment terms, tailored to small business needs.£1,000–£25,000; 11.3%–0% APR; 12 months to 10 years
9Lloyds BankLloyds Bank supports businesses with a range of loan solutions, from small to large lending amounts with competitive terms.£1,000–£1,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 25 years
10Santander UKSantander UK provides customizable business loans designed to fit the needs of growing businesses across multiple sectors.£25,001–£0; 0%–0% APR; Variable terms
Apply now