Best Lenders to Secure a 380k Unsecured 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.
Funding Agent Funding Agent focuses on brokering unsecured and working capital loans for UK SMEs. It is suitable for small businesses looking for flexible options with a fast application process. The platform emphasises quick eligibility checks and brokered access to multiple lenders without requiring 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
Barclays Bank Barclays Bank offers unsecured loans as part of its wider business banking services. It typically serves established businesses seeking bank loans with predictable costs and longer repayment terms. Barclays provides options that can include cashback incentives, but may require stricter eligibility and formal security for some products.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £1,000
- Max Amount: £100,000
- Min APR: 0%
- Max APR: 0%
- Loan Duration: Up to 10 years ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Unsecured loans, Commercial mortgages, Cashflow finance options
- Industries: General
Pros
- Fast approval for cashback
Cons
- Strict eligibility criteria
HSBC UK HSBC UK provides business loans mainly targeting small to medium enterprises for growth purposes. Their focus is on loans with fixed APRs and flexible term options. They serve businesses requiring structured loan support within banking systems, often suited for franchise or growth financing.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £1,000
- Max Amount: £25,000
- Min APR: 11.3%
- Max APR: 11.3%
- Loan Duration: 12 months to 10 years ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Small business loans, Commercial business loans
- Industries: General
Pros
- Flexible loan terms
- Global banking support
Cons
- Higher minimum loan amount
Lloyds Bank Lloyds provides both secured and unsecured loans tailored to small businesses. Their offerings focus on personalised terms with flexibility in loan conditions. It suits borrowers wanting access to a range of options including property-secured and unsecured lending products.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £1,000
- Max Amount: £50,000
- Min APR: 9.6%
- Max APR: 11.2%
- Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Secured business loans, Unsecured business loans
- Industries: General
Pros
- Personalized service
- Wide range of options
Cons
- Potential fees for early repayment
5. Santander UK
Santander UK Santander UK offers a variety of loan products designed to support corporate and business growth. Its loans are best suited for companies seeking fixed or variable rate financing with flexible repayment horizons. The bank focuses on loans above mid-level amounts, suitable for established businesses requiring predictable financing.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £25,001
- Max Amount: £250,000
- Min APR: 0%
- Max APR: 0%
- Loan Duration: 1 to 5 years ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Fixed rate loans, Variable rate facilities
- Industries: General
Pros
- No interest for the first year
Novuna Business Finance Novuna specialises in lending across specific sectors like retail and construction. Its loans focus on industry-specific solutions with an emphasis on cashflow management. This lender suits businesses requiring tailored support with sector expertise rather than broad unsecured lending.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £0
- Max Amount: £0
- Min APR: 0%
- Max APR: 0%
- Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Business loans, Cashflow management
- Industries: Construction, Retail
Pros
- Industry-specific support
Cons
- Limited online application information
Funding Circle Funding Circle provides an online platform for accessing business loans up to large amounts. It mainly focuses on fast decision times and no early repayment fees. This lender suits businesses seeking easy access to loans with flexible repayment options via a digital process.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £10,000
- Max Amount: £750,000
- Min APR: 6.9%
- Max APR: 0%
- Loan Duration: 1 to 5 years ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Business loans, Line of credit
- Industries: General
Pros
- Fast decision times
- No early repayment fees
Fleximize Fleximize offers quick, flexible SME financing with unsecured and secured loans. The lender is designed for businesses needing rapid funding with adaptable repayment options. It suits borrowers valuing speed and flexibility over extensive collateral requirements.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £5,000
- Max Amount: £500,000
- Min APR: 0%
- Max APR: 0%
- Loan Duration: Unknown ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Unsecured loans, Secured loans
- Industries: General
Pros
- Fast funding
- Flexible repayment terms
Cons
- Requires revenue verification
Iwoca Iwoca offers flexible, short-term business loans with interest calculated based on usage duration. It suits businesses needing quick access to working capital with transparent fees and no early repayment charges. This lender is ideal for those prioritising flexibility and short repayment terms over long-term loans.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £1,000
- Max Amount: £1,000,000
- Min APR: 35%
- Max APR: 49%
- Loan Duration: 1 to 60 months ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Short-term loans, Flexible loans
- Industries: General
Pros
- No early repayment charges
- Transparent fees
Cons
- Higher APR for long-term loans
MarketFinance MarketFinance specialises in alternative finance including invoice financing and short-term loans. It targets SMEs seeking non-traditional lending solutions with quick decisions. This lender is suitable for businesses requiring flexible funding options outside conventional banks.
Loan Details
- Min Amount: £5,000
- Max Amount: £500,000
- Min APR: 0%
- Max APR: 0%
- Loan Duration: 1 to 3 years ⌛
Services & Industries
- Finance Types: Invoice financing, Short-term loans
- Industries: General
Pros
- Quick decision times
- Range of product offerings
How to choose
When securing a 380,000 pounds unsecured business loan, consider the fit between loan size, APR, and your cash flow. Evaluate eligibility criteria carefully and weigh loan approval speed against flexibility in repayment options. Reflect on whether the lender requires collateral or offers unsecured terms, and if the loan products suit your franchise's seasonal cash flow. Additionally, check for any early repayment fees and the breadth of loan types available. Always request current details to confirm terms before proceeding.
Conclusion
Choosing the right lender depends on your specific use case. Banks often provide stability and longer terms, brokers can offer access to a wider variety of unsecured loans, and specialist lenders may cater to niche industries or repayment styles. Funding Agent is a practical choice for SMEs seeking fast comparisons across various financing options. Matching your business needs with the lender type and loan structures is essential when considering a 380 thousand pounds loan.
.png)
