January 23, 2026
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Best Lenders to Secure a 40k Short Term Loan

Best Lenders to Secure a 40k Short Term Loan

Discover the best lenders to secure a £40,000 short term loan quickly and easily. Compare options, rates, and eligibility criteria to find the right lender for your needs.
Jesse Spence
Finance content writer / Market researcher

4 years of experience in market research. He focuses on turning lender criteria and market insights into practical, plain-English resources that help business ownersb improve approval chances and choose the right type of finance

Best Lenders to Secure a 40k Short Term 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 2026-01-23.

1. Funding Agent

Funding Agent provides a platform focused on connecting UK SMEs to various business finance options quickly. It is typically suited for businesses seeking clear and accessible loan choices with straightforward application processes. The provider offers flexibility in finance types without requiring collateral, catering to a range of repayment and term preferences.

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. MoneySuperMarket

MoneySuperMarket operates as a comparison platform for a range of financial products including loans, credit cards, and insurance. It suits borrowers who want to explore multiple personal and secured loan options. The service emphasises wide market coverage with no direct lending, often providing brokered access to lenders and varied eligibility criteria.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £40,000
  • Min APR: 11.2%
  • Max APR: 14.9%
  • Loan Duration: 12-60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Personal Loans, Secured Loans
  • Industries: Finance, Insurance

Pros

  • Wide comparison options
  • User-friendly platform

Cons

  • Comparison only, not a direct lender

Sources: Source

3. Tesco Bank

Tesco Bank offers a mix of personal and business financial services, including loans and credit cards. It is generally appropriate for borrowers seeking straightforward products with competitive rates and flexible repayment terms. The bank provides established loan products focusing on user-friendly and rewarding banking relationships.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £7,500
  • Max Amount: £25,000
  • Min APR: 5.8%
  • Max APR: 20%
  • Loan Duration: 12-60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Personal Loans, Credit Cards
  • Industries: Retail, Finance

Pros

  • Competitive rates
  • Flexible terms

Cons

  • Not suitable for high-risk profiles

Sources: Source

4. Asda Money

Asda Money delivers simple personal loan products with competitive interest and fast approval times. This provider usually fits borrowers needing straightforward loan access without complex collateral demands. Flexible repayment arrangements help accommodate different customer needs efficiently.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £25,000
  • Min APR: 13.6%
  • Max APR: 48.9%
  • Loan Duration: 12-60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Personal Loans
  • Industries: Retail, Finance

Pros

  • Instant decisions
  • Flexible repayment options

Cons

  • High APR for some loans

Sources: Source

5. GoCompare

GoCompare provides a comprehensive comparison service for a variety of financial products, including personal and business loans. It is suited to users seeking a broad scope of loan options with adaptable terms and conditions. The platform facilitates clear insights into rates and loan durations without being a direct lender.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £750,000
  • Min APR: 6.9%
  • Max APR: 24%
  • Loan Duration: 6-72 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Personal Loans, Business Loans
  • Industries: Insurance, Finance

Pros

  • Extensive comparison options
  • User-friendly interface

Cons

  • Not a direct lender

Sources: Source

6. NatWest

NatWest is a traditional UK bank providing a broad selection of financial products aimed at small to medium businesses. It is appropriate for borrowers seeking established banking relationships and a variety of loan structures, including business and personal loans. NatWest typically offers options requiring moderate underwriting and collateral considerations.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £100,000
  • Min APR: 10%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 12-84 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Personal Loans
  • Industries: Banking, Finance

Pros

  • Wide range of financial products
  • Established reputation

Cons

  • Higher rates for unsecured loans

Sources: Source

7. Nationwide

Nationwide provides business and personal loan products with competitive terms and prompt eligibility assessments. It typically fits borrowers looking for transparent lending without broker fees, offering a range of durations and amounts. Their loan offerings favour clients wanting straightforward funding options with clear criteria.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £6,000
  • Max Amount: £10,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 12-60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Business Loans, Personal Loans
  • Industries: Finance

Pros

  • No broker fees
  • Fast eligibility checks

Cons

  • Limited promotional rates

Sources: Source

8. HSBC

HSBC offers a broad portfolio of loan products for personal and business needs, backed by international resources. It is suitable for customers looking for flexibility in terms and competitive rate options. HSBC supports a wide range of industries with tailored loan features and potential security requirements.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £50,000
  • Min APR: 5.7%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 12-84 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Personal Loans, Business Loans
  • Industries: Banking, International Finance

Pros

  • International presence
  • Wide range of products

Cons

  • Premium services can have higher costs

Sources: Source

9. Lending Stream

Lending Stream focuses on short-term loan solutions, providing rapid access to funds through a streamlined application process. It is best suited for borrowers requiring small, quick loans with straightforward repayment structures. High APRs reflect the short duration and convenience of their products.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £50
  • Max Amount: £1,500
  • Min APR: 1271%
  • Max APR: 1333%
  • Loan Duration: 6 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Short-Term Loans
  • Industries: Finance

Pros

  • Fast application process
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Very high APR

Sources: Source

10. Novuna Personal Finance

Novuna Personal Finance offers personal loans with flexible terms focused on helping customers meet their financial goals. It is commonly suitable for borrowers with standard credit requirements seeking competitive rates and adaptable repayment plans. Their service emphasises customer experience with award recognition.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £7,500
  • Max Amount: £35,000
  • Min APR: 5.7%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 12-60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Personal Loans
  • Industries: Finance

Pros

  • Low starting APR
  • Award-winning service

Cons

  • Not for high-risk profiles

Sources: Source

How to choose

Choose a lender that matches your loan size and desired APR to stay within budget. Confirm eligibility requirements and how quickly funds are available. Evaluate the balance between speed and flexibility, especially for short term loans around 40k pounds. Consider repayment options suited to your franchise cash flow and seasonal income. Check for fees, collateral demands, and early repayment conditions before applying to ensure terms align with your business needs.

Conclusion

Select lenders based on your loan purpose and risk profile, choosing banks for established products, brokers for wide access, and specialists for niche requirements. Funding Agent provides fast comparison for SMEs needing straightforward finance solutions. Understand each provider’s terms, security expectations, and costs before committing. Matching the right lender to your 40 thousand pounds loan needs avoids surprises and supports your business goals well.

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FAQs

What is a short term 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
2MoneySuperMarketMoneySuperMarket is a UK-based price comparison website that helps consumers find the best deals on a range of financial products, including loans, credit cards, and insurance.£5,000–£40,000; 11.2%–14.9% APR; 12-60 months
3Tesco BankTesco Bank offers a variety of personal and business banking products, including loans and credit cards with competitive rates, and aims to provide simple and rewarding banking experiences.£7,500–£25,000; 5.8%–20% APR; 12-60 months
4Asda MoneyAsda Money, powered by Lendable, offers straightforward personal loans with competitive rates and quick approval, aiming to make borrowing simple and efficient for its customers.£1,000–£25,000; 13.6%–48.9% APR; 12-60 months
5GoCompareGoCompare is a UK-based comparison site that helps customers find and compare various financial products, including loans, insurance, and more, aiming to provide the best options for individual needs.£1,000–£750,000; 6.9%–24% APR; 6-72 months
6NatWestNatWest is a major retail and commercial bank in the UK, offering a wide range of financial services, including business loans, with a focus on helping small to medium enterprises grow.£1,000–£100,000; 10%–15% APR; 12-84 months
7NationwideNationwide offers a variety of financial products, including competitive business loans designed to help businesses grow and prosper, with quick eligibility checks and funding options.£6,000–£10,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 12-60 months
8HSBCHSBC is an international bank offering diverse financial services including loans for various needs, with flexible terms and various rate options tailored to personal and business requirements.£1,000–£50,000; 5.7%–0% APR; 12-84 months
9Lending StreamLending Stream specializes in short-term loans, offering quick cash solutions with a straightforward application process, aimed at customers who need fast fund access.£50–£1,500; 1271%–1333% APR; 6 months
10Novuna Personal FinanceNovuna Personal Finance provides a range of personal finance products, including loans with flexible terms and competitive rates, aiming to help customers achieve their financial goals.£7,500–£35,000; 5.7%–0% APR; 12-60 months
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