April 7, 2026
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Best Secured Business Loan Lenders for the Clean Energy Industry

Explore the best secured business loan lenders in the UK tailored for clean energy businesses. Find competitive rates and flexible terms to grow your sustainable enterprise.
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Best Secured Business Loan Lenders for the Clean Energy Industry
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.

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 2026-03-30.

1. Close Brothers

Close Brothers specialises in merchant banking services including lending and wealth management. It is suitable for UK SMEs looking for predictable loan terms backed by collateral. Their offerings include options with varying flexibility, typically catering to clients comfortable with asset security and clear repayment plans.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £5,000,000
  • Min APR: 6%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 3 to 72 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Asset Finance, Invoice Finance, Hire Purchase
  • Industries: Manufacturing, Transport, Construction

Pros

  • Flexible terms
  • Competitive rates
  • Specialist asset finance

Cons

  • Requires asset security

Sources: Source

2. Barclays

Barclays offers a broad range of bank business loans including secured options and overdrafts. It typically suits franchise buyers and SMEs needing larger funding amounts with flexible repayment terms. Barclays provides products balancing speed and loan variety, often requiring some form of collateral.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,001
  • Max Amount: £5,000,000
  • Min APR: 6%
  • Max APR: 12.9%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured Loans, Business Mortgages, Overdrafts
  • Industries: Real Estate, Technology, Retail

Pros

  • Large funding amounts
  • Variety of loan types

Cons

  • Higher rates for smaller loans

Sources: Source

3. Funding Circle

Funding Circle operates a peer-to-peer lending marketplace focusing on unsecured loans. It suits franchise buyers and SMEs seeking faster access to funding without asset collateral. The service balances funding speed and flexibility but may reflect higher rates for some risk profiles.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £10,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 6.9%
  • Max APR: 20%
  • Loan Duration: 6 months to 5 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Unsecured Loans, Business Loans
  • Industries: Healthcare, Retail, Professional Services

Pros

  • Rapid funding
  • No early repayment fees

Cons

  • Higher interest rates for riskier profiles

Sources: Source

4. Aldermore Bank

Aldermore Bank specialises in asset and commercial finance solutions alongside mortgages and savings. It is suitable for SMEs that prefer straightforward lending with clear terms and less focus on annual reviews. Their products offer flexibility in repayments and are appropriate for borrowers with suitable collateral.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £25,000
  • Max Amount: £2,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 3 months to 6 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Invoice Finance, Asset Finance, Commercial Mortgages
  • Industries: Manufacturing, Logistics, Agriculture

Pros

  • No annual reviews
  • Flexible invoice finance

Cons

  • Limited branch network

Sources: Source

5. NatWest

NatWest provides a wide selection of commercial loans and overdrafts suitable for various business needs. It is designed for franchise buyers and SMEs requiring flexible repayment structures and accessible products. NatWest’s loans combine speed of application with product variety, often relying on secured or unsecured options based on client profile.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £10,000,000
  • Min APR: 6.5%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Fixed Rate Loans, Variable Rate Loans, Overdrafts
  • Industries: Financial Services, Healthcare, Energy

Pros

  • Easy application
  • Variety of products

Cons

  • Higher APR for unsecured loans

Sources: Source

6. HSBC

HSBC is a global bank offering a range of personal and commercial banking services. It caters to SMEs needing structured loans with options for secured or unsecured credit. HSBC focuses on clients that value a global presence and may require support across diverse industries with clear lending criteria.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000
  • Max Amount: £250,000
  • Min APR: 10%
  • Max APR: 15%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 10 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Small Business Loans, Commercial Loans, Overdrafts
  • Industries: Trade, Infrastructure, Education

Pros

  • Global presence
  • Strong customer support

Cons

  • Strict lending criteria

Sources: Source

7. Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank specialises in retail and commercial banking services with a focus on a broad loan range. It suits franchises and SMEs looking for long-term finance with options requiring collateral and varied APRs. Lloyds prioritises comprehensive service access with flexible repayment plans for different business sizes.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £50,000,000
  • Min APR: 8.9%
  • Max APR: 14.9%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 25 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Commercial Loans, Invoice Financing, Asset Financing
  • Industries: Automotive, Retail, Manufacturing

Pros

  • Comprehensive services
  • Wide range of loans

Cons

  • High APR for small loans

Sources: Source

8. Nucleus Commercial Finance

Nucleus Commercial Finance focuses on alternative lending solutions including revenue-based and asset finance. It is suited for SMEs needing tailored funding with moderate flexibility and potentially higher rates on select products. Security and industry-specific lending preferences influence available terms and repayment structures.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £3,000
  • Max Amount: £50,000,000
  • Min APR: 7%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 5 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Revenue-Based Finance, Asset Finance, Invoice Finance
  • Industries: Retail, Construction, Hospitality

Pros

  • Innovative lending
  • Flexible terms

Cons

  • High rates on certain products

Sources: Source

9. Paragon Bank

Paragon Bank specialises in specialist lending including mortgages and asset financing. It fits clients requiring higher minimum loan amounts and competitive mortgage terms. The bank offers products typically secured against property or assets with structured repayment plans suitable for established businesses.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £1,000,000
  • Max Amount: £5,000,000
  • Min APR: 0%
  • Max APR: 0%
  • Loan Duration: 1 to 15 years ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Asset Finance, Development Finance, Commercial Mortgages
  • Industries: Real Estate, Construction, Transportation

Pros

  • Specialist lender
  • Competitive mortgage terms

Cons

  • High minimum loan amounts

Sources: Source

10. Fleximize

Fleximize offers flexible SME financing with a focus on fast approvals and no early repayment fees. It suits franchise buyers seeking varied loan products that combine flexibility with speed. Fleximize balances product variety with higher short-term rates, often serving clients needing revolving credit or unsecured options.

Loan Details

  • Min Amount: £5,000
  • Max Amount: £500,000
  • Min APR: 9.6%
  • Max APR: 41.1%
  • Loan Duration: 3 to 60 months ⌛

Services & Industries

  • Finance Types: Secured Loans, Unsecured Loans, Revolving Credit
  • Industries: Technology, Consulting, Retail

Pros

  • No early repayment fees
  • Fast approval

Cons

  • Higher short-term rates

Sources: Source

How to choose

Best secured business loan lenders for the clean energy industry vary in product offerings and eligibility. Match your loan size and preferred APR to your budget and business needs. Review lender criteria for security requirements, repayment flexibility, and loan-to-value ranges. Consider how repayment schedules align with project cash flow and the cyclical nature of clean energy development. Speed of funding can be important for project timelines, but flexibility and loan terms should not be overlooked. Always compare fees, collateral demands, and early repayment terms before proceeding.

Conclusion

Selecting the right lender depends on your specific finance needs and business profile. Traditional banks often provide a broad range of secured options suitable for long-term investments, while specialist lenders may offer tailored products with more flexible terms but higher costs. Brokers can facilitate access to various providers and may simplify the application process for loans around 200 thousand pounds or more. Evaluate each provider’s focus, eligibility, and terms carefully to find a match that fits your clean energy franchise or business model. Always consult sources such as Funding Circle for up-to-date information.

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FAQs

What is a secured business loan?
Why choose a secured loan for the clean energy industry?
Which lenders offer secured business loans for clean energy companies in the UK?
What are the eligibility criteria for secured business loans in the clean energy sector?
How can clean energy businesses improve their chances of loan approval?
Are there any government schemes supporting loans for clean energy businesses?

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1Close BrothersClose Brothers is a leading UK merchant banking group providing lending, deposit taking, wealth management services, and securities trading.£5,000–£5,000,000; 6%–0% APR; 3 to 72 months
2BarclaysBarclays is a British multinational universal bank headquartered in London, focusing on investment banking, personal banking, and corporate banking.£25,001–£5,000,000; 6%–12.9% APR; 1 to 10 years
3Funding CircleFunding Circle is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that allows investors to lend money directly to small and medium-sized businesses.£10,000–£500,000; 6.9%–20% APR; 6 months to 5 years
4Aldermore BankAldermore is a specialist lender and savings bank offering straightforward mortgages, savings accounts, and business finance solutions.£25,000–£2,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 3 months to 6 years
5NatWestNatWest offers a range of banking products and services to personal, commercial, and corporate customers across the UK.£1,000–£10,000,000; 6.5%–15% APR; 1 to 10 years
6HSBCHSBC is a leading global bank providing personal, business, and corporate banking services across four global businesses.£1,000–£250,000; 10%–15% APR; 1 to 10 years
7Lloyds BankLloyds Bank is a British retail and commercial bank with branches across England and Wales.£5,000–£50,000,000; 8.9%–14.9% APR; 1 to 25 years
8Nucleus Commercial FinanceNucleus Commercial Finance offers alternative business finance, with a variety of funding solutions tailored to UK SMEs.£3,000–£50,000,000; 7%–0% APR; 1 to 5 years
9Paragon BankParagon is a UK-based bank providing specialist lending products, mortgage loans, savings accounts, and business finance.£1,000,000–£5,000,000; 0%–0% APR; 1 to 15 years
10FleximizeFleximize provides flexible SME financing options with higher approval rates and tailored business loans for the UK market.£5,000–£500,000; 9.6%–41.1% APR; 3 to 60 months
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