Questions? Answered.

We arrange commercial finance for UK businesses, including business loans, working capital, invoice finance, asset finance, commercial mortgages, bridging finance and development finance, by working with a panel of specialist lenders.

We arrange funding from around £25k to £5m+. What is available to you depends on your circumstances and each lender's criteria.

No. Our quotes are free and there is no obligation to proceed. We don't charge you a fee to arrange finance. We're paid a commission by the lender when a deal completes. We'll always tell you about any commission before you go ahead, and you can ask us how much it is.

No. Stocks Consultancy Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We only help with unregulated, business-purpose lending, for example to limited companies or for business use. We can't help with regulated mortgages, consumer credit or loans secured on a home someone lives in.

We work with businesses right across the UK, by phone, email and video call, and meet in person where it helps.

SMEs across every sector, including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, logistics, professional services, healthcare, technology and trades.

Lenders may carry out credit searches as part of their assessment. We will explain what to expect before anything is submitted.

No. We do not give tax advice. Please speak to your accountant about the tax treatment of any finance.

The lender. All finance is subject to status and the lender's own assessment.

A secured loan is backed by an asset, such as premises or equipment, which the lender can rely on if the loan is not repaid. An unsecured loan has no specific asset as security, although lenders often ask for a personal guarantee from directors.

Some lenders work with younger businesses, although options tend to widen as a business builds a trading record. We will be honest with you about what is likely to be available.

Almost any legitimate business purpose, including growth, equipment, stock, refits, refinancing and acquisitions. Lenders will want to understand how the money will be used.

Many lenders ask directors for a personal guarantee, especially on unsecured lending. We will explain what each option involves before you decide.

It is a facility with an agreed limit that you can draw from, repay and draw again, similar in principle to an overdraft. It suits businesses with ongoing, variable funding needs.

Invoice finance is one type of working capital finance. Other types include short-term loans, revolving credit, trade finance and finance linked to card payments.

Yes, many businesses use working capital finance to cover stock and staffing ahead of a busy season. We can look at options that fit your trading pattern.

It depends on what is causing the pressure on cash flow. We will talk it through with you and explain the options in plain English.

With factoring the lender manages your sales ledger and chases payment. With invoice discounting you keep control of collections and the arrangement can be confidential.

Generally businesses that invoice other businesses on credit terms. It is used across many sectors, including manufacturing, wholesale, recruitment, logistics and professional services.

Selective or single invoice finance lets you choose which invoices to fund. We can explain whether this would suit you.

With factoring they usually will, as the lender collects payment. Confidential invoice discounting is available from some lenders.

With hire purchase you usually own the asset once the final payment is made. With leasing you use the asset for an agreed period without necessarily owning it.

Many lenders will consider used equipment, depending on its age and type.

Asset refinance can release cash from equipment you already own, subject to the lender's assessment of its value.

It depends on your circumstances. We can explain the options, but you should speak to your accountant about any tax implications.

Yes, owner-occupier commercial mortgages are designed for exactly this. Lenders will look at the business's trading performance as well as the premises.

Many lenders consider mixed-use premises, such as a shop with a flat above, where the property is held for business or investment purposes and no one connected to you lives there. We can match your premises to suitable lenders.

Most lenders will expect a contribution from you. The amount varies by lender, premises and circumstances, and we will talk this through with you.

We only arrange unregulated commercial mortgages for business purposes, such as premises bought by a limited company or used for your business. We can't help with regulated mortgages or any loan secured on a home you or a family member live in.

It is how the loan will be repaid at the end of the term, usually by selling the property or refinancing onto longer-term finance. Lenders look closely at how realistic the exit is.

Yes, it is commonly used for auction purchases because of their fixed completion deadlines. We recommend speaking to us before the auction.

In most cases the lender will instruct a valuation of the security property. We will explain what each lender requires.

Some lenders will take security over more than one property. We can talk through whether that would suit your situation.

Usually in stages against agreed milestones. A monitoring surveyor typically inspects progress on behalf of the lender before each release.

Experience helps, but some lenders will consider first-time applicants, particularly with a strong professional team. We will be honest with you about the options.

It can, depending on the lender and the project. We will look at how much of the purchase and build costs could be funded.

The loan is repaid by selling or refinancing. Development exit finance can sometimes help bridge the time between completion and sale.