Funding Circle is a prominent UK business finance provider. Originally operating as the UK's largest peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform, it has since transitioned into a digital-first direct lender backed by institutional capital.
As a direct lender, Funding Circle provides a range of commercial finance facilities to support UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with working capital, growth plans, and asset acquisition.
Business Finance Products Offered
Funding Circle provides several financial products tailored to commercial needs. Its core specialism is unsecured Business Loans. Unsecured funding allows companies to access capital without pledging specific physical assets, such as commercial property, as collateral.
In addition to traditional business loans, Funding Circle offers Asset Finance facilities. These include hire purchase agreements, finance leases, and asset refinance (also known as sale and leaseback). Hire purchase and finance lease products help businesses acquire vehicles, equipment, or machinery over time, while asset refinance enables companies to unlock capital from existing business assets.
For ongoing cash flow support, Funding Circle provides revolving credit facilities (lines of credit) and dedicated business credit cards. Furthermore, Funding Circle is an accredited lender for government-backed schemes, including the Growth Guarantee Scheme, offering structured support to qualifying UK businesses.
Funding Circle Overview and Key Facts
Below is a summary of Funding Circle's direct products and corporate details:
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Provider Type | Direct Lender |
FCA Firm Reference Number | 900573 |
Companies House Number | 00722513 |
Specialisms | Unsecured Business Loans |
Finance Products | Business loans, Asset finance, Hire purchase, Finance lease, Asset refinance, Revolving credit, Business credit cards |
Government Schemes | Accredited for schemes such as the Growth Guarantee Scheme |
Access Route | Direct |
Minimum Deal Size | £10,000 |
Maximum Deal Size | £750,000 |
Who Funding Circle Suits
Funding Circle is designed primarily for mainstream UK small businesses seeking fast funding without committing property or physical security. Businesses looking for unsecured commercial funding often consider Funding Circle because it does not require asset security for its core business loans.
However, because the business loans are unsecured, borrowers should expect to provide a personal guarantee from company directors. Companies seeking flexible finance solutions to fund everyday operational expenses, manage supplier payments, or purchase equipment can explore Funding Circle's broader suit of credit lines and asset finance tools.
Eligibility and Deal Sizes
Funding Circle accepts applications directly from established UK businesses. While specific trading history criteria and turnover requirements vary depending on the chosen financial facility, applicants generally need to demonstrate ongoing trading activity and commercial viability.
Regarding deal sizes, Funding Circle does not publicly publish fixed minimum or maximum borrowing limits. The borrowing capacity available to your business will depend on your financial profile, credit assessment, and the specific financial product selected. In addition, Funding Circle does not publish explicit terms for sole traders, so limited companies and established business structures form the primary target audience.
How to Access Funding Circle
Accessing Funding Circle is done directly through its digital platform. Applicants submit commercial information and financial documentation online to be reviewed by the lender's underwriting systems. Funding Circle is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA firm reference number 900573) and registered at Companies House (00722513).
Comparing Your Options with SME Money
While Funding Circle offers a comprehensive suite of unsecured loans, revolving credit lines, and asset finance options, direct applications mean you are evaluated against the criteria of just one lender. What works for one commercial scenario may not yield the best structure or terms for another.
At SME Money, we connect UK businesses with specialist brokers who search over 70 lenders to find the right funding for your situation. By comparing products across the wider market, you can evaluate direct lenders alongside alternative financial institutions without single-bank bias. Contact SME Money today to explore your business funding options.