Guides
Detailed guides to each form of business finance.
Business loans explained
Everything a company director needs to understand commercial borrowing — from how a facility is priced to what lenders…
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Secured vs unsecured business finance
What changes when a loan is backed by an asset — and the trade-offs for a growing company.
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Alternatives to a merchant cash advance
Merchant cash advances flex with takings but cost dearly once annualised. These alternatives give similar working…
Read →Alternatives to a secured business loan
A secured loan means putting an asset on the line. These alternatives raise funds without a charge over your property —…
Read →When a term loan beats a line of credit
Revolving lines get the flexibility headlines, but a term loan wins in several common situations. Here is when a fixed…
Read →Using company cash vs borrowing to grow
Self-funding growth from reserves feels safe, but it strips your buffer and slows you down. This weighs using company…
Read →Debt vs equity for scaling a business
For a scaling, profitable company, debt is usually the cheaper capital and keeps you in control; equity suits…
Read →When to choose debt over investors
Founders often reach for investors when a loan would do. These are the signals that debt beats equity — and the…
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Alternatives to a business overdraft
Business overdrafts are harder to get and easy to lose. These alternatives give the same day-to-day flexibility with…
Read →Glossary
Business-finance terms, defined in one place.
APR
APR (annual percentage rate) is the total yearly cost of borrowing — interest plus certain mandatory fees — expressed…
Read →Debenture
A debenture is a legal document that secures a loan against a company's assets, giving the lender a registered charge…
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Secured vs unsecured (defined)
Secured borrowing is backed by an asset the lender can claim; unsecured borrowing is not. The distinction drives rate,…
Read →Factor rate (defined)
A factor rate is a simple multiplier — such as 1.2 — used to price merchant cash advances and some short-term products…
Read →Revolving credit (defined)
Revolving credit is a reusable facility with an agreed limit you can draw, repay and redraw, paying interest only on…
Read →Personal guarantee (defined)
A personal guarantee is a director's promise to repay company debt personally if the business cannot, exposing personal…
Read →Asset finance (defined)
Asset finance funds a specific item — equipment, vehicles, machinery — secured on that item, spread over an agreed…
Read →Working capital (defined)
Working capital is the cash a business needs to run day to day — the buffer between money owed to it and money it owes…
Read →Bridging finance (defined)
Bridging finance is a fast, short-term, usually property-secured loan that bridges a gap until a defined exit — a sale…
Read →How-to
Step-by-step explainers for directors and finance teams.
How to apply for a business loan
The documents, the steps and what to expect when your company applies.
Read →Which finance to use to buy stock
Buying stock ahead of sales is a classic cash squeeze. This compares a short-term loan, trade finance, stock finance…
Read →Which finance to use to hire staff
New hires cost money before they earn it. This compares a short-term loan, a revolving line and invoice finance for…
Read →Which finance for a marketing push
Marketing spend precedes the revenue it drives. This compares a short-term loan, a revolving line and a card for…
Read →Which finance to cover a payroll shortfall
A payroll shortfall is urgent and recurring risk. This compares a revolving line, a short-term loan and invoice finance…
Read →Which finance for an unexpected bill
A surprise repair, bill or claim can blindside cash flow. This compares a revolving line, a short-term loan and a card…
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Which finance to fund a business acquisition
Buying a business blends several funding sources. This compares acquisition finance, a commercial loan, equity and a…
Read →Loan or credit line: a decision guide
The right pick between a loan and a credit line comes down to the shape of your need. Work through these four questions…
Read →Which finance to use when customers pay late
Late-paying customers are the classic cash trap. This weighs invoice finance, a revolving line and a short-term loan…
Read →Funding for UK limited companies
Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.