Glossary

Financial covenant

A financial covenant is a promise in your loan agreement to keep certain ratios within limits — like minimum interest cover — that the lender monitors as an early-warning system.

2 min read

Ratio promiseKept within limits
MonitoredEarly-warning for lenders

Definition

A financial covenant is a term in a loan agreement requiring the borrower to maintain specified financial metrics — such as a minimum interest cover, a maximum gearing ratio, or a minimum net worth — tested at regular intervals.

In plain terms

It's a set of financial rules you agree to stay inside. If a ratio drifts past the limit, the lender knows early and can act — a breach even if payments are current.

Why it matters for your company

Understand and monitor any covenants before signing, so you're never caught out by a technical breach. See loan covenants.

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.