Glossary

Insolvency

When a company cannot pay its debts as they fall due, or its liabilities exceed its assets — a state that carries serious legal duties for directors.

2 min read

Definition

Insolvency is the opposite of solvency: a company is insolvent if it cannot pay its debts when due, or if its liabilities outweigh its assets. It does not automatically mean closure, but it triggers heightened duties for directors to act in creditors' interests.

Why it matters

Trading while insolvent can expose directors personally, piercing limited liability. Addressing cash strain early — through better cash flow or restructuring — is how businesses avoid it. See affordability red flags.

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.