Glossary

Sole trader finance

Sole trader finance covers funding for unincorporated businesses, where the owner is personally liable for debts — a key difference from limited-company borrowing.

2 min read

For unincorporated firmsOwner personally liable
No company shieldDifferent risk profile

Definition

Sole trader finance is funding for businesses run by an individual without a separate legal company. Because a sole trader and their business are legally the same, the owner is personally liable for all business debts.

In plain terms

Unlike a limited company, there is no corporate shield — business debts are your debts. Lenders assess you personally, and your personal assets are exposed.

Why it matters for your company

Many growing sole traders incorporate to separate personal and business risk and access company finance with no personal guarantee. Credicorp lends to UK limited companies, ring-fencing directors from the debt. See personal guarantees.

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.