Funding Commercial loans Non-bank lenders such as Iwoca and Merchant Money typically offer flexible business loans of £1,000 to £150,000. Traditionally, borrowers apply to a commercial loan provider via their website. Fill in an online application and you'll receive a phone call to discuss your business plan. These companies promise quick decisions, and you may be surprised by the charges and interest rates they offer, as they can be lower than those offered by banks. They may also be able to loan you money for a longer period than a bank and are likely to look at you more kindly than a bank if you have a poor credit rating. On the downside, non-bank lenders usually expect some security. There are sharks out there, so make sure you borrow from a reputable lender listed on the Financial Services Register (visit register.fca.org.uk for more details). Peer-to-peer Companies such as Zopa and RateSetter have been responsible for more than £700m being lent to the UK's small businesses. Their websites act like online market places, where borrowers and lenders can find each other. Both borrowers and lenders have to go through a vetting process before they are allowed to either pitch for money or lend to small businesses. Commercial loan providers promise quick decisions, and you may be surprised by the interest rates on offer 53http://register.fca.org.uk