Answer

What are the basic eligibility criteria for a business loan?

The core criteria are simple: a UK-registered trading company, evidenced cash flow, and a reasonable conduct record. Beyond that, details vary by lender. Credicorp's baseline is a UK limited company that trades, generates enough cash to afford repayments, and banks cleanly — with no personal guarantee.

2 min read

UK companyregistered + trading
Cash flowmust afford it
Clean conductreasonable record

The three essentials

Almost every lender wants: (1) an eligible UK entity — usually a limited company or LLP; (2) genuine trading with evidenced income; and (3) enough cash flow to service the facility comfortably. Everything else is refinement.

The finer points

Lenders also look at bank conduct, existing debts, filing history and any defaults or CCJs. None of these are pass/fail on their own — they build a picture. Credicorp assesses on the whole record, with no personal guarantee.

Check where you stand

Run your numbers through the affordability calculator, then apply online.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum trading time to qualify?

It varies. Established companies with filed accounts have the widest options, but younger companies can borrow on bank statements and current trading. There is no universal minimum.

Do I need to be profitable to qualify?

Not always — cash flow matters more than accounting profit. A company reinvesting heavily can be loss-making on paper yet still afford repayments.

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.