Support before, during and after your application
We're a responsible lender, and we want to make sure that you’re able to afford the repayments. To help us understand your business, we’ll need to look at things such as:
- your business performance,
- financial commitments,
- business goals, and
- future plans.
Before you apply, think about what borrowing you may need as there are different lending options. There are a few things you should think about before applying.
- What you need the money for. Are you looking to boost your working capital, or want a business investment?
- How much you need to borrow. This should be realistic and in line with your business objectives and your current or potential profits.
- How long you want to borrow for. You must make sure you can afford the repayments based on your monthly income and outgoings over the period stated.
Careful preparation may help to increase your chances of getting the borrowing you want. Before you make an application, it’s worth writing a business plan or reviewing your existing one.
All lending is subject to status, availability and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.
Once you know how much you need to borrow and your preferred lending option, you can complete an application.
View our lending options to see how you can apply.
We'll use the information in your application to understand your business and your combined financial history. We'll also run a credit search with a credit reference agency. This is for the people and businesses named in your application.
If you have a limited company, we'll check your business with the Companies House register.
We'll use all this information to figure out your credit score. This score will help us decide if we can accept your application or not. Read our application and credit scoring document (PDF - 811 KB) to see how we use your details.
All lending is subject to status, availability and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.
We’ll aim to give you a decision as soon as we can, though sometimes we may need to carry out extra checks or get more information from you. This could affect how long it takes us to reach a decision.
We may ask you for more details to give us a better understanding of your business and help us make a decision. See below to find out what things we may ask from you.
- Financial information. This might be the last 6 months of your business bank statements, the last two years of your audited financial accounts, cash flow projections, or a business plan for start-ups. This helps us understand how your business is doing and what you can afford.
- Business information. For example, any capital you’ve invested or details on your skills and experience. This helps us understand your business commitment and capabilities.
- Other business interests. This could be any other financial commitments you have that could impact your ability to make repayments.
We’ll always keep you informed along the way. Once we have everything we need, we can give you a yes or no decision.
- Accepted. If we accept your application, we’ll explain what happens next in terms of documents we’ll send you and, most importantly, when you’ll get access to your lending facility.
- Declined. If we decline your application, we’ll put the main reason in writing to let you know why.
If your application is declined for any reason, you can send us additional information for us to review. You can find out how to do this in the ‘Reviews’ section further down this page.
If your application is declined today, you may still get accepted in the future.
If we can’t support your application, you have a right to ask for a referral within 30 days to a government designated platform. With your consent, they’ll seek to match your business' needs with the most suitable lender for your circumstances. See our 'Referral' section further down this page to find out more.
You may also find our sources of finance page useful.
All lending is subject to status, availability and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.
If you’ve applied to your bank for any finance for your business and you have been turned down, you can appeal here. You need to be within 30 days of your original application, and you will need to meet certain eligibility conditions.
To find out more, read Better Business Finance’s independent reports article
- For business overdrafts and credit cards, you can talk to your Business Banking Manager and they’ll guide you through the process.
- For business credit cards, you can also ask for an independent review online
Once you submit your review, a different member of our team will review your original application. They’ll look again at the information you shared and review how the original decision was made. They may also ask you for more information to support your review.
We’ll aim to give you a decision as soon as we can, though sometimes we may need to carry out extra checks or get more information from you. This could affect how long it takes us to reach a decision. The full review process may take up to 30 days from receiving your appeal.
All lending is subject to status, availability and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.
If we decline your application, you have the right to ask for a referral within 30 days to a government designated platform. With your consent, they’ll seek to match your business' needs with the most suitable lender for your circumstances.
See our right to a referral (PDF - 1.38 MB) document for more details.
How to ask for a referral
You can request a referral within 30 days by calling 0800 681 6684. Lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Information about other lending facility
As we've mentioned, you have right to be referred to a government designated platform. There are other sources of finance available that you could consider as well. Visit sources of finance for more details.
Santander UK plc is not responsible for the finance platforms. If you choose to be referred, this does not mean that your application will be successful. Any lending decision made would be solely a matter for the lender(s) to whom you are referred.
For the purpose of the referral, Santander UK plc are acting as a credit broker. We don’t as a lender and won’t receive any commission.
All lending is subject to status, availability and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.