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Business loans that work for you
We offer fast, flexible debt financing, with your success in mind. With a range of specialist secured and unsecured business loans ranging from £250,000 to tens of millions, get capital that caters to your growth plans, without giving up equity.
We partner with tenacious entrepreneurs and help businesses across a range of sectors excel. Whether it’s for expansions, refinancing, property development, capital expenditure or something else entirely, we understand the needs of borrowers.
We’ve helped build schools, supported pub companies with acquisitions, provided bridging loans to developers to turn vacant buildings into new homes and plenty more. And with flexible repayments across fixed terms, or revolving credit facilities, we put you in control of your future.
New to the financing process? Check out our guide to UK business loans.
Care homes, domestic care, residential homes, retirement villages and more.
Schools, early years, nurseries and specialist education providers.
Homes, redevelopments, operational real estate and more.
Supporting hospitality businesses, including pubs, hotels, restaurants and more.
Providing bespoke support and fast, flexible debt finance to funds and private equity firms across the UK.
From security to gardening to manufacturing and construction, we’ve funded a range of different sectors.
Our intelligent tech allows us to look at the future, rather than just fixate on the past. It means we don’t treat all businesses the same, and we won’t provide blanket business loans for an entire sector.
We’ll take the time to truly understand your business. No decisions based on outdated financials, no hiding behind credit teams – just a transparent process that lets us find where your success lies, and how we can cultivate it.
Whether it’s for an acquisition or capital expenditure, we understand the importance of fast access to cash. We typically fund our partners within weeks, rather than months.
No two businesses are the same, and neither are their growth plans. We take the time to understand the ebbs and flows of your business, the things that make you different. That way we can provide debt finance that’s future-proof, saves you time and helps you reach your milestones.
Getting a business loan shouldn’t be smoke and mirrors. That’s why we make decisions quickly and accurately and communicate them in simple terms. You’ll be involved in every key step of the process. And for loans above a certain size, you’ll even be invited to meet our Credit Committee.
Partnering with OakNorth means partnering with entrepreneurs that understand your ambitions. We come from a business mindset, and everything we do is focused on helping determined businesses thrive in a diverse UK economy.
Fast track your future with flexible funding from £250,000
Ready to realise your ambition? Take your business further with the right financing partner. Get in touch to speak to our team of experts today.
When we fund growing businesses we see jobs created, houses built and high streets flourish. It makes the world a more interesting place to live.
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Meet Hector, Founder of The Signet Collection
We’ve funded multiple projects with this boutique hotel group, including restoring grand UK countryside hotels and historic city buildings to their charming former glory.
I was sent out to work from 16. I went to go work in some hotels during sort of school and university holidays, but I got the bug. I worked in the Ritz Carlton towers hotel Green’s restaurant. I worked with some wonderful entrepreneurs along the way. But in 2019, I thought, hey, why not give it a go on my own Signet hotels is all about taking unloved assets in the UK countryside that have fallen out of love, favour and investment. Take this, for example, the retreat to Elka Park. It’s been a hotel since the Second World War. It was a great hotel back in the 60s 70s 80s. It was the place to be seen. And then from the 80s to the naughties. Nobody wanted to come here at all. But they’re beautiful bricks, and we wanted to make it a lovely place to come and stay. So presented out north with our plan. And they believed in that venture. We had a yes. I’ve now worked with OakNorth for a number of years. So I know the process, bringing in professional advisors, step one. Step two, they listen, they believe in backing entrepreneurs, such as Signet, and trying to make the plan come together. And then we meet with OakNorth representatives, once a month, we do a valuation. We talk about our plans for the following month through each of these projects. But there is this can-do attitude to get a deal done. And when in construction in hospitality, it does not go according to plan. And I’m relieved that they understand that I wanted to build the swimming pool before we built the spa. Planners said no. So they backed us and they backed us in a quick manner, which I really appreciate. If you go to them on a Monday and say, Hey, I’ve got this opportunity. But I need the capital in two weeks’ time. It’s not a no. And I’ve never heard of that from a UK lender. If you present them with an opportunity, they will look they will listen and more importantly they’ll get back to you. Even here where we’re building away.
We take a bespoke approach to designing and developing our homes, and the team at OakNorth do the same when it comes to their loans. We felt like we had a true partner throughout the process that will support us throughout the economic cycle.
OakNorth has been incredibly supportive over the last year, behaving as a true partner, rather than a bank. We’re grateful for their ongoing support and belief in the long-term potential of our business.
The OakNorth team operated quickly and transparently, with an entrepreneurial approach and we hope to work closely with them on future developments.
This is the third time we’ve chosen OakNorth Bank as our funding partner and there’s a reason we keep returning to them – the team is collaborative, constructive, and commercial. There’s no broad-brush assumptions or computer-says-no decisions.
We were given the option to acquire a freehold and agreed on the price a year ago. However, in order to ensure we could go ahead, we needed to move quickly so appreciated the speed, efficiency, and responsiveness of the OakNorth team.
A business loan is a sum of money lent to a business by a bank, or alternative lender, to help finance its growth. Business loans – also known as debt finance, are usually repaid to the lender, with added interest over the agreed time period.
We don’t provide off-the-shelf solutions, which means we have a range of specialised business loans designed with your sector or use case in mind. To find out more about the full range of unsecured and secured business loans we can offer, and what they can be used for, visit our business loan guide.
Introducing OakNorth?
If you’re a broker, intermediary, accountant, or anyone that advises ambitious UK SMEs, connect your clients with straightforward financing from £250,000 up to tens of millions, to help them accelerate their growth.
Looking for a business savings account?
If you’ve got some spare business funds, even if only for a short time, why not put them in an OakNorth business savings account and earn some interest?
Case studies
A leading property business founded by entrepreneur Alex Shamas and joint venture partner Boscalt Hospitality needed an experienced partner to support its next project: converting one of London’s most famous landmarks.
CBRE saw an increase in demand for retirement properties, and a change in what residents were looking for as a result of the pandemic.
FAQs
What size loan does OakNorth start at?
At the moment, the minimum loan size that we provide businesses is £250,000.
How long does it take for me to get a business loan with OakNorth?
We differ from other lenders in that we can fund your business within days or weeks, rather than months like typical lenders.
What does the application process look like?
Fill out a few details about your business and the loan you’re looking for here and our expert team will be in touch with you to discuss your options. From there, they’ll help you with every step of the process from start to funding.
Do you provide “interest-only” business loans?
Depending on factors like your business’ risk profile and what you need the funding for, we can provide amortising loans, where you gradually pay off your debt with regular payments, as well as non-amortising loans, where you pay off the loan in a lump sum.
How is the cost of an OakNorth business loan calculated?
The cost of your loan is based on what kind of borrower you are, or your risk profile, which depends on factors like credit history, industry sector and more. We focus on speed, flexibility and competitive terms over price.
Do I need to move all my business banking to OakNorth?
Unlike many other high street banks, we won’t make you transfer your business banking over to us, so you can apply for a loan quickly and easily.
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