Create one consistent information pack
Prepare the borrowing entity’s details, ownership structure, financial statements, recent bank statements, existing debt schedule, cash forecast and evidence of the proposed use. Explain unusual or one-off items. These are planning suggestions, not a universal lender checklist; obtain the provider’s current requirements.
Identify who actually provides the finance
Ask for the legal lender or lessor named in the agreement, its official contact route and the servicing arrangements. A broker introduces or arranges finance; a lender provides the credit for the specified product. A group may do both through different entities or offerings. A partner page alone does not establish that a company is only a broker, and a lending-themed brand alone does not establish that it is a lender.
Read personal guarantees separately
A guarantee can create exposure beyond the borrowing company. Ask a qualified adviser to explain who guarantees, the scope and cap, whether obligations extend to later borrowing, enforcement triggers and how release works. Do not equate an unsecured product label with the absence of a personal guarantee. NatWest’s product disclosures, for example, explicitly warn that guarantees may be required on certain business lending.
Do not confuse a scheme guarantee with protection for you
A government-backed lending scheme can support a lender’s risk without removing the borrower’s debt. Check the specific scheme rules and your agreement. The UK Growth Guarantee Scheme’s official page explains the borrower’s continuing liability. Keep government-program information separate from a provider’s offer.
Source: British Business Bank: Growth Guarantee Scheme ↗
- Which conditions remain before funds are released?
- What could cause default beyond missing a payment?
- What consent is needed to sell assets or take additional finance?
- What documents prove the guarantee and security have been released after settlement?
Take the next step
Put your proposal beside the cash-flow forecast. Check the net proceeds, payment dates and obligations before deciding.
Examples are hypothetical and use stated assumptions, not provider quotes. Sources describe public information checked on the date above. Availability and terms can change. No independent professional review is claimed.