How long does business finance take?

It depends on the segment, the lender and how complete the application is. The bands below are typical from a complete application, checked on 8 September 2026. They are not promises.

Equipment or vehicles, low-doc under a lender's threshold: often days, once the quote and identification are in.

Equipment with full financials or unusual assets: one to three weeks.

Commercial property: plan for 4 to 6 weeks from a complete application to settlement. Valuation, lease review and entity documents drive it.

Development: plan for 6 to 12 weeks to first drawdown with a bank, often less with a non-bank lender. Valuation, the quantity surveyor's report and legal documents drive it.

Working capital facilities: days to a few weeks, depending on the facility type.

Business purchase: plan for 4 to 8 weeks to settlement once the documents are in. The vendor's financials, the landlord agreeing to move the lease and any valuation drive it.

Missing or out-of-date evidence. A lease with too little term left. A valuation that comes in under the contract price. Entity documents that do not match the application. Undisclosed liabilities found late.

Most of these are avoidable when the enquiry starts early and the evidence list is known before the application goes in.

Approval, a rate, or a date. The lender decides after assessment and valuation, and third parties such as valuers and solicitors set their own pace. We do not advertise a reply time either: a broker reads every enquiry and contacts you to agree a time. If you have a hard deadline, call.