April 2026 – Deal of the Month
£15,000 Business Cash Advance – Retail Industry
As businesses moved further into Q2, many retailers began preparing for increased seasonal demand by replenishing stock ahead of busier trading periods. One retail client approached us needing £15,000 quickly to secure additional inventory and maintain momentum.
At first glance, the case showed some variability across the accounts – something that may have caused delays through more traditional funding routes. However, by utilising Open Banking, our underwriting team gained access to two years of transaction data, allowing us to identify clear and consistent seasonal trading patterns within the business.
This deeper insight provided the confidence to structure funding around the client’s actual trading performance rather than relying solely on headline figures.
The result:
- £15,000 approved to support stock investment.
- Offer issued just 28 minutes after receiving the application.
- Fully funded the very same day.
- Business able to secure inventory ahead of increased demand.
This case highlights the growing importance of Open Banking within SME lending. It doesn’t just improve speed, in many cases, it provides the visibility needed to turn a potential decline into a same-day approval.
Speed. Insight. Flexibility.
Pro Tip for Brokers & Introducers
Applications submitted with:
- Open Banking upfront.
- Clear notes around the purpose of funds.
- Concise business background information.
- Full supporting documentation from the outset.
…continue to achieve the strongest outcomes, quickest approvals, and fastest completions.
Broker of the Month
Essex Capital
This month’s recognition goes to a broker at Essex
Capital!
He has consistently delivered exceptionally well-packaged submissions, strong communication throughout the process, and a clear understanding of client requirements. His attention to detail and proactive approach allow our underwriting and operations teams to move quickly and efficiently across every deal introduced.
What stands out most is his ability to provide full context around each case from the outset – something that continues to lead to faster decisions, smoother completions, and stronger outcomes for clients.
We’re proud to continue building a strong working relationship together and look forward to supporting many more successful deals moving forward.
From the Desk of our CEO, Serge Santos…
“April has highlighted a changing landscape for UK SMEs. Whilst demand for funding remains strong, the conversations businesses are having are evolving. Rising supplier costs, ongoing inflationary pressures, and the wider economic uncertainty caused by global conflict and instability are continuing to impact small businesses across the UK. Many SMEs are now facing increased operating expenses, tighter margins, and greater pressure on cashflow than they anticipated at the start of the year”.
“What we’re seeing more frequently is businesses becoming far more proactive with funding. Rather than waiting until cashflow becomes restrictive, many business owners are now using finance strategically – securing stock earlier, protecting working capital, and creating breathing space before challenges arise.”
“At the same time, expectations around speed, simplicity, and transparency continue to rise. Businesses want funding partners who can move quickly, communicate clearly, and understand the reality of how modern SMEs operate. That’s why technology and data remain central to how we lend. Open Banking, in particular, is helping us make more informed decisions and support businesses that may previously have been overlooked through traditional assessment methods.
And despite what feels like a national record for bank holidays over the past few weeks, it’s been great to see brokers and businesses still pushing deals through at pace.”
“As we continue through Q2, our focus remains the same: delivering practical funding solutions built around real businesses, real trading behaviour, and real-world timelines.”
UK SME Funding | April Insights
Global Conflict & Inflationary Pressure Impacting UK SMEs
Ongoing geopolitical conflict and inflationary pressure continue to impact UK SMEs across multiple sectors. Rising supplier costs, fuel volatility, supply chain disruption, and reduced consumer confidence are placing increased pressure on cashflow and day-to-day operations.
Retail, hospitality, construction, and transport businesses remain particularly exposed, with many SMEs now seeking funding proactively to protect working capital, secure stock earlier, and create stability ahead of further uncertainty.
At the same time, lenders using Open Banking and real-time financial data are better positioned to understand the wider story behind business performance – helping support businesses that may otherwise struggle through traditional lending assessments.
In today’s market, speed, flexibility, and understanding remain critical in helping SMEs navigate ongoing economic pressure through Q2 and beyond.
Inside Funding Alternative
As deal volumes continue to grow, we’ve been heavily focused on improving and developing our internal broker portal to create a smoother experience for both introducers and clients.
Over recent months, our team has been working closely with operations, underwriting, and technology partners to improve speed, visibility, and communication across the entire funding journey.
Current developments include:
- Improved broker tracking and case visibility.
- Faster document handling and internal processing.
- Smarter underwriting workflows using Open Banking data.
- Enhanced communication updates throughout the deal lifecycle.
- Ongoing improvements designed to reduce turnaround times even further.
Our objective is simple: make the process faster, clearer, and easier for brokers to do business with us.
Although we’re not sure anyone in the office knows what a full working week looks like anymore after the recent run of bank holidays, the team has continued pushing hard behind the scenes to keep turnaround times moving.
As we continue through Q2, platform development remains a major focus as we invest further into technology that supports both speed and scalability.
