January 2026 – Deal of the Month
£125,000 Business Cash Advance | Car & Automotive Dealer
Strong January demand, but capital locked in stock.
We supported a car dealer that needed fast funding to increase forecourt stock and maintain sales momentum. Traditional lenders couldn’t move quickly enough or offer repayments that flexed with vehicle sales.
Using live merchant data and historic sales performance, we structured a £125,000 Business Cash Advance with revenue-linked repayments, allowing contributions to adjust in line with daily takings and easing pressure between sales.
The result:
- £125,000 released quickly.
- Increased vehicle stock.
- Improved cashflow and sales momentum.
- Same-day approval and completion.
A clear example of how alternative finance helps automotive dealers move quickly – without restricting growth.
Are you a car dealer looking for a Business Cash Advance? Contact Us!
Credit Corner
Behind the Scenes with the Credit Team!
January momentum stayed strong! Our Credit Team kept decisions fast, consistent and aligned with real-time trading. Despite post-Christmas slowdowns, deal quality was high, especially in automotive and hospitality.
Quick stats:
- Average time to offer: 3h 45m (under 4h target).
- Approval rate: +7% month-on-month.
- Car Sales: Early-year stock & forecourt refreshes.
- Restaurants: Menu updates, staffing & refurb funding,
Underwriting focus: Liquidity, margin resilience and forward
bookings – not just historic turnover.
Pro Tip:
Clear trading story + funding reason = higher first-pass approvals. A good narrative underwrites the business, not just the numbers.
Broker of the Month
Wayne S.
Wayne has gone above and beyond this month, delivering strong submissions, clear trading stories and fast turnaround for his clients.
His focus on quality deals and detailed context helped secure approvals quickly, making him our standout broker for January.
Well done, Wayne! Your expertise and partnership make a real
difference.
From the Desk of our CEO, Serge Santos…
“January is where preparation turns into opportunity for SMEs. Businesses that planned ahead are now seeing the benefits, and I’m incredibly proud of the way our team and broker partners continue to deliver funding at speed, when it matters most.”
“As we move into 2026, our focus remains the same – clarity, flexibility and strong partnerships that help businesses grow without unnecessary pressure.”
UK SME Funding | Quarter-Ahead Market Insight
Caution remains, but opportunity is active.
Traditional lenders continue to prioritise low risk, creating gaps that fast-moving funders are stepping into.
Liquidity beats price.
SMEs are choosing certainty of funding over headline rates as cashflow visibility remains tight.
Short-term funding dominates decision-making.
Demand is strongest for facilities that support trading cycles, manage gaps and can be cleared quickly.
Funding journeys must be frictionless.
SMEs expect rapid onboarding, light documentation and clear outcomes – complexity is a deal-breaker.
Advice drives conversion.
Businesses that understand their options move faster. Brokers who simplify choices are seeing stronger completion rates.
Sector Snapshot | Momentum for the Quarter Ahead
Health & Fitness:
Continued investment in member growth, equipment upgrades and multi-site expansion as peak demand extends beyond January.
Retail & Hospitality:
Ongoing reliance on short-term funding to manage inventory, VAT liabilities and uneven post-season trading.
Construction:
Sustained need for invoice finance and bridging to smooth payment delays and fund materials as projects restart.
Transport & Logistics:
Flexible funding supporting rising operating costs, fleet upkeep and contract-driven demand fluctuations.
Inside Funding Alternative | Quarter Focus
Not every deal fits neatly into a set of numbers and that’s where strong communication makes all the difference.
We recently supported a long-standing customer whose premises were under threat of closure due to a council related issue. Rather than automatically declining based on surface level risk, we took the time to speak directly with the client, understand the situation, review the appeal process and assess the actual impact if a closure were to occur.
This open dialogue allowed us to get comfortable with the mitigants, structure the deal appropriately, and ultimately fund a case that could have easily been dismissed at first glance.
The takeaway: When there’s context behind the numbers, don’t hesitate to share it early. Honest, upfront conversations often turn complex cases into successful outcomes.
