The bank said no.
We say yes.

A bank rejection does not mean you cannot get business funding. High street banks decline around 4 in 10 SME applications — often due to rigid criteria that don't reflect the true health of your business. Your best next step is to speak with a specialist alternative finance broker like AIM Financial Solutions. We'll assess your situation, search our panel of 40+ specialist lenders, and present you with suitable options. Many businesses we work with have been approved for funding within 48 hours of a bank refusal.

UK SMEs have several strong alternatives: Invoice Finance releases up to 90% of outstanding invoices immediately. Asset Finance spreads the cost of equipment or vehicles. Merchant Cash Advance provides funding based on card payment history. Stock Finance offers a revolving facility to purchase inventory. Specialist Business Loans from alternative lenders assess you differently to banks. A commercial finance broker matches you with the best product for your specific situation.

Banks decline applications for many reasons: insufficient trading history (typically under 2 years), limited personal credit history, lack of security or collateral, operating in a sector considered higher risk, insufficient profitability in accounts, or the amount not fitting their product criteria. Crucially, a bank rejection does not mean your business is not creditworthy — it often simply means a bank is not the right lender for your specific situation. Alternative lenders assess businesses very differently and more holistically.

Yes — many UK SMEs secure funding through alternative lenders after being declined by their bank. AIM Financial Solutions has helped UK businesses access over £100 million in funding, many of whom had been initially turned down by their bank. Alternative lenders look at cashflow, invoices, assets, or card payment volumes rather than relying solely on credit scores or years of trading history.

Significantly faster than a bank loan. AIM Financial Solutions can often secure decisions within 2 hours of a completed application and have funds in your account within 24–48 hours, depending on the product type and information provided. Invoice finance in particular can be set up and paying out in as little as one working day. Compare this to the weeks or months a bank application typically takes.

Invoice finance lets you release up to 90% of outstanding customer invoices immediately, rather than waiting 30–90 days for payment. There are two main forms: Invoice Factoring (the lender manages your sales ledger and credit control) and Invoice Discounting (you retain full control of collections, keeping the arrangement confidential). It's particularly powerful for B2B businesses with strong sales but cashflow challenges caused by slow-paying customers.

No. AIM Financial Solutions provides a completely free, no-obligation business funding review. There is no credit search without your explicit permission, no cost, and no spam. They present suitable options from their panel of 40+ specialist lenders with no obligation to proceed. Their fee is paid by the lender if and when a deal completes — meaning independent, objective advice at zero cost to you.

AIM Financial Solutions works with a wide range of UK SMEs: manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, recruitment agencies, construction firms, professional services, hospitality and restaurant groups, transport and logistics businesses, and startups. They have specialist products designed for most sectors and can often find suitable funding solutions where a bank has declined — including businesses that have been trading for less than 2 years.