Think Business Loans is an FCA-authorised broker that matches UK businesses with finance from a panel of 200+ lenders. It is not a lender itself — it finds the best deal for you, then connects you with the right provider. With a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 1,868 reviews and an 85% claimed success rate, it ranks among the most reviewed business finance brokers in the UK. Here is our independent assessment.
- 200+ lender network - Think Business Loans connects UK businesses to extensive panel, increasing approval chances significantly
- FCA-authorised broker status - Regulated intermediary, not direct lender, providing credible matching services for business finance
- No upfront broker fees - Businesses avoid initial costs when using Think Business Loans’ matching platform
- Limited control over rates - Final terms depend entirely on chosen lender, potentially reducing negotiating power
- Competes with Funding Options - Similar broker model but Think’s 200+ panel exceeds many competitor networks
What Is Think Business Loans?
Think Business Loans is an FCA-authorised broker (FRN 724300) that connects UK SMEs with 200+ lenders. It is free to enquire, but a broker fee applies if you proceed with a loan offer.
Think Business Loans is the trading name of Think Business Finance Limited (company number 07115888), founded in 2012 and based in London. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 724300) and is a member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB).
The critical distinction: Think Business Loans does not lend money directly. It acts as an intermediary, using its iFunds matching platform and a team of lending managers to connect your business with the most suitable lender from its panel of over 200 providers.
This matters because the rates, terms, and eligibility criteria you are offered depend entirely on the underlying lender — not on Think Business Loans itself. Think’s role is to save you the time of applying to multiple lenders individually.
Think Business Loans Pros and Cons
Think Business Loans is a strong option if you want to compare multiple lenders without applying to each one separately — but the broker fee on acceptance means it is not a free service.
How Think Business Loans Works
You submit one application, Think’s iFunds platform analyses 18,000 data points to match you with suitable lenders, and a dedicated lending manager handles the process from there.
The process works in three stages:
- Initial matching (no credit check) — Think’s iFunds platform uses 18,000 data points about your business to identify which lenders from its 200+ panel are most likely to approve your application. This does not affect your credit score.
- Expert review — a dedicated lending manager reviews the matches, discusses your requirements, and recommends the best options. This is where Think adds genuine value over DIY comparison.
- Application and funding — once you choose a lender, Think handles the application paperwork. If approved, funds can arrive within 24 to 48 hours depending on the lender and product type.
Think also offers CLAIR, an AI commercial lending assistant available 24 hours a day. CLAIR can answer basic questions about funding options and guide you through the initial stages of the process outside business hours.
Products Available Through Think Business Loans
Think Business Loans brokers 8 types of commercial finance from £25,000 to over £1,000,000, including unsecured loans, asset finance, bridging loans, and commercial mortgages.
Because Think is a broker with a large lender panel, it can source a wider range of finance products than any single lender could offer:
| Product | Typical Amount | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Unsecured Business Loans | £25,000 – £1,000,000 | Working capital without collateral |
| Secured Business Loans | £25,000 – £10,000,000 | Larger amounts with asset backing |
| Asset Finance | £25,000+ | Equipment, machinery, vehicles |
| Invoice Finance | £50,000 – £10,000,000 | Releasing cash tied in unpaid invoices |
| Merchant Cash Advance | £25,500 – £500,000 | Card-heavy businesses needing flexible repayment |
| Bridging Loans | £250,000+ | Short-term gap funding |
| Commercial Mortgages | £250,000+ | Property purchase or refinance |
| Business Overdrafts | Varies by lender | Flexible revolving credit |
The rates you are offered depend on the underlying lender, your business profile, and the product type. Think’s website previously quoted rates from 0.20% to 3.50% per month, but these are lender-specific and should be confirmed during the application process.
Think Business Loans Fees
It is free to enquire and compare options. If you accept a loan offer, Think charges an admin fee of up to 5% of the loan amount, capped at £10,000.
This is an important distinction that is not always made clear. Think Business Loans is free to use for comparing and enquiring. You will not be charged for submitting an application, receiving quotes, or discussing options with a lending manager.
However, if you accept a formal loan offer from one of their panel lenders, Think charges a broker fee. Based on Trustpilot reviews and Think’s own responses, the administration fee is up to 5% of the loan amount, capped at £10,000. On a £100,000 loan, that would be £5,000.
For secured loans, additional fees may apply: a commitment fee at application stage and a broker arrangement fee on completion. These are disclosed before you commit.
If a lender withdraws their offer before drawdown, the admin fee is refunded.
Is Think Business Loans Legit?
Yes. Think Business Loans is FCA authorised (FRN 724300), an NACFB member, and has operated since 2012 with 1,868 Trustpilot reviews averaging 4.8/5.
Think Business Loans is one of the more credible brokers in this market. Here is why:
- FCA authorised and regulated (FRN 724300) — meaning you have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if something goes wrong
- NACFB member — the industry body for commercial finance brokers, with its own code of conduct
- Companies House registered since 2012 (Think Business Finance Limited, company number 07115888)
- Award-winning — iwoca Gold Broker of the Year in 2016 and 2017
Unlike some alternative finance providers (including Liberis, which is not FCA regulated as a lender), using an FCA-authorised broker means you have regulatory protections. You can escalate complaints to the Financial Ombudsman, and the broker must comply with FCA conduct rules around transparency and fair treatment.
Customer Reviews and Trustpilot Rating
Think Business Loans has a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 1,868 reviews, with 94% awarding five stars. Complaints are rare and mostly concern fee transparency.
Positive review themes:
- Speed of service — funds arriving within 24 to 48 hours is frequently cited
- Named advisors consistently praised for personal, professional service
- Smooth communication throughout the process
- Customers who were declined by banks finding success through Think’s panel
Negative review themes (2% of reviews):
- Fee transparency — some customers felt the admin fee was not clearly communicated upfront
- Occasional communication gaps — account managers not returning calls or emails promptly
- Declined applications after initial positive matching (iFunds match does not guarantee lender approval)
Think Business Loans also holds a 4.71/5 rating on Smart Money People from 20 reviews, which is a smaller but FCA-focused review platform.
Think Business Loans vs Going Direct to a Lender
Use Think if you want to compare 200+ lenders in one application. Go direct if you know exactly which lender you want and want to avoid the broker fee.
| Feature | Think Business Loans (broker) | Direct to Lender (e.g. Funding Circle) |
|---|---|---|
| Lender choice | 200+ lenders compared | One lender only |
| Application effort | One application covers all | Separate application per lender |
| Broker fee | Up to 5% (capped £10,000) | None |
| Expert guidance | Dedicated lending manager | Self-service (some offer advisors) |
| Credit check for matching | No (soft check only via iFunds) | Hard check on application |
| Speed | 24–48 hours (lender dependent) | 1–5 days (lender dependent) |
| Best for | Businesses wanting to compare options | Businesses who know exactly what they need |
The broker fee is the key trade-off. On a £100,000 loan, the 5% fee adds £5,000 to your total cost. If you already know you want a Funding Circle loan or an HSBC Small Business Loan, going direct saves you that fee.
But if you are unsure which lender or product type is right for you, or if you have been declined elsewhere and want a wider net cast, Think’s 200+ panel and expert guidance can save significant time and improve your chances of approval.
Our Verdict
Think Business Loans earns 7.5/10 — a credible, FCA-regulated broker with excellent reviews, but the 5% broker fee means it is not always the cheapest route to finance.
Think Business Loans is a credible, FCA-regulated broker with excellent reviews and a genuinely useful 200+ lender matching service. The 5% admin fee means it is not free if you proceed, but for businesses unsure which lender to approach or those declined elsewhere, the convenience and expert guidance justify the cost.
Think Business Loans occupies a useful position in the UK business finance market. For businesses that are unsure which lender to approach, have been declined by their bank, or simply want to compare options without multiple hard credit checks, the 200+ lender panel and personal lending manager service is genuinely valuable.
The 4.8 Trustpilot rating from nearly 1,900 reviews is one of the strongest in the business finance broker market. The FCA authorisation and NACFB membership add regulatory credibility that some competitors lack.
The main caveat is cost. The admin fee of up to 5% (capped at £10,000) adds a meaningful layer of cost on top of whatever the lender charges. If you know exactly what you want, going direct to Funding Circle, Barclays, or HSBC will usually be cheaper. But if you value convenience, expert guidance, and a wider range of options, Think Business Loans delivers on that promise.
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- Compare Business Loan Options
- Top 10 Business Loans UK 2026
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- Funding Circle Review
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- Unsecured Business Loans
