
Santander offers commercial loans with a wide range of repayment terms, from 1 to 10 years.
These loans can provide businesses with the necessary funding to expand their operations, invest in new technology, or hire more staff.
The loan amounts can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each business, with a minimum loan amount of £25,000 and a maximum of £5 million.
Businesses can use these funds to improve their cash flow, invest in new equipment, or cover unexpected expenses.
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Commercial Loan Options
Santander offers a range of commercial loan options to suit different business needs.
You can get a commercial mortgage loan from Santander to purchase, refinance, or renovate commercial property, with loan terms up to 25 years and loan amounts starting from £25,000.
If your funding needs exceed £25,001, Santander offers tailored business loans structured with the help of a relationship manager, with fixed or variable interest rates and terms of up to 25 years.
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Santander's asset finance loan is a flexible and low-cost solution to fund equipment and vehicles, including vehicles for business or personal use, IT hardware and software, plant machinery, scaffolding, and kitchen equipment.
The terms of the asset finance loan are fixed monthly payments, so you'll know exactly how much you're repaying each month.
For larger businesses, Santander offers a corporate and commercial lending service, aimed at businesses that need significant funding.
If you're looking to purchase a heavy-duty truck, Santander's Heavy-Duty Truck Financing Program offers customized payment plans, extended loan terms, and low rates, making it easier to expand or upgrade your commercial fleet.
Here are the key features of Santander's Heavy-Duty Truck Financing Program:
- Payments designed to meet your company's budget (available to qualified applicants*)
- Extended terms up to 120 months
- Competitive rates
- Available for new and used vehicles
- Pre-approvals available for all commercial vehicle financing requests
- Fast credit decisions — usually within 1 business day
Key Features and Benefits
Santander commercial loans offer a range of features and benefits that can help your business thrive.
The loan duration of Santander business loans can be as short as six months or as long as five years, giving you flexibility to choose a repayment period that suits your needs.
You can opt for secured or unsecured business loans, but be aware that secured loans may put your assets at risk if you fail to make repayments.
Santander's Asset Finance Loan involves fixed monthly payments, so you'll know exactly how much you'll be paying each month.
With the Working Capital Loan, you can be approved within minutes and have the option to repay the full amount within 6 months at no extra cost.
Santander's Small Business Loans come with no setup fees, which can save you money upfront.
Existing customers may be eligible for preferential rates when opting for the Asset Finance Loan.
Here are the key features of Santander business loans at a glance:
- Loan duration: 6 months to 5 years
- Security: Secured and unsecured options
- Fixed monthly repayments: With Asset Finance Loan
- Quick decision: Working Capital Loan, approved within minutes
- Repay your loan early: Working Capital Loan, no extra cost
- No setup fees: Small Business Loans
- Preferential rates: Existing customers, Asset Finance Loan
Application and Funding
To apply for a Santander business loan, you'll need to provide a range of documents, including a business plan, cash flow forecast, and historic accounts.
These documents will help Santander assess your business's ability to repay the loan, alongside internal credit and risk checks. You may also be asked to provide director/owner profiles and security details, depending on the loan amount.
The application process itself is designed to be slick and easy to use. You can link your bank account and get started in just a few minutes.
Here are the key steps to follow when applying for a Santander business loan:
- Define your need: Know how much you want to borrow, how long for, and what it will fund.
- Check eligibility: Use Santander's criteria or consult a relationship manager.
- Prepare documents: Gather your business plan, cash flow forecast, historic accounts, and director/owner profiles.
- Submit application: You can apply online, via phone, or in-branch depending on your loan type.
- Credit & affordability check: Santander will assess your ability to repay and may request additional details.
- Get a decision: Timescales vary, but smaller loans can be processed faster than larger, structured deals.
- Receive funds: Once approved and agreed, funds are typically transferred directly into your Santander business account.
Approval and funding timeframes depend on the loan type. Small Business Loans can be released within a few working days, while larger or structured loans may take a few weeks.
Rates and Interest
Santander offers fixed and variable rate business loans, depending on the loan type and amount.
For small business loans, fixed rate loans are the most common, where you repay a consistent amount each month, ideal for budgeting.
The advertised APR for fixed rate loans is 7.9%, and some products even offer no interest in the first year.
Variable rate loans are available on larger structured loans, typically over £25,001, and rates may track the Bank of England base rate or other benchmarks.
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Bespoke pricing is also available on larger loans, where the interest rate is negotiated based on business performance, security offered, and loan term.
Here are the key differences between fixed and variable rate loans:
- Fixed rate loans: Repay a consistent amount each month, ideal for budgeting.
- Variable rate loans: Rates may track the Bank of England base rate or other benchmarks.
Exploring Additional Services
Santander structures its lending around the size and complexity of your business. This means you'll get a tailored approach to meet your specific needs.
As a business owner, you're likely looking for a lender that understands your unique situation. Santander's approach acknowledges that every business is different, and they're willing to adapt their services to fit your needs.
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Growth and Repayment
Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) loans offer flexible repayment terms, allowing you to borrow from £25,001 up to £2m over 1 to 6 years.
Early repayments are possible on Santander business loans, but it's essential to consider the terms of your loan agreement. Full early repayment may incur fees, especially on fixed-rate or structured loans.
You can usually overpay without fees on most small business loans, making partial overpayments a convenient option.
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No Early Repayment Charges

More than 20% of customers repay ahead of schedule in their first six months without incurring any fees.
Santander business loans allow early repayments, but the terms vary by product. You can usually overpay without fees on most small business loans.
Partial overpayments are often allowed without fees, but it's worth reviewing your loan agreement or contacting Santander's team to confirm.
Full early repayment may incur early repayment charges, especially on fixed-rate or structured loans.
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Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a government-backed initiative designed to support smaller businesses with a turnover up to £45m.
You can borrow from £25,001 up to £2m, over a period of 1 to 6 years. This scheme is available to businesses with a viable proposition, even if they've used previous government-backed loans.
Santander receives a 70% government-backed guarantee, but you remain 100% liable for the full loan. This means you're still responsible for repaying the loan in full.
Personal guarantees may be required, but your primary residence cannot be taken as security. This provides some protection for your home.
GGS-backed loans aim to improve borrower terms compared to standard commercial offers. If you're eligible, Santander may present this option as part of your application journey.
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Analysts' Consensus
Analysts are optimistic about Santander's commercial loan prospects, with a consensus rating of 2.4 out of 5. This suggests a moderate level of confidence in the bank's ability to meet its commercial loan targets.
Santander's commercial loan growth has been steady, with a 10% increase in the past year. The bank's focus on digital transformation and expansion into new markets is expected to drive further growth.
Analysts have set a target for Santander's commercial loan portfolio to reach €100 billion by 2025. This represents a significant increase from the current portfolio size of €60 billion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santander a commercial bank?
Yes, Santander Bank is a commercial bank. It also operates as a retail bank with a significant presence in the US market.
How do I contact Santander loans?
To contact Santander loans, call 0800 028 4055 or visit a branch in person. You can also reach out to discuss your borrowing needs and potential solutions.
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