Non-bank finance

Non-bank finance includes commercial loan providers, peer-to-peer lenders, social and community lenders, invoice financiers and government funding schemes.

If you are starting, expanding or restructuring a business, you may need to secure finance. People in business commonly approach banks for financing, but these non-bank options may be more competitive or more suitable for your business.

If your business has suffered recent losses, has a poor credit rating, is highly leveraged or has recently been turned down for bank finance - you may find non-bank finance easier to obtain, more flexible and possibly cheaper.

This guide provides an overview of eight types of non-bank financial support.

It also provides information on obtaining non-bank investment, and how to recognise and avoid unauthorised lenders, such as loan sharks.