Provider directory

Once you know which kind of finance could fit, this shows who provides it, with the facts you need to check them: their Companies House record and what the FCA Register says.

• Every fact comes from a public record or the firm's own published terms, with the date we checked it.
• Firms are listed free and without asking. No one can pay to be listed, left out or moved up.
• Within a category the order is random on each visit. There are no ratings, logos or "best" labels.
• Being listed is not an endorsement. It does not mean a firm or its products fit your business.

Read the listing criteria · Using a broker · Check any other firm on the FCA Register

• Equity crowdfunding platforms

  Websites where many people can buy shares in a company. Running one needs FCA authorisation.

  2 firms · Equity crowdfunding

• Reward and donation crowdfunding platforms

  Websites where supporters pledge money for a reward, or give it, with nothing to pay back.

  1 firm · Reward-based crowdfunding, Donation-based crowdfunding

• Community share platforms

  Websites that host offers of community shares in co-operatives and community benefit societies.

  2 firms · Community shares

• Stock markets

  Exchanges where companies can list shares or bonds and raise money from the public.

  2 firms · London Stock Exchange Main Market listing, AIM (London Stock Exchange growth market), Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE) Growth Market, Listed bonds and private placements (larger companies)

• PISCES operators

  Firms approved to run a PISCES market, where shares in private companies can be traded at set times.

  4 firms · PISCES (trading days for private company shares)

• Peer-to-peer lending platforms

  Websites that match businesses that want to borrow with people and institutions that want to lend.

  21 firms · Peer-to-peer business lending

• Merchant cash advance and revenue-based finance providers

  Firms that advance money and take it back as a share of your card takings or sales.

  4 firms · Merchant cash advance, Revenue-based finance

• Invoice finance providers

  Firms that advance money against the invoices your customers have not paid yet.

  30 firms · Invoice factoring, Invoice discounting, Selective and spot invoice finance, Asset-based lending (ABL)

• Asset finance providers

  Firms that pay for equipment or vehicles and let you pay over time, or lend against assets you own.

  34 firms · Asset finance (hire purchase and leasing), Asset refinance and sale and leaseback

• Stock and inventory finance providers

  Firms that fund stock or dealer inventory and are repaid as the goods are sold.

  1 firm · Stock and purchase order finance

• Community development finance institutions (CDFIs)

  Community lenders, many of them not-for-profit, for businesses that find it hard to borrow from banks.

  16 firms · Community development finance (CDFI) loans, Start Up Loans

• Social investment lenders

  Lenders whose loans are for charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and community businesses.

  8 firms · Social investment for charities and social enterprises