Eligibility self-score: which finance product fits?
Self-score across six dimensions (trading time, turnover, credit, sector, security, ticket size) to see which UK finance product types usually suit a profile like yours. A self-check, not a prediction of approval.
Start here · What do you need?
Score your business 0 to 5 on six dimensions: trading time, turnover, credit, sector, security and ticket size. The combined profile points to the product types that usually suit a profile like yours. This is a self-check based on general lender criteria. It doesn't predict whether any lender will approve you, but it can narrow the shortlist before you apply.
The six dimensions in plain English
| Dimension | Score 0 | Score 3 | Score 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading time | Under 6 months | 12 to 24 months | 3+ years filed accounts |
| Turnover | Under £100k | £250k to £500k | £1m+ |
| Credit (business + director) | Active CCJs / defaults | Clean over 12 months | Clean, prime score 750+ |
| Sector | Restricted (gambling, adult) | Mainstream B2C / hospitality | Strong B2B services / e-comm |
| Security available | None, only PG | Asset to finance | Property + asset |
| Ticket size needed | Under £10k | £25k to £100k | £250k+ |
Total possible score: 30. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives product fit.
How it's calculated
Score each of the six dimensions from 0 to 5, then add them:
Total = trading time + turnover + credit + sector + security + ticket size (maximum 30).
The total maps to a product tier:
- 25 to 30: mainstream bank or unsecured term loan; widest lender choice, lowest pricing.
- 18 to 24: specialist SMB lenders; term loan, asset finance and invoice finance all viable.
- 12 to 17: short-term and asset-led products (MCA, asset finance, R&D advance, VAT loan); higher pricing.
- 0 to 11: specialist post-decline lenders only.
The band is a starting point, not a verdict. A single weak dimension (a restricted sector, active HMRC enforcement) can veto an otherwise high total, and strong daily card receipts can fund a low-scoring profile. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives the product fit.
Worked out your band?
Take it to the next step: send an enquiry and a business finance broker will contact you about the options that fit. It takes about two minutes and FundBiz runs no credit check.
Check your options →Worked example 1: hospitality, 9 months trading, strong card flow
- Trading time: 9 months → score 1
- Turnover: £400,000 annualised → score 3
- Credit: clean, no CCJs, director Experian 720 → score 4
- Sector: hospitality → score 3
- Security: none beyond PG → score 0
- Ticket needed: £40,000 → score 3
- Total: 14 / 30
Recommendation: MCA primary (strong card flow, short trading time fits the product). Term loan unlikely (under 12 months trading, no security). Expect factor 1.25 to 1.35 for £40,000 over 9 months. Try the MCA route first.
Worked example 2: B2B services, 3 years trading, no asset
- Trading time: 3 years filed accounts → score 5
- Turnover: £750,000 → score 4
- Credit: clean, director 740 → score 4
- Sector: B2B services → score 5
- Security: none beyond PG → score 0
- Ticket needed: £80,000 → score 3
- Total: 21 / 30
Recommendation: Unsecured term loan primary (strong on every dimension except security, but some unsecured lenders may lend on profile alone). Indicative range 8% to 14% APR over 3 to 5 years.
Worked example 3: manufacturing, 5 years trading, asset purchase
- Trading time: 5 years filed → score 5
- Turnover: £1.4m → score 5
- Credit: one settled CCJ 18 months ago → score 3
- Sector: manufacturing → score 4
- Security: £80,000 CNC machine to finance → score 3
- Ticket needed: £80,000 → score 3
- Total: 23 / 30
Recommendation: Asset finance primary (the asset itself secures the deal, settled CCJ is workable). Hire purchase indicative APR 6% to 9% over 5 years. Try the asset finance route first.
| Profile | Trading time | Turnover | Credit | Sector | Security | Ticket | Total / 30 | Primary product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality, 9 months trading | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | MCA (factor 1.25 to 1.35 indicative) |
| B2B services, 3 years trading | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | Unsecured term loan (8% to 14% APR indicative) |
| Manufacturing, 5 years trading | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 23 | Asset finance / HP (6% to 9% APR indicative) |
Source: FundBiz eligibility self-score worked examples
Each dimension scores 0 to 5; total possible 30. Score bands: 25 to 30 mainstream bank or unsecured term loan; 18 to 24 specialist SMB lenders; 12 to 17 short-term and asset-led products; 0 to 11 specialist post-decline lenders. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives product fit.
View as plain-text Markdown
### Worked examples: three self-score profiles and where they land | Profile | Trading time | Turnover | Credit | Sector | Security | Ticket | Total / 30 | Primary product | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hospitality, 9 months trading | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | MCA (factor 1.25 to 1.35 indicative) | | B2B services, 3 years trading | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | Unsecured term loan (8% to 14% APR indicative) | | Manufacturing, 5 years trading | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 23 | Asset finance / HP (6% to 9% APR indicative) | Source: FundBiz eligibility self-score worked examples Each dimension scores 0 to 5; total possible 30. Score bands: 25 to 30 mainstream bank or unsecured term loan; 18 to 24 specialist SMB lenders; 12 to 17 short-term and asset-led products; 0 to 11 specialist post-decline lenders. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives product fit.
“A single dimension can act as a veto regardless of the total. A 26 out of 30 with a restricted sector or active HMRC enforcement is still likely to be declined by most lenders, while a 14 with strong daily card receipts may still find an MCA provider. Real underwriting also sees what the self-score cannot: bank statements, filed accounts and director credit files. Treat the score as a way to pick which product to apply for first, never as a prediction of approval.”
Decision tree summary
- Score 25 to 30: mainstream bank or unsecured term loan usually suits; widest lender choice; lowest pricing.
- Score 18 to 24: specialist SMB lenders; term loan, asset finance and invoice finance all viable; mid pricing.
- Score 12 to 17: short-term and asset-led products dominate; MCA, asset finance, R&D advance, VAT loan; higher pricing.
- Score 0 to 11: specialist post-decline lenders only; product-specific routes; expect higher rates and tighter terms.
Whatever the score, real underwriting checks bank statements, filed accounts and director credit files, none of which this tool can see. See our loan application prep checklist for exactly what to gather before you apply, and the lender criteria matrix for the minimum trading time and turnover each lender publishes.
FAQs
What does the self-score actually do?
It scores your business on six dimensions UK lenders commonly weigh: trading time, turnover, credit profile, sector, available security, and ticket size. Each dimension scores 0 to 5. The combined profile then points to the product types that usually suit that profile, from MCA at the lower end to commercial mortgage at the higher end.
How accurate is a self-score?
Directionally accurate. A real underwriting decision uses bank statements, filed accounts, director credit files and HMRC standing, all of which the self-score can't see. Use it to narrow the product shortlist before applying, not to predict an approval.
Do I need 2 years of trading?
Not for every product. MCA and invoice finance can fit at 6 to 12 months trading. Term loans and asset finance typically need 12 to 24 months. Commercial mortgages usually need 2+ years filed accounts. Bridging is asset-led and less time-sensitive. The self-score weights trading time accordingly.
Why does turnover matter so much?
Most lenders cap exposure as a multiple of monthly turnover. A typical MCA caps at 1x to 1.5x monthly card receipts. A term loan might cap at 25% to 35% of annual turnover. Self-scoring on turnover lets you see what ticket size is realistically available before applying.
What counts as adverse credit?
For business: registered CCJs, defaults, late payments on commercial credit, active HMRC enforcement (TTP arrangements that have failed). For director credit: personal CCJs, IVA, bankruptcy, sub-prime credit score (under 600 on Experian Delphi). One light CCJ is workable; multiple recent CCJs sharply restrict the options.
Does sector matter?
Yes. Some sectors are over-represented in lender appetite (B2B services, e-commerce with strong card flow, manufacturing with assets) and some are restricted or excluded (gambling, adult, certain regulated sectors, businesses operating mainly in cash-only). The self-score flags sector fit explicitly.
What if I have no security to offer?
Many products are unsecured plus director personal guarantee (MCA, smaller term loans, R&D advance). Asset finance is secured against the asset itself. Commercial mortgages and bridging require property. The score points you to the unsecured-friendly products if you have no asset to pledge.
Can I have a low score and still get funded?
Often, yes, but with restricted product choice and price. A profile that scores low on trading time and credit but high on card receipts (e.g. a 9-month-old hospitality business) typically lands on MCA at a higher factor. The self-score guides you to the right starting point rather than ruling you out.
Ready to check your options?
Send an enquiry and a business finance broker will contact you about your options and may introduce you to lenders. FundBiz passes your details to the broker and does not run a credit check. Any lender makes its own decision and may run its own checks.
Check your options →By Adam Parker. FundBiz is owned and operated by Best Business Loans Ltd, directed by Oliver Mackman. Last updated: .