Tide loans (Funding Options)
Tide loans is a broker product, not a direct lender. Tide Platform Limited (founded 2015, Companies House 09595646) sits in the Tide group, whose parent company, Tide Holdings Limited, completed its acquisition of Funding Options in February 2023, and its marketplace compares loans and alternative finance from over 80 lenders for amounts from £1,000 to £20m (Tide's own figures). Decision times depend on the lender. Funding Options was one of the finance platforms designated under the government's Bank Referral Scheme when it launched in 2016, which is relevant to post-decline cases. Best fit: existing Tide banking customers and borrowers wanting a single broker entry point rather than lender-by-lender comparison.
Quick verdict
- Product: Broker / aggregator (not a direct lender).
- Ticket band: £1k to £20m (Tide's published range).
- Pricing: Varies by panel lender.
- Tide loans (Funding Options) says it uses a soft search at quote stage, which other lenders cannot see on your credit file.
At a glance
Tide loans (Funding Options), at a glance
- Legal entity
- Tide Platform Limited
- Companies House
- 09595646
- Ownership checked
- 23 September 2026, against Companies House and published sources
- Founded
- 2015
- Product
- Broker / aggregator (not a direct lender)
- Ticket range
- £1k to £20m (Tide's published range)
- Decision time
- Varies by lender
- Ltd-only
- No, the lender also accepts other structures
Where Tide loans (Funding Options) is strong
- Over 80 lenders on the marketplace, by Tide's own count.
- Funding Options, which runs the marketplace, was designated under the Bank Referral Scheme at its 2016 launch.
- In-app journey for existing Tide banking customers.
- Each lender sets its own checks; ask before a credit search is run.
Watch-outs, and when another lender may suit better
- Not a direct lender; rate and product depend on which panel member approves.
- Funnel half-trapped inside Tide app for non-Tide customers.
- Brand drift: borrowers expect a Tide loan but receive a panel-routed offer.
- Less useful than going lender-direct if you already know who fits.
Best fit applicants
- Existing Tide banking customers
- Post-decline rerouting via BRS
- Borrowers wanting a single broker entry point
Where Tide loans (Funding Options) is the wrong fit
- Borrowers who want lender-by-lender objectivity
- Borrowers outside the Tide ecosystem
- Borrowers wanting a direct relationship with the underwriter
If declined by Tide loans (Funding Options)
If your application to Tide loans (Funding Options) is declined, ask the lender for the reason in writing. Some alternatives are named in the watch-outs section above. See also our guide to why lenders decline, by reason.
Other lenders we list
- 365 Business Finance, Merchant cash advance (revenue-based finance)
- Aldermore, Asset finance, invoice finance, commercial mortgages
- Allica Bank, SME term loan, asset finance + commercial mortgage
- Bizcap, Specialist post-decline / fast cash
How we rate Tide loans (Funding Options)
This review is FundBiz's own editorial assessment, scored against a published framework. See our methodology for how we rate each lender.
FAQ
What can I borrow through Tide loans (Funding Options)?
Tide loans (Funding Options) offers broker / aggregator (not a direct lender). Ticket range: £1k to £20m (Tide's published range). Typical rate: Varies by panel lender.
How long does Tide loans (Funding Options) take to decide?
Varies by lender Tide loans (Funding Options) says checking eligibility uses a soft search, so it does not affect your credit score.
Who is Tide loans (Funding Options) the best fit for?
First on the list: Existing Tide banking customers. The full list is under Best fit applicants above.
When might another lender suit better than Tide loans (Funding Options)?
First on the list: Borrowers who want lender-by-lender objectivity. The other cases are under Where Tide loans (Funding Options) is the wrong fit above.
Send an enquiry
Tell us what you need in 2 minutes. FundBiz is not a lender and does not run a credit check. We pass your enquiry to a business finance broker, who will contact you about your options. For limited companies, LLPs and partnerships with four or more partners.
Send an enquiry →Official site: Tide loans (Funding Options)
Last updated: . By Adam Parker. FundBiz is owned and operated by Best Business Loans Ltd, directed by Oliver Mackman.