An indicative decision can be available in as little as 24 hours, depending on the lender, the asset and how complete the information is. That is an indication of what is possible rather than a commitment. Timescales vary case by case, and no decision or timeframe is guaranteed.
What speeds things up is a complete picture at the outset: what the asset is, its age and condition, the price, any deposit or part exchange, the term the customer wants, and enough detail about the business for lenders to assess it. Incomplete information means going back to the customer, and that is where days are lost.
An indicative decision is not the same as funds being released. Documentation follows, and lenders will normally want to see invoicing and evidence relating to the asset before payout. Do not tell a customer money will be with you by a particular date.
Be careful how the speed is described to a buyer. Suggesting a decision is quick is fine; suggesting it is certain is not. Where the customer’s agreement would be regulated, what you say in the run-up to an introduction is part of how your own activity is judged. This is general information, not legal or compliance advice, and your position depends on your customer mix.