There is no fixed answer, and be wary of anyone who gives you one before looking at your figures. Lenders decide how much to advance based on affordability — what your business can demonstrably service from its trading — alongside your credit profile, trading history, existing commitments and any security available.
The main things that move the number:
- Affordability. Filed accounts, management figures and bank statements showing the repayment is sustainable, not just possible in a good month.
- Trading history. Established businesses with a track record generally access more than recent start-ups.
- Security. Asset-backed and property-backed facilities are sized against what the security is worth as well as what you can afford.
- Existing debt. Facilities already in place reduce headroom for new borrowing.
- Purpose. Funding a revenue-generating asset is assessed differently from covering a shortfall.
We can give you an indicative view once we have seen the basics, but an indication is not an offer. The final amount, rate and term come from the lender after full underwriting, and can differ from an early estimate.
One thing worth separating: the most you could borrow and the most you should borrow are not the same figure. Sizing a facility to the maximum a lender will allow leaves nothing for a bad quarter, and it is the second figure that keeps a business solvent.