Secured term loans, matched to the right bank or non-bank lender
We forward your details to UK and US lenders with the right risk appetite for your collateral, sector, and term. Lower rates than unsecured because of the security; longer-dated capital for businesses planning beyond the next 12 months.
- Introduction in 48 hours
- Free for borrowers
- No credit checks from us
At a glance
- Facility size
- £100k - £15M / $125k - $20M
- Typical term
- 3 - 25 years
- Security
- Property, equipment, or general business assets
- Rate type
- Fixed or variable, amortising
- Funding speed
- First draw in 4 - 12 weeks
Secured term loans: Long-dated business loans secured against property, equipment, or commercial assets.
What is secured term loans?
A secured term loan is a fixed-term business loan backed by specific collateral - usually commercial property, plant, equipment, or a combination. The security gives the lender comfort, which means longer terms and lower rates than equivalent unsecured loans. Repayment is typically monthly, on a fixed amortising schedule, over anything from 3 to 25 years depending on the asset and lender. Secured term loans are the standard structure for capex, property acquisition, and long-dated working capital where you have something to pledge.
Common uses, and who it's right for
Common uses
- Commercial property purchase or refinance
- Major capital expenditure (plant, machinery, IT)
- Long-term debt consolidation
- Acquisition financing with asset backing
- Management buyout funding
- Refinancing existing debt to a longer term
Best for
- Established businesses with property or substantial fixed assets
- Long-term capital needs (3+ year horizon)
- Owners willing to pledge specific collateral
- Borrowers wanting to lock in rate over a longer term
Not the right fit
- Businesses needing money in days (lead time is weeks)
- Short-term cashflow gaps (look at unsecured or revolving facilities)
- Asset-light businesses with nothing to pledge
Where it usually goes wrong - and how Tenttfinance fixes it
Four typical pain points borrowers hit when shopping for secured term loans - and the way our introducer model is built to remove them.
Where it usually breaks
- Banks decline because the asset class is unfamiliar to them
- Months of process before you find out the lender won't actually approve at the headline LTV
- Borrower-lender mismatch on term, rate type, or amortisation profile
- You don't know whether to push the bank or go to a non-bank specialty lender
How Tenttfinance fixes it
- We forward to lenders whose underwriting actively covers your specific asset class - not whoever the broker calls first
- We pre-match on LTV appetite and asset type, so the conversation starts at terms - not at fitting your deal to their box
- We match to lenders whose product structure fits what you actually need - not the standard 5-year vanilla everyone offers
- We see both sides and forward to whichever route is realistic for your situation. Often that's a specialty lender, not the high street
How to get matched to a secured term loans specialist
Three steps. Most introductions go out within 48 hours of a complete request.
Tell us about your business
Share the basics - business type, the secured term loans amount you need, use of funds, and timeline. Three minutes. No credit check.
We match and forward your details
We identify the secured term loans specialist most likely to fund your situation and forward your details directly to them - matched to your sector, size, and market (UK or US).
The lender contacts you
The specialist reaches out to you directly with their terms, documentation, and next steps. You take the conversation from there.
Secured term loans - frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most from borrowers exploring secured term loans. If yours isn't covered, start an application and we'll route you to a specialist who can answer it directly.
How does this compare to a commercial mortgage?
A commercial mortgage is one type of secured term loan - specifically one secured against commercial property. A secured term loan can be secured against equipment, plant, general business assets, or property. Both are amortising long-dated facilities; the difference is what the security is.
What loan-to-value (LTV) can I expect?
LTV depends on the collateral, the lender, and your business profile. Commercial property typically runs 60-75% LTV. Plant and equipment runs lower, often 50-70%. Lenders price tighter at lower LTVs and looser at higher LTVs.
Fixed or variable rate - which should I take?
Depends on your view of rates and your sensitivity to monthly repayments. Fixed rates give certainty but typically price slightly higher than the equivalent variable today; variable rates track a base (Bank of England base rate in the UK; SOFR or Fed funds in the US) and can move with macro conditions. The lender we forward you to will walk through both options.
Can I borrow against a property that's already partly mortgaged?
Yes - this is called a second charge loan. Second charge facilities are available from specialty lenders, though rates are typically higher than first-charge equivalents because the lender sits behind the existing mortgagee.
How long does drawdown take?
Secured term loans take longer than unsecured because legal work (valuation, title checks, security registration) needs to complete before draw. Typical timeline is 4-12 weeks depending on the asset, jurisdiction, and complexity of the security.
Related loan types
Not sure if this is the right fit? Here are other loan types we cover that often come up in the same conversations.
Get matched to the right secured term loans specialist
Tell us what you need. We'll forward your details to the specialist most likely to fund - and they'll reach out to you directly.