Asset Finance UK 2026: The Independent Guide to Equipment and Machinery Lending
How asset finance works for UK businesses in 2026. Hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and refinance explained with FCA regulation and lender comparison.
Fleximize Review 2026: Transparent Rates and No Personal Guarantee on Some Products
Fleximize (FCA FRN 669275) publishes rate examples and a loan calculator before you apply, and offers revolving credit and unsecured loans without a personal guarantee on qualifying facilities. Independent review for UK SMEs.
Nucleus Commercial Finance Review 2026: Asset Finance from £3,000 with Flexible Eligibility
Nucleus Commercial Finance (FCA FRN 722830) serves micro-SMEs and businesses with adverse credit from £3,000, including revenue-based finance and merchant cash advance. Independent review of eligibility, products and total cost of credit.
Time Finance Review 2026: The Only AIM-Listed Independent Asset Finance Lender
Time Finance plc (FCA FRN 724367, AIM: TIME) offers asset finance, invoice finance and business loans under one lending relationship for UK SMEs. Independent review of products, eligibility, decision speed and published accounts.
Hitachi Capital Equipment Finance Review 2026: Now Novuna, Same Lender
Hitachi Capital UK rebranded as Novuna Business Finance in 2022 (FCA FRN 704348). The loan book, products and FCA authorisation are unchanged. Independent review of asset coverage, eligibility and how Novuna compares to direct lenders.
Aldermore Asset Finance Review 2026: Published Rates and Lower Minimums Than Most Banks
Aldermore Bank (FCA FRN 204503, FirstRand Group) offers asset finance from £5,000 with published indicative rates, making it one of the more transparent bank lenders. Independent review of eligibility, asset coverage and alternatives.
Close Brothers Asset Finance Review 2026: Sector-Specialist Lending up to £10 Million
Close Brothers Asset Finance (FCA FRN 124750, LSE: CBG) operates dedicated divisions for agriculture, transport, print and construction. Independent review of its sector coverage, loan range £10,000 to £10,000,000 and how it compares.
Portman Asset Finance Review 2026: Same-Day Decisions on Plant and Yellow Machinery
Portman Asset Finance (FCA FRN 614061) specialises in hard assets including yellow plant, agricultural machinery and commercial vehicles from £5,000. Independent review of eligibility, products, decision speed and how it compares.
Shawbrook Asset Finance Review 2026: How the Challenger Bank Lends to UK Businesses
Shawbrook Bank (FCA FRN 204596) offers asset finance from £25,000 to £5,000,000 for UK SMEs. This independent review covers eligible assets, eligibility criteria, products and how Shawbrook compares to specialist lenders.
Bank of England Holds Base Rate at 3.75% in June 2026 - What It Means for Mortgages
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to hold Bank Rate at 3.75% on 18 June 2026. One member voted for a rise to 4%. Inflation remains at 2.8% and the outlook for rate cuts in 2026 remains uncertain.
Economic Abuse and Your Money: The Enough Campaign, the Warning Signs, and Where to Get Help
Economic abuse is a form of domestic abuse and a criminal offence. New research and a bank-backed campaign highlight the warning signs. What it is, the four behaviours, and where to get support.
NatWest Branch Closures 2026: What Customers Can Do and Your Banking Rights
NatWest is closing further branches across the UK in 2026. This guide covers which branches are affected, the notice requirements banks must meet and the options available to customers who rely on in-branch services.
HSBC vs First Direct UK: Accounts, Rates and Which Suits You
First Direct is a subsidiary of HSBC UK and shares the same FSCS protection pot. First Direct is known for consistently high customer service ratings and fee-free current accounts with competitive linked savings rates.
RBS and NatWest Digital Banking UK: Online Services, App Features and Customer Support
RBS and NatWest share digital banking infrastructure under NatWest Group plc. Online and app services are largely identical. RBS serves customers in Scotland while NatWest operates across England and Wales.
Halifax Customer Service UK: Contact Numbers, Complaints and Online Banking Help
Halifax customer service is available by phone, in branch, and online. For complaints unresolved within eight weeks, customers can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service free of charge.
Best Digital Banks UK 2026: Monzo, Starling, Revolut and Chase Compared
The best digital banks UK comparison for 2026: Monzo, Starling, Revolut, Chase UK, Kroo, Dozens and Zopa rated on PRA banking licence vs e-money status, FSCS protection, features and savings rates.
Best Money Transfer Services UK 2026: Wise, Revolut and TorFX Compared
The best money transfer services UK 2026 compared: Wise, Revolut, TorFX, OFX, Currencies Direct, eurochange and Western Union on exchange-rate margins, fees, limits and FCA authorisation.
Sainsbury's Bank Account Closures 2026: Still Available?
Sainsbury's Bank Account Closures: no longer open to new UK customers in 2026. The verified position, who held it and the realistic alternatives now.
NatWest Review 2026: Safety, FSCS & Verdict
NatWest review for 2026, FCA FRN 121878 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
Lloyds Bank Review 2026: Protection & Verdict
Lloyds Bank review for 2026, FCA FRN 119278 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
Halifax Review 2026: Rates, FSCS & Verdict
Halifax review for 2026, FCA FRN 169628 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
First Direct Review 2026: Safety, FSCS & Verdict
First Direct review for 2026, FCA FRN 765112 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
Co-operative Bank Review 2026: Protection & Verdict
Co-operative Bank review for 2026, FCA FRN 121885 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
Barclays Review 2026: Safety, FSCS & Verdict
Barclays review for 2026, FCA FRN 759676 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
Bank of Scotland Review 2026: Safety, FSCS & Verdict
Bank of Scotland review for 2026, FCA FRN 169628 explained: products, eligibility and who it suits.
What Is a chargeback? UK Meaning Explained
A chargeback is a process that lets a card payment be reversed through the card scheme, for example when goods do not arrive or a transaction is disputed. It is run under Visa and Mastercard rules rather than UK law, and time limits apply.
What Is persistent debt? UK Meaning Explained
Persistent debt is a credit card position where, over an eighteen month period, a customer pays more in interest, fees and charges than they repay of the original balance. Under FCA rules the card provider must then contact them and offer help.
What Is a minimum payment? UK Meaning Explained
A minimum payment is the smallest amount that must be paid towards a credit card balance each month to keep the account in order. It is usually a small percentage of the balance plus interest and fees, or a set floor, whichever is greater.
What Is representative APR? UK Meaning Explained
Representative APR is the advertised borrowing rate that at least 51 percent of accepted applicants must actually receive. It lets a lender promote a headline rate, while some approved customers may be offered a higher personal rate after a credit check.
What Is a credit file? UK Meaning Explained
A credit file is the record of a person's borrowing and repayment history held by credit reference agencies. Lenders read it to decide whether to offer credit, and in the UK it is maintained by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.