Start with one written brief
State the amount, use, drawdown date, desired term, repayment source and security you can offer. Give every shortlisted provider the same request.
Use primary evidence
Prefer bank statements, filed tax records, signed contracts, ageing reports and official registers. Keep the forecast assumptions separate from historical results.
Compare the agreement, not the headline
Record net cash received, total cash paid, rate basis, fees, guarantees, security, default terms, cancellation rights and early settlement.
Keep an audit trail
Save the quote, product terms, repayment schedule and the reason for the decision. Recheck any time-sensitive rate or licence immediately before signing.
Sequence the application before giving consent
Begin with an indicative product discussion based on a concise borrowing brief. Confirm the provider's legal entity, likely structure, required documents and whether the next step creates a formal credit search. A fast online form can move from enquiry to application with little visible separation.
Send a controlled, indexed document pack through an official channel. Remove unrelated personal data where the lender does not need it, keep a log of recipients and never send banking credentials or one-time passwords.
Treat conditional approval as the start of contract review
An approval in principle may still depend on verification, guarantees, security, account opening or updated financial information. Ask for every outstanding condition and expiry date in writing before committing project expenditure.
Read the facility letter, security documents and repayment schedule together. Check the legal borrower, available amount, purpose restrictions, conditions precedent, events of default, set-off, demand rights, fees and release process.
Rates, limits and eligibility can change. Ask for a current written quote, repayment schedule and agreement. General information only.