Eligibility self-score: which finance product fits?
Score your business 0 to 5 on six dimensions: trading time, turnover, credit, sector, security and ticket size. The combined profile maps to the FundBiz panel product most likely to approve. This is a sanity-check tool, not an underwriting decision, but it narrows the shortlist before you apply.
The six dimensions in plain English
| Dimension | Score 0 | Score 3 | Score 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading time | Under 6 months | 12 to 24 months | 3+ years filed accounts |
| Turnover | Under £100k | £250k to £500k | £1m+ |
| Credit (business + director) | Active CCJs / defaults | Clean over 12 months | Clean, prime score 750+ |
| Sector | Restricted (gambling, adult) | Mainstream B2C / hospitality | Strong B2B services / e-comm |
| Security available | None, only PG | Asset to finance | Property + asset |
| Ticket size needed | Under £10k | £25k to £100k | £250k+ |
Total possible score: 30. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives product fit.
Worked example 1: hospitality, 9 months trading, strong card flow
- Trading time: 9 months → score 1
- Turnover: £400,000 annualised → score 3
- Credit: clean, no CCJs, director Experian 720 → score 4
- Sector: hospitality → score 3
- Security: none beyond PG → score 0
- Ticket needed: £40,000 → score 3
- Total: 14 / 30
Recommendation: MCA primary (strong card flow, short trading time fits the product). Term loan unlikely (under 12 months trading, no security). Expect factor 1.25 to 1.35 for £40,000 over 9 months. Try the MCA route first.
Worked example 2: B2B services, 3 years trading, no asset
- Trading time: 3 years filed accounts → score 5
- Turnover: £750,000 → score 4
- Credit: clean, director 740 → score 4
- Sector: B2B services → score 5
- Security: none beyond PG → score 0
- Ticket needed: £80,000 → score 3
- Total: 21 / 30
Recommendation: Unsecured term loan primary (strong on every dimension except security, but unsecured panel will lend on profile alone). Indicative range 8% to 14% APR over 3 to 5 years.
Worked example 3: manufacturing, 5 years trading, asset purchase
- Trading time: 5 years filed → score 5
- Turnover: £1.4m → score 5
- Credit: one settled CCJ 18 months ago → score 3
- Sector: manufacturing → score 4
- Security: £80,000 CNC machine to finance → score 4
- Ticket needed: £80,000 → score 3
- Total: 24 / 30
Recommendation: Asset finance primary (the asset itself secures the deal, settled CCJ is workable). Hire purchase indicative APR 6% to 9% over 5 years. Try the asset finance route first.
| Profile | Trading time | Turnover | Credit | Sector | Security | Ticket | Total / 30 | Primary product |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality, 9 months trading | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | MCA (factor 1.25 to 1.35 indicative) |
| B2B services, 3 years trading | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | Unsecured term loan (8% to 14% APR indicative) |
| Manufacturing, 5 years trading | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 24 | Asset finance / HP (6% to 9% APR indicative) |
Source: FundBiz eligibility self-score worked examples
Each dimension scores 0 to 5; total possible 30. Score bands: 25 to 30 mainstream bank or unsecured term loan; 18 to 24 specialist SMB panel; 12 to 17 short-term and asset-led products; 0 to 11 post-decline panel. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives product fit.
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### Worked examples: three self-score profiles and where they land | Profile | Trading time | Turnover | Credit | Sector | Security | Ticket | Total / 30 | Primary product | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hospitality, 9 months trading | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | MCA (factor 1.25 to 1.35 indicative) | | B2B services, 3 years trading | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | Unsecured term loan (8% to 14% APR indicative) | | Manufacturing, 5 years trading | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 24 | Asset finance / HP (6% to 9% APR indicative) | Source: FundBiz eligibility self-score worked examples Each dimension scores 0 to 5; total possible 30. Score bands: 25 to 30 mainstream bank or unsecured term loan; 18 to 24 specialist SMB panel; 12 to 17 short-term and asset-led products; 0 to 11 post-decline panel. The combined profile, not the headline number, drives product fit.
“A single dimension can act as a veto regardless of the total. A 26 out of 30 with a restricted sector or active HMRC enforcement still gets declined by most of the panel, while a 14 with strong daily card receipts gets funded the same week. Real underwriting also sees what the self-score cannot: bank statements, filed accounts and director credit files. Treat the score as a way to pick which product to apply for first, never as a prediction of approval.”
Decision tree summary
- Score 25 to 30: mainstream bank or unsecured term loan likely; widest panel choice; lowest pricing.
- Score 18 to 24: specialist SMB panel; term loan, asset finance and invoice finance all viable; mid pricing.
- Score 12 to 17: short-term and asset-led products dominate; MCA, asset finance, R&D advance, VAT loan; higher pricing.
- Score 0 to 11: post-decline panel only; product-specific routes; expect higher rates and tighter terms.
FAQs
What does the self-score actually do?
It scores your business on the same six dimensions FundBiz panel lenders weight: trading time, turnover, credit profile, sector, available security, and ticket size. Each dimension scores 0 to 5. The combined profile then maps to the products most likely to approve, from MCA at the lower end to commercial mortgage at the higher end.
How accurate is a self-score?
Directionally accurate. A real underwriting decision uses bank statements, filed accounts, director credit files and HMRC standing, all of which the self-score cannot see. Use it to narrow the product shortlist before applying, not to predict an approval.
Do I need 2 years of trading?
Not for every product. MCA and invoice finance can fit at 6 to 12 months trading. Term loans and asset finance typically need 12 to 24 months. Commercial mortgages usually need 2+ years filed accounts. Bridging is asset-led and less time-sensitive. The self-score weights trading time accordingly.
Why does turnover matter so much?
Most lenders cap exposure as a multiple of monthly turnover. A typical MCA caps at 1x to 1.5x monthly card receipts. A term loan might cap at 25% to 35% of annual turnover. Self-scoring on turnover lets you see what ticket size is realistically available before applying.
What counts as adverse credit?
For business: registered CCJs, defaults, late payments on commercial credit, active HMRC enforcement (TTP arrangements that have failed). For director credit: personal CCJs, IVA, bankruptcy, sub-prime credit score (under 600 on Experian Delphi). One light CCJ is workable; multiple recent CCJs sharply restrict the panel.
Does sector matter?
Yes. Some sectors are over-represented in lender appetite (B2B services, e-commerce with strong card flow, manufacturing with assets) and some are restricted or excluded (gambling, adult, certain regulated sectors, businesses operating mainly in cash-only). The self-score flags sector fit explicitly.
What if I have no security to offer?
Many products are unsecured plus director personal guarantee (MCA, smaller term loans, R&D advance). Asset finance is secured against the asset itself. Commercial mortgages and bridging require property. The score routes you to the unsecured-friendly products if you have no asset to pledge.
Can I have a low score and still get funded?
Often, yes, but with restricted product choice and price. A profile that scores low on trading time and credit but high on card receipts (e.g. a 9-month-old hospitality business) typically lands on MCA at a higher factor. The self-score guides you to the right starting point rather than ruling you out.
Run the real matcher
The self-score is a sanity-check. The actual matcher takes your Companies House number, sector, turnover band and ticket size, then surfaces the panel lenders most likely to approve with indicative pricing.
Open eligibility matcher →By Oliver Mackman. Last reviewed 12 June 2026.