365 Finance Accelerates SME Funding with Three-Hour Decision Turnaround
By Lauren Towner · 1 October 2026
In brief: 365 Finance has reduced SME funding decision times to three hours, enabling same-day merchant cash advances of up to £500,000 for UK businesses through 50% automated credit decisions.
| Decision Time | 3 Hours |
|---|---|
| Max Funding | £500,000 |
| Automation Rate | 50% of credit decisions |
| Company Age | 14 Years |

Quick Summary
365 Finance now provides SME funding decisions within three hours, offering same-day capital up to £500,000. By automating over 50% of credit decisions, the specialist lender streamlines access to merchant cash advances for UK businesses, allowing underwriters to focus on complex, high-value applications.
How Does 365 Finance Speed Up SME Funding Decisions?
365 Finance achieves rapid turnaround times by automating 50% of its credit decisions. This hybrid approach combines advanced algorithmic processing with a dedicated team of expert underwriters who handle more intricate cases. By front-loading the SME funding process with automation, the firm ensures that standard applications are processed with unprecedented speed, often resulting in a final decision in under three hours.
- Three-hour decision window for complete applications.
- Same-day funding availability for approved businesses.
- Dual-underwriter review for every manual application to ensure accuracy.
What Results Has This Underwriting Technology Delivered?
The integration of automated decision-making has not compromised the lender's risk management standards. 365 Finance has maintained consistently low defaults over the last six years, navigating the economic volatility of the pandemic with remarkable stability. This efficiency allows the company to support a diverse SME community, ranging from sole traders to limited companies, with flexible repayment terms tied to future card sales.
- £500,000 maximum funding available per business.
- 14 years experience in the specialist lending market.
- 100+ broker partnerships supported by the new speed metrics.
How Does 365 Finance Solve Cash Flow Challenges?
Merchant cash advances provide a vital alternative to traditional bank loans by aligning repayments with revenue. Here is how 365 Finance solves liquidity issues: by offering revenue-based funding, businesses only repay as they earn, which protects cash flow during quieter trading periods. The SME funding model is specifically designed for the modern retail environment, where flexibility is as important as the capital itself.
FF NEWS TAKE:
This move by 365 Finance significantly moves the needle in the SME funding space. In a market where traditional banks often take weeks to process loans, a three-hour decision is a game-changer for small business agility. By successfully blending high-speed automation with human expertise, 365 Finance is setting a new benchmark for operational efficiency in the merchant cash advance sector. It’s a bold step that prioritizes the immediate capital needs of the UK's merchant community.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a funding decision from 365 Finance?
365 Finance now provides decisions on complete applications within three hours. This rapid turnaround is made possible by automating more than half of their credit decisions, allowing for same-day funding of up to £500,000 for eligible UK SMEs.
What is the maximum amount an SME can borrow through 365 Finance?
SMEs can access funding from £10,000 up to a maximum of £500,000. These merchant cash advances are designed to be flexible, with repayments based on future debit and credit card sales rather than fixed monthly installments.
How does 365 Finance use automation in its underwriting process?
More than 50% of 365 Finance's credit decisions are now fully automated. This allows the company to process standard applications instantly, while their team of expert underwriters focuses on more complex, judgment-intensive casework to ensure rigorous risk management.
About the companies
365 Finance
Website · 9 stories on FF News since 2022
Previously on FF News:
- 365 Finance Appoints George Visser as Chief Risk Officer to Scale SME Lending Operations 23 September 2026
- Unprecedented Demand for SME Funding From E-Commerce Businesses in North West 29 June 2025
- 365 Finance Strengthens Credit Leadership With Appointment of Jagriti Singh as Head of Credit 1 June 2025
Companies in this story: 365 Finance
People in this story: Anthony Or, George Visser