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365 Finance Accelerates SME Funding with Three-Hour Decision Turnaround

By Lauren Towner · 1 October 2026

Press Release: 365 Finance Accelerates SME Funding with Three-Hour Decision Turnaround | Featured Image by FF News

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.

Companies in this story: 365 Finance

People in this story: Anthony Or, George Visser

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