Speed in business lending is mostly document speed. The lender that could fund you in 48 hours still takes two weeks if the pack arrives in dribs and drabs. Here's the full list — and the reason each document exists, which tells you what lenders are actually checking.
The standard pack
| Document | What it proves | Typical requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bank statements | Real turnover, balance behaviour, dishonours, payment patterns | Last 3–6 full months, all business accounts, unredacted PDFs |
| Companies House filings | Company exists, filings current, no pending strike-off | Current — overdue filings are an automatic red flag |
| VAT returns | Declared turnover reconciles with banked turnover | Last 4 quarters (if VAT-registered) |
| Management accounts | Recent performance where filed accounts are stale | Within the last quarter, ideally accountant-prepared |
| Director ID + address proof | KYC/AML — who is behind the company | Photo ID and a utility bill or bank letter under 3 months old |
| Credit report consent | Permission for company + director searches | Signed at application |
Deal-specific additions
- Asset finance: invoice or quote for the asset being purchased.
- Secured lending: property valuation, outstanding mortgage statement, title deeds access.
- Consolidation: statements of the facilities being refinanced — settlement figures dated within 30 days.
- Adverse credit history: your one-paragraph explanation, prepared before it's asked for (see our CCJ guide).
The three things that delay packs most often
- Statements from the wrong account — the savings account instead of the current account, or only 2 of 3 business accounts. Send every account money flows through.
- Redactions — hiding a transaction reads as concealment and can unwind an approved offer. Explain in writing instead.
- Stale documents — address proof must be under 3 months old; management accounts under a quarter.
Pro move: build the folder once — statements / companies-house / vat / management-accounts / id — and refresh it quarterly. When funding is needed urgently, you're submitting the same day instead of chasing your accountant.
How Solvo Funding uses the pack
One application, one pack, matched to the UK lenders whose criteria fit your company — £10k–£500k. We tell you the exact document list for your specific deal before you gather anything, so nothing is collected twice. Indicative decision typically within 24 hours; funding in 24–72 hours where a lender approves. Free to applicants — we're paid by lenders.
Frequently asked questions
Why do lenders want bank statements more than accounts?
Statements show what's happening now; filed accounts can be up to 21 months old. Under ~£100k, statements do most of the underwriting.
Can I redact transactions on statements?
No. Redactions read as concealment. Explain sensitive items in writing instead.
How old can documents be?
Statements: 3–6 full months. Management accounts: last quarter. ID address proof: under 3 months. Companies House: current.
What is a personal guarantee?
A PG makes directors personally liable if the company can't repay. Most SME unsecured lending requires one; its structure is sometimes negotiable.
Last updated: 22 August 2026. Requirements vary by lender and deal type; we confirm the exact list for your case before you gather anything.