UK SMEs turn to “Funding Guru” Matt Haycox for flexible unsecured loans

For many small and medium-sized firms across the UK, the pressure to keep things running smoothly hasn’t eased much in 2026. Rising costs, stretched supply chains and unpredictable cash flow leave plenty of business owners feeling as if they’re spinning plates. It’s no surprise, then, that more SMEs are turning to Matt Haycox, widely known as the ‘Funding Guru’, for unsecured loans that offer flexibility without tying up assets.

“Unsecured finance should give business owners breathing space, not another layer of stress,” Haycox says. “Our job is to make sure they get funding that genuinely helps them grow.”

Why unsecured loans are gaining momentum

Unsecured borrowing has always had a place in the market, but recent shifts have pushed demand even higher. According to data from UK Finance’s ‘Business Finance Review 2025 Q1’, small business lending rose sharply – nearly 30 % year-on-year for firms with turnover under £2m. Yet the same report highlights that many SMEs remain wary of offering security, particularly during periods of uncertain property values or when they want to keep personal assets ring-fenced.

At the same time, figures from a FundingScoop analysis show that SME loan approval rates dropped below 50 % in 2024, compared with roughly 67 % pre-pandemic. Limited access to secured borrowing has naturally pushed more owners to consider unsecured alternatives that move quicker and carry fewer long-term commitments.

As Haycox puts it: “Speed matters. When an opportunity lands in your lap, waiting weeks for someone to pore over every asset you own can mean missing the moment.”

The Funding Guru approach

While plenty of lenders offer unsecured finance, Funding Guru has carved out a reputation for being on the business owner’s side. Instead of funnelling everyone into the same product, Haycox and his team take time to understand how each business earns, spends and plans ahead.

Many firms now use Funding Guru unsecured business loans to weigh up their options and get clarity on what type of short-term funding fits their goals.

Haycox explains: “We’re not here to push the biggest loan or the flashiest offer. We want owners to make choices they can live with and succeed with.”

What’s driving the shift?

Several trends are feeding the rise in unsecured borrowing:

Faster decisions: Government reports on small business access to finance note that speed is one of the biggest frustrations for SMEs. Unsecured loans cut down processing times because there’s no need for asset valuations or lengthy security checks.

Flexibility: Many firms want funding that moves with them. Secured loans often involve longer terms, while unsecured loans can be suited to short bursts of cash flow support, project-based needs or sudden opportunities.

Reduced risk to personal assets: Research from Merchant Savvy found that 43 % of SMEs used external finance in 2024, yet many remain cautious about securing borrowing against property or equipment. Unsecured loans keep personal and business assets separate, which appeals to owners who’d rather not put everything they own on the line.

Stories from the ground

Haycox often hears the same tale when speaking with business owners: they’re not short of ambition, just short of time and support. I’ve heard similar stories myself over the years, that feeling of being one contract away from a breakthrough but not having the funds to grab it. Haycox relates to that fiercely.

He says: “So many entrepreneurs are doing brilliant things on a shoestring. When the only thing holding them back is cash flow, that’s where unsecured loans can give them a proper lift.”

What SMEs should keep in mind

Unsecured borrowing isn’t about taking risks blindly; it’s about understanding the trade-offs. Rates can be higher than secured funding, but the trade for speed and flexibility is often worth it when movements in the market are quick.

Haycox encourages owners to ask a few simple questions before choosing any product:

• How long do you actually need the money for?

• Will the repayments fit comfortably into your current cash flow?

• Is the funding helping you grow, or just helping you tread water?

As he says: “Funding should be a tool, not a trap.”

Looking ahead

With economic conditions still shifting, unsecured loans will remain a lifeline for many SMEs aiming to stay agile. The businesses that act quickly, without putting everything on the line, often end up ahead of the curve.

And that’s exactly where the Funding Guru approach thrives: on speed, clarity and straight-talking support.

“Running a business is tough enough,” Haycox says. “If we can make funding easier to access and easier to understand, that gives owners more time to focus on what really matters, growing their companies.”

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