What lenders check, and what the documents need to contain
Short, plain-English guides written from the credit team's side of the table. No sign-up, no newsletter. Read what you need and get on with the application.
What a bank looks for in a cash-flow forecast
A credit analyst reads a forecast in a set order and stops at the first thing that does not tie up. Here is what they check, from someone who used to read forecasts for a living.
Read the guide → 5 min readStart Up Loan documents: the checklist and what each is for
Business plan, cash-flow forecast, personal survival budget and three months of bank statements. Each answers a different question, and they have to agree with each other.
Read the guide → 4 min readFeasibility study or business plan: which do you need first?
One is written for you before you decide. The other is written for a lender after you have. Knowing which you need saves money and, sometimes, a very expensive lease.
Read the guide → 5 min readHow to read the low point in your cash-flow forecast
The lowest balance in your forecast is the most important number in it. Here is how to find it, what it tells a lender, and what to do if it sits too close to the limit.
Read the guide → 5 min readWhat a business plan costs in the UK: a fair pricing guide
Published prices from free templates to specialist writers (unnamed), checked in October 2026, with what moves the price and what any plan should include whatever you pay.
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