Best Secured Business Loans for Haulage & Logistics
Compare secured business loans for haulage and logistics firms. See lender options, what to check and how a whole-of-market broker can match your situation.
A secured business loan for a haulage or logistics firm is finance backed by an asset you own, usually commercial property, a yard, or your vehicle fleet, which lets you borrow larger sums over longer terms than most unsecured lending. Because the lender can recover against the security, pricing tends to be keener, but you put the asset at risk if you cannot keep up repayments. This roundup explains the main options, profiles several lenders that serve the sector fairly, and sets out the questions to ask before you commit.
Greenwood Capital is a Manchester-based, whole-of-market finance broker. We are not a lender and this page is general information, not financial advice. Always confirm current terms directly with any lender before making a decision.
What is a secured business loan, and which types suit haulage firms?
A secured business loan is borrowing where you pledge a specific asset as security, so the lender has a claim over it if the debt is not repaid. For haulage and logistics operators, the security is often a depot, transport yard, office premises, or the trucks and trailers themselves.
The main types you will come across are:
- Property-backed term loans are lump sums repaid over a fixed period, secured by a legal charge over property you own. They suit funding depots, expansion, or consolidating other debts.
- Commercial mortgages are longer-term loans (often 15 to 25 years) used to buy or refinance premises such as a transport yard or warehouse.
- Bridging loans are short-term, property-secured facilities used to move quickly, for example buying a yard at auction before arranging longer-term finance. They are typically more expensive and are meant to be refinanced or repaid soon.
- Asset finance (hire purchase and finance lease) is secured against the vehicles or equipment being funded, spreading the cost of trucks, trailers, tail-lifts, or handling equipment over their working life.
Many haulage businesses use a mix. A property-backed term loan might release cash from an owned depot, while asset finance funds the fleet. The right structure depends on what you own, your trading history, and what the money is for.
How we chose the lenders on this list
We selected lenders that are active with SME haulage and logistics borrowers, offer secured facilities relevant to the sector, and have a track record of considering asset-heavy, cyclical businesses. As a whole-of-market broker we are not tied to any single lender, and inclusion here is not an endorsement or a recommendation of one over another.
The market is broad, so this shortlist is a starting point rather than a complete map. Appetite, criteria, and pricing change often, and the best fit for one operator can be wrong for another. Treat the profiles below as a factual guide, then check live terms before you act.
Shortlist of lenders for haulage and logistics
Close Brothers, best for combined asset and property funding
Close Brothers is a long-established UK merchant banking group with a dedicated asset finance arm that has deep experience in commercial vehicles and transport. Its Commercial and Transport divisions fund trucks, trailers, and plant, and the wider group also handles property-secured lending, which can suit operators wanting fleet and premises finance from one relationship.
It tends to suit established hauliers with a clear asset base who value sector knowledge and a considered underwriting approach. A watch-out is that specialist, relationship-led lenders may not always be the cheapest headline option, so it is worth comparing pricing and understanding how balloon payments or residual values are structured. Rates vary by profile and security, so check current terms.
Aldermore, best for property-backed term loans and commercial mortgages
Aldermore is a specialist bank that offers commercial mortgages, asset finance, and invoice finance to UK SMEs, including transport and distribution businesses. Its commercial mortgage and secured lending range can help fund or refinance depots, yards, and warehouses, and it is known for looking at cases that some high-street banks decline.
It can suit firms with property to leverage and a reasonable trading record who want a straightforward secured facility. As with any specialist bank, criteria on loan-to-value, property type, and affordability apply, so confirm the maximum you could borrow against your specific asset. Pricing depends on your profile, so ask for a current quote.
Shawbrook, best for flexible property-secured lending on varied assets
Shawbrook is a specialist lender active in commercial and semi-commercial property finance, bridging, and asset-backed lending. It has a reputation for taking a case-by-case view, which can help logistics businesses with mixed-use sites, unusual premises, or a story that needs explaining.
It may suit operators who need flexibility on property type or a bridge-to-term route while restructuring. The watch-outs are the usual ones for flexible lending: understand the fee structure, the exit route on any short-term facility, and how the rate is set. Confirm the full cost, including arrangement and valuation fees, before proceeding.
Paragon Bank, best for structured commercial mortgages on premises
Paragon Bank is a specialist provider with a commercial lending arm covering owner-occupied and investment property finance. For a haulage firm that owns or is buying its depot, Paragon can be an option for a longer-term commercial mortgage secured on the premises.
It tends to suit businesses with a stable trading history and a property that fits mainstream lending criteria. Because appetite for specialist property types can vary between lenders, it is worth checking early whether a transport yard or industrial unit fits its policy. Terms and pricing are profile-dependent, so verify them directly.
Together, best for speed and complex or non-standard cases
Together is a Cheshire-based specialist lender offering bridging and commercial secured loans, often used where speed or a non-standard situation matters. For a logistics business needing to move quickly on a site purchase, or with credit blips that mainstream banks struggle with, Together can be worth exploring.
It may suit time-critical or complex deals where flexibility outweighs headline cost. The key watch-out is that speed and flexibility typically come at a higher price and shorter term, so bridging should have a clear, realistic exit. Confirm the total cost and repayment plan before you commit.
United Trust Bank, best for bridging and short-term secured deals
United Trust Bank is a specialist bank offering bridging and asset finance alongside property lending. Its bridging and short-term secured facilities can help logistics operators bridge a property purchase or release funds quickly against an asset while a longer-term facility is arranged.
It can suit businesses needing a defined short-term solution with a clear exit. As with all bridging, the emphasis on cost, term, and exit strategy is important, so make sure the numbers work over the full life of the facility. Ask for a full breakdown of fees and interest before agreeing.
Comparison table
| Lender | Typical funding size | Best for | Typical facilities | Security type | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Brothers | On application | Combined asset and property funding | Asset finance, commercial lending | Vehicles, equipment, property | Specialist pricing, understand balloons and residuals |
| Aldermore | From £25k | Property-backed term loans and commercial mortgages | Commercial mortgages, asset finance, invoice finance | Property, assets, receivables | Loan-to-value and affordability criteria apply |
| Shawbrook | £150k–£35m | Flexible property-secured lending | Commercial property loans, bridging | Property, mixed-use sites | Check fees and exit on short-term facilities |
| Paragon Bank | On application | Structured commercial mortgages | Owner-occupied and investment mortgages | Commercial property | Confirm appetite for specialist property types |
| Together | £30k–£2m | Speed and complex cases | Bridging, commercial secured loans | Property | Higher cost, needs a clear exit |
| United Trust Bank | On application | Bridging and short-term deals | Bridging, asset finance | Property, assets | Short term, focus on exit strategy |
Figures such as maximum loan-to-value, term length, and rates change frequently and depend on your business. Use this table to compare shape and focus, not price, and confirm current numbers with each lender or through a broker.
Worked scenario: weighing two options
Imagine a haulage firm that owns a transport yard worth around £600,000 with no mortgage on it. The directors want to raise roughly £250,000 to buy three additional trucks and fund a new contract. They are weighing a property-backed term loan against asset finance.
Route one is a property-backed term loan, for example through a specialist bank like Aldermore, secured against the yard. This could release the full amount as a lump sum over a longer term, potentially at a keener rate because the security is strong. The trade-off is that the yard is at risk, and the borrowing is not tied to the working life of the trucks.
Route two is asset finance on the trucks themselves, for example through a transport-focused lender like Close Brothers, where each vehicle is the security. This keeps the yard unencumbered and matches repayments to the assets being funded, but it may fund only the vehicles rather than the wider contract costs, and residual or balloon structures need care.
Neither route is automatically better. The decision turns on how much they need, whether they want to protect the yard, their appetite for term length, and the total cost of each. A whole-of-market comparison would put both side by side so the directors can see the real numbers before deciding.
How to choose for your situation
Choosing a secured business loan comes down to matching the facility to what you own, what you need, and how quickly you need it. The right questions matter more than any single lender name.
- What asset are you securing? Property supports longer terms and larger sums; vehicles suit asset finance tied to their working life.
- How much do you need, and for what? A one-off premises purchase points to a commercial mortgage, while fleet renewal points to asset finance.
- How fast must it complete? A time-critical purchase may justify bridging, with a clear plan to refinance onto cheaper long-term finance.
- What is your trading and credit profile? Stronger, steadier accounts widen your options and usually improve pricing.
- What is the total cost over the full term? Compare interest, fees, and any balloon payments, not just the headline rate.
What to check before you commit
Before signing any secured facility, look past the monthly payment and understand the full commitment. Secured lending puts a real asset on the line, so the detail matters.
- The security and what is at risk. Know exactly which asset carries the charge and what happens if you fall behind.
- The total cost. Ask for all fees, including arrangement, valuation, and legal costs, plus any early repayment charges.
- Personal guarantees. Many business loans require a director’s personal guarantee, so understand your exposure.
- Loan-to-value and headroom. Check how much the lender will advance against your asset and whether that meets your need.
- Term and flexibility. Confirm whether you can overpay, settle early, or adjust the facility if trading changes.
- The exit on short-term finance. For bridging, make sure the repayment or refinance route is realistic and evidenced.
Always read the full agreement and confirm current terms with the lender. If anything is unclear, ask before you sign.
Let us compare the market for you
Every haulage and logistics business is different, and the best-fit facility depends on your assets, your trading history, and what you are funding. As a whole-of-market broker, Greenwood Capital can compare a wide range of lenders and help match your situation to suitable secured options, saving you approaching each one separately.
This is general help, not financial advice, and we are not a lender. If you would like an impartial view of what the market could offer your business, get in touch and tell us what you are trying to achieve. We will do the legwork and set out the options clearly so you can decide.