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  4. Secured vs unsecured business loans
Business Finance
Business borrowing

Secured vs unsecured business loans

What security and personal guarantees mean for business borrowing — and how that changes cost, risk and eligibility.

8 min read · Published 26 August 2026 · Last updated 26 August 2026

Written by Teresa Mary, Chief Finance Editor

On this page

  1. 01The practical difference
  2. 02Personal guarantees
  3. 03Where to compare next
  4. 04Frequently asked questions
On this page
  1. 01The practical difference
  2. 02Personal guarantees
  3. 03Where to compare next
  4. 04Frequently asked questions

The practical difference

Unsecured business loans are not backed by a specific business asset, though lenders still assess affordability and may ask for director guarantees. Secured loans are backed by collateral such as property, equipment or other assets — which can unlock larger amounts or different pricing, but increases what is at risk if repayments fail.

Personal guarantees

A personal guarantee can make an owner or director personally responsible for some or all of the debt if the business cannot repay. It is separate from asset security and is common on limited-company facilities.

Never assume “unsecured” means “no personal liability”. Read the agreement carefully.

Where to compare next

Use [business loans](/business-finance/business-loans), [unsecured business loans](/business-finance/unsecured-business-loans) and [secured business loans](/business-finance/secured-business-loans) to compare product types — then check total repayable, fees and eligibility before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Read our editorial standards →

Written by

TM

Teresa Mary

Chief Finance Editor

Teresa leads WiT Money’s financial editorial content, helping ensure guides, comparisons and tools are clear, accurate and useful for UK consumers and businesses.

Last updated 26 August 2026

View Teresa Mary's profile →

Questions or updates

If you spot something that needs correcting or want to contact our editorial team, get in touch.

contact@witfinancegroup.com →

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