Debt Advisory
Raising, refinancing or just want to know your options?
Speak to a debt advisor
Debt AdvisoryBorrow on better terms.
Borrow on better terms.
Without the bank running the conversation.
Independent debt advisory and brokerage for UK SMEs raising, refinancing or restructuring funding — from working capital through to M&A.
01 / THE PROBLEM
Your bank shows you one product. Stable shows you the market.
Most SMEs have only ever seen what their high street bank can lend. Narrow appetite, inflexible structures, heavy security requirements — and a relationship manager who changes every 18 months.
Stable sits between you and the wider lending market. We benchmark suitable lenders, compare real cost and structure, and help you raise debt on terms that actually fit the business.
02 / WHAT WE HELP WITH
Funding across the full SME spectrum
Growth & working capital
Loans, lines of credit, overdraft alternatives, seasonal facilities.
Invoice & trade finance
Release cash from your debtor book or fund supplier payments and stock.
Refinancing
Replace expensive debt, restructure covenants, consolidate borrowing.
Acquisitions & MBOs
Senior debt, vendor structures and blended funding for transactions.
Property & bridging
Commercial mortgages, development finance and short-term bridging.
03 / WHEN SMES COME TO STABLE
Common triggers
Bank said no
A decline rarely means the business cannot raise finance — usually it means the bank's criteria do not fit.
Need a wider view
You want a proper comparison process across multiple lenders, not just one bank's product.
Outgrowing the facility
Working capital, overdraft or invoice line cannot keep up with sales growth.
Refinancing existing debt
Existing borrowing is expensive, inflexible, or about to mature.
04 / HOW IT WORKS
From requirement to drawn-down funds
1. Understand the requirement
Amount, purpose, timing, repayment profile, security and covenant preferences.
2. Review the business
Trading, cash flow, balance sheet, debtors, security and management strength — through a lender's lens.
3. Match to suitable lenders
Lenders whose appetite fits your sector, size, credit profile and need — not just the highest-commission options.
4. Structure and present
A well-prepared funding pack materially improves lender engagement and pricing.
5. Compare offers
Real cost and structure, not headline rates. Fees, covenants, guarantees, drawdown conditions, exit terms.
6. Support to completion
From initial approach to credit approval and documentation. We keep the process moving.
05 / WHO WE WORK WITH
UK SMEs turning over £1m to £100m
Fast-growing
Businesses outgrowing existing facilities and needing structures that scale with revenue.
International or complex
Trading internationally, managing currency exposure or complex working capital cycles.
Refinancing or recovering
Benchmarking current borrowing, restructuring debt, or recovering from a bank decline.
Transactional
Preparing for acquisition, MBO, succession or shareholder transition.
06 / EXAMPLE SITUATIONS
How this plays out in practice
A growing wholesaler needs working capital
Profitable but cash is tight as stock purchases run ahead of customer payments. We compare invoice finance, trade finance and a working capital loan to find the structure that fits the trading cycle.
A manufacturer wants new machinery
Without burning reserves on a single large purchase. We compare asset finance against the expected productivity gain, and structure repayments around the asset's useful life.
A business has outgrown its bank facility
The overdraft no longer supports the turnover. We review alternative lenders better matched to the business's scale and cash cycle.
A management team is exploring an acquisition
We assess debt capacity, identify likely lenders, and shape the funding proposition before approaching the market.
Frequently asked questions
What is debt advisory?+
Support for businesses raising, refinancing or restructuring borrowing — covering the funding case, lender selection, offer comparison and execution.
Is Stable a lender?+
No. Stable is an independent advisor and broker. We help businesses access and compare funding from suitable lenders.
What types of businesses do you support?+
UK SMEs with turnover between £1m and £100m. Suitability depends on the funding requirement and the business profile.
Can you help if my bank has declined funding?+
Yes. A bank decline rarely means your business cannot raise finance. It usually means the requirement does not fit that lender's current criteria.
Do you charge a fee?+
It depends on the type and complexity of the requirement. Where fees apply, we explain them clearly upfront.
How quickly can funding be arranged?+
It varies. Some facilities move in days; larger or more structured transactions take weeks. Readiness of information is usually the biggest factor.
What information will I need?+
Typically recent accounts, management information, bank statements, aged debtors and creditors, details of existing borrowing, and a summary of the funding requirement.
Can you review my existing facility?+
Yes. We can benchmark your current borrowing structure and tell you whether it is still competitive.