iwoca SME Expert Index
Our quarterly survey with influential UK SME brokers who collectively submit thousands of small business finance applications per month.

Colin Goldstein
Chief Commercial Officer
Our SME Expert Index provides a regular snapshot on what’s driving small business owners to borrow, according to finance industry experts. It shows trends in the types and value of finance being accessed, and how these patterns change as the country navigates economic shifts in the market.
SME Expert Index
Q1 2025 headline statistics
42%
of brokers expect a surge in SME loans over £100k in the next 12 month
26%
of brokers say businesses are seeking six-figure loans specifically to expand or move to new premises
67%
of brokers now recommend alternative lenders as high street banks lose their grip on SME lending
> See full data trends
It’s great to have the opportunity to share our opinions as brokers. In an ever changing market it is vital that we are able to help with what these businesses need and give feedback to allow us to help them become more successful.

Jai Lad
Account Manager, Love Finance
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Read our previous
SME Expert Index press releases
- Cutting taxes is key to SME growth, say finance brokers - Q4 2024
- Economic pessimism grows post-Budget as recession fears rise - Q3 2024
- Clouds part in small business outlook as SME brokers bullish on economy - Q2 2024
- Applications for loans over £100k grow by half as SME optimism returns - Q1 2024
- Recession concerns drop by a third in a year, as small businesses demand larger loans - Q4 2023
- High street banks reduce appetite to fund SMEs, with worse yet to come - Q3 23
- Government will miss inflation target this year, brokers predict - Q2 23
- SME confidence makes a cautious comeback - Q1 23
- High street banks cut lending to SMEs as demand for finance grows - Q4 22
- Two in five finance brokers expect surge in SME demand for loans over £100,000 in next year, as recession fears ease - Q1 25

With an iwoca business loan you can
- Borrow from £1,000 to £500,000 over 24 months
- Get a decision in 1 working day
- Repay early with no fees