Folk 2 Folk – reviews, analysis and fees

Last updated on 10 August 2023

Folk2Folk is the UK’s biggest peer-based lending provider, offering secured loans starting from £10,000 with the funds provided by investors – but does it have good reviews?

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Based in Cornwall, Folk2Folk is primarily designed for businesses in the farming and agricultural sectors, though any SME can apply for funding for just about any business purpose.

Folk2Folk offers better interest rates than you mind find from a more traditional lender, and some people may prefer to help finance an investor than line the pockets of a bank with interest payments, but always keep the risks of securing business borrowing against your residential property in mind before approaching this lender.

Video: Business loans and finance explained

Folk2Folk business loans and finance

Pros and cons of Folk2Folk for business finance 

ProsCons
Business loans available for almost any purpose Only secured loans are available
Competitive interest rates Very few – distinctly average – online reviews
Short- and long-term borrowing available
Folk2Folk pros and cons

Business loans

Folk2Folk offers a range of secured business loans, all of which start at £10,000 and are repayable for between six months and five years. Interest rates on all Folk2Folk loans start at 7.5% and will be confirmed upon application.

Business and SME loans

Funding for any business purpose, including covering payroll, expanding your team, and purchasing or improving company assets.

Property finance

Borrow money in the short-term as a bridging loan to cover the wait between selling one property and purchasing another, or use this finance to pay for a fit-out or refurbishment.

Farming and agricultural loans

Funding for the West Country’s thriving agricultural industry, intended for the purchase of livestock, converting barns, opening a farm shop, or any other need.

Leisure and tourism loans

Funding for any kind of tourist attraction.

Hospitality loans

Funding sources especially for the needs of restaurants, B&Bs, and hotels.

Renewable energy loans

Designed for investment in solar panels, wind turbines, or any other sustainable energy source.

Folk2Folk account login

Commercial mortgages

While not a commercial mortgage in any conventional sense, Folk2Folk does offer property loans – see this section in our summary of business loans.

Merchant cash advance

Not available from Folk2Folk. See merchant cash advance.

Business credit cards

Not available from Folk2Folk. See best business credit cards

Asset finance 

Not available from Folk2Folk. See best asset finance

Invoice finance

Not available from Folk2Folk. See invoice factoring

Business vehicle finance

Not available from Folk2Folk. See business vehicle finance.

Folk2Folk key information

Phone number01566 773296
App downloadsN/A
Websitewww.folk2folk.com/borrow/get-a-business-loan
Number of branchesN/A 
FSCS protected?No
Founded2013
Key information

Folk2Folk reviews

Review platformScoreNumber of votes
TrustPilot3.2/51
FeefoNot reviewedN/A
Reviews.ioNot reviewedN/A
Smart Money People3.3/53
Which?Not reviewedN/A
Average score3.25/54 total votes
Folk2Folk reviews and ratings

Business eligibility criteria

To qualify for borrowing from your Folk2Folk, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a limited company based in the UK
  • Own a property and be prepared to secure your loan against this asset
  • Accept a loan of at least £10,000

Business finance alternatives

Few lenders make borrowing as fast and easy as Folk2Folk, but the idea of making daily or weekly repayments for a short period may not suit every business model. Check out other business loan providers if you would rather make monthly repayments or enjoy a longer loan term.

Additional considerations

Cementing its reputation as a reliable financial provider, Folk2Folk has recently joined the Financial Intermediary and Broker Association (FIBA.)

FAQ

How do I apply for finance from Folk2Folk?

Call Folk2Folk on 01566 773296 to discuss your options, or fill in the online application form and wait for a callback.

If I borrow from Folk2Folk, who supplies the money?

Folk2Folk does not lend to borrowers directly. Instead, the funds provided come from investors, who will be repaid – plus interest – as per your loan terms.

How much can I borrow from Folk2Folk?

Folk2Folk loans start at £10,000, and do not have an upper limit (within reason.) However, your borrowing will need to be secured against a property. You can borrow up to 60% of the equity in your asset.

How long does it take to receive funds from Folk2Folk?

As Folk2Folk only offers secured loans it may take several weeks to receive your money once all relevant checks and paperwork has been completed.

What happens if I default on a Folk2Folk loan repayment?

If you default on a payment, any discounted interest rate will be replaced by the standard interest rate, which is usually 2% higher. If you do not manage to get back on track, Folk2Folk have the legal right to take you to court and force you to sell your property, settling your outstanding loan balance – including this higher interest rate – from the proceeds. 

Is Folk2Folk regulated?

Yes, all loans from Folk2Folk are regulated by the FCA.

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Reviewed by , Managing Director

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