How can funding delays hold back business growth?
More than one in five UK mid-sized businesses have lost opportunities because funding took too long. Discover the commercial impact of delayed finance decisions and why speed matters.
In today's business environment, timing can be just as important as access to funding. Shawbrook research found that more than one in five (22%) mid-sized businesses have lost opportunities to competitors because funding decisions took too long, highlighting the commercial impact of delays when businesses need to move quickly.
Whether investing in equipment, hiring staff or pursuing growth opportunities, delayed funding decisions can have lasting consequences.
Explore the full findings in the Shawbrook M Agenda Report.
Why does speed matter when securing funding?
Growth opportunities rarely wait.
Shawbrook's research found:
- 25% experienced delays with their funding applications
- 22% said the approval process simply took too long
- 22% lost opportunities to competitors because of funding delays
For growing businesses, delays can mean missing opportunities that may not return.
What is the commercial impact of funding delays?
The research shows that delayed funding decisions affect far more than access to capital.
Businesses reported:
- Delaying significant investment (22%)
- Being unable to purchase new equipment (20%)
- Delaying recruitment (18%)
- Being unable to complete a planned exit (19%)
These findings demonstrate how funding delays can disrupt business plans and slow long-term growth.
How do delays affect business confidence?
The impact isn't limited to commercial decisions.
Businesses also reported:
- Professional credibility being harmed (21%)
- Losing partners or clients (18%)
- Turning to quicker but more expensive finance (21%)
When funding doesn't keep pace with business needs, organisations may feel forced to compromise simply to maintain momentum.
What does this mean for growing businesses?
The research highlights the importance of funding partners who can make informed decisions at pace.
For mid-sized businesses operating in competitive markets, speed is often as important as the funding itself. Delays can affect investment, recruitment and commercial opportunities, making responsive decision-making a critical part of supporting business growth.
Neil Rudge, Chief Banking Officer at Shawbrook, said:
"In the mid-market, timing is critical. Whether it's upgrading equipment, a new hire, or the leap into a new market, these opportunities often have a narrow window of opportunity. Our research shows that businesses can miss out simply because funding options are not moving at a quick enough pace.
This is backing mid-sized businesses into a corner - either they lose out to competitors, or they are forced to settle for more expensive solutions just to stay in the race. For the UK economy to thrive, it's important that the funding available to these firms is as agile and ambitious as the businesses themselves."
Why does this matter?
The research suggests that choosing the right funding partner isn't only about securing finance. It's also about having the confidence that decisions can be made quickly enough to keep pace with business ambitions.
As businesses grow, the ability to act at the right time can make the difference between securing an opportunity and missing it altogether.
Need a funding partner that can keep pace with your ambitions?
Explore our business solutions or discover more insights in the M Agenda Report.
Methodology
Research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Shawbrook between 15–27 October 2025. The survey included 1,000 funding decision-makers at UK mid-sized businesses (50–249 employees with annual turnover of £5M–£100M).
This research underpins the findings in Shawbrook's M Agenda Report.
Article Author
For more articles from Neil, explore their author profile.
Neil Rudge – Chief Banking Officer
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