2 min read
Advertised means representative
An advertised rate is a representative rate — the price a typical qualifying applicant would be offered, shown as a realistic guide, not a rate everyone gets. So a firm quote landing above it is normal, not a bait-and-switch. Your quote is priced on your actual accounts, security and sector, which may differ from the 'typical' applicant the advert was built around.
What pushes your quote up
Common reasons a quote sits above the advertised rate: a shorter trading history, thinner filed accounts, weaker coverage, existing debt, a higher-risk sector, or the absence of security. None of these mean you have been treated unfairly — they are the inputs the rate is built from. The advert shows a mid-point; your quote shows your point on the scale.
Bringing it down
A higher quote is often improvable. Strengthen the application — fuller accounts, a longer record, better coverage, security where suitable — and the margin can come down. Get competing quotes; a rival written offer is a real negotiating tool. And compare on total repayable, since a quote above one advert may still be the cheapest real deal available. See getting a better rate.
To get firm, comparable quotes rather than adverts, apply and compare the totals.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a bait-and-switch if my quote is higher than the advert?
No — advertised business-loan rates are representative, meaning they show what a typical qualifying applicant would be offered, not a guaranteed rate for everyone. Risk-based pricing means your quote reflects your specific accounts and circumstances. A quote above the advertised rate is normal and legitimate. What you can do is strengthen your application, gather competing quotes, and compare on total cost rather than headline rate.
Can I get my quote reduced to the advertised rate?
Sometimes closer to it, by strengthening the parts of your application that pushed it up — fuller accounts, a longer trading record, better coverage, or offering security — and by using competing written quotes to negotiate. There is no automatic right to the advertised rate, since it is representative rather than guaranteed, but a stronger case and shopping around can meaningfully narrow the gap.
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