Business loans
Secured business loans Ireland: what lenders take as security
A secured business loan gives the lender a legal claim over your company's assets or premises, usually in return for a larger amount, a longer term or a lower rate.
- How long
- Up to 15 years at some banks
- Depends on the lender and the deal
- How fast
- Around 4+ weeks
- Typical; never guaranteed
- Our fee
- €0 to you
- The lender pays us commission
Quick eligibility check
Thinking about a secured loan? Tell us what your company needs
Step 1 of 3 · about 60 seconds
About 60 seconds · no credit search · not recorded on the Central Credit Register
Prefer to talk? +353 1 536 9910- How long
- Up to 15 years at some banks
- Depends on the lender and the deal
- How fast
- Around 4+ weeks
- Typical; never guaranteed
- Our fee
- €0 to you
- The lender pays us commission
- Irish limited companies
- Several lenders, one request
- No fees for your company
- No obligation
At a glance
Secured business loans at a glance
around 4+ weeks
- Irish limited companies
- Often 24+ months trading
- Business assets
- 1
Tell us what you need
Three taps: purpose, amount, business type. About 60 seconds, no credit search and not recorded on the Central Credit Register.
- 2
We match you to lenders
We check your profile against lender criteria and approach only those likely to consider it. One request, only to lenders likely to consider it.
- 3
Compare any offers
See the rate, fees, security and any personal guarantee side by side before you decide anything.
Lenders we work with
We are a broker, not a lender. Lender names and logos are trademarks of their owners and are shown with permission. Their inclusion does not mean the lender endorses Welcome Finance. Finance is subject to each lender’s own approval, which is not guaranteed.
About secured business loans
A secured business loan in Ireland is a company loan backed by security: a legal right that lets the lender recover what it is owed from specific assets if your company cannot repay. The main forms are a fixed charge over a particular asset, such as machinery, book debts or commercial premises the company owns; a floating charge over changing assets such as stock; and a debenture, one document that usually creates fixed and floating charges over everything the company owns. Lenders often also ask a director for a personal guarantee, which is a personal promise rather than security over company assets. A charge created by your company must be filed with the CRO on Form C1 within 21 days, or it is void against a liquidator and other creditors. We work only with limited companies, and we never help with credit for an individual or with anything secured on a home someone lives in, such as a director's family home or a farmhouse. Under the Consumer Credit Act 1995, arranging a housing loan for a consumer needs Central Bank authorisation.
Irish banks lend on a secured basis for larger and longer loans. Bank of Ireland offers business loans of €120,000 to €500,000 over terms of up to 15 years (up to 20 years for land purchases) and says the security it needs depends on the amount, purpose and term, with legal and valuation fees possible where tangible security is taken. PTSB lends against business premises through its Business Mortgage Loan, and AIB says security may be required on loans over €60,000. Buying property, or borrowing against let property or farmland, is property finance, which Welcome Finance does not arrange. For larger companies, Close Brothers Commercial Finance offers asset-based lending secured on invoices, stock, plant and property. For a side-by-side look at cost, speed and risk, read our guide to secured vs unsecured business loans. Our lender panel may be able to help with unsecured business loans. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether a lender we work with can help, or where to look instead.
What it’s used for
- Buying or extending non-residential trading premises
- Large equipment, fit-out or expansion projects
- Acquisitions and management buy-outs
- Replacing existing secured bank debt
Who it’s for
- Established companies borrowing larger sums for long-term projects
- Companies that own commercial premises, machinery or a strong sales ledger
- Companies buying or extending their own non-residential trading premises
- Companies funding an acquisition or management buy-out
No credit search · not recorded on the Central Credit Register · about 60 seconds
Secured business loans calculator
Debt service cover ratio
2.93×
- New loan repayments / year
- €62,275
- All loan repayments / year
- €102,275
Comfortable: most lenders look for cover of at least about 1.25×, and many like more headroom.
Check eligibility for this amountIllustrative only. Actual rates, fees and terms depend on your circumstances and the lender. This is not an offer of finance.
How secured business loans work
- 1
Lender assesses
Accounts, cash flow and what the loan is for.
- 2
Security valued
The lender or a valuer reviews the assets or premises offered.
- 3
Legal work
Solicitors draft the loan, the charge or debenture and any guarantee.
- 4
Charge registered
The charge is filed with the CRO within 21 days and funds are drawn.
Types of secured business loans
Fixed charge
Over a specific asset, such as premises, machinery or book debts. The company cannot sell it freely without the lender's consent.
Floating charge
Over changing assets such as stock. The company keeps trading with them until the charge crystallises, for example on default.
Debenture
One document that usually creates fixed and floating charges over all the company's assets.
Personal guarantee
A director's personal promise to repay if the company cannot. Take legal advice before signing.
Typical eligibility
Every lender sets its own criteria. These are common starting points. We’ll tell you which lenders are likely to consider your business.
- Irish limited company (LTD, DAC, PLC or ULC) with filed accounts
- Assets or non-residential premises the lender will accept as security
- Cash flow that covers repayments without relying on the security
- Assets free of other lenders' charges, or agreement from existing lenders
What you’ll usually need
- Latest filed accounts and management accounts
- Business bank statements
- Details and valuations of the assets offered
- Title or folio details for any commercial property
- Director ID and proof of address
Advantages
- Larger amounts are often possible
- Longer terms, up to 15 years at some banks
- Usually a lower rate than unsecured lending
Things to consider
- Legal and valuation fees on top of interest
- Slower, because of valuation and legal work
- The lender can enforce against the assets if repayments stop
Rates, fees and costs
Secured lending usually carries a lower interest rate than unsecured lending, but it adds costs of its own. Bank of Ireland says legal and valuation fees may apply when tangible security is required, and PTSB may charge an upfront fee of up to 1% of the loan amount on its Business Mortgage Loan, at its discretion. Fixed rates can carry breakage costs if you repay early. Compare the total cost in euro, including every fee, not only the rate.
We are paid commission by the lender when finance completes. We do not charge your company a fee and never ask for payment upfront.
Example (for illustration only): a company borrows €250,000 over 10 years secured on its machinery and premises. If a lender’s offer showed a total repayable of €340,000, the repayments would be 120 monthly payments of about €2,833. Add any legal and valuation fees in the offer to compare the full cost. The real cost depends on the lender’s offer, and finance is subject to status and lender approval.
If your company cannot repay, the lender can enforce its security, for example by appointing a receiver or selling the charged assets, and any director's guarantee can be called on. A debenture over all assets can also make it harder to borrow elsewhere.
Finance is subject to status and the lender’s approval. Welcome Finance is a commercial finance broker, not a lender. We arrange finance for limited companies for business purposes only; this is not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Compare secured business loans with alternatives
Not sure this is the right fit? Here’s how it compares with the options businesses most often weigh it against.
Secured business loans
This page- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Up to 15 years at some banks
- Typical speed
- Usually several weeks, for valuation and legal work; not guaranteed
- Security
- Business assets
- Typical min. trading
- 24 months
- Amount
- €10k to €500k
- Term
- 1 to 5 years
- Typical speed
- Decisions often within 24 to 48 hours, not guaranteed
- Security
- Unsecured
- Typical min. trading
- 24 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Usually up to 5 years
- Typical speed
- Usually 1 to 3 weeks
- Security
- The asset
- Typical min. trading
- 24 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Ongoing facility
- Typical speed
- Some providers fund within 24 hours once set up
- Security
- Invoices
- Typical min. trading
- 6 months
| Detail | This page Secured business loans | Unsecured business loans | Asset refinance | Invoice finance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Varies | €10k to €500k | Varies | Varies |
| Term | Up to 15 years at some banks | 1 to 5 years | Usually up to 5 years | Ongoing facility |
| Typical speed | Usually several weeks, for valuation and legal work; not guaranteed | Decisions often within 24 to 48 hours, not guaranteed | Usually 1 to 3 weeks | Some providers fund within 24 hours once set up |
| Security | Business assets | Unsecured | The asset | Invoices |
| Typical min. trading | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | 6 months |
How we work
Secured business loans: frequently asked questions
What is a secured business loan?
A secured business loan is a company loan where the lender takes a legal claim over assets, so it can recover what it is owed if the company cannot repay. The security might be commercial premises, machinery, book debts or a debenture over everything the company owns. In return, lenders often offer larger amounts, longer terms and lower rates than on unsecured lending.
What can a company use as security for a business loan?
Common security includes commercial premises the company owns, plant and machinery, vehicles, stock and its sales ledger. Lenders take these through fixed charges, floating charges or a debenture. Many also ask a director for a personal guarantee. Lenders prefer assets with a clear value and a ready market. Company-owned property, including farmland, can be security, but we never help with anything secured on a home.
What is a debenture?
A debenture is a legal document in which your company gives a lender security, usually a fixed charge over specific assets and a floating charge over the rest, such as stock and cash. It lets the lender appoint a receiver if the company defaults. It must be registered with the CRO within 21 days, and it can limit what other lenders will offer, so read it carefully.
Who offers secured business loans in Ireland?
The main banks lend on a secured basis for larger and longer loans. Bank of Ireland offers business loans of €120,000 to €500,000 over up to 15 years, with security set by amount, purpose and term, and PTSB lends against business premises. For larger companies, Close Brothers Commercial Finance offers asset-based lending. Check each lender's current terms directly.
Does a charge have to be registered with the CRO?
Yes. When your company creates a charge, the particulars must be delivered to the Companies Registration Office on Form C1 within 21 days of its creation. If that does not happen, the charge is void against a liquidator and any creditor of the company. The CRO filing fee for a C1 is €40. The lender's solicitor usually handles the filing.
Will a secured loan still need a personal guarantee?
Often, yes. Many lenders take security over company assets and also ask a director for a personal guarantee, especially for younger companies or where the assets may not cover the loan. Ask whether the guarantee is capped, what it covers and when it ends, and take independent legal advice before you sign. Our guide to personal guarantees explains the main types.
Can I secure a company loan on my home?
Not through Welcome Finance. We work only with limited companies, and we never help with a loan secured on a home that you, another director or your family lives in, including a farmhouse. Some lenders may ask a director for a charge over their home as extra security for a company loan. If so, take independent legal advice, because that is a matter between you and the lender, not part of our service.
Is secured or unsecured better for my company?
It depends on the amount, the term and what your company owns. Secured loans usually suit larger, long-term needs such as premises, while unsecured loans suit smaller, shorter needs where speed matters. Our guide to secured vs unsecured business loans compares the two in detail, including cost, speed and the risk to your assets and to you as a director.
Can Welcome Finance arrange a secured business loan?
Possibly. If an unsecured loan could meet the need, our panel may be able to help. Otherwise, your bank or a specialist lender is the right place to start. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether a lender we work with can help, or where to look instead.
Check in 60 seconds
Thinking about a secured loan? Tell us what your company needs
We never help with anything secured on a home someone lives in. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether a lender we work with can help, or where to look instead.
- No credit search, not recorded on the Central Credit Register
- One request, several lenders: we’re a broker, not a lender
- For limited companies registered in Ireland
- No fees for your company: we’re paid commission by the lender
Step 1 of 3 · about 60 seconds
Sources: Mortgages and Charges, Companies Registration Office (checked 23 Oct 2026); Business Loan up to €500k, Bank of Ireland (checked 23 Oct 2026); Business Mortgage Loan, PTSB (checked 23 Oct 2026); Business Loans over €60,000, AIB (checked 23 Oct 2026); Asset Based Lending, Close Brothers Commercial Finance Ireland (checked 23 Oct 2026); Consumer Credit Act 1995, section 2 (definitions of consumer, housing loan, mortgage intermediary), revised, Law Reform Commission Revised Acts (checked 23 Oct 2026).