Lender review · Trade finance (brand absorbed)
Sterling Trade Finance
- Reviewed May 2026
- Editor Oliver Mackman
- Methodology Public
Sterling Trade Finance was the original UK trading name behind what became Scottish Pacific Business Finance UK. Companies House records show the original UK trading entity dissolved in November 2024 and the holding entity (Sterling Trade Finance Holdings PLC, CN 06657588) in liquidation. The successor activity sits inside the wider ScotPac group. Listed for borrower reference; no longer a stand-alone brand for new applications.
Director, BestBusinessLoans
Oliver leads BestBusinessLoans's editorial reviews and methodology. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees lender research, rate verification and review independence.
Last reviewed: 8 May 2026
At a glance
- Product
- Trade finance (brand absorbed)
- Ticket size
- Closed to new business under this brand
- Typical rate
- N/A
- Decision time
- N/A
- Soft search at quote
- No
- Limited companies only
- Yes
- FCA regulated
- No
Scores against our methodology
- Rate transparency0/5
- Eligibility clarity0/5
- Decision speed0/5
- Decline handling0/5
How Sterling Trade Finance works
Sterling Trade Finance operates as a trade finance (brand absorbed) provider in the UK SMB market. Sterling Trade Finance was the original UK trading name behind what became Scottish Pacific Business Finance UK. Companies House records show the original UK trading entity dissolved in November 2024 and the holding entity (Sterling Trade Finance Holdings PLC, CN 06657588) in liquidation. The successor activity sits inside the wider ScotPac group. Listed for borrower reference; no longer a stand-alone brand for new applications.
The product mechanic is straightforward in shape but the underwriting is sector-specific. Tickets sit in the Closed to new business under this brand band, decisions land within N/A, and the published rate range is N/A. A hard search may apply at quote stage; ask before you submit if credit-file footprint matters to you. Like most UK lenders to limited companies, the standard SMB lending sits outside the FCA perimeter.
Where Sterling Trade Finance fits best: reference and historical context only. Where it does not fit: any new trade finance need under this brand.
Pricing examples
Worked examples using Sterling Trade Finance's published rate range (N/A). This lender prices by factor rate or bespoke quote, so we show the structure, not a worked APR.
| Ticket | Term | Estimated total cost | Approx monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | 24 months | See lender quote | See lender quote |
| £50,000 | 36 months | See lender quote | See lender quote |
| £100,000 | 48 months | See lender quote | See lender quote |
Indicative only. Confirm on a Sterling Trade Finance quote.
Eligibility
- Trading time: typically 12 to 24 months minimum for the cleanest pricing.
- Turnover floor: not always published. As a working figure, expect a £100k+ turnover requirement for term loans of £50k+. Smaller tickets and MCA structures have lower floors.
- Sector exclusions: Any new trade finance need under this brand.
- Credit profile: Clean credit preferred; older satisfied items often acceptable.
- Company structure: Limited companies only.
- Best fit: Reference and historical context only.
Pros
- + Historical specialism in UK import and supply-chain trade finance.
Cons
- − Original Companies House entity dissolved (November 2024); holding entity in liquidation.
- − Brand absorbed into the wider ScotPac group; no Sterling Trade Finance origination today.
- − Not a current option for any UK SMB.
Best for
- · Reference and historical context only
Weak at
- · Any new trade finance need under this brand
When to use Sterling Trade Finance
Use Sterling Trade Finance when
Your application matches the best-fit profile: reference and historical context only. The published ticket range (Closed to new business under this brand) covers your ask, the decision speed (N/A) fits your cash-gap timeline, and the rate range (N/A) is acceptable to you given your credit profile.
Do not use Sterling Trade Finance when
Your profile sits in the weak-at list: any new trade finance need under this brand. Sterling Trade Finance will likely decline, and the decline itself can sit on broker records for 90 days. If you have any of these flags, route directly to a specialist (post-decline lender, MCA against card flow, asset-backed alternative) rather than using Sterling Trade Finance as a screen.
FAQs
What is the minimum trading time for Sterling Trade Finance?
Sterling Trade Finance typically asks for 12 to 24 months of trading. Newer businesses can sometimes qualify against alternative underwriting (card flow for MCA, asset security for asset finance), but the cleanest pricing tends to require two full sets of accounts.
Does Sterling Trade Finance require a personal guarantee?
Most UK SMB lenders require a personal guarantee from at least one director. Sterling Trade Finance is no exception in the standard case. The few exceptions: asset-backed lending where the asset itself stands as security, and a small number of MCA structures where card flow is the underwriting basis. For trade finance (brand absorbed) specifically, expect a PG to be requested.
How fast does Sterling Trade Finance fund?
Sterling Trade Finance quotes N/A for an underwriting decision. Funding to bank account typically follows within one to three working days of acceptance, subject to KYC, signed documents, and (where applicable) registration of any debenture or charge.
What rate should I expect from Sterling Trade Finance?
Sterling Trade Finance's published range is N/A. The headline number is rarely the offered number. Rate transparency on this lender scores 0/5 in our methodology. Expect the cleaner end of the band only if you have 2+ years of trading, clean credit, and turnover comfortably above the lender's stated floor.
What happens if Sterling Trade Finance declines me?
If Sterling Trade Finance declines, you have three realistic next steps. First, ask for the decline reason in writing, most reputable UK lenders will tell you. Second, route the application to a specialist post-decline lender (Bizcap, JPM Capital, Bolton Finance) where credit issues are the constraint, or to an asset-backed alternative where security is available. Third, use a broker panel to fan the application across the lenders most likely to accept your specific decline reason. Sterling Trade Finance scores 0/5 on decline handling in our methodology.
Where to apply
Apply directly via www.scotpacgroup.com/uk, or use our free quote form to be matched across the UK broker panel most likely to approve your specific profile, not just Sterling Trade Finance.
Specialty alternatives
See all lender reviews for alternatives.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 8 May 2026. Lender website: www.scotpacgroup.com/uk.