Spark Finance is committed to producing accurate, clear, and balanced financial content that helps UK business owners make informed decisions. This editorial policy explains how we research, write, review, and update content across our website.
Who writes our content
Content at Spark Finance is written by members of our commercial and advisory team - people who work directly with businesses and lenders every day. All authors are identified by name on the content they produce.
Our authors include relationship managers, commercial leads, and senior advisers who have direct experience of arranging business finance across multiple sectors and product types. Where external research or data is cited, it is attributed to its original source.
Senior content is reviewed by a named senior adviser or our editorial lead before publication. This reviewer checks factual claims, rate information, and regulatory references against current lender data and FCA guidance.
How we research financial content
Finance content at Spark Finance is grounded in our direct experience of the lending market. Our team processes applications with 250+ specialist lenders and sees the real-world outcomes of credit decisions every working day. This gives us first-hand knowledge of what lenders look for, how credit decisions are made, and what rates and terms are actually available to UK businesses.
Where we cite specific market data, we draw on publicly available sources including the Bank of England, British Business Bank, Finance and Leasing Association, UK Finance, Federation of Small Businesses, and FCA published data. All third-party sources are attributed.
Rate information is cross-referenced against our current lender panel before publication. We are careful to present rates as indicative ranges rather than guaranteed outcomes, because individual rates depend on the applicant's specific circumstances, credit profile, and the lender's current appetite.
How we verify claims
Before publication, all factual claims are checked against primary sources. This includes:
- Rate ranges: verified against current lender panel terms
- Regulatory references: checked against FCA published guidance and the FCA register
- Market statistics: cited to their primary published source
- Product descriptions: checked against current lender product documentation
- Legal and tax references: reviewed to ensure they do not constitute advice and direct readers to qualified professionals
How often content is updated
Spark Finance aims to review its core product pages quarterly and its rate information at least quarterly. Research reports are updated annually or more frequently if market conditions change materially.
Each major piece of content carries a publication date and a last-reviewed date. If you notice information that appears out of date, please contact us at info@sparkfinance.co.uk.
Content that covers regulatory matters (FCA rules, HMRC tax treatment, legal requirements) is flagged for priority review when relevant regulatory changes are published.
Independence and commercial relationships
Spark Finance earns commission from lenders when a client is successfully placed with a lender through our service. This commission is paid by the lender; it does not increase the cost to the applicant. Our commission is always disclosed to clients before they proceed.
Our commercial relationships with lenders do not influence our editorial content. We do not favour specific lenders in our written content on the basis of commercial arrangements. Recommendations made to individual clients are based on their specific circumstances and the most appropriate available options, not on commission rates.
We do not accept payments for editorial coverage, featured placement in guides, or positive mentions in content. Lenders may appear in our content where they are genuinely relevant to the topic being discussed.
What our content is and is not
Content on the Spark Finance website is for general information and educational purposes. It is not regulated financial advice. We explain how financial products work, provide indicative rate information, and help businesses understand their options. We do not tell individual readers which specific product to choose for their specific circumstances.
For personalised advice on the right finance option for your business, please speak with one of our advisers. Our advisers are not independent financial advisers - they work for Spark Finance and will recommend options available through our lender panel. For independent financial advice, readers should consult a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated financial adviser.
Spark Finance is FCA authorised as a credit broker (FRN 958123). Our FCA authorisation covers credit broking activities for businesses. Most business lending to UK limited companies is not a regulated activity under FCA rules, but Spark Finance holds itself to FCA ethical standards in all its dealings.
Corrections and complaints
If you believe content on our website is factually incorrect, please contact us at info@sparkfinance.co.uk with details of the specific claim and why you believe it is incorrect. We will review the matter within 5 working days and publish a correction if one is warranted.
For complaints about our services (rather than content), please follow our formal complaints process, available on request.