1. Missed Payments in Bank Statements

Lenders look at your recent bank activity as a snapshot of how your business is managed. Regular missed payments, unpaid direct debits, or returned cheques raise red flags. If they see affordability issues in your statements, they worry the loan could also fall into arrears.

What you can do:
Keep accounts clean in the months before applying. If there are genuine one-off reasons for a missed payment (e.g. a late-paying customer), explain it upfront. Some flexible products, such as revenue-based finance, can still work for businesses with strong sales but uneven cash flow.

2. Too Much Debt Already

Sometimes businesses simply have no more room for unsecured credit. Even if repayments are up to date, lenders may judge that taking on additional debt would stretch affordability too far.

What you can do:
Alternative structures can help. Invoice finance allows you to release cash tied up in unpaid invoices, while a sale & leaseback of equipment can free up working capital without adding another traditional loan on the balance sheet.

3. No Tax Clearance Certificate

For unsecured business loans, a valid tax clearance certificate is almost always required. Without it, most lenders will not proceed.

What you can do:
Get up to date with Revenue before applying. If that’s not immediately possible, some revenue-based finance providers can be more forgiving and may still provide short-term funding based on your card or online sales performance.

4. Missing Documentation

An otherwise strong business can be delayed or declined simply because the right documents weren’t provided. Missing bank statements, out-of-date management accounts, or being close to a Companies Registration Office filing deadline can all slow down approvals.

What you can do:
Have at least six months’ bank statements and your most recent accounts ready before applying. If accounts are not yet filed, draft management accounts prepared by your accountant can often help move things forward.

5. Limited Trading History

Most lenders want to see at least one full year of filed accounts. Startups and very young businesses often struggle here.

What you can do:
Revenue-based finance can sometimes work from as little as three months of trading, provided you can show consistent turnover. For other options, consider personal savings, equity investment, or government-backed startup supports until you build a longer track record.

Final Word

A decline isn’t the end of the road — it’s feedback. By understanding what lenders look for, you can prepare smarter and position your business for success. At BusinessLoans.ie, we help clients every day find the right funding solution, even when traditional options aren’t available.

As new US tariffs hit Irish exporters, many SMEs are reassessing their markets and margins. Here’s how business finance can help you adapt.

A new trade deal between the EU and the United States introduces a 15% tariff on a wide range of European exports. While this offers some stability after months of uncertainty, it’s still a significant increase from the much lower tariffs in place before—and it’s putting real pressure on Irish businesses trading into the US.

If your business relies on exports to the US, you may already be feeling the squeeze. But with the right financial support, there’s an opportunity to refocus and build new routes to growth.

What’s Changed and Why It Matters

As of July 2025, Irish businesses exporting goods like food, drink, pharmaceutical components, semiconductors and machinery to the US will face a standard 15% tariff.

Enterprise Ireland estimates that €3.8 billion worth of exports could be affected, across hundreds of Irish SMEs. Many of these operate with tight margins and limited capacity to absorb new costs.

Some may choose to pass those costs on, others may renegotiate contracts—but many are now asking: Is it time to explore new markets?

Why Diversifying Export Markets Makes Sense

If you’ve focused heavily on the US for growth, it’s worth looking at alternative regions where the barriers are lower and the returns more stable. These could include:

The UK and Northern Europe
Canada and other EU trade agreement partners
EU member states with rising demand for Irish-made goods

Making this kind of shift takes planning, and it often takes funding too—whether to invest in new packaging, logistics, certifications or simply to support a temporary cash flow gap while new sales come in.

How Business Finance Can Help

At BusinessLoans.ie, we work with businesses making moves like this all the time. Here’s how the right loan or funding solution can support your export strategy:

Working capital loans
Support short-term costs like marketing, stock purchases, or onboarding new clients in different regions.

Trade finance or invoice finance
Release cash tied up in international invoices or supplier orders, especially if you’re negotiating longer terms with new buyers.

Asset finance
Fund equipment upgrades or manufacturing changes to meet export regulations or scale production for a new market.

A Simple Plan to Move Forward

Here’s a basic framework for exporters thinking about making a change:

Review how much of your turnover depends on US exports
Recheck pricing and margins with the new tariffs factored in
Research alternative markets that suit your product and capacity
Identify what funding might be needed to make the switch
Speak to us—we’ll help you explore your finance options

Supporting Irish Businesses Through Trade Changes

BusinessLoans.ie helps Irish SMEs get access to fast, flexible funding—without the red tape. Whether you’re dealing with a cash flow gap, planning an expansion, or adapting to a changing market, we’re here to help.

Unsecured loans up to €500,000
Fast turnaround times
No obligation to proceed

Get in touch today to explore your options.

Call the BusinessLoans.ie team on 01 55 636 55 or APPLY HERE.