First Oak Capital Ltd

06/06/2026

Been turned down for van finance because of bad credit? Don't give up just yet.
It's something we hear a lot. A business owner needs a van, approaches a bank or a dealer, gets declined, and assumes that's the answer everywhere. In most cases it isn't.
Bad credit means different things in different situations. A CCJ that's been settled. A period of financial difficulty that's now behind you. Accounts that look thin because you've been reinvesting in the business. A new company without much credit history yet. Each of those is a different situation, and the right lender will look at the full picture rather than just a score on a screen.
We've been helping UK businesses with complicated credit histories get the vehicles they need since 1994. We know which lenders to approach, how to put an application together properly, and how to present your business in the best possible light without glossing over anything.
If you've been told no elsewhere, or you're not sure where you stand, it costs nothing to find out.
👉 Read our full guide here: https://firstoakcapital.co.uk/business-van-finance-bad-credit/
📞 Or give us a call on 0800 066 3677 for a no obligation chat.

02/06/2026

Just set up a limited company and need a van on finance?
If you've been to a dealer and been told no because your business is too new, you're not alone. It's one of the most common situations we deal with.

Dealer finance companies work with a small pool of lenders, and most of them won't look past the fact that your company is less than a year old, regardless of your experience or your order book.
We recently helped a courier who was moving from sole trader to limited company. Strong background, solid contracts, clean credit history.

The dealer couldn't help. We could, and he left with finance on two new vans.

We've written a practical guide covering what specialist lenders actually look at, how the age and value of the van affects your options, and what you can do to put your best foot forward.
If you've recently started a business and need a vehicle to get it moving, it's worth a read. Link in the comments.

19/05/2026

We've got a new website!

After many months of planning and building, we have just launched our new website.

Designed to make it easier for business owners to find relevant information on business finance and it looks great too.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

27/06/2025

Getting equipment you need for your business shouldn’t feel out of reach.

But sometimes, it’s just the financing that feels like the biggest unknown.

And it’s not always easy to ask about, especially when you’re not sure what’s possible.

Whether you’re rebuilding or just getting started, there are ways forward.

If finance is what’s holding you back from getting yourself an essential piece of equipment, it might be time to take another look.

There are more options than you think, even if your credit isn't perfect, or you have a limited trading history— and we’re here to help you figure out what’s right for you.

Your own JCB might be closer than you think.

26/06/2025

Unsure if your business qualifies for the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)?

The GGS, backed by the British Business Bank, helps give lenders the confidence to support businesses that might otherwise struggle to get approved.

To help you apply with confidence, our team has created a quick eligibility checker. It only takes a minute to find out if you could qualify.

👉

Take the 60 second quiz and find out if your business qualifies for the latest Government Backed Loans, the GGS. (Growth Guarantee Scheme)

19/06/2025

Not every lender understands your industry—and it can cost you.

We had a business call in who were growing fast, but the lender they applied for finance with didn’t really understand their sector, so they denied their application for a loan.

That’s what the business owner told me during our first call.

He ran a specialist logistics company that had just secured a major contract with a national retailer—but to fulfil it, they needed three new vehicles and couldn’t afford to wait.

The issue?

Traditional lenders didn’t understand the nature of their business model.

They saw fluctuating income and unusual overheads and immediately assumed “too risky.”

But it wasn’t risky—it was a booming business in a niche market with consistent demand.

Our team at First Oak Capital Ltd won't just chuck an application at the first lender we find.

We take the time to understand each business—how it operates, what makes it tick, and where it’s going next. Then we match it to lenders who actually get it—those who’ve funded similar businesses, who know the landscape, and who can move fast.

In this case, we matched them with a specialist lender who regularly supports transport and logistics businesses. The deal was approved quickly, on competitive terms, and the client was able to scale without missing a beat.

It’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about making sense—for both sides of the deal.

If you’re a business owner who’s been told “no” before, or if you just want someone in your corner who speaks both your language and the lender’s—let’s chat.

16/06/2025

I'm Guy, the director here at First Oak Capital. 👋

I’ve spent most of my career helping people get the right vehicles for their businesses — and let me tell you, I’ve seen some absolutely shocking agreements when it comes to finance terms.

So that's why these days I focus more on helping UK business owners get smart finance. Not just for vans and trucks, but for just about anything a growing business needs — cashflow support, new kit, growth loans, you name it.

Because I’m a business owner too, I know what matters:

Clear terms
Flexibility
No time-wasting.

If you want funding that works for your business, not against it — drop me or someone on my team at First Oak Capital Ltd a message.

09/06/2025

🚐 The work was growing—but the van wasn’t keeping up.

A self-employed man-with-a-van was picking up more contracts than ever.

But his old van?

Struggling to keep up with the workload—and starting to cost more in repairs than it was worth.

He went to his bank, but the finance terms were rigid and just didn’t fit the way his business managed cash flow.

That’s where we stepped in.

We helped him secure a newer, larger van through flexible finance that actually suited how he runs his business—simple, affordable, and built around his cash flow.

Now he’s back on the road with more space, more reliability, and room to take on even more work. 👍

06/06/2025

One of our customers recently bought specialist machinery from Italy to support their growing operations.

But between the 3+ month lead time and staggered payments, they ended up paying outright—tying up a lot of working capital.

A few months later, they came to us needing a cash flow boost to fund new stock orders and keep up with increased sales demand.

💡We refinanced the machinery, releasing capital back into the business.
That quick injection of cash helped them turn an equipment purchase into fuel for further growth.

03/06/2025

“Buy appreciating assets. Lease depreciating ones.” – Warren Buffett

One of the world’s most successful investors kept it simple. And for business owners, that advice couldn’t be more relevant.

Let’s be honest:

The moment you drive a vehicle away from the dealer, it’s worth less.

So, should you really tie up valuable capital in something that’s losing value by the day?

Arranging finance might make sense if you want to:

Keep upfront costs low
Know exactly what you’re paying each month
Upgrade vehicles more easily
Possibly benefit from tax advantages

But here’s the thing: Finance isn’t always the answer.

If you’re very cash rich and planning to run a van into the ground over the next 10 years, buying might actually be the smarter move.

That’s why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it.

The best decisions come from stepping back and asking:

What’s this vehicle really for?
How long will I use it?
What does my cash flow look like six months from now?

A bit of planning goes a long way.

Because the most strategic businesses?

They don’t just acquire vehicles—they make them really work for the business.