Compare Step One Finance Loans from FCA-Approved Lenders

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  • Secured loan amounts from £10,000 to £1,000,000
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Authorised & Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Who are Step One Finance?

Step One Finance is a specialist consumer finance platform based in Woking, Surrey. The company has a personal touch and follows traditional lending values. It uses modern approval tools but stays true to values of transparency that UK borrowers expect.

Step One Finance works out of a small office in Surrey. A team of qualified professionals are there who help with secured homeowner loans and smaller unsecured products. Step One is authorised and watched over by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can check its registration details on the FCA’s website.

Unlike many other lenders, Step One Finance is a direct lender and not a broker. This means the loan enquiries go straight to them. You talk with Step One, not with a panel of lenders.

What types of loans do Step One Finance offer?

Step One Finance gives people two kinds of personal loan products.

  • Secured homeowner loans (second charge mortgages)
    • You can borrow up to £150,000.
    • This type of loan is secured against your property or your buy-to-let.
    • The term of the debt can be from 6 to 30 years.
    • A secured homeowner loan can help with debt consolidation, home improvements, or big spending like a car or even a dream holiday.
  • Unsecured personal loans
    • You can borrow up to £10,000.
    • The loan terms are usually shorter.
    • These are best for smaller things, like buying furniture, paying for education, or other household needs.

Step One Finance has given guarantor loans in the past as one of its creative consumer loan products. These loans are there for borrowers who may not have good credit. If they have someone to be a guarantor, they can get help with their application.

Eligibility Criteria for a Step One Finance Loan

Before you begin a step one finance loan application, there are some things you need to have or do. To apply for a step one finance loan, make sure you meet these points first.

  • You need to be 21 or older.
  • You must live in England, Wales, or Scotland.
  • You should have lived at your current address for at least 6 months.
  • You have to be a homeowner. This could be a place you live in or one you rent out. You also need to have some equity.
  • You must already have a first charge mortgage loan on the property.
  • You have to earn at least £20,000 a year if you apply alone, or £25,000 a year for joint applicants.
  • You need a good credit history. If you have enough equity, you might still get help even if there are credit issues.

Meeting these rules can help you get approved. But, every application is looked at based on your personal circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria for a Step One Finance Loan

Key Features of Step One Finance Loans

  • You can get loan amounts up to 95% of your home equity (up to what is left on your mortgage).
  • Secured loan amounts can go up to £150,000 for homeowners, or up to £100,000 if you are a buy-to-let landlord.
  • Loan terms with Step One Finance are from 6 years to 30 years.
  • You can pick to keep your rate of interest the same for up to 5 years.
  • A lender fee is charged one time if you are accepted. A property valuation fee may be needed as well.
  • Step One Finance is clear about charges and highlights its values of transparency. There are no hidden fees other than the ones that are told to you upfront.

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How does Step One Finance compare to other secured loan providers in terms of interest rates?

Step One Finance is one of the UK lenders for mortgage loans. The company gives people and businesses a way to borrow money safely. Step One tries to set interest rates, also called APR, in a way that helps customers feel good about what they pay over time.

Interest rates from Step One depend on how much you want to borrow. The rates also be set by how much value is in your home and what your credit history looks like. While these things matter, Step One usually offers interest rates that are in line with other UK mortgage lenders.

If you want to find out more about Step One, its mortgage loans, or their interest rates, you can check out their UK website. Step One will look at every application because they want to find the right deal for you.

  • The APR for second-charge loans is the same as or lower than many big banks.
  • You can pick a flexible rate. There are both fixed and variable options to choose from.
  • You will get a clear explanation about rate changes if you switch from a fixed to a variable term.

When looking at a panel of lenders, Step One stands out because it is a direct lender. This means that the lender handles your application on its own. It can make the process go faster. Decisions also be made the same way each time. Borrowers with a good credit history, stable income, or strong equity may get secured loans from Step One at a better cost than with other lenders.

Step One Finance Loans: Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
Flexible repayment terms (6–30 years) Your property is used as security
Direct lender — faster loan enquiries Loan approval may take 3–4 weeks
Transparent fees, no hidden fees Lender charges a one-off fee
Option to fix APR for budgeting May require a property valuation
Suitable for debt consolidation Not available outside UK homeownership

How to Apply for a Step One Finance Loan

The application process is easy to follow.

How to Apply for a Step One Finance Loan
  1. Begin a loan enquiry with Step One Finance. Choose the amount you want and the loan terms.
  2. Give basic details, like your income, your credit history, and your current address.
  3. Step One will review your application based on your personal circumstances.
  4. If needed, they will arrange a property valuation.
  5. A formal offer will be given, with additional information about APR, fees, and how to pay back the loan.
  6. When you accept, the funds will be sent to you.

Typical processing time is 3–4 weeks. Borrowers need to watch out for the dangers of loan fee fraud. You must not pay upfront fees to any unregulated firm.

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Alternatives to Step One Finance Loans

Step One Finance is a trusted specialist consumer finance platform. There are also some other options that you can look at.

  • Remortgaging — this can help you save money if you find a lower APR deal. But you may need to pay early repayment charges.
  • Credit cards — these give you more flexibility. They usually have higher rates than other options.
  • Unsecured personal loans — you do not risk losing your property. But most of the time, these have lower limits.
  • Car loans or targeted finance products — banks or dealerships often offer these to people who want to buy a car.

You need to look at different secured loans and check the total amount you will have to pay back. Make sure this amount is not too high for your family.

FAQs about Step One Finance Loans

Yes. Step One Finance is approved by the FCA. The company is listed on the FCA’s website. Step One is also part of the Finance and Leasing Association.

Homeowners can get up to £150,000. Landlords can get up to £100,000. This will depend on your equity and how much income you have.

Maybe. Approval is based on your equity and your personal circumstances. If you do not have a good credit history, the rates can be higher.

Getting a loan on your home means you have to make your repayments on time. If you do not pay, the bank or lender can take back your home.

Step One gives you good APRs and direct service to the lender. You do not have to worry about hidden fees. It is smart to look at the rate of interest and loan terms from other companies before you choose one. Compare these things to find the best lender for you.

Important Notice: You need to think well before you use your home to back up other debts. If you do not keep up with your repayments for a mortgage or any other loan that uses your home as security, you could lose your home.

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Page last updated on: 01/09/2025

Page reviewed by: Andrea Troy

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