Being offered less than you asked for can feel like a half-no. It is not meant that way. A reduced offer almost always means the same thing: we think the company can comfortably afford this amount, but the full amount looked tight against how the business actually trades. Here is the honest reasoning, and what you can do about it.
What a smaller offer means
Our assessment is built around one question — can this company comfortably repay this amount on this schedule? When the answer is "yes, but only up to a point", we offer up to that point rather than stretching you to the edge of your cash flow. It is the responsible-lending version of "not this much, not yet". A loan you can clearly afford is better for your business than one that leaves no room if a customer pays late.
Why it happens
- Affordability headroom. Turnover and the rhythm of money through the business bank account support a smaller repayment more comfortably than the full one.
- Recent account behaviour. Returned payments, an account run at its limit, or a thin recent period can lower the amount we are comfortable lending right now.
- Business credit file. Markers against the company can reduce the amount even where some affordability is there.
- First loan with us. We often start smaller and increase what is available as you build a clean repayment history.
For the full picture of what feeds the decision, see what information goes into a lending decision.
What you can do
- Take the smaller amount if it still does the job — you will see the figures in full first.
- Decline with no obligation; a reduced offer never commits you to anything.
- Ask us to look again. If something about the company's position was missed or has changed, you can request a human review and add evidence — see how to ask a person to review a decision.
Borrowing again later
A smaller first offer is often the start of a longer relationship, not a ceiling. As you repay on time, the amount available to your company can grow. If a reusable line would suit your cash flow better than a one-time loan, Credicorp Flex lets you draw and repay against an agreed limit. Whatever you choose, every figure is shown before you commit, and you can compare amounts and terms on our business loans page.