Nucleus Commercial Finance - Indicative Rate Table (October 2026)
| Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Min Loan | Max Loan | Max LTV | Max Term | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue-Based Finance | 8–12% | £10,000 | £300,000 | N/A | 3 yr | Repayments flex with revenue - ideal for seasonal businesses |
| Asset Finance (HP) | 10–15% | £10,000 | £500,000 | 70% | 5 yr | Quick decisions; weaker credit considered |
| Merchant Cash Advance (MCA-linked) | Factor 1.15–1.35 | £10,000 | £150,000 | N/A | 12–24 mo | Repaid as % of card/bank turnover; no fixed term |
Rates are indicative for October 2026 and subject to underwriting, vessel survey and credit assessment. Contact us for a personalised illustration.
About Nucleus Commercial Finance Fishing Vessel Finance
Nucleus Commercial Finance operates at the smaller, faster end of the market - a fintech-influenced lender offering quick decisions for smaller fishing operators who need funding that larger institutions will not provide. Their revenue-based finance product is genuinely innovative in the context of commercial fishing: repayments are calculated as a percentage of monthly revenue, which means that in a poor month - bad weather, quota constraint, seasonal downturn - repayments automatically reduce.
The trade-off is cost. Nucleus rates run from 8% at the low end to 15% for challenged credits, and their merchant cash advance products are priced at a factor rather than a headline interest rate, which makes direct comparison with HP or term loan products difficult. But for a small inshore operator who has been refused by the mainstream market and needs £30k–£150k for a shellfish boat refit or equipment purchase, Nucleus can provide finance in days rather than weeks.
In October 2026, Nucleus remains one of the most accessible lenders for newer or smaller fishing businesses, sole traders, and operators with imperfect credit histories. Their asset finance arm will consider vessels up to 15 years old where others decline. However, we always ensure clients understand the true cost of Nucleus products before recommending them, and we use them only where the mainstream alternatives are genuinely unavailable.
Strengths
- Revenue-based finance with seasonal flex is uniquely suited to the variable income of commercial fishing
- £10,000 minimum - the lowest in the market - means even small inshore operators and creel boat owners can access funding
- Fast decisions: often same-day for standard applications, with funds available within 48–72 hours
- Will consider borrowers with adverse credit, shorter trading histories, and non-standard business structures
Limitations / Things to Know
- Highest rates in the market - 10–15% for asset finance vs 6.5–9% from better-positioned lenders
- 5-year maximum term means higher monthly repayments; not suitable for large ticket vessel purchases
- Revenue-based products and MCAs can be confusing to compare - the effective APR on some products is significantly higher than the headline factor
Is Nucleus Commercial Finance Right for My Fishing Vessel?
Nucleus is the right choice only when mainstream options are not available - typically for operators with less than 2 years' trading, adverse credit, or very small ticket requirements below £50k. For well-established fishing businesses with clean credit, the cost premium at Nucleus is not justified and we would always look to Close Brothers, Shawbrook or similar first. Nucleus is a useful last resort, not a first port of call.
Compare All Lenders
See how Nucleus Commercial Finance stacks up against all 14 lenders in our best rates comparison page, or return to the hub for an overview of all fishing vessel finance options.