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Unsecured Business Loan Case Study

The Client:

A client had a requirement for some business finance. The money was to be used for Working Capital and for Business Expansion. They wanted to raise between £10,000 – £15,000 and needed the funds urgently.

The Scenario:

Unsecured Business Loans still tend to be a niche product and remains a higher risk product for the Lenders. As a result, it is a limited market and clients do not have as many options available to them as a standard secured lending product like a mortgage.

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After the pandemic, most Lenders have been extremely cautious and want to ensure that they are supporting business whilst still lending money responsibly. This also means that the liquidity in this market is less as compared to pre-pandemic levels.

This is where we come in as a Specialist Commercial Finance Broker. We understand our Lending Partner requirements and ensure that we meet our clients’ requirements to them. As an example, a business may be looking for a Business Loan for equipment or for a machinery purchase. A standard / traditional Business Loan may be too expensive for the business, but we would look at offering them an asset finance facility in this instance. This gives the customer the equipment they need and essentially the Lender the security they require.

The Solution:

As a result, with this client, we identified that the client had a high turnover business. For businesses such as off-licences, corner shops, newsagents etc, the turnover tends to be high. Therefore, we were able to arrange a £12,500 turnover-based loan which was to be repaid in a mid – short term period.

This was good for the client as they wouldn’t have to be drawn out into long winded finance and using the power of their turnover, they will be able to repay the loan in 5 months. The client was also delighted as they received the funds in 24 hours of their initial enquiry to us. Our role was key in being able to work to the clients’ requirements and pace. There are multiple other options we would have been able to explore with business in a different position.

Summary:

Both Secured and Unsecured Business Loans are accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes – working with a Business Loan Broker like ourselves we will search the whole market for you to find the best Lender and Rates for your particular business. Additionally, we shall present the loan application to the Lenders in the format and language they wish to see, which in doing so, will significantly improve your chances of being approved for a Business Loan.

For full details on the types of Business Loans available please visit our Business Loans page.

To know more and speak to one of our Business Finance Brokers for a FREE Quotation and Advice, call us now on 03303 112 646. You can also fill in this short online form to get started. Our team of Business Finance Brokers will get back to you straight away.

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SME lending hits £4.8bn in Q1 – UK Finance

Gross lending to SMEs stood at £4.8bn in the final quarter of 2022, according to data published by UK Finance.

The data, released as part of the latest Business Finance Review, found that the figure for Q4 was broadly unchanged from previous quarter and totalled £22.6bn for the whole of 2021.

Applications for new loans and overdrafts stabilised in the final quarter of the year.

Invoice finance and asset-based lending advances increased by five per cent on the quarter.

The value of repayments edged down on the quarter but remain above pre-pandemic levels and were 38 per cent higher in 2021, compared with the previous year.

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Stephen Pegge, managing director of commercial finance at UK Finance, said: “2021 was another rollercoaster year for SMEs, right to the end. Encouragingly, we have seen the economy recover back to pre-pandemic levels, though some sectors still have a way to go to close the gap.

“Despite the ups and downs of the past year, SMEs’ approach to financial management has been steady. Demand for additional loan finance has stabilised closer to levels seen prior to the pandemic and the value of new lending held up in the final months of 2021. There are signs that alternative forms of finance, such as invoice finance and asset-based lending, have turned a corner in terms of increased demand.

“A good degree of financial flexibility remains. SMEs continue to be able to draw on significant accumulated deposits and have access to unutilised arranged facilities, such as overdrafts, invoice finance and asset-based lending. Meanwhile repayment of the additional finance accessed during the pandemic continues.

“While SMEs will be hoping for more stability this year, a number of challenges will linger, and the finance industry is conscious that these can affect sectors differently. Finance solutions are there for SMEs looking to restart investment plans, boost their working capital or fill a gap if the recovery hits another bump in the road.”

By Stephen Farrell

Source: Insider Media

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Ways to fund your small business

The UK was home to 5.5 million small businesses in the private sector at the start of 2021. To be successful, businesses need to grow and make money. But funds are needed to be able to increase profitability and this can prove difficult, especially in a volatile economy.

There are a few ways small business owners can raise funds but not everyone is aware of this. If you’re just starting out or you need a bit extra to cover expenses, there are options available.

The amount you can borrow or what someone is willing to invest will depend on a number of factors including the size of your business, how much it’s worth, how long you’ve been trading and profitability.

We’ll take a look at some of the most popular ways to raise funds and help launch or grow your business.

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Personal money

If you have the funds, there’s no reason why you can’t use your own money to assist your business. There are a few options with this. Investing in share capital can increase assets but also means your money will probably be tied up for a certain length of time. You can also choose to lend your business money and have it paid back once your company can afford it.

Using personal money is a popular option with small start-ups but some business owners might not be too keen on the risk involved.

Loans for small businesses

Many small business owners choose to take out a loan. A secured business loan means businesses can borrow more money, using assets or personal property as collateral. An unsecured loan means the amount you can borrow will be less and only a guarantor is usually needed.

It’s worth weighing up the pros and cons of securing a loan against personal assets before taking one out.

Angel investors

These are usually wealthy individuals who invest in small businesses in exchange for shares or other assets. This type of investment can help a business grow and offer a good return. The downside to this is that they are quite difficult to find, although there are networking opportunities for businesses across the UK to help put business owners and investors in touch.

A big advantage, however, is that they are generally experienced individuals who can offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help your business succeed.

Venture capitalists

These are companies that deal in larger amounts of funding and are often used by high-growth start-ups. Businesses wishing to secure venture capitalist funding need to have a robust strategy and plan and the ability to outweigh their competition.

Government options

There is help available in the form of government-backed finance options including start-up loans and grants, depending on the size and nature of your business, so it’s worth checking to see if you’re eligible for any support.

Whichever route you choose to go down, always consider your own circumstances and the amount of risk you’re willing to take.

Source: Lincolnshire Today

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40% of UK small businesses planning to hire new employees before the end of March

Britain’s economy saw its fastest annual growth rate on record in 2021 – rising by 7.5% throughout the year. This comes after businesses throughout the UK showed great resolve by adapting to restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic.

This is according to a new report from leading private equity house IW Capital, which analysed the small business sector throughout 2022.

According to the report, one of the most impressive sectors in the UK business scene is the small business sector. SMEs throughout the UK saw impressive growth throughout 2021 and have continued this momentum into 2022 with 56.2% of SMEs reporting a rise in earnings in the last quarter of 2021 versus the same period of 2020.

The small business eco-system is also predicted to be a ‘boom’ sector throughout 2022 for UK business with UK SMEs looking to drive employment and investment numbers with 58% of SMEs predicting an increase in revenue this quarter compared to last year.

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After a promising start to the year, 40% of UK small and medium-sized businesses are planning to hire, on average, six new employees before the end of March as they look to continue to grow and progress their company.

SME investing represents an exciting opportunity for UK investors, providing them with tax benefits and a realistic chance to maximise their returns. In 2021, there were a record 319,000 new businesses registered in the UK, with the number of small businesses in the UK now standing at 5.5 million, with recent research showing that two-thirds of the UK workforce want to start their own company. This shows a continued desire, caused by the pandemic, for individuals to start a business of their own in the UK.

With 16% of UK investors looking to back start-ups and newly formed businesses, it also seems they will be given a platform to continue the success and progression of their companies throughout 2022.

Luke Davis, CEO of IW Capital discusses the report’s findings: “The UK small business sector is in an exciting time. SMEs have worked so hard throughout the last year, not just to survive but to prosper, and with restrictions ending, the small business sector looks set to revel in the opportunity to grow their businesses significantly throughout 2022.

“SMEs are set to drive employment and investing throughout 2022 – with nearly half of UK SMEs looking to hire new employees after a promising start to 2022 and UK investors ready to back start-ups and newly formed businesses, SMEs are ready to make 2022 an impressive year and grow as much as possible throughout the year.

“The EIS could also be an important trend throughout 2022. The EIS can be said to offer a win-win situation for both investors and small businesses – providing SMEs with much-needed investment to provide them with a platform to grow, whilst providing investors with tax reliefs to incentivise this investment. Small businesses and SMEs throughout the UK have benefitted enormously from the EIS in the last 25 years, fuelling growth and job creation at an impressive scale.”

By James Cook

Source: Business Leader

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Secured Business Loan Case Study

The Client:

The client is a payroll services business seeking £250,000 – £350,000 of working capital to facilitate ongoing growth of their business. The client wanted to be able to have a facility that would allow them to grow the business over a 3 year period to invest in marketing, new staff and upgrading their office to accommodate the increased demand for their business. The client had no business assets so to speak, however they did have assets in the background that could be used as security to strengthen the case.

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The Solution:

As the client was looking for a large loan, it was important to ascertain what assets were available to be used as security and also understand what the turnover level was for the client. The client’s business had shown positive growth over the last 3 years, evidencing a high level of turnover and sufficient amount of net profit which was favourable for the Lenders.

The client had enough equity in two properties in the background to place an equitable charge over both of them.

We were able to secure the customer 2 finance offers:

a) Either an unsecured loan option of £150,000 initially, or

b) £217,000 if using the two properties in the background as security.

Although the business could support a higher loan amount, since the business had just one sole Director, the preferred Lender caps their loan sizes due to their only being one Personal Guarantee.

Whilst the initial loan was not as high as initially hoped, however the selected Lender provides flexibility – i.e. so long as the client maintains regular repayments over a 3-6 month period, then the Lender can offer further “top-up loans” to allow the loan to grow alongside the business. These funds will allow the company to grow as per their 3 year plan and subsequently, with the option of the top-up loan, provide a suitable longer term facility to support the business as it expands.

In terms of timescales, from the initial submission of the application to the lender, it took just 9 working days for the funds to be released to the client, who was delighted with the excellent terms we secured for their business.

Key Points to Consider:

As a general rule, if the client has assets or is a Homeowner, financial providers can often lend between 15% – 25% of the business turnover.

Please keep in mind that these are only broad guidelines. Each case is looked at individually and treated on its own merits.

Summary

For full details on the types of Business Loans available please visit our Business Loans page.

To know more and speak to one of our Business Finance Brokers for a FREE Quotation and Advice, call us now on 03303 112 646. You can also fill in this short online form to get started. Our team of Business Finance Brokers will get back to you straight away.

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London small business investment surges past £10bn in 2021

Equity investment in to London’s smaller firms surged past £10bn in the first three quarter of 2021 as investors looked to capitalise on the economic recovery of businesses in the capital, fresh data has revealed.

Cash pumped into smaller firms in London jumped 152 per cent in the first nine months of the financial year, surpassing the £5.8bn seen across the whole of 2020, according to figures from the state-owned British Business Bank (BBB).

London dominated the funding landscape across the UK, with smaller businesses in London attracting 70 per cent of total investment.

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Steve Conibear, the British Business Bank’s South and East of England network director, said investment still had a key role to play in driving recovery.

“In London, we’ve seen record growth of equity investment and through our programmes, the British Business Bank will continue to support the capital’s smaller businesses by improving access and options to secure external finance,” he said.

The UK in general also recorded an uptick in investment in the first three quarters of 2021, with £14bn invested over the same period, a 130 per cent increase on 2020 levels.

UK debt markets are also returning to pre pandemic levels, the BBB found, with soaring debt levels beginning to settle and debt repayments taking up less of business lending.

Challenger and specialist banks like Starling and Monzo snapped up a record share of half of the bank lending market with 51 per cent, up from 32 per cent in 2020.

The report found that access to finance remains an issue for ethnic minority-led businesses, however, despite being more open to using finance for business growth.

Half of Ethnic Minority-led businesses are open to using finance for growth compared to a 32 per cent of white-led businesses.

By CHARLIE CONCHIE

Source: City AM

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How To Find The Best Business Loan

Whether you’re planning to expand your business with new premises or equipment or to invest in recruitment or marketing, you may be considering taking out a business loan.

To help you decide whether a business loan is the right finance option for you, here we take a look at what they are, what you’ll need to apply for one, and the alternatives, as well as answering some common questions about business loans.

What is a business loan?

A business loan is a form of borrowing for commercial businesses rather than individuals. Some may be more suitable for start-up businesses while others may only be suitable for businesses with a certain number of years of filed accounts.

You’ll usually repay the amount you borrow in monthly instalments over an agreed period of time, with interest on top. Typically, business loans are for amounts from around £1,000 up to potentially millions.

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Are business loans secured?

Business loans can be secured or unsecured. A secured loan is one that is linked to an asset, such as property, vehicles or stock. This means that if you can’t make payments, the lender may take your asset to pay for the loan. 

As there is less risk to the lender, secured loans are usually for higher amounts and interest rates are usually lower.

Unsecured loans don’t require an asset as security so tend to be for smaller sums and come with higher interest rates. Unsecured loans may be more suitable for small businesses without large assets. 

Some lenders will ask for a personal guarantee from a company director for an unsecured loan.

What types of business loan are there?

Some of the most common types of business loans include:

Bank loan

With a bank business loan, you’ll borrow a set amount of cash from a bank or building society over an agreed period of time, with interest.

Government-backed Start Up Loan

This is an unsecured personal loan backed by the government to start or grow your business. To apply for this type of loan, you must live in the UK, be over the age of 18 and have (or plan to start) a UK-based business that’s been fully trading for less than 24 months.

Start Up Loans have a fixed interest rate of 6%, are for amounts of from £500 to £25,000, and you can repay the loan over a period of one to five years.

Short-term business loan

Short-term business loans are aimed at commercial organisations which want to borrow for a few months, rather than years, and don’t want to be tied into lengthy repayments. They can be over a period of weeks or months. However, they tend to charge higher interest rates than other loans so make sure you know what these are.

Peer-to-peer business loan

With a peer-to-peer loan (or a P2P), you’ll borrow money from private investors rather than a bank. You will usually be matched to these investors through an online platform. You may need to pay a fee to arrange the loan, so pay careful attention to any fees, charges and interest rates before committing.

Cash advance

A cash advance business loan (also known as merchant cash advance) allows you to borrow money against your business’ future credit or debit card sales. The amount you repay monthly will be based on a pre-agreed percentage of your card sales, so you’ll pay more when your business is doing well and less when it’s not.

Invoice finance

This is when a lender uses your unpaid invoices as security to lend to you. There are two main types of invoice financing:

  • invoice factoring – you’ll be able to borrow a percentage of the value of your invoices and the lender will collect payment direct from your customers. The lender will then take its costs and you’ll be paid the remaining balance.
  • invoice discounting – this allows you to borrow against the value of your invoices, but you’ll collect money from your customers and then pay your agreed fee.

How do you decide which type of business loan to apply for?

When considering taking out a business loan and deciding which type to apply for, you’ll need to think about:

  • how much money you want to borrow
  • which loans are suitable for your business type – some loans such as Start Up Loans are only suitable for new businesses, while cash advance business loans are only suitable for businesses that generate a certain amount of revenue via card payments
  • how much you can afford to pay back each month, taking the interest rate into account
  • the length of time you’d like to take the loan out for. While it may be tempting to take a loan out over a longer length of time, you may end up paying more overall in interest
  • comparing the fees and charges with each loan you are considering.

It’s important to compare your options and to shop around before committing to an option or lender, looking at the overall costs of borrowing.

What do I need to apply for a business loan?

Before you apply for a business loan, you’ll need to be clear about:

  • the amount you’d like to borrow
  • what you are borrowing the money for
  • how much you can afford to repay each month
  • how long you’ll need to repay the loan.

As with other types of loans, your business’ credit rating is likely to be checked, with more competitive loan terms generally being offered for those with a good credit score.

Some ways to improve your business’ credit score include:

  • checking your credit report and disputing any errors
  • paying bills on time
  • if you’re a limited company, filing full, rather than abbreviated, accounts to Companies House
  • making sure you have enough money in your account to cover any planned payments
  • only applying for credit when you need it. Making lots of applications suggests you are struggling financially. You could ask for a quote instead
  • keeping all of your information, such as your business address, up-to-date. Notify suppliers, as well as Companies House, of any changes
  • avoiding county court judgements (CCJ) as these are recorded on your credit report.

You may also be asked for copies of your business accounts, bank statements, details of profits and loss, tax returns, a business plan and proof of address and IDs of company directors.

Once you have gathered your documentation and have decided on the type of business loan most suitable for you, you can shop around then apply.

What should I consider when comparing business loans?

When comparing loans, some important elements to check are:

  • whether you are eligible for the loan you are considering. Always check the lender’s requirements carefully before applying
  • what the interest rates are for the loan and whether they are fixed or variable. It’s worth remembering that Representative APR means that the rate, or lower, is offered to at least 51% of applicants, so 49% of applicants will likely be offered a higher rate
  • whether your loan provider offers a repayment holiday (a few months off paying). However, taking a break from paying will mean that it will take you longer overall to pay off the loan and you’ll pay more in interest in the long run
  • whether there’s an early repayment charge on the loan.

What are the alternatives to taking out a business loan?

If you don’t think that a business loan is for you, there are other options including:

  • Business credit cards – if you are looking to borrow smaller sums, a business credit card may be suitable. You may benefit from an interest-free period on your purchases. However, always pay your balance off each month to avoid paying interest charges or fees and check what the card’s annual fee and interest rates are after any 0% period.
  • Crowdfunding – this allows you to raise investment, often by pitching your business idea online, in exchange for rewards for the investors you attract. You could sell a stake of your business through equity crowdfunding or offer a reward such as free products or tickets through reward crowdfunding.
  • Overdrafts – your business account may have an overdraft which is either interest free or a low APR. This is usually only suitable for small amounts, though, and you’ll need to check the terms of your overdraft and stick to them.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I miss a payment on a business loan or can’t pay it back?

If you miss a payment, you’ll have to make up the missing amount as soon as possible. You’ll probably have to pay a late payment fee and extra interest and may have to pay an administration fee too, depending on the terms and conditions of your loan. If you’ve taken out a secured loan, your assets may be seized if you default on the loan completely.

Defaulting on your loan can affect your credit score and how likely you are to be able to take business finance out in the future. The timeframe for defaulting will be detailed in your loan contract so read this carefully. If you can’t pay back your loan, the lender may take legal action to reclaim it.

Do I need to have a business account to take out a business loan?

This will depend on the type of loan you choose and who you want to borrow the money from. If you borrow from your bank, it may be more straightforward as it will know your business history – but always shop around to make sure it’s a competitive way to borrow.

Can I take out a business loan if I have a poor credit rating?

You may be able to take out certain business loans with a poor credit rating, but you are likely to be offered higher interest rates and more checks may be done on your business. You may be more likely to be approved for a secured loan than an unsecured one.

How long will it take to get a business loan?

The length of time it takes your loan to go through will depend on a number of factors such as the type of loan you are applying for, the documentation you can provide, the amount you are borrowing and whether you are applying for a secured or unsecured loan. 

With a secured loan, as an example, you will need to allow time for your assets to be valued.

By Cathy Toogood

Source: Forbes

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Recovery on track as more UK business sectors see output grow

The number of UK business sectors reporting output growth rose last month as supply conditions improved, according to a new report.

However, firms continued to face “significant” cost inflation, which translated into a record uptick in selling prices among service sector businesses, the latest Bank of Scotland (BoS) UK Recovery Tracker reveals.

The number of UK sectors reporting output growth increased in January to 11 out of 14 – up from ten in December, and the highest number since last October.

UK chemicals manufacturers registered the fastest output growth of any sector monitored, due to a solid increase in new orders, after contracting in December. Fewer supplier delays helped automotive manufacturers’ output increase at the fastest rate in seven months.

But concern over the Omicron variant and Plan B restrictions, which remained in place for the majority of January in England, hampered activity for consumer-facing businesses.

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Jeavon Lolay, head of economics and market insight at BoS parent Lloyds’ commercial banking division, said: “An increase in the number of sectors reporting output growth in January is good news to start the year.

“While consumer-facing service businesses have borne the brunt of Covid-19, high-frequency data show activity here also rebounding after restrictions were eased last month.

“If it goes ahead, the announcement that all Covid regulations could be abolished earlier than planned in England in the coming weeks should also translate into stronger consumer demand as the post-pandemic recovery further normalises.

“Sharp focus will also be on how the divergent inflationary trends revealed in our report unfold in the months ahead.”

By Scott Reid

Source: The Scotsman

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Record Number of Young People are Looking to Start their Own Business

As confidence in the UK economy grows, a record number of the country’s young people are looking to start their own business a major new poll shows.

The Yonder poll of over 4,000 British adults shows one-in-three (32 percent) Gen Zs (18 – 24 year-olds) in the UK plan to set up a business in the future.

The result shows a marked increase from last year, when only two-in-ten (23 percent) of Gen Zs considered launching their own business.

The poll also shows millennials (aged 25 – 34) are most likely to set up a business in 2022, with 12 percent aiming to do so, while one-in-ten (11 percent) of Gen Zs intend to start a business this year.

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This budding entrepreneurialism follows news that the UK GDP grew by 0.9 percent in November 2021 – 0.7 percent larger than it was before March 2020 and the first lockdown.

Positivity around the UK economy is having the greatest impact on the UK youth demographic with 32 percent of Britons aged 18 – 24 and 27 percent of millennials wanting to start their own business.

This eclipses other age groups, where on average only 8 percent plan on becoming their own boss.

The poll also shows Gen Zs to be most positive about their future incomes, with 36 percent believing their pay is going to increase in 2022. This is compared to an average of 24 percent in other age demographics.

The poll, carried out on behalf of Mushroombiz, also found an equal number of men and women (7 percent) plan to start a business in 2022.

This differs from the same poll last year, which showed twice as many men as women planned to start a business in 2021.

Respondents also showed a 5 percent growth in confidence in the UK economy from last year, with 22 percent of Britons optimistic about the UK’s economic prospects over the next 12 months, compared to only 17 percent the year before.

The poll comes ahead of Mushroombiz’s annual conference on the future of UK businesses.

Business leaders believe the poll shows encouraging signs for the future, and while Covid-19 may have rocked the global economy, it has not deterred young people from wanting to pursue new ventures.

Source: Business News Wales

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Recovery loans of up to £10m available to businesses requiring support

Government-backed loans of up to £10 million are to be made available for companies that need support until the end of the year.

As announced in the Budget last month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has opened the Treasury’s Recovery Loan Scheme to tide businesses over, with past Covid-19 lending schemes due to run out.

From Tuesday April 6, the new finance initiative will replace the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS), the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and its larger sibling CLBILS.

As we safely reopen parts of our economy, our new Recovery Loan Scheme will ensure that businesses continue to have access to the finance they need as we move out of this crisis

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor

The Treasury has promised to cover 80% of what banks lend if businesses do not pay back their loans.

Mr Sunak said: “We have stopped at nothing to protect jobs and livelihoods throughout the pandemic and as the situation has evolved we have ensured that our support continues to meet businesses’ needs.

“As we safely reopen parts of our economy, our new Recovery Loan Scheme will ensure that businesses continue to have access to the finance they need as we move out of this crisis.”

Businesses will be able to access loans varying in size from £25,001, up to a maximum of £10 million.

Invoice and asset finance will be available from £1,000, according to the Treasury.

To find out more about how we can assist you with your Business Loan requirements, please click here to get in touch

The new scheme, which runs until December 31, has the same Government guarantee as the CBILS and CLBILS, but is less generous than the 100% guarantee for the BBLS.

It will be administered by the British Business Bank, with loans available through a “diverse network of accredited commercial lenders”, officials said.

Businesses will be able to loan up to £10 million through the new recovery scheme (Victoria Jones/PA)
Interest rates have been capped at 14.99% and ministers are urging lenders to ensure they keep rates down in a bid to ensure business owners pay less than the ceiling figure.

The Recovery Loan Scheme is permitted for use as an additional loan on top of support received from the emergency schemes put into place last year.

Bounce back loans were first unveiled in late April last year and became available to businesses just days later in early May.

With the higher guarantee, and less rigorous controls from lenders, the bounce back loans have proven by far the most popular of the three schemes, both in terms of the number of loans granted and the total amount lent.

By February 21, more than 1.5 million businesses had been lent £45.6 billion in total, with another half a million having applied.

The BBLS was intended to quickly funnel cash from banks to small businesses, up to £50,000 each. The Government gave a 100% guarantee on the loans to ensure banks were not reluctant to lend.

The BBLS, CBILS, CLBILS and the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility have between them provided tens of billions of pounds in loans to UK businesses.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “We’re doing everything we can to back businesses as we carefully reopen our economy and recover our way of life.

“The launch of our new Recovery Loan Scheme will provide businesses with a firm foundation on which to plan ahead, protect jobs and prepare for a safe reopening as we build back better from the pandemic.”

Source: Express & Star