The British Business Bank has announced the Growth Guarantee Scheme, which aims to help smaller businesses access the growth capital. The program is the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme, which was published today.
The Bank said the program is expected to support around 11,000 smaller businesses between 1 July 2024 and 31 March 2026.
As part of the plan, the Bank states that it has accredited 41 lenders for the Scheme. As of today, 20 of these lenders are listed on the British Business Bank website. Further lenders are said to be going through the accreditation process and will be accredited over the coming weeks.
The details of the lending plan are described as remaining largely unchanged from its predecessor.
The terms of the lending include:
- Up to £2m per business group: The minimum and maximum amount of the facility varies according to the business’s circumstances and the type of facility. Maximum facility sizes are up to £2m per business. Minimum facility sizes start at £1,000 for asset finance, invoice finance, and asset-based lending, and £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts.
- The Growth Guarantee Scheme supports term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance, and asset-based lending facilities. Not all lenders will be able to offer all products
- Term length: Term loans and asset finance facilities are available from three months up to six years, with overdrafts, invoice finance, and asset-based lending available from three months up to three years
- Access to multiple schemes: Businesses that took out a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) or a Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) facility before 30 June 2024 are not prevented from accessing the Growth Guarantee Scheme, but borrowing under these schemes may reduce the maximum amount the borrower is eligible for
- Pricing: Interest rates and fees charged by lenders will vary and will depend on the specific lending proposal. The lender’s pricing will take into account the benefit of the Government guarantee
- Personal Guarantees: Personal guarantees can be taken at the lender’s discretion, in line with their normal commercial lending practices. Principal Private Residences cannot be taken as security within the scheme
- Guarantee is to the lender: The scheme provides the lender with a 70% government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility after it has completed its normal recovery process. The borrower always remains 100% liable for the debt.
- Decision-making delegated to the lender: Growth Guarantee Scheme-backed facilities are provided at the discretion of the lender. Lenders are required to undertake their standard credit and fraud checks for all applicants.
