Business loans
Looking for a startup loan or a small loan for business?
We could help you to expand, invest in equipment or borrow working capital with secured and unsecured business loans.
Growth Guarantee Scheme
Helping with growth and access to finance
What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme?
Launched in July 2024 to replace the Recovery Loan Scheme, the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is designed to support access to finance for UK small businesses as you look to invest and grow.
The scheme aims to improve the borrowing terms we can offer you. The terms we offer you are subject to terms and conditions and we’ll need to do standard credit and fraud checks on anyone who applies for the scheme.
If your business meets all of the criteria, you can apply for a loan to help support you with growth and access to finance. You could borrow between £25,001 and £2 million per group for UK borrowers, or up to £1 million per group for NI borrowers.
You can find more information on the British Business Bank and Bank of England websites.
Loans up to £2 million for UK borrowers and up to £1 million for NI borrowers
If you’ve had a business relationship with us for at least the last 12 months, you can apply for a loan of between £25,001 and £2 million per group for UK borrowers, or up to £1 million per group for NI borrowers.
For loans less than £25,000, please take a look at our business loans.
If we can offer your business a commercial loan for the same amount on similar or better terms that doesn’t require the guarantee provided by the Growth Guarantee Scheme, then we will.
Growth Guarantee Scheme aims to improve the lending terms on offer to businesses. It provides lenders with a partial government-backed guarantee on loans up to £2 million per group for UK borrowers, or up to £1 million per group for NI borrowers.
The maximum amount you could borrow might be reduced if the Northern Ireland protocol applies to your business and you’re part of the agriculture and aquaculture sectors.
Flexible terms available
Spread repayments of your loan from three months to six years.
Available to businesses that have already received support
You can still apply for the Growth Guarantee Scheme if you’ve taken out a Bounce Back Loan, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan or Recovery Loan Scheme facility – as long as your business is eligible. However, this might reduce the amount you could borrow.
The UK government and British Business Bank announced that the GGS is available from July 2024.
- The government and British Business Bank announced that a new Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) will run from July 2024 until 31 March 2026. To see if the scheme is suitable for your business, get in touch with your usual relationship contact and they’ll talk you through the details.
Important information
- You’re responsible for repaying 100% of the loan. The government guarantee doesn’t reduce your liability for the whole amount of the loan. Loans are available to most business sectors, but restrictions apply1
- Loans can be used for business purposes, including managing cashflow, investment and growth. They’re designed to support businesses that can afford to take out additional finance for these purposes
- If you apply, you’ll be subject to credit and fraud checks, as well as lending assessments. Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. The checks and approach may vary between lenders
- Your business will be responsible for interest payments and any associated fees from the beginning of the process
- Security may be required, subject to application. You may be asked to provide a Personal Guarantee. Your primary residential property can’t be taken as security under the scheme
- The British Business Bank has a range of guidance and resources available to all businesses, including content on managing your cashflow and a list of independent advice services
- The help and support offered through GGS, like many UK Government-backed business support activities, is considered as a subsidy. There’s a limit to the amount you can receive from subsidies over any relevant three-year period, and any previous government incentives or subsidies you’ve received may reduce the maximum amount available to you.
- The Growth Guarantee Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. British Business Bank PLC is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA
Frequently asked questions
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The Growth Guarantee Scheme is not a grant. It gives us a guarantee so we can provide finance, but your business is still responsible for repaying 100% of the loan. The government guarantee doesn’t in any way reduce your liability for the whole amount of the loan.
- As you would be fully liable for the debt, we may request security and/or ask you to provide a personal guarantee
- ·Your primary residential property can’t be taken as security under the scheme
The government has also announced a number of other support measures that your business may be eligible for. You can find more information on www.gov.uk
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It will depend on your business circumstances and how much money you need. We’ll need to carry out a number of checks and lending assessments to qualify for the scheme.
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If your application isn’t successful, we have a range of other flexible borrowing options that may help.
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Fixed and variable interest rates will be available.
Your business will need to meet the costs of interest payments and any fees associated with the Recovery Loan Scheme loan from the beginning of the process.
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Yes, loans can be refinanced under the Growth Guarantee Scheme, subject to application and eligibility.
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Yes, if your business meets the British Business Bank scheme requirements, our lending criteria and doesn’t exceed the maximum loan amount. We’ll consider your total borrowing as part of the overall assessment.
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Not exactly. Your loan repayment will be made up of two parts: your capital repayment and your interest payment.
- Your capital repayments pay off the amount of the loan that you have borrowed, and they’ll be the same each month
- Your loan will also build interest, so each month you’ll be charged interest on the remaining capital balance – that’s the amount of money you still owe
- Because of this, the amount of interest you pay each month will go down as you repay your loan
- This means your first monthly repayment will be the highest, and the total monthly repayment amount (made up of both your loan and the interest) will be different every month
Your loan agreement will tell you exactly how much your capital repayment amount will be each month, but it doesn’t include your interest. We understand this can be confusing, so you’ll also get a letter telling you exactly what your next total repayment amount is every month – we’ll send it around 15 days before each repayment is due.
Alternative borrowing options
Business overdrafts
A flexible overdraft that moves with your business demands
An overdraft could help you deal with seasonal trends and short-term cashflow challenges. Borrow up to £50,000 unsecured – the money could be available to you in days.
Business money management
Help keep your business finances healthy
Sharpen your business money-management skills with our guides on managing cashflow.
Other funding options
Compare our business borrowing with borrowing offered by other lenders2. You can find out more about the government’s Bank Referral Scheme [PDF, 1.4MB], including eligibility information.
Funding Options
Its award-winning technology searches the market to find the right funding for your business’ situation. It’s quick, easy to use, and their team’s on hand if you need help.
Alternative Business Funding
It offers a free and easy way to find different funding options, focusing on making things simple for business owners who don’t have much time on their hands.
Funding Xchange
It shows you competing offers from lenders, to make sure you see the best terms. You’ll see quotes from up to 45 lenders, in a simple format, so you can easily compare and choose the offer that’s best for your business.
Swoop
It shows you the broad range of funding options that are available to businesses across the UK and Ireland. After assessing your needs, it matches you with the right solution from over 1000 providers.