£35bn provided to 830,000 businesses by lenders through Covid-19 loan schemes
The banking and finance industry has backed over 830,000 UK businesses through the government’s coronavirus loan schemes.
Figures published by HM Treasury today reveal that lenders have provided £34.9bn through the three major government-backed lending programmes. £3.6bn has been granted to 85,000 businesses in the past week, with more applications expected to be approved in the coming days as the industry continues to help the UK get through these tough times.
Lenders are approving thousands of Bounce Bank Loans for small and micro businesses every day. In the five weeks since the launch of the scheme, over 780,000 businesses have successfully applied – an average of 156,000 approvals by lenders each week. £23.8bn has been provided by the industry through the BBL scheme, including £2.5bn in the last seven days.
48,000 businesses have received funding through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) so far, with lenders approving £9.6bn in total.
As of 7 June, £1.6bn has been approved to 244 larger businesses via the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), with 53 firms securing finance in the past week.
These government-backed schemes are just part of the banking and finance sector’s plan to help businesses in the UK through the coronavirus crisis. This extensive support includes working capital extensions, overdraft extensions, capital repayment holidays and asset-based finance, allowing businesses to access the support that is most appropriate to their needs.
Mike Conroy, director of commercial finance, UK Finance, said:
“The banking and finance sector has a clear plan to help businesses of all sizes get through these challenging times.
“The industry acknowledges the role it must play and is providing an unprecedented level of support, with £35bn approved to 830,000 businesses through government-backed lending schemes in less than three months.
“This sits alongside the broad package of measures the industry has introduced to help businesses access the support they need, including overdraft extensions and capital repayment holidays.
“It’s important to remember that any lending provided under government-backed schemes is a debt not a grant, and so firms should carefully consider their ability to repay before applying.”
Case studies
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan
Alder Sportswear – Devon-based water sports distributor
A Devon water sports distributor, Alder Sportswear, has secured a CBILS loan from NatWest to safeguard the business and jobs. Alder Sportswear sells a range of water sports equipment from wetsuits to surfboards and traditionally has its busiest period between the months of February and May. When lockdown began in late March, the business needed support to deliver existing orders to its customers and mitigate the impact of an anticipated fall in sales. The funding will ensure the Okehampton company can pay its suppliers and deliver goods to its customers across the UK and Europe, as well as providing a buffer for the next few months as lockdown begins to ease.
Bark Engineering – Lancashire
Bark Engineering provides steel fabrication work as well as laser cutting and steel processing. The business secured a CBILS loan through Barclays, which will not only help to support their team of 20 staff, but will also enable them to fulfil big incoming enquiries such as producing ventilator boxes to support coronavirus medical efforts, that will continue to sustain the business.
Safejaws – sports brand in Walsall
SafeJaws, a sports brand with a manufacturing and retail operation based in Walsall, received a six figure loan under CBILS from HSBC to accelerate product development.
Bounce Back Loan
Cigno – coffee shop in Burntwood, Staffordshire
The independent family-run coffee shop has been provided with a Bounce Back Loan by Barclays which will help support cash flow challenges.
CECORP International – Kingsbridge
CECORP International is a sports distribution firm which specialises in eyewear. The company has secured a £26,000 Bounce Back Loan from HSBC which will help safeguard the business whilst retailers in Europe and the UK are closed.
Other lending and support
BioFuels & Oils – South Yorkshire
BioFuels & Oils supplies biofuel to power generators at NHS hospitals across the UK. The Six company received a six-figure funding package from HSBC. This will ensure the company can keep backup generators at hospitals fuelled with a sustainable alternative to diesel, avoiding any potential power and energy difficulties.
