SMEs face sustainable finance barriers
The Lending Standards Board (LSB), the self-regulatory body for banks and lenders, is urging financial services firms to feed-in on how its protection Standards for business customers can help drive sustainability in financial services – while providing good outcomes for customers.
The LSB has published a report examining the provision of green finance products for SMEs, finding that while demand for, and interest in, these products is growing, many smaller businesses still face barriers accessing sustainable financial products.
This was reflected in relatively low take up: the LSB identified around 15 products currently being offered to SMEs specifically for green purposes by its registered firms. The number of customers accessing these products ranges across firms and product types from zero to 500. Green loans were the most common product offered, most of which were aimed at SMEs looking to make efficiency improvements to their premises or travel arrangements (for example, electric vehicle purchases).
Separate research from the British Business Bank (BBB) found that around half of SMEs are open to improving their environmental impact. But while 47% of SMEs are open to reducing their environmental impact and 22% are prepared to use finance to invest in changes, they are put off by factors like cost, capacity, and uncertainty over the lack of information on the green finance options available.
The LSB also noted that SMEs have been hit by an onslaught of negative economic events over the past two years, meaning that business-as-usual and how to cope with rising costs was sucking up bandwidth. Perceived complexity was also a major factor putting businesses off.
Emma Lovell, chief executive of the LSB, commented that the low take up of green finance products amongst SMEs was an opportunity for banks and lenders to step up awareness and support.
“As the drive to transition to net zero continues to intensify, firms should be considering, across all finance products, how they can help customers to achieve their green objectives, whilst balancing the effects of the wider landscape. For customers looking to borrow or use finance to make changes that are positive for the environment, firms should be understanding how their products – whether they are labelled as green or sustainable, or not – can support the SME’s objectives.”
The LSB’s report also observed that most action on the regulatory front had so far been focused on disclosure requirements for large businesses, as well as the labelling of investment products: “However, the direction of travel is clear, and the wider financial services sector needs to consider how products and services are being used to support green or sustainable initiatives,” the report reads.
“In turn, this is leading both firms and SMEs to take additional steps to improve their understanding of their environmental impact and how the products they offer, or use, impact on the environment.”
A review of the Standards of Lending Practice for business customers (‘the Standards’) is currently underway, and will put the issue of green finance for SMEs under consideration for registered firms and the wider industry. The consultation will also explore how the Standards can further emphasise the expectations on firms in relation to inclusion and support for business customers in financial difficulty; as well as whether the Standards require further development regarding the digital channels used by firms to offer products to, and engage with, business customers.
The LSB highlighted that while the Standards do not yet make specific reference to green products, if the product being provided would otherwise fall within scope of the Standards, the relevant requirements apply.
The LSB is welcoming responses to the issues raised in the consultation, and any related feedback, by 10 August 2023. Please send responses and any supporting information to businessstandards@lstdb.org.uk.
