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Business loans

There are various sources that can provide finance and loans to existing and established businesses.

Sources of business loans

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF)

Provides over £250 Million of investment to boost small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) growth in the Midlands and offers commercially focused finance through local delivery partners. Finance is available in 4-ways; small business loans £25,000-£150,000, debt finance £100 to £1.5 Million, proof-of-concept up to £750,000, and equity finance funds £50,000 to £2 Million.

The Recovery Loan Scheme

The Recovery Loan Scheme has been extended again and will now be available until 2024. Loans, overdrafts, asset finance and invoice finance facilities from £1,000 to £10 Million are provided by the British Bank to help businesses affected by COVID-19. Finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose, including managing cash flow, investment and growth. You can apply for this even if you have already taken part with BBLS, CLBILS, CBILS.

One Stop Business Finance

Provide secured loans for SMEs for all types of business funding requirements when the banks can’t help. They are particularly strong with businesses that are in a period of growth or are in the process of turning the business around from adverse effects, whether it’s working capital, bridging, development, or business acquisitions. They will work with businesses helping them to find the right solution as quickly as possible.

The FSE Group

Provide funding solutions to support established SMEs with revenue streams more than £100,000. Minimum £100,000 loans are available; repayment periods are between 1 to 5 years.

First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans

Offer a range of funding opportunities for businesses with finance between £500 and £250,000 for start-up and existing businesses looking to grow. These funds are all designed to ‘plug gaps’ in High-Street lending and are backed by the Government to help businesses and individuals who might not otherwise be able to access business finance. First Enterprise also provide loans from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund Small Business Loans fund. They are also a delivery partner for Big Society Capital’s Community Investment Enterprise Facility fund which is aimed at providing finance to those businesses in communities which need it most.

NatWest Rapid Cash

Designed for SMEs, NatWest Rapid Cash is an innovative and hi-tech financing solution that allows businesses to borrow against unpaid invoices and get a flexible line of credit from £25,000 to £1 Million. Rapid Cash could lend up to 90% of the value of unpaid invoices, allowing businesses to maintain a healthy cash flow.

To be eligible for Rapid Cash you must meet the following criteria:

  • Trading for more than 6 months.
  • An annual business turnover of at least £100,000
  • Either a Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership in England or Wales
  • Have an eligible accounting package
  • Invoice your customers on credit terms for goods or services you've provided.

Funding Options

Established in 2011 to transform the business finance market. With a panel of 120+ lender partners, they have helped more than 10,000 businesses get the finance they need, quickly and easily. Funding Options is also one of the winners in Nesta’s Open Up Challenge for Open Banking and has been designated by HM Treasury for the bank referral scheme, to help UK SMEs find alternative finance when they're unsuccessful with the major banks.

Website: Funding Options