Important COVID-19 Information

The following information may help

The Chancellor's statement can be found at GOV.UK.

Updated guidance for employers, businesses and employees is available at:

COVID-19: support for businesses

COVID-19: guidance for employees

 

We can confirm that the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) opens for applications today 23.03.2020 and supports a wide range of business finance products, including term loans, overdrafts, invoice finance and asset finance facilities and can provide facilities of up to £5m for smaller businesses across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow.

The CBILS website is the best source of up to date information, but for your ease of reference I am attaching the following documents which contain all the key details:

1. FAQs for SMEs

2. Eligibility Checker

3. CBILS infographic

 

CBILS: KEY FEATURES

Up to £5m facility:

The maximum value of a facility provided under the scheme will be £5m, available on repayment terms of up to six years.

80% guarantee:

The scheme provides the lender with a government-backed, partial guarantee (80%) against the outstanding facility balance, subject to an overall cap per lender.

No guarantee fee for SMEs to access the scheme:

No fee for smaller businesses. Lenders will pay a fee to access the scheme.

Interest and fees paid by Government for 12 months:

The Government will make a Business Interruption Payment to cover the first 12 months of interest payments and any lender-levied fees, so smaller businesses will benefit from no upfront costs and lower initial repayments.

Finance terms:

Finance terms are up to six years for term loans and asset finance facilities. For overdrafts and invoice finance facilities, terms will be up to three years.

Security:

At the discretion of the lender, the scheme may be used for unsecured lending for facilities of £250,000 and under. For facilities above £250,000, the lender must establish a lack or absence of security prior to businesses using CBILS. If the lender can offer finance on normal commercial terms without the need to make use of the scheme, they will do so.

The borrower always remains 100% liable for the debt.

 

NEXT STEPS

There is a lot of information and I would encourage you to please take the time to review the attached documents and also visit the website to make yourself familiar with the details.

Please note that any queries by SMEs in relation to their specific circumstances must be directed to their lender or one of the accredited CBILS lenders and not to the BBB.

We will continue to share information with you as and when it becomes available.