The ENABLE Guarantee programme aims to increase the availability of finance to SMEs
How it works
British Business Bank provide a guarantee to bank and non-bank lenders.
The British Business Bank operate the ENABLE Guarantee programme on behalf of the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
The guarantee covers a portion of losses on a portfolio of debt finance facilities. Delivery Partners pay a fee for using the programme.
Banks
For banks, the guarantee frees up regulatory capital that can be used to increase lending.
Non-banks
For non-banks, the guarantee improves access to more efficient senior funding.
Bank and non-bank lenders provide additional finance to SMEs.
Delivery Partners use the benefit of the guarantee to increase lending to SMEs.
This additional lending capacity can be put towards doing more of the same or allow lenders to expand into new products and markets.
It may also be used to reduce the cost of borrowing for SMEs or help finance the transition to net zero.
More of the same
New products or markets
Reduced rates for borrowers
Lending to support transition to net zero
If you are a prospective Delivery Partner, you can apply for the scheme by following the Request for Proposals.
SMEs use the finance to survive and grow
The increased availability of finance results in finance reaching SMEs that may not otherwise have done so, ultimately supporting them to invest, grow and create jobs in the UK.
SMEs should apply to lenders as usual.
They cannot apply for the programme.
Current delivery partners
Impact to date
Over £3.9 billion
finance provided since 2017 (as at September 2024)
Over 2,900
SMEs supported since 2017 (as at September 2024)
Disclaimer: British Business Financial Services Ltd (BBFSL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc. This ENABLE Guarantee programme is funded and delivered by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade acting through its agent which is BBFSL. BBFSL carries out administrative and operational assistance to HM Government and, for the avoidance of doubt, does not provide any investment services or perform any investment activities on a professional basis.
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