Request for Proposals under the Community ENABLE Funding Programme

1.3 Objectives of the Programme

The Programme aims to support lending to SMEs and increase supply through CDFIs and not for profit lenders.

The key objectives of the Programme are to ensure:

• the provision of finance to:
  • SMEs excluded or declined by mainstream lenders;
  • Ethnic minority or female-led businesses; and
  • SMEs located in deprived areas;
• an increase in the Finance Provider’s credit activities to SMEs;
• an increase in lending which otherwise would not have occurred via mainstream lenders.

Proposals that deliver against more than one of BBB’s strategic objectives will be viewed favourably.

This Request for Proposals relates to transactions for the initial phase of the Programme and is open to all eligible applicants. We consider applications on a “first come first served” basis. However, preference will be given to those eligible applicants who submit proposals involving portfolio amounts of at least £3.5m.  Future phases of the Programme will be subject to a separate approvals process. The timings and scale of any subsequent phase of the programme will be determined by us in our sole discretion in conjunction with DBT.

2. Process for the Community ENABLE Funding Programme

2.1 Eligible applicants

The Programme is open to UK CDFIs and not for profit lenders which lend or intend to lend to viable small and medium enterprises operating in the UK. Eligible enterprises are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises with a turnover not exceeding £45m per annum and generating more than 50% of their trading activity in the UK ^{Read footnote text 2}  that require funding to support trading or commercial activity in the UK. Businesses operating in the UK are to be defined as those with undertakings that make a material contribution to economic activity in the UK, including UK incorporated companies and branches of foreign incorporated parents with a genuine business in the UK. Applicants must be accredited, or in the process of applying for accreditation, under the Growth Guarantee Scheme.

2.2  Application process

BBFSL welcomes proposals from any applicant that is able to meet the objectives of the Programme and the criteria set out in this Request for Proposals, and able to comply with the application process detailed below. BBFSL adopt a risk- and judgment-based approach to appraising expressions of interest and subsequent applications; accordingly, expressions of interest and applications may be rejected at any stage of the process at BBFSL’s sole discretion. Applicants unsuccessful at any stage of the application process will be advised of this by the Programme team.

• Expression of Interest: Applicants are encouraged to make contact with us at the earliest opportunity by email to [email protected] to express an interest in the Programme.
• Initial Meeting: If we believe there is potential for us to work together, we will invite applicants to have an initial meeting with us. At this meeting we will provide information schedules which will require completion if the applicant wishes to proceed to make an SME Finance Proposal. 
• SME Finance Proposal: After the Initial Meeting applicants may submit an “SME Finance Proposal” within an agreed timeframe, outlining how the proposal meets the criteria set out in this document and also completing the information schedules provided during the Initial Meeting or by written correspondence.
• Management Presentation: Following the receipt of a satisfactory SME Finance Proposal, we will expect to meet with the applicant including selected members of its SME lending management team to discuss the proposal and the applicant’s operations. We will endeavour to set this up promptly on receipt of a satisfactory SME Finance Proposal.
• Eligible Participant selection: After the Management Presentation we will decide whether to select the applicant as a potential counterparty for the initial phase of the Programme and proceed to the operational review and negotiation stage. In order to make this decision we may ask the applicant additional questions after the Management Presentation. 
• Operational review, negotiations and award: Successful applicants will proceed to operational review. The operational review will focus on formally assessing the applicant’s business, its origination practices and track record and proposed new lending. Any information provided by an applicant will need to be satisfactorily validated by us at the end of this stage. Upon a satisfactory operational review structural aspects of the proposed transaction will be negotiated and portfolio criteria determined. Any award will be made subject to a final operational review, approvals ^{Read footnote text 3}   and legal completion (an “Award”).
• Approvals, closing and portfolio ramp-up: We will then proceed with approvals, agreement of final terms and completion of legal documentation. If applicants are successful at this stage, initial phase funding will be committed by us to be used by applicants according to an agreed portfolio ramp-up schedule.
   

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, not to make any Awards should the quality of proposals not meet the objectives of the Programme or the criteria set out in this document (both as determined in the Programme team’s opinion) or if such proposals do not demonstrate sufficient economic value.

BBFSL will make reasonable endeavours to respond promptly to applicants at each stage of the application process. BBFSL reserves the right to change the order of the application process in respect of an applicant from time to time.

2.3 Delivery of SME Finance Proposals

Expressions of Interest and SME Finance Proposals should be submitted by email and in portable document format (‘PDF’) to [email protected]. Any accompanying spread sheets should be compatible with Microsoft Excel.

3. Origination criteria

The paragraphs below detail the criteria against which proposals will be assessed. SME Finance Proposals should seek to address each of these criteria and meet the Objectives of the Programme (paragraph 1.3) as closely as possible. Where any requested information is unavailable, or cannot be disclosed, applicants should make this clear in their proposal.

3.1 Origination Strategy

The applicants’ origination must be based on the provision of finance to underserved SMEs. Also, the extent to which the new lending will not just displace or substitute existing sources of finance available to SMEs will be a determinant in the selection process. Proposals will be viewed favourably if they aim to achieve more than one of BBB’s strategic objectives.

The following exposures will not be eligible for inclusion into the Programme:

• exposures to SME borrowers in financial difficulty;
• exposures to SME borrowers located permanently outside the UK;

Proposals involving the acquisition of secondary debt instruments (on a portfolio or single instrument basis) will not be considered.

3.2 Origination Levels

The SME Finance Proposal should specify the proposed maximum notional portfolio size to be covered by the Programme, including information on what percentage increase relative to the applicant’s existing SME annual credit origination this amount would constitute. Proposals should detail the number of borrowers that are expected to be supported by the Programme.

Applicants must evidence their ability to ramp up to a maximum notional portfolio of a size specified in the proposal within 24 months following closing and an ability to commence the origination of that portfolio by no later than one month after closing. Proposals will be viewed favourably if they can demonstrate a ramp-up period of less than 24 months.

We will consider proposals for portfolio amounts of less than £3.5m across at least 100 loans, but applicants whose proposals involve portfolio amounts of less than £3.5m or with less than 100 loans should demonstrate a reasonable time frame to reach our preferred minimum portfolio size.

3.3 Origination Standards

The SME Finance Proposal should provide details of the origination practice, including but not limited to:

• track-record of ability and channels to originate debt finance to SMEs;
• availability of historic SME portfolio performance data such as vintage loss and default curves;
• information regarding internal risk assessment;
• origination, portfolio and asset management procedures, including those related to fraud and financial crime;
• nature and granularity of the historic and expected portfolio and approach to portfolio diversification;
• quality of risk management, including material Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks.

The SME Finance Proposal must also demonstrate that robust and tested systems and processes are in place for originating and managing SME finance agreements and portfolios including but not limited to documentation management, back-office systems, monitoring and governance arrangements and management information reporting.

3.4 Minimum Portfolio and Eligibility Criteria

We will apply certain minimum requirements in terms of portfolio and eligibility criteria.

Expected minimum high-level eligibility criteria:

• the term loan facility benefits from a guarantee under the Growth Guarantee Scheme;
• it is an interest paying term loan facility with a stated maturity;
• originated by the participating Finance Provider or via pre-approved brokers and platforms;
• the borrower operates in the UK;
• the borrower is a private limited company, a public limited company, a partnership, a trust, a foundation, a sole trader, a society, a charity or a club or any other entity which is customarily accepted as a small or medium-sized enterprise ^{Read footnote text 4} ;
• the borrower is an SME (see description of eligible SME enterprises in 2.1 above);
• no insolvency of the borrower has occurred;
• the borrower is not in financial difficulty;
• the borrower is not a special purpose entity;
• the term loan facility documentation follows the Programme’s standard template;
• the term loan facility is a ‘relevant investment’ for the purpose of the Community Investment Tax Relief rules.

3.5 Management Team and Track Record

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have a competent team, with sufficient expertise and resource to execute the proposal’s origination strategy. Applicants should provide:

• information on the applicant’s management team and key personnel, including information on diversity (e.g. gender, ethnicity) within the applicant’s relevant key decision-making forums, such as the Board, credit committees and executive management team;
• recent and relevant experience of, and successful track record in, SME lending; and
• evidence of the management and origination teams having worked together effectively, and their ability to execute the mandate for the full life of the transaction.

Applicants must have suitable standards of reputation and integrity, including appropriate ethical standards in all areas of their proposed operations and must demonstrate this as part of their proposal. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies and practices and any activities to improve DEI within the applicant’s organisation should be included within or in advance of the SME Finance Proposal.

If an applicant identifies any shortfalls in the levels of resources, skills and competencies required to deliver against the Origination Standards, they will be required to demonstrate how they would expect to address these.

3.6 Environmental, Social and Governance

BBFSL will consider how the applicant integrates ESG considerations into its governance, strategy, risk management including credit decisions, and management information.

For example, applicants will be viewed favourably if they have an ESG Strategy and associated policies, can demonstrate they have considered how climate risk and the transition to net zero may affect their business and lending portfolio, actively monitor and promote DEI within their portfolio, and/or are able or willing to measure and report on the GHG emissions of their lending portfolio.

3.7 Legal Structure, Regulation and Tax Domicile

Applicants must operate in the United Kingdom and must, where appropriate, confirm that they, and where appropriate their brokers, have the necessary authorisations, licenses and permissions to conduct credit and/or lending activities in the EEA. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate transparent and appropriate regulatory and tax structures.

4. Legal notice

By responding to this Request for Proposals, all applicants are deemed to acknowledge and accept the terms contained herein including in particular this Section 4.

British Business Financial Services Ltd (“BBFSL”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc. This Request for Proposals is being funded and delivered by the Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade (“DBT”) 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. BBFSL is subject to direction of DBT and reserves the right to consult with DBT and any other government departments as required with respect to any application for accreditation.

HM Government and BBFSL reserve the right at any time not to grant financing, not to continue with the wider Programme and/or to cancel or withdraw from the process at any stage and any costs or expenses incurred by an applicant will not be reimbursed. DBT and BBFSL exclude their liability for any costs, expenses or losses incurred by an applicant to the full extent permitted by law. 

DBT and BBFSL reserve the right to amend any timetable and/or other aspects of the process set out in this Request for Proposals at their discretion.

DBT and BBFSL reserve the right to reject any and all proposals submitted under this Request for Proposals.

DBT and/or BBFSL may request clarification of information and additional information regarding a response. DBT and/or BBFSL may also request face to face meetings. Refusal to provide such clarification, information or meetings may cause a submitted response to be rejected. Where no reply to a request for information or for clarification is received within ten business days, DBT and/or BBFSL may assume that the submission has been withdrawn.

Any Award made by BBFSL in its capacity as agent for DBT as a result of this process will be subject inter alia to completion of satisfactory review, necessary approvals and the prompt and satisfactory agreement of legal terms. 

Respondents should note that information received by DBT and/or BBFSL as part of the current process, including personal information, may be published or disclosed in accordance with the access to information regimes. These are primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and data protection regulations and legislation, including but not limited to the Data Protection Act 2018 and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679). In view of this, should respondents consider that any information should be treated as confidential and/or commercially sensitive, it would be helpful if respondents could set out why they consider this to be the case in each instance. Automatic confidentiality disclaimers generated by IT systems will not, in themselves, be regarded as binding. 

If DBT and/or BBFSL receive a request for disclosure of information provided, full account will be taken of any explanation but no assurance can be given that confidentiality will be maintained in all circumstances. Decisions on disclosure remain the responsibility of DBT and/or BBFSL and ultimately the Information Commissioner and courts. Any personal data (as defined in applicable data protection legislation) an applicant provides to us as part of an Expression of Interest, (including but not limited to any personal data relating to an applicant’s employees or officers), will be processed in accordance with the privacy notice on our website.  By sending us any personal data the applicant confirms that it has provided this privacy notice to all data subjects to whom the personal data relates.  Applicants should ensure they keep records to this effect.  Applicants should not include any special category personal data (as defined in applicable data protection legislation) in their Expressions of Interest.  

This Request for Proposals has been prepared for information and discussion purposes only. Other than as set out in this Section 4, it is not a legally binding document and should not be treated as such. Applicants should seek their own independent legal, financial, tax, accounting or regulatory advice as they see fit before choosing to participate in the programme. 

This Request for Proposals is not being distributed by, nor has it been approved for the purposes of section 21 of FSMA by, a person authorised under FSMA. This Request for Proposals is for distribution only to, and is directed only at, persons within the United Kingdom who are:

1. investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the “Financial Promotions Order”); 
2. high net worth entities of the type falling within Article 49(2) of the Financial Promotions Order; and
3. to the extent that doing so does not prejudice the lawful distribution or direction of the communication to or at the foregoing, other persons to whom it may lawfully be directed or communicated,

all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”. Any investment activity to which this Request for Proposals relates will only be available to, and will only be engaged in with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this Request for Proposals or any of its contents. By responding to this Request for Proposals, applicants are deemed to represent and warrant that they are such person as referred to in this paragraph. No part of this Request for Proposals should be published, reproduced, distributed or otherwise made available in whole or in part to any other person without the prior written consent of British Business Bank plc. No part of this Request for Proposals should be published, reproduced, distributed or otherwise made available in whole or in part in any jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful. 

Applicants should be aware that neither British Business Bank plc nor BBFSL is authorised to carry out regulated activity. British Business Bank plc and BBFSL will thus be unable to consider responses where receipt or processing would require any form of regulatory authorisation or permission.

British Business Bank plc is a public limited company registered in England and Wales registration number 08616013, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ.  As the holding company of the group operating under the trading name of British Business Bank, it is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government which is not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  British Business Bank plc operates under its own trading name through a number of subsidiaries.

British Business Financial Services Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, registered in England and Wales registration number 09174621, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ.  It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or FCA.  

British Business Bank plc and its subsidiary entities are not banking institutions and do not operate as such.

A complete legal structure chart for British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries can be found at british-business-bank.co.uk.

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  Charities and Further Education colleges are exempt from complying with the 50% turnover from trading activity criterion.

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  Including Ministerial and HM Treasury approvals, where required. Completion, commitment and portfolio ramp-up may also be subject to additional approvals.

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  This may be amended on a case-by-case basis