Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is now closed.

Please note, applications received by 18:00 on 31 March 2021 can still be processed through to 31 May 2021.

If you have a query about CBILS, or wish to discuss an outstanding application, please contact your Business Development Manager in the usual way or email us at enquiries@bcrs.org.uk.

Recovery Loan Scheme

A new debt finance programme, the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), was announced by the Government in the Budget on 3 March 2021.

The new Scheme, which will open on 6 April 2021, aims to support businesses affected by Covid-19 as they recover and grow following the pandemic.

RLS supports a maximum facility size of up to £10m with minimum facility sizes starting at £1,000 for Invoice and Asset Finance and £25,001 for Term Loans and Overdrafts. Further information can be found on the British Business Bank website.

In a nutshell

  • We are committed to supporting West Midlands based businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • BCRS Business Loans is a delivery partner for the Government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
  • We can support businesses based in the West Midlands region of England with loans from £50,001 to £150,000.
  • Interest and fees paid by Government for 12 months*.
  • Having insufficient security is no longer a condition to access the scheme and personal guarantees are not required on CBILS facilities delivered by BCRS Business Loans.
  • Application deadline extended until 31st March 2021.
  • Please note that we are not a delivery partner for the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

About CBILS

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has been significantly expanded along with changes to the scheme’s features and eligibility criteria. The changes mean even more smaller businesses across the UK impacted by the Coronavirus crisis can access the funding they need.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) can provide facilities for smaller businesses (SMEs) across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow. Delivered by the British Business Bank, through almost 50 accredited lenders and partners such as BCRS Business Loans, CBILS will support the continued provision of finance to UK SMEs during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Having insufficient security is no longer a condition to access the scheme and personal guarantees are not required on facilities under £250,000. The scheme provides the lender (BCRS Business Loans) with a government-backed guarantee, potentially enabling a ‘no’ credit decision from a lender to become a ‘yes’.

CBILS guarantees facilities up to a maximum of £5m available on repayment terms up to six years. The scheme provides the lender with a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding facility balance. There is no guarantee fee for SMEs to access the scheme.

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.

Eligibility criteria

Smaller businesses (SMEs) from all sectors can apply for the full amount of the facility**.

To be eligible for a facility under CBILS, an SME must:

  • Be West Midlands based in its business activity with an annual turnover of no more than £45m
  • Your CBILS-backed facility will be used to support primarily trading in the UK
  • Your application must be for business purposes
  • Your business must generate more than 50% of its turnover from trading activity
  • Have a borrowing proposal which, were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, would be considered viable by the lender, and for which the lender believes the provision of finance will enable the business to trade out of any short-to-medium term difficulty
  • Self-certify that it has been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

How to apply

In the first instance, businesses should approach BCRS Business Loans directly – ideally via the lender’s website as telephone lines are likely to be busy due to limited capacity following social distancing advice.

Simply submit an online application form by clicking the button below, which takes less than two minutes to complete.

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If you don’t meet the lending criteria at BCRS Business Loans, you may consider approaching other accredited lenders: British Business Bank

* Fishery, aquaculture and agriculture businesses may not qualify for the full interest and fee payment.

** The following trades and organisations are not eligible to apply: Banks, Building Societies, Insurers and Reinsurers (but not insurance brokers); The public sector including state-funded primary and secondary schools; Employer, professional, religious or political membership organisation or trade unions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note: As with any other commercial transaction, the borrower is always responsible for the repayment of the full value of any facility supported by CBILS.
Please note: The guarantee is to the lender, and not the small business.
Any queries from a business with an active or historic EFG facility, including guarantee fee collection or alterations to their repayment profile should raise them with their lender, and not with the British Business Bank.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Visit british-business-bank.co.uk.
Full details on CBILS eligibility criteria and the list of participating CBILS lenders can be found on the British Business Bank website at:  www.british-business-bank.co.uk/CBILS