By Gloria Methri

The British Business Bank has launched an asset-based lending variant of its Recovery Loan Scheme. The asset-based lending variant aims to broaden the support for UK SMEs to access finance through the scheme, using a broad range of business assets.

The new lending variant joins the existing term loan, revolving credit facility, invoice finance and asset finance variants, designed to support access to finance for UK businesses as they look to invest and grow.

The Bank’s Guarantee and Wholesale division worked closely with UK Finance and asset-based lenders to develop this variant and the innovation it will bring.

Asset-based lending will allow lenders to provide loans secured by assets such as inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, or other property owned by the borrower. Recovery Loan Scheme asset-based lending will be delivered by established asset-based lenders and the British Business Bank welcomes asset-based lenders to consider applying for accreditation.

With the support of Recovery Loan Scheme asset-based lending, lenders can provide additional finance, above what they can support on a commercial basis.

Matt Davies, Director, Commercial Finance at UK Finance said, “The asset-based lending variant is an important addition to the Recovery Loan Scheme, and UK Finance and its members have been pleased to work with the British Business Bank on developing it. Financial services firms want to help businesses overcome challenges and realise their potential. With the asset-based lending variant now sitting alongside invoice finance and other versions of the Recovery Loan Scheme, lenders are providing a range of options to support businesses with their working capital and can help them unlock finance for growth and investment.”

Reinald de Monchy, Managing Director, Guarantee and Wholesale Solutions, British Business Bank, said, “We wanted to diversify the support we provide for smaller businesses in the UK through the Recovery Loan Scheme, and we’re pleased to have made good on this promise with the launch of the asset-based lending variant. This innovation will unlock additional finance for UK smaller businesses, and we welcome any established asset-based lender to apply for this new product.”