HSBC UK has today launched a £2.2 billion lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in London, as part of its broader commitment to helping British businesses realise their ambitions for growth.
The London fund is part of a wider £12 billion SME Fund for businesses across the UK launched today.
Now entering its fifth year, HSBC UK’s dedicated SME Fund is the largest to date – increasing £2 billion on last year after the 2017 fund was fully utilised by British businesses seeking to expand.
The SME Fund 2018 is double the first SME Fund of £6 billion – launched by HSBC in 2014 – and brings total funds committed to SMEs over the five years to £46 billion.
In London, the fund has increased by £100 million since 2017.
Arjan Van Den Berkmortel, HSBC UK’s Regional Director for London, said: “This latest fund highlights HSBC UK’s unwavering commitment to supporting the growth of SMEs right across the capital. London is a melting pot of business expertise ranging from established brands to ambitious start-ups and entrepreneurs, making it an ideal location for businesses to thrive.
“Each year, the fund helps and encourages businesses to grow locally, nationally and internationally, in turn helping them achieve their ambitious goals and create jobs for the London economy. This year is no exception and we’ve committed an additional £100 million to the region, so we hope to see many more local businesses taking advantage of the fund over the next year.”
Amanda Murphy, Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC UK, said: “Many SMEs in the UK are ambitious, entrepreneurial and ready to expand. After the success of last year, this increased SME Fund 2018 will help more businesses plug the gap between ambition and reality, supporting their growth. We are committed to help British businesses innovate, evolve and grow.”
The new SME Fund includes a ring-fenced £1 billion to help UK companies grow their business overseas. HSBC research revealed that over two thirds (72 per cent) of UK businesses expect their cross-border trade to increase this year1.
Amanda Murphy continued: “British companies are optimistic about their trade growth prospects but it’s important they can get the finance they need to achieve it. With this in mind, we have set aside £1 billion of the fund to support international businesses in the UK. We cover more than 90 per cent of global trade and capital flows and are uniquely placed to help these businesses trade overseas.”
Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said: “With more than 1,000 starting up every day, the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
“Through our modern Industrial Strategy and industry-led initiatives such as this, the Government and industry are building an environment in which businesses all over the country can thrive.”
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