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Growth Guarantee Scheme

Growth Guarantee Scheme loans

Government-backed finance of up to £2m per group, with the lender protected by a 70% government guarantee. We help you work out whether GGS fits and which accredited lender to approach.

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No credit search and no upfront fee.

per business group
Up to £2mper business group
government-backed, given to the lender
70% guaranteegovernment-backed, given to the lender
term loans, overdrafts, asset, invoice and ABL
Five facility typesterm loans, overdrafts, asset, invoice and ABL
the guarantee protects the lender, not you
100% your liabilitythe guarantee protects the lender, not you

What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is a UK government scheme, run by the British Business Bank, that gives accredited lenders a 70% guarantee on eligible loans and facilities to smaller businesses. Facilities are available up to £2m per business group, through term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset based lending. The guarantee is to the lender, so the business remains 100% liable for the debt.

Full scheme rules are set and updated by the British Business Bank. Always check the official Growth Guarantee Scheme page for the current position.

Talk it through

Tell us what you need and we will search 650+ lenders for indicative terms, with no upfront fee.

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Growth Guarantee Scheme

How it works

  1. 1

    Check eligibility

    We review your turnover, group structure, trading activity and any previous government-backed borrowing.

  2. 2

    Choose the facility

    Term loan, overdraft, asset finance, invoice finance or asset based lending, depending on what you need.

  3. 3

    Approach an accredited lender

    Each lender makes its own credit decision on normal commercial terms, then applies the guarantee.

  4. 4

    Subsidy declaration

    You confirm in writing that the facility will not take you over your subsidy limit.

  5. 5

    Drawdown and repayment

    The facility runs like any other, and you repay in full.

Who it suits

GGS suits viable, UK-trading smaller businesses that need more borrowing than a lender would offer on its own, or that lack enough security. Examples include:

What lenders look at

Viability
The lender must judge the business to have a viable proposition. The guarantee does not replace a normal credit assessment.
Eligibility
UK trading, turnover within the scheme limit, and most income from trading activity.
Not in difficulty
Businesses in relevant insolvency proceedings are not eligible.
Previous scheme borrowing
Earlier CBILS, CLBILS, BBLS or RLS facilities may reduce the amount available.
Subsidy headroom
The total support your group has received over a rolling three-year period.
Affordability
Cash flow cover for the repayments, as for any business loan.
At a glance

Key scheme terms

Key scheme terms
Facility sizeUp to £2m per business group (lower caps apply in some cases, see official rules)
Government guarantee70%, given to the lender
Borrower liability100% of the debt
Facility typesTerm loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance, asset based lending
Turnover limitSet by the scheme, on a group basis - see the official page
Personal guaranteesAt the lender's discretion; a principal private residence cannot be taken as security
PricingSet by each lender, priced deal by deal

Scheme terms are set by the British Business Bank and can change. Finance is subject to status and lender approval.

Our process

How GBF runs the process

We start by checking eligibility and subsidy headroom, because these decide whether GGS is the right route. We then compare GGS with non-scheme options, such as a senior term loan or an asset based lending facility, which may offer more headroom or better terms. If GGS fits, we prepare the credit case, approach suitable accredited lenders, compare their indicative terms side by side and manage the process through to drawdown. Our business loans work typically starts at £200k.

  • One senior adviser from first call to completion
  • A credit paper lenders take seriously
  • Indicative terms compared side by side
  • £0 upfront fee
Related facilities

Related facilities we arrange

Business loansSenior term loans and revolving credit facilitiesAsset based lendingOne revolving facility across receivables, stock, plant and propertyInvoice financeAlso available under GGS through some lendersAsset financeAlso available under GGS through some lendersGrowth Guarantee Scheme guideA fuller explainer on eligibility and use
FAQs

Growth Guarantee Scheme: common questions

How much can I borrow under the Growth Guarantee Scheme?

Up to £2m per business group. Some businesses face a lower cap, for example where Northern Ireland Protocol rules or sector subsidy limits apply. See the British Business Bank for current rules.

Does the 70% guarantee protect my business?

No. The guarantee is given to the lender. Your business remains liable for 100% of the debt.

Will I need to give a personal guarantee?

Personal guarantees are at the lender's discretion, but a principal private residence cannot be taken as security under the scheme.

What types of finance are covered?

Term loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset based lending. Not every lender offers every product under the scheme.

Can I use GGS if I had a CBILS or Recovery Loan Scheme loan?

Often yes, but previous government-backed borrowing may reduce the amount you can raise.

Is GBF a lender?

No. Growth Business Finance is a commercial finance broker and debt adviser. Finance is subject to status and lender approval.

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