FOLK2FOLK approved for accreditation under CBILS to provide loans to local businesses

FOLK2FOLK has been approved for accreditation by the British Business Bank as a lender under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), placing the Cornish lender on the financial frontline of support for local businesses. 

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered through British Business Bank accredited lenders, is designed to support the continued provision of finance to UK smaller businesses (SMEs) during the Covid-19 outbreak. The scheme enables lenders to provide facilities of up to £5m to smaller businesses across the UK who are experiencing lost or deferred revenues, leading to disruptions to their cashflow.

FOLK2FOLK will soon be able to accept CBILS applications and will initially focus on its existing borrowers but intends to expand this to accept new enquiries in due course.

To date, FOLK2FOLK has facilitated £360m in business loans, with around £22m being lent during the pandemic (since 1st March). The accreditation will enable FOLK2FOLK to provide property-secured loans between £50,001 and £5m to SMEs that require financial support due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Louis Mathers, FOLK2FOLK Co-Founder and Director, said: “I am very proud that FOLK2FOLK has been approved for accreditation by the British Business Bank. As a Cornish business launched seven years ago, this accreditation to deliver CBILS cements FOLK2FOLK’s position within the financial landscape. 

“As the originator of The Local Lending Movement, FOLK2FOLK’s purpose has always been to support Britain’s local and rural businesses. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to lend to businesses and play a vital role in helping to keep the economy moving. Our CBILS accreditation will help us increase the support we are able to give.

“We will soon be in a position to receive applications and look to quickly help businesses by initially focusing on our existing borrowers. After that, we intend to open for CBILS applications from non-customers but will announce that in due course. 

“With lock-down conditions now easing, our accreditation is well timed to help those needing to invest in new ways of operating, considering a new direction or diversifying. We will make further announcements about making CBILS available to new borrowers in due course.”