South East: HSBC UK launch fund to support SMEs

HSBC UK has launched a fund for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Thames Valley (£325 million) and West Sussex and Surrey (£200m), part of a broader £15b lending fund to support SMEs across the UK, as part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate and grow as the country looks to rebound from the Covid-19 health crisis.

The fund, which includes over £10b of specific regionally-focused allocations, will seek to ensure that companies throughout the country can benefit, supporting regional economies, employment opportunities and driving growth.

This year’s fund also includes increased ring-fenced pots for businesses trading internationally (£2b), the agriculture sector (increased to £1.2b) and new ring-fenced pots for businesses in the tech sector (£500m) and franchise businesses (£500m).

Despite the challenging economic environment, 62% of UK businesses intend to increase investment in their business in the next year, according to research from HSBC, with the focus on four fundamental areas of their business in 2021 – employee well-being, customer experience, cash flow/capital management and security.

Almost three-quarters (71%) of UK businesses expect to have returned to pre-pandemic levels of profitability by the end of 2022 and a fifth by the end of this year, plus nearly half of British companies (49%) are projecting sales growth.

Jagdeep Kaur Rai, HSBC UK’s regional business banking director for the South East, said: “We are committed to supporting businesses in West Sussex and Surrey and we know they are adapting at pace and looking at what comes next. We recently supported specialist car dealership Bell and Colvill to purchase and renovate its new showroom in Guildford, with the backing of the SME fund.

“This fund is all about helping businesses to take new opportunities and grow and we want to reassure them that we’re here to support them achieve their goals.”

Peter McIntyre, head of small business banking at HSBC UK, said: “With the vaccine rollout, there is light at the end of the tunnel and businesses are starting to look ahead again. We’ve helped British business get through the past year with over £14b of Covid-19 lending support. Now it's time to turn our minds to what comes next and how we help companies grow again, opening up a world of opportunity and contributing towards a sustainable future society. The £15b fund will help businesses across the South East to expand internationally and here at home, support key sectors and drive investment across regions.

"We know our customers are innovating and adapting at pace and British businesses tell us that through these uncertain times they need their bank to be flexible, provide funding when they need it most and to support future growth opportunities and that is exactly what this year’s fund intends to achieve.”

Philip King, interim small business commissioner said: “SMEs are the backbone of the economy and ensuring they have the ability to invest and grow is of paramount importance. The past 12 months have highlighted the issues many small businesses can face, such as late payments causing real hardship to small businesses. Initiatives such as the lending fund will help more businesses to access finance and will help aid business recovery post-Covid-19.”

Since launching the SME Fund in 2014, HSBC has lent more than £75b to UK SMEs as part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate, evolve and grow. It remains committed to supporting the needs of small business customers and has lent over £14b during the pandemic so far.

HSBCs Tomorrow Ready online resource hub is also available to help businesses adapt for today while preparing for the future. All businesses can access insights and resources to help them hone their cash flow management skills and view the programme of business events, webinars and articles to help them understand the implications of new ways of working, building resilience and exploring export opportunities.