Lending support

As your business grows, it can benefit from tailored lending and guidance. We will support your business throughout the application process. 

We also follow lending standards and principles to ensure you’re treated fairly.

Our appeals process enables your business to pursue your application if you believe it has been wrongly declined or where we have agreed your request but there are conditions of sanction that you are unhappy with.

If your business has an annual turnover of more than £6.5m, we follow the Lending Principles (PDF, 703KB) which are a further set of standards that you can expect from us.

How we can help your business

Your business can:

  • Get help and information on a range of topics – from establishing a business to operating globally.
  • Use our finance application checklist, which details the type of information we may ask you for to support your lending application.
  • Try Mentorsme, a free online service that helps you locate local mentoring to suit your business needs – from start-up to succession planning.
  • Source other forms of lending by talking to our business management team or your relationship manager.

How to apply for lending

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for lending.

Lending application

Lending appeals

Appeals for borrowing. Business finance declined? You can ask for the decision to be reviewed.

Find out more about lending appeals

ANY PROPERTY GIVEN AS SECURITY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE YOUR HOME, MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBTS SECURED ON IT.

From 1 April 2025, we’ll no longer be part of the Lending Standards Board, Standards of Lending Practice.

Membership of the LSB is voluntary for the banking and lending industry.

Our withdrawal won’t impact the products or services we provide to you, or the way we treat you.

Overdrafts are repayable on demand.
 

All lending is subject to a satisfactory credit assessment and we will need your permission to carry out a credit check on you and your business. 

You should not apply for an amount that you cannot comfortably afford to repay now and in the future to avoid the possibility of legal action. 

All lending is subject to status. Security may be required.