Can I Still apply for recovery loan scheme if I had already taken bounce back or business interruption loan?

The scheme opened for applications on 6 April 2021 and is available to businesses affected by the pandemic, including those who have already used existing loan schemes such as the Bounce Back Loan or Business Interruption Loan schemes.

The Recovery Loan Scheme, which has a £75 billion funding pot that will run until December 31, 2021, is in addition to numerous business grants available by local governments to assist businesses in the early stages of the end of lockdown.

The main stipulation is that the business must have been affected by Covid-19 and the finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose – including managing cashflow, investment and growth.

If a business has already borrowed from any of the other coronavirus loan schemes, the Recovery Loan Scheme is still available, although the amount borrowed under an existing scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount available to borrow under RLS.

There is no turnover restriction for businesses accessing the scheme.

How it works

Which lenders will participate in recovery loan scheme?

The Recovery Loan Scheme will initially be available through a number of lenders accredited by the British Business Bank. New lenders under the scheme will be listed on the British Business Bank website as they become accredited.

Accredited lenders include Bank of Scotland, Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds Bank, Paragon, RBS, Santander, Skipton Business Finance, Yorkshire Bank and Clydesdale Bank.

A key aim of the Recovery Loan Scheme is to improve the terms on offer to you, but if a lender can offer you the choice of a commercial loan on better terms, without requiring the guarantee provided by the RLS, they should do so.

Types of finance

A lender can provide up to £10m as one of the following facilities:

• term loan;
• overdraft;
• invoice finance;
• asset finance; and
• guarantees

Do I need to provide personal guarantee to get recovery loan?

RLS gives the lender a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility. Borrower are 100% liable for the debt.

For loans of £250,000 or less, the lender will not take any form of personal guarantee.

For amounts over £250,000, the lender has the discretion to decide whether to take personal guarantees. However, above £250,000, the maximum amount that can be covered under RLS is capped at a maximum of 20% of the outstanding balance of the RLS facility after the proceeds of business assets have been applied.

Maximum loan amount business can apply under RLS

The scheme is capped at a total loan facility of £10m per business (maximum £30m per group). Minimum facility sizes vary, starting at £1,000 for asset and invoice finance, and £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts.

Interest rate

The annual effective rate of interest, upfront fee and other fees cannot be more than 14.99%.

It is important to note that no personal guarantees can be held over principal private residences.

Will lenders perform the credit check?

Lenders will be required to undertake standard credit, fraud, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for all applicants. When making their assessment, lenders may overlook concerns over short-to-medium term performance owing to the pandemic. The checks and approach may vary between lenders.

What king of documents landers required to make their decision?

Applicants for finance will need to provide certain evidence to show they can afford to repay the RLS-backed facility. This is likely to include the following:

• management accounts;
• business plan;
• historic accounts; and
• details of assets.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: ‘We have stopped at nothing to protect jobs and livelihoods throughout the pandemic and as the situation has evolved we have ensured that our support continues to meet businesses needs.

‘As we safely reopen parts of our economy, our new Recovery Loan Scheme will ensure that businesses continue to have access to the finance they need as we move out of this crisis.’

So far, the government’s emergency loan schemes have supported more than £75bn of finance for 1.6m British businesses. The latest loan scheme is part of the government’s unprecedented £350bn support package which has included paying millions of workers’ wages through the furlough scheme and generous grants and tax deferrals.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI chief economist, said: ‘The coronavirus loan schemes have provided a critical lifeline to businesses, and so its successor – the new Recovery Loan scheme – comes as a huge relief to firms.

‘These loans can be taken alongside existing Covid loans to help firms refinance, restructure and go for growth.

‘It’s vital support remains as restrictions relax and demand returns to normal, allowing businesses to recover, save jobs, and support for reopening.’

Click here for full details about the Recovery Loan scheme are available from the British Business Bank