Businesses have raced to secure loans under a new scheme to help smaller firms through the lockdown crisis.
The Bounce Back Loans scheme went live on Monday, with Barclays seeing 200 applications in the first minute and Lloyds 5,000 within three hours.
It offers loans up to £50,000 and is designed to be simpler and quicker than the existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
Barclays said its first bounce back loans will be awarded within 24 hours.
CBILS offer loans of up to £5m and are available for companies with a turnover of less than £45m.
However, the loans have come in for criticism by some businesses, especially smaller ones. Banks can often apply their usual lending criteria, which makes it harder for smaller enterprises to qualify while locked down.
On Thursday, the number of CBILS loans agreed was 8,638, down from more than 9,000 the previous week. Of 52,807 loans applied for, almost 28,000 have still to be approved.
Banks have been criticised for delays in handing out loans but have blamed the heavy workload, the need to complete the necessary credit checks and a shortage of staff.
The government insists the new bounce back loans will be easier to apply for. However, UK Finance, which represents banks, emphasised that firms should “think very carefully before taking on new debt”.
Who can apply?
While the loans are aimed at smaller businesses and sole traders, with £2,000 to £50,000 on offer, there is no limit on the size of business that can apply.
To qualify, a firm must have been trading on 1 March this year and not have been in financial difficulty. In other words, the loans are not intended to bail out failing businesses.
While these are early days, business leaders have been generally positive about the bounce-back scheme. It “offers real hope” for small firms, says Mike Cherry, head of the Federation of Small Businesses.
When will the money be available?
Businesses should apply through the bank with which they have a business account. The Treasury says funds should then be available “within days”.
Borrowers answer seven questions on an online form including information about turnover, tax details, bank account and how the lockdown and Covid-19 has impacted your business. Applicants do not have to provide security and personal guarantees.
Fifty banks have been accredited to provide the loans – the same ones that provide CBILS. However, the expectation is that because of the simplicity of the process, banks will transfer the money far quicker than CBIL loans.
‘The application was very straightforward’
The lockdown hit just as Rachel Sweet’s one-year-old business was entering its busiest trading period. She also had expansion plans. The bounce-back loans could prove a lifeline, she says, and her application has already gone in, via HSBC.
Bath-based Sweet Drinks sells, promotes and organises tastings based on produce from the West Country. With the summer season and big outdoor events approaching, “we were thinking about taking the business to the next level”.
She estimates she lost 60% of her business when lockdown effectively closed the events season. Rachel says: “Given all the hurdles and rejections we were reading about with the business interruption scheme, we decided to wait a little.
“This new scheme looks much more suitable for us. We’ve got enough money to cover our costs for a while,” she said. “We had hoped sales over the next few months would generate enough money to launch a new website and a mail order business.”
Six months ago she was thinking of taking out a big bank loan to fund expansion, financing that would have come with a hefty interest rate. That could have made the current situation worse.
The stress levels are high, she says. “But luckily I’m a glass-half-full person, so I’m staying positive and just trying to do my best given the business environment.”
The loan application took no time at all, requiring some basic business details, she says. “It was a very straightforward process. I hope to hear by the end of the week. Fingers crossed.”
What are the terms?
The government will cover the cost of fees and interest for the first year. Businesses will only begin repaying the loan after 12 months.
All lenders will charge a flat rate of 2.5% and the loans will last up to six years.
This bounce-back rate is likely to be lower than most CBILS as they are less risky. The government is guaranteeing 100% of the loan from lenders if the firm defaults. With CBILS, the guarantee is 80% of the money.
Both the Treasury and banks are keen to emphasise that they are loans that need to be repaid. The tax authorities have promised close inspection of all loans given.
What if I’ve already applied for a loan under CBILS?
You can still apply for one of these new loans. You can switch your CBILS application to a bounce back one if it was under £50,000.
Or, if you already have a CBIL you can convert it, the Treasury says. Applicants do not have to stay with existing lenders.
The major High Street banks are currently offering the bulk of the loans, although accreditation could be expanded to include other specialist small business backers and financial firms.
‘Loans, not grants’
Steven Jones, chief executive of UK Finance, told the BBC the affordability checks would “be lighter”, but firms should still “think very carefully about their ability to repay the loan”.
Despite the government guarantee, banks are required to first chase firms for money if they do not repay the loan. That means seizing assets and pursuing business owners through the courts.
Mr Jones said: “These are loans, not grants, so if a business is already indebted and taking on further debt, they should think carefully before making an application.”
The British Chambers of Commerce has said that about 30% of its members say they cannot afford to take on more debt.
— BBC