SME lender sees surge in demand outside Covid lending schemes

The SME challenger bank says it has received well over £1bn of SME lending enquiries since the end of the national lockdown, with significant demand from established SMEs seeking regular finance outside the Government’s Covid lending schemes.

Allica has secured over £100m in deposits over the last six months and is now averaging over £25m per month in committed loan offers to established SMEs.

Allica says it is seeing increasing evidence that a significant funding gap is opening up for established SMEs who make up a quarter of the economy – those typically employing 5-100 employees with annual turnover between £1m-£25m – as mainstream lenders reduce SME lending appetite and non-bank lenders face significant funding pressures.

Allica’s recent survey of UK SME finance brokers has revealed that 64% have seen a significant reduction in the supply of business lending following on from the Covid pandemic.

Additionally, the survey shows that 99% of brokers see declining lending appetite as the biggest challenge in the SME market over the next two years.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, said: “The focus for Government and mainstream banks has understandably been on providing support to those businesses most at risk from the impact of Covid-19.

“The reality, however, is that’s led to a sharp fall in available credit outside of the government schemes, and with non-bank lenders unable to step in because of the funding issues they’re facing.

“Our research confirms that many established businesses, including those less affected by the issues around Covid-19, are seeing lending supply decline sharply, with a sizeable funding gap opening up for established, mid-size SMEs. These companies make up a quarter of the economy and are the very businesses that will help shape the economic recovery but feel they are being forgotten just now.

“Allica is in a strong position to provide that support, and I’m really pleased we’ve already provided business owners with £100m of committed finance since June, and I look forward to growing this support substantially further with our current fundraise.”