Coronavirus Government Loan Schemes
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme is now closed to new applications.
Please note, applications received by 23.59 on 31 March 2021 can still be processed through to 31 May 2021.
If you have a query about CBILS or CLBILS, or wish to discuss an outstanding application, please contact us your account manager, or speak to us on
0808 149 8521.
Recovery Loan Scheme
A new debt finance programme, the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS), was announced by the Government in the Budget on 3 March 2021. The new Scheme, which will open on 6 April 2021, aims to support businesses affected by Covid-19 as they recover and grow following the pandemic. RLS supports a maximum facility size of up to £10m with minimum facility sizes starting at £1,000 for Invoice and Asset Finance and £25,001 for Term Loans and Overdrafts.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
✔ You want to borrow up to £5m
✔ Your business turnover is less than £45m per annum
✔ You have or will open an invoice finance facility with Close Brothers
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)
✔ You want to borrow up to £100m
✔ Your business turnover is more than £45m per annum
✔ You have or will open an invoice finance facility with Close Brothers
How does it work?
CBILS/CLBILS funding could be added onto your invoice finance facility if your otherwise viable business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the provision of finance will enable you to trade out of any short-to-medium term difficulties.
The facility is underwritten, approved and managed by Close Brothers, and repayments are paid directly to us, just like any other business loan. We offer CBILS facilities of up to £5m over a maximum term of five years and CLBILS facilities of up to £100m over a maximum term of three years.
The scheme provides Close Brothers ("the lender") with a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding facility balance. The guarantee is to Close Brothers, and not the borrower. As with any other commercial transaction, the borrower is responsible for repayment of the full value of any facility supported by CBILS/CLBILS.
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and industrial Strategy (BEIS). British Business Bank plc is wholly owned by HM Government and is not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Full details on CBILS and the list of participating CBILS lenders can be found on the British Business Bank website at:
Please note: CBILS/CLBILS loans are now closed to new applications.
Is my business eligible?
To be eligible for support via a CBILS/CLBILS facility, a business must:
Be a viable UK based business, with a turnover of no more than £45m per annum
Generate more than 50% of its turnover from trading activity and require a CBILS-backed facility to support trading primarily in the UK
Borrow up to a maximum of £5m (finance terms are up to five years for term loans and asset finance, and three years for invoice finance)
Be suitable for a Close Brothers invoice finance facility (usually a B2B company with turnover of £500k or more per annum. If your projected income is less than £500k we may be unable to help you)
Be a viable UK based business, with a turnover of more than £45m per annum
Borrow up to maximum of £100m with CLBILS (finance terms are up to three years
Not have received a facility under the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF), or CBILS, or BBLS
Be suitable for a Close Brothers invoice finance facility (usually a B2B company with turnover of £500k or more per annum. If your projected income is less than £500k we may be unable to help you)
How can I access the scheme through Close Brothers?
The schemes are now closed to new applications. Applications received by 23.59 on 31 March 2021 can still be processed through to 31 May 2021.
If you wish to discuss an outstanding application, please contact your account manager.
Full details on eligibility criteria and the list of participating lenders can be found on the British Business Bank website at: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/coronavirus-business-interruption-loan-schemes/
