Enterprise Funding Guarantee (EFG)

A funding guarantee for small businesses who might otherwise struggle to secure finance

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) was run by the government’s British Business Bank.  It encouraged lenders to finance small businesses who present a robust business plan but lack security.  The scheme was replaced by Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS).
Learn more about the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) here.

The detail behind the EFG

Working with over 40 lenders, the government will guarantee over £2 billion of new bank lending to viable businesses;

  • They will underwrite 75% of a loan
  • Loans range in size from £1,000 to £1.2m
  • Repayment periods are from 3 months to 10 years
  • The contract is between you and your bank, the government is not party

EFG loans are high risk for the banks as they could lose up to 25% of the loan value. There is an expectation that company directors will have already utilised all of their personal assets as security before an EFG loan can be secured.

Once the bank has agreed to finance you, they will apply for the EFG on your behalf.

Government-backed loans from £1,000 to £1.2m
28,000 business loans to a value of over £3bn between 2009 and 2017

The cost to small businesses

  • Bank charges are between 2.5% and 4.5% above base rate, depending on the perceived risk involved
  • An arrangement fee of 1%-2% is often charged in addition
  • The government then charges 2% for provision of the guarantee

The charges are high because you pay a premium for the guarantee. But it could be your saviour, and still more cost-effective than releasing an equity stake in your business.

And if you fail to repay the loan in full, your business remains liable for the full debt. The government guarantee is for the banks only.

Who’s eligible?

Eligibility is devolved to the lender as part of their standard commercial lending criteria.

As a guidance, EFG is available to viable businesses that:

  • Operate in the UK
  • Have a turnover not in excess of £41 million
  • Are in a position to meet the repayments over the fixed period
  • Have a robust business plan in place
  • Require the finance for an eligible purpose, such as growth
  • Operate in a business sector that is eligible for EFG
Your business may be eligible for EFG support

The main exclusions relate to businesses in the agriculture, coal and steel sectors and to the financing of individual export orders.

Start-up businesses are not excluded from EFG loans but may find it more difficult to obtain one due to the perceived instability of the business.

The EFG scheme is designed to meet a range of funding requirements including:

New term loans

Used to improve a company’s working capital or to invest in business projects.  Loans are typically unsecured.

Refinancing an existing loan

To ease cash flow constraints which could be making repayments on an existing loan difficult.

Overdraft consolidation

Converting existing overdrafts into a term loan to release the capacity in the overdrafts.

Invoice finance guarantee

Where an invoice finance facility is already being used, the scheme can guarantee an additional advance from the provider.

Overdraft guarantee

The scheme can guarantee a new or existing overdraft facility where a business doesn’t have the security to meet lender requirements.

In making their lending decision, banks will scrutinise your sales and marketing strategy to ensure your marketing plan will deliver against your sales forecast. They will also look at your leadership team to validate its level of management expertise and industry knowledge.

In simple terms, your business plan and projected financial model must be robust.