The SBCI’s goal is to ensure access to flexible funding for Irish SMEs by facilitating the provision of:

• flexible products with longer maturity and capital repayment flexibility and in some instances the provision of a partial guarantee subject to credit approval
• lower cost funding to financial institutions, the benefit of which is passed on to SMEs
• market access for new entrants to the SME lending market, creating real competition

The funding is available to SMEs through the SBCI partners.

The release of long-term funds by promotional (or state-backed) financial institutions, through frontline (or traditional) finance providers is a successful and effective model for funding SMEs throughout Europe.

Currently the SBCI is focusing on distributing its liquidity through Bibby Financial Services, Fexco Asset Finance, Finance Ireland, Microfinance Ireland and SME Finance & Leasing Solution DAC. This funding supports products such as leasing, invoice financing hire purchase and trade finance.

The SBCI is currently delivering its risk-sharing programme through AIB, Bank of Ireland, Close Brothers, KBC Bank, permanent tsb and Ulster Bank.

The Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme is provided by the Government of Ireland to facilitate lending to Micro, SME, and Small Mid-Caps adversely impacted by Covid. All the current scheme lenders are available here.