July 20th, 2018.


The British Business Bank, the UK’s national economic development bank, has published its Annual Reports and Accounts for 2017/18.

In the last financial year, the Bank delivered strongly against all four of its objectives:

1. Increasing the supply of finance to smaller businesses – total stock of finance provided through Bank programmes rose by 33% to £12.25bn

2. Helping create a more diverse finance market for smaller businesses – 95.6% of the support offered was delivered through smaller, newer or alternative finance providers [1] (up from 94% in 2015/16)

3. Promoting better information in the market – 50% of SMEs report awareness of a range of finance options. Our Business Finance Guide was accessed online or distributed in hard copy nearly 85,000 times (an increase of 66% on 2016/17).

4. Achieving the above while managing taxpayers’ money efficiently – an increase to 4.7% [2]adjusted return on capital employed, exceeding the target set by Government for a fourth consecutive year

The results come at the end of a year of sustained growth for the UK Government-owned Bank. As well as continued delivery of existing programmes for business at all stages, the Bank developed a series of new initiatives, including extra provision for scaleup businesses and further enhancement of its regional provision.

Key highlights for 2017-18 include:

- Nearly 75,000 small and medium-sized companies now receive a loan or investment through British Business Bank programmes.

- An additional £678m committed through delivery partners to increase supply of finance to the market.

- The development of a new British Patient Capital programme, providing up to £7.5bn of finance and designed to support high growth potential innovative UK businesses in accessing the long-term financing they require to scale up.

- In September 2017, the Start Up Loans programme passed a significant milestone, providing its 50,000th loan since its inception in late 2012.

- The Bank’s flagship Enterprise Finance Guarantee programme passed the £3bn provided milestone in November 2017.

- The Enterprise Capital Funds programme’s investment capacity increased to over £1bn for the first time.

- Launched the £250m Midlands Engine Investment Fund to support businesses across the region.

Keith Morgan, CEO of the British Business Bank said: “Businesses at all stages – whether startups, scaleups or well-established firms – need the right sort of finance to realise their potential. We help the market meet those needs more effectively.

“The gearing up of our delivery and capability in the last year means we are ready and able to support more businesses across the UK in the future, whatever opportunities and challenges may lie ahead.”

Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chair of the British Business Bank said: “We are in a strong position at the end of the 2017/18 financial year, enhancing our infrastructure, our organisation and our delivery to smaller businesses.

“I look forward to working with the dedicated team at the Bank to help even more businesses to maintain and grow their enormous contribution to the UK economy.”

www.british-business-bank.co.uk