Members can login to access the Business helpline.
The government web site Businesslink provides useful guidance on a wide range of issues at
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Loans from Community Development Finance Institutions
Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) lend money to businesses, social enterprises and individuals who find it difficult to get finance from high street banks and loan companies. They support;
- Microenterprises (businesses with less than 10 employees)
- Small businesses (with 10-49 employees)
- Medium businesses (with 50-249 employees)
- Social enterprises, community organisations or charities
- Individuals
They provide finance for a wide range of purposes including; working capital, bridging loans, property and equipment purchase, start up capital, business purchase and personal loans, although this will vary according to each individual CDFI. They will usually only lend to customers who have been unable to get finance from a high street loan provider, such as a bank or building society. Some CDFIs will provide an extra loan if a business is waiting for finance to come through from another source, or if a bank is only willing to lend part of the finance they need. There is more information available on the CDFA website at www.cdfa.org.uk/about-cdfis/
The CDFI finder can tell you which CDFIs you can apply to for finance and has information on how to apply for loans, see www.findingfinance.org.uk/find-finance/
