Specialist Fund Hits Over £5m In New Loans

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA has congratulated a specialist loan fund as it hits more than £5million in new loans.

The Small Business Loan Fund was launched just over three years ago to provide access to finance for small businesses, sole traders and partnerships which are keen to develop their business but find it difficult to access funding through traditional sources.

It is managed by Ulster Community Investment plc (UCI) on behalf of Invest Northern Ireland and delivered in partnership with Enterprise Northern Ireland. UCI is a subsidiary of social finance organisation Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT).

The fund has helped its clients generate an extra £26.5million in sales and create 144 new jobs across 260 companies which is an important step in helping our economy to grow.

Minister Hamilton said: "Access to finance is often the main obstacle for businesses starting up and growing. This fund has helped its clients generate an extra £26.5million in sales and create 144 new jobs across 260 companies which is an important step in helping our economy to grow. Our economy is reliant on small business, therefore helping them with access to finance is hugely important."

Harry McDaid, UCIT's CEO said: "SMEs and social enterprises are the bedrock of Northern Ireland’s economy, but it has proven increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs in the sector to secure finance from traditional sources. Demand, however, is clearly there with over 260 loans provided to date and rising.

"The Fund is still open with facilities of up to £50,000 available. As a revolving fund it’s expected that between £7million and £8million will be made available in total over the Fund’s lifetime."

(CD)