Responsible lending is not only a regulatory phrase. For a business lender operating in the exempt market, it is a standard we choose to hold ourselves to, because finance that a company cannot sustain helps no one.
What responsible lending means to us
- Affordability first: we look at whether your company can comfortably repay from its trading, not just whether it can be approved.
- Clear terms: you see the full cost, the term, and the structure before you commit, in plain language.
- No hidden surprises: the figures in your offer are the figures that apply.
- Right product, right need: we would rather steer you to the product that fits than push the one that sells.
Support if things get hard
Responsible lending does not end at the point of sale. If your company runs into difficulty, we want to hear from you early. Talking to us sooner gives more room to find a workable path than waiting until a payment is missed. Hardship is treated differently from ordinary account management.
What you can do
You are part of this too. Borrow only what serves a genuine business purpose, read your documents, and be honest with us about your position. Responsible lending works best when both sides are straight with each other. The exemption from the consumer-credit regime changes the rules around the agreement; it does not change our commitment to lending fairly.
See also: What protections apply when a loan is outside the FCA regime?, How difficulty support differs for business borrowers versus consumers and Our responsible lending standards.