Recovery Loan Scheme
Support for your business during the COVID-19
Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS)
We are no longer offering facilities under the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS).
Please visit the British Business Bank website for information on the new iteration of RLS that launched August 2022.
The Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) launched on 6 April 2021 and supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.
RLS aims to help businesses affected by Covid-19 and can be used for business purposes, including, managing cash flow, investment and growth. It is designed to support businesses that can afford to take out additional finance for these purposes. Businesses who have taken out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility are able to access the new scheme.
A key aim of the Recovery Loan Scheme is to improve the terms on offer to businesses, but if a lender can offer a business the choice of a commercial loan on better terms, without requiring the guarantee provided by the RLS, they should do so.
At Autumn Budget 2021, the government announced that the Recovery Loan Scheme will be extended by six months to 30 June 2022, with changes applying to all offers made from the 1 January 2022.
A key aim of the Recovery Loan Scheme is to improve the terms on offer to businesses, if we can offer a business the choice of a commercial loan on better terms, without requiring the guarantee provided by the RLS, we will do so.
Key features of RLS with AIB
Up to £2m facility per business: The maximum amount of a facility provided under the scheme is £2m per business (maximum £6m per group) and the minimum facility is £25,001 for term loans.
- Term length: Term loans are available from three months, for up to six years.
- Interest and fees to be paid by the borrower from the outset: Businesses are required to meet the costs of interest payments and any fees associated with the RLS facility.
- Access to multiple Covid-19 schemes: Businesses that have taken out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility are able to access the new scheme although the amount they have borrowed under a previous scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount they may borrow under RLS.
- Personal Guarantees: Personal guarantees are not permitted for facilities of £250,000 or less. Above £250,000 the maximum amount that can be covered under RLS is capped at 20% of the outstanding balance of the RLS facility after the proceeds of business assets have been applied. No personal guarantees can be held over Principal Private Residences.
- Guarantee to the Lender: The scheme provides the lender with a government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility.
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Flexible terms
Term loans are available from 3 months, for up to six years.
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Interest & Fees
- Interest and fees to be paid by the borrower from the outset: Businesses are required to meet the costs of interest payments and any fees associated with the RLS facility.
- No guarantee fee payable by the borrower.
- An arrangement fee is applicable.
- Interest will remain payable as it falls due throughout the life of each facility.
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Security
- The Government provides us as your lender with a guarantee of 80% to secure the outstanding balance on the facility.
- Your business remains liable for 100% of the debt
- Security may be required, subject to application.
- No personal guarantees are permitted for facilities of £250,000 or less. For facilities over £250,000, claims on personal guarantees cannot exceed 20% of the outstanding balance after all other proceeds recovered have been applied.
Eligibility criteria
- Your business is based and operates in the UK and;
- Has a borrowing proposal which were it not for COVID-19, we would consider viable under our usual lending criteria.
- You can provide confirmation that your business has been adversely impacted by COVID-19.
- You operate in an eligible sector. To find out more about eligibility visit: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/recovery-loan-scheme/faqs/#q3
- Is not ineligible due to your trade or organisation. The following trades and organisations are not eligible to apply: Banks, Building Societies, Insurers and Reinsurers (but not insurance brokers). The public sector including state funded primary and secondary schools.
- Credit and fraud checks are applicable for all borrowers.
- Turnover limit: Businesses with a turnover not exceeding £45m per annum.
Important to know
- You need to be an existing AIB customer.
- All lending is subject to terms and conditions and eligibility criteria.
- A key aim of the Recovery Loan Scheme is to improve the terms on offer to businesses, if we can offer a business the choice of a commercial loan on better terms, without requiring the guarantee provided by the RLS, we will do so.’
- You can still apply for the Recovery Loan Scheme if you’ve taken out a Bounce Back Loan or Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan provided you meet the eligibility criteria and lending assessments. The amount you’ve borrowed under a previous scheme may in certain circumstances limit the amount you may borrow under the RLS.
- If you decide to switch your current account to another Bank you won’t have to close your loan but you will continue to be liable for any repayments as per your contract.
- We will not request that you open a business current account with us as part of the RLS loan application.
- You are able to use another provider to manage your business banking while retaining your RLS loan with us.
Full details on RLS, including how the scheme operates, eligibility criteria, and the list of participating RLS lenders can be found on the British Business Bank website at:
https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/ourpartners/recovery-loan-scheme/for-businesses/
And
https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-hub/
Supporting Information
We may ask you to provide certain evidence to show that you can afford to repay the facility. This is likely to include some or all of the following:
- Management accounts
- Cash flow forecast
- Business plan
- Historic accounts
- Details of assets
The Recovery Loan Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Visit the British Business Bank.
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