Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
Available to new and existing customers
Businesses who have taken out previous Government-backed lending are eligible
Available for new purchases or refinancing debt
How we're supporting businesses
We've been accredited by the British Business Bank to offer secured commercial mortgages through the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS). Our accreditation and deployment of the scheme will allow us to continue to support SMEs as they look to reach their business goals.
What is the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)?
The successor scheme to the Recovery Loan Scheme, The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) launched in July 2024 and is designed to support access to finance for UK small businesses as they look to invest and grow.
The Growth Guarantee Scheme aims to improve the terms on offer to borrowers. If we can offer a commercial loan on better terms, we will do so.
Growth Guarantee Scheme-backed facilities are provided at our discretion. We are required to undertake our standard credit and fraud checks for all applicants.
What does the Growth Guarantee Scheme offer?
Up to £2m business group
The maximum amount of a facility provided under the scheme is generally £2m per business group for borrowers outside the scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol, and up to £1m (or such other sum as notified from time to time by us to the lender in accordance with the relevant legal agreement(s)) per business group for Northern Ireland Protocol borrowers. Our minimum facility size is £250,000.
Owner-occupied mortgages
The loan can be used for business investment, to refinance existing debt from another lender, and for cash flow purposes. For buying a property a business will occupy. For example, a retail unit, a care home, or a warehouse.
Term length
Term loans and asset finance facilities are available from three months up to six years, with overdrafts and invoice finance available from three months up to three years
Access to multiple schemes
Businesses that took out a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS), Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) or a Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) facility before 30 June 2024 are not prevented from accessing Growth Guarantee Scheme, but borrowing under these schemes may reduce the maximum amount the borrower is eligible for.
Pricing
Interest rates and fees charged by us will vary and will depend on the specific lending proposal. Our pricing will take into account the benefit of the Government guarantee.
Personal Guarantees
Personal guarantees can be taken at our discretion, in line with their normal commercial lending practices. Principal Private Residences cannot be taken as security within the Scheme
Guarantee is to Atom
The scheme provides us, the lender, with a 70% government-backed guarantee against the outstanding balance of the facility after it has completed its normal recovery process. The borrower always remains 100% liable for the debt.
Decision-making delegated to Atom
Growth Guarantee Scheme-backed facilities are provided at the discretion of Atom. We are required to undertake our standard credit and fraud checks for all applicants.
The assistance provided through the Growth Guarantee Scheme, like many Government-backed business support activities, is regarded as a subsidy and is deemed to benefit the borrower. There is a limit to the amount of subsidy that may be received by a borrower, and its wider group, over any rolling three-year period. Any previous subsidy may reduce the amount a business can borrow. More information on subsidies is available here .
Who is eligible for the Growth Guarantee Scheme?
To be eligible for a GGS loan, your customer’s business must:
- Be a smaller business, with a turnover or up to £45m (on a group basis, where part of a group)
- Be carrying out trading activity in the UK and, for most businesses, generating more than 50% of its income from trading activity
- Have a borrowing proposal which Atom would consider viable in line with our commercial lending policy in place at time of application
- Not be a business in difficulty, including not being in any relevant insolvency proceedings
- Provide suitable security for a secured loan in line with our commercial lending policy
- Be able to provide written confirmation that receipt of the Growth Guarantee Scheme facility will not mean that the business exceeds the maximum amount of subsidy they are allowed to receive. All borrowers in receipt of a subsidy from a publicly funded programme should be provided with a written statement, confirming the level and type of aid received.
Who is not eligible to apply?
- Banks, building societies, insurers and reinsurers (excluding insurance brokers)
- Public sector bodies
- State funded primary or secondary schools.
Growth Guarantee Scheme application guidelines
Before you can submit an application, the principal of your firm will need to sign and return a GGS addendum to your agreement with us. If you or your firm principal need assistance, please contact your RBDM.
To process your application on behalf of a business, we will need the following documentation:
- Atom GGS supplementary form
- Data Protection & Disclosure Declaration for all key applicants and any personal guarantors
- Latest 2 years complete accounts, including P&L
- Up to date management accounts and trading performance evidence (including P&L and aged debtors/creditors list)
We will not be able to proceed with your case without the Atom GGS supplementary form, please ensure this is submitted with the application.
Once you’ve contacted us for a quote, our TBDM or RBDM team will be in touch about the application and to discuss your case, including eligibility and to provide you with indicative pricing.
How do I apply?
You can apply for a GGS loan on behalf of your client by using the Portal.
Register for PortalSupport and help for you and your customers
While we’ve certainly had some hard times recently, we hope that our GGS loans can help you to get your customers back on their feet. We want you to feel supported through the application process, so we’ve put together some resources below:
General support
Remember, you can always get in touch if there’s something you’d like to talk to us about. Contact our TBDM team via businesssupport@atombank.co.uk or 0333 399 0060, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, you can speak to your RBDM, who’ll be happy to answer any queries.
Business finance support
The British Business Bank’s Business Guidance pages have a range of guidance and resources for businesses , including information on how to manage cashflow and where to find independent advice.
The Growth Guarantee Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business & Trade. 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 www.british-business-bank.co.uk/finance-options/debt-finance/growth-guarantee-scheme .