Business Loans and Finance for the North
Fair, relationship led finance for startups, small businesses and growing businesses across the North of England. As a not-for-profit lender, we take the time to understand your business, your plans and where you want to go next.
What do you need finance for?
Turn your idea into reality with funding for startup costs, equipment, stock and early growth.
Access working capital to help keep your business moving.
Invest in people, equipment, premises and expansion opportunities.
Replace expensive short-term borrowing with finance designed for sustainable growth.
Who we help and where we lend
We provide finance to businesses at different stage including start-ups, small businesses, and growing businesses.
We lend for a range of business needs including starting a business, managing cashflow, growing your business and refinancing existing borrowing.
We lend across Yorkshire and The Humber, the North East and the North West. Check your area to see whether we lend where your business is based.
Why choose BEF?
People first
Real people, not automated decisions.
Bigger picture
We look beyond the numbers and your credit score.
Fair funding
Designed to help businesses move forward.
Community impact
Every repayment supports more businesses.
A different kind of business lender
BEF is a not-for-profit Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) that has helped businesses across the North access finance since 2004. We exist to help businesses start, develop and grow, creating jobs, opportunity and economic value across the communities we serve.
"There are brilliant founders and business owners across the North. We understand their ambitions, help them access finance and build more vibrant communities."
Doug Heseltine, Director of Investments
Hear from a business owner
See what it's like to work with BEF, in their own words.
The impact of our lending since 2012
Invested in startups and SMEs
Added to the regional economy
Jobs created or protected
New UK businesses created
Businesses we've helped
We've helped thousands of businesses access the finance they need to move forward. Read some of their stories and see what finance has helped them achieve.
Say 'Cheers' to growth of Leeds Craft Beer Brewery
Leeds-based specialist brewpub is primed for growth and job creation.
Business finance FAQs
Find answers to common questions about business finance, from how much you can borrow to what finance can be used for. As a not-for-profit CDFI, we take a different approach to lending, so you can also find out more about how we work.
Better outcomes through partnership
We work with organisations across the public, private and third sectors to help businesses access the finance they need to move forward. By working together, we can strengthen businesses and help create more vibrant communities across the North.