Business finance for the North
Your business is more than a set of numbers. That's why BEF takes a different approach to business finance. We're a not for profit Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) providing fair, relationship-led finance to businesses across the North.
Finance with a different purpose
As a not for profit Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI), BEF exists to do more than provide finance. We lend to help businesses start, sustain and grow, creating jobs, opportunity and economic value across the North.
Business finance with a personal approach
That purpose shapes how we lend. Our experienced teams use human judgement to consider your business, your circumstances and the wider context behind your application.
"A business is more than a set of numbers. We want to understand the people behind the business and what finance could make possible. That’s why we take a relationship-led approach to lending."
- Doug Heseltine, Director of Investments
What are you looking to achieve?
Get your business off the ground with finance for start-up costs, equipment, stock, marketing and other early investments.
Keep your business moving when money going out doesn't always match money coming in. Finance can help support working capital and day-to-day operations.
Invest in your next stage of growth, whether you're hiring staff, increasing capacity, moving premises or reaching new customers.
Replace expensive short-term borrowing with finance that could better support your business and provide more manageable repayments.
Who we support
From start-ups to established businesses, find out who BEF supports and explore finance based on your business stage.
Explore who we supportWhere we lend
BEF provides finance across Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and the North West. Explore your region to find out where we lend and the finance available in your area.
Explore where we lendA different kind of business lender
Not for profit
We're here to support businesses and the communities they operate in, rather than maximise profit from lending.
Decisions made by people
We take the time to understand your business, your plans and your circumstances when considering your application.
Finance with a purpose
Our lending helps businesses start, sustain and grow, creating jobs, opportunity and economic value across the North.
Relationship-led
You'll deal with people who understand business and are there to support you throughout your funding journey.
Finance that makes an impact
Backed ambitious businesses
Added to the regional economy
Jobs created or protected
New UK founders backed
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 strategic partners across the public, private and third sectors to help businesses access finance and support and strengthen the communities we serve.