HSBC UK today launches a £200 million lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sussex and Surrey, as part of its commitment to help businesses realise their ambitions for growth and navigate Brexit.
The Sussex and Surrey Fund is part of a wider £14 billion fund for SMEs across the UK. Since launching the SME Fund in 2014, HSBC has committed more than £60 billion to UK SMEs as part of its commitment to help British businesses innovate, evolve and grow.
The HSBC UK 2019 Fund includes increased ring-fenced pots for international businesses and for the agriculture sector.
The allocation for international business has been doubled to £2 billion to help companies grow overseas, while the agriculture pot has increased to £1 billion from £300 million last year.
Andrew Steer, HSBC UK's Head of Business Banking for Sussex and Surrey, said: "The launch of this year's £200m fund shows our commitment to support the growth aspirations of SMEs across the region. This fund is all about helping businesses to take new opportunities and grow and we want to reassure them that we're here to support them achieve their goals."
HSBC UK funding has benefitted many businesses across the region, including multi awardwinning beauty firm BeautyPro. Earlier this year, Sussex-based BeautyPro secured more than £1 million funding from HSBC UK, enabling the company to drive efficiency across its business and double its turnover for a consecutive year.
Ibs Ansari, Managing Director of BeautyPro, said: "As we continue to grow, it's vital that we're smart about the way we operate and employ the best quality resources. The funding we received from HSBC UK has enabled us to invest effectively in new product development that returns investment through strong sales."
Amanda Murphy, Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC UK, added: "Our SME Fund will help companies seize new opportunities for growth at home and overseas.
"We've always supported ambitious businesses, and we see it as our responsibility to be there for our customers whether conditions are benign or challenging.
"This year's Fund is therefore, part of a broader range of initiatives that we have in place to support British business as they navigate Brexit in a fast-changing world."
To help customers prepare for Brexit, HSBC UK has launched a dedicated helpline for customers with Brexit-related financial concerns and setup an online resource hub which provides support and advice on the steps businesses should take to plan for the future.
The bank has had more than 15,000 conversations with customers about Brexit so far this year and has held more than 60 sessions across the country to talk to SMEs about the current economic landscape and how to plan for growth.
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