Numbering around 50 in the UK, Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) are financial institutions which provide alternative finance for businesses excluded from mainstream lenders.
SWIG Finance, which has offices in Truro, Exeter and Bristol, is one the UK’s longest- standing CDFIs, having been established 30 years ago.
As a CDFI, we operate a fundamentally different business model from traditional shareholder-driven financial institutions, with profits being reinvested to support our mission, which is to empower underserved businesses in the South West to realise their full potential.
Our core market is those viable small and micro-businesses which, for reasons of size, lack of a track record for credit, or a lack of security, can’t access all or part of the finance they require to grow.
We don’t compete with the banks, but rather help to increase the overall share of SMEs accessing finance, by focusing our efforts on segments which mainstream banks find costly to assess for risk.
As our decisions are made by people, not computers, we can lend by looking at the bigger picture, and our locally- based business managers employ a relationship-focused approach which makes us well-placed to understand our SME customers’ finance and wider business needs.
In today’s world, as our economy recovers from the shock of COVID-19, CDFIs are playing an increasingly vital role in creating a balanced financial ecosystem, ensuring that all viable businesses can access the funding they need to scale their business and help their communities prosper.
About SWIG Finance
SWIG Finance is the South West’s leading Community Development Financial Institution. We are passionate about bringing social and economic benefits to people and places in the South West.
We do this by providing support and finance to Start Ups and growing SMEs that can create and secure employment opportunities.
As the South West’s leading delivery partner for Start Up Loans UK, we can provide Start Up Loans from £500 – £25,000. For more information visit https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/start-up-loans/
We also have business loans from £25,001 to £250,000 available to South West SMEs who cannot access sufficient funding from their bank https://www.swigfinance.co.uk/business-loans/
If you would like to have an informal discussion about your funding requirements, get in touch with our friendly and professional team to find out how we can help: info@swigfinance.co.uk / 01872 227 930.