We’re delighted to share that 2025/26 was another record-breaking year for SWIG Finance, with more than £18.4 million delivered to small businesses throughout the South and West Country.
More than 500 businesses were supported with funding, helping to generate £95.2 million in Social Impact Value. Of this, 36% of lending was delivered to female-led businesses and 19% to businesses led by ethnic minorities.
SWIG Finance delivered more than £18.4 million to small businesses throughout the South and West Country.
SWIG Finance is the South West’s dedicated Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and exists to support businesses that are unable to get funding elsewhere. We are proud to report that 22% of our lending supported businesses in some of the most deprived areas of the region.
This year’s report highlights some of the stand-out customers we’ve supported during the year, including some incredible success stories and stories on the small businesses that have scaled up thanks, in part, to the loans and support from SWIG Finance.
The success comes as both of our lending teams smashed their previous lending records, more than £10.4 million was delivered through our Business Loans, helping to create and safeguard 1,134 SME jobs. And £8 million was delivered by our Start Up Loans team, supporting the creation of 404 new start-ups.
Find out more about the impact generated by our lending!
As a CDFI, we work in collaboration with a diverse range of funders to support our customers. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our funders British Business Bank, Social Investment Scotland, Better Society Capital and Triodos.
2025/26 was a big year for the business, as our long-standing Managing Director, John Peters, took a well-deserved retirement. Following in John’s footsteps, we welcomed Matthew Wilde as MD.
Of the this year’s success, Matt commented: “2025/26 has been a significant year for SWIG Finance, both in the scale of our lending and the depth of our impact across the South West. Looking ahead, we will build on this momentum, integrate BBB’s Community ENABLE Fund, enhance technology to improve accessibility, and continue evolving as a future-focused CDFI. I want to thank the SWIG Finance team for delivering a record year during change. I am proud of our progress and confident in the impactful journey ahead”.
SWIG Finance Chair, Rebecca Pritchard, said: “In 2025/26, SWIG’s work generated more than £95 million in social value – an achievement that would not be possible without the passion and dedication of our SWIG colleagues”.
SWIG Finance is a not-for-profit distributing organisation, and we are focused on the triple bottom line. All of our profits are reinvested so that we can continue growing and supporting more businesses each year.
Find out more about the social impact value generated by our lending in our 2025/26 impact report, download the report here.
About SWIG Finance
SWIG Finance is a people-based lender that provides loans and support to help smaller businesses in the South and West Country grow. We base our lending decisions on potential rather than collateral, which means that we can often support businesses when others can't.
We’re growing every year. In 2025/26, we lent £18.4m to 506 businesses, helping to create and secure over 1,134 jobs and generate £95.2m in social impact. Download the report here.
If you’d like an informal chat about your funding requirements, get in touch with our friendly and professional team to see how we can help: info@swigfinance.co.uk / 01872 227 930