Approach a lender
GGS is available only through accredited lenders. You should approach a lender yourself, ideally through its website. Not every accredited lender provides every type of finance, and the amount of finance offered varies, so check each lender's website for the amounts and types it offers.
You do not need to be an existing customer of the lender.
What the lender checks
The lender assesses your application. If it can offer a commercial facility on better terms than a GGS-backed facility, it will. If it cannot, and you are eligible, it may use GGS. All facilities, including GGS-backed ones, are provided at the lender's discretion, and lenders must carry out their standard credit, fraud, anti-money laundering and know your customer checks.
You will also be asked two short questions about links to Northern Ireland, and to confirm in writing that the facility will not take your business over the subsidy limit for a three-year period.
If you are declined
If one lender turns you down, you can still approach other lenders, including others within the scheme. For early-stage businesses in their first three years of trading, the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme may also be suitable. Beware of fraud: only accept a GGS-backed facility through an accredited lender.
Browse the accredited lenders list.
Before you apply, check your answers with the GGS eligibility checker.
QUESTIONS
How to apply for a Growth Guarantee Scheme loan: questions
Do I apply to the government?
No. You apply to an accredited lender.
Will the lender always use GGS?
No. If it can offer a facility on equivalent or better terms without the guarantee, it will.
What do I tell the lender about subsidy?
You must declare relevant subsidies you have received, and confirm in writing that the facility will not take you over the three-year limit.