Business loans and finance for the North West
Fair, relationship-led finance to help businesses across the North West start, develop and grow.
Who we support and where we lend
We provide finance to businesses at different stage including start-ups, small businesses and growing businesses.
We lend for a range of business needs including starting a business, managing cashflow, growing your business and refinancing existing borrowing.
We lend across Yorkshire and Humber, the North East and the North West. Check your area to see whether we lend where your business is based.
Why choose Finance NW?
People first
Real people, not automated decisions.
The bigger picture
We look beyond the numbers and your credit score.
Fair funding
Designed to help businesses move forward.
Community impact
Every repayment supports more businesses.
A different kind of business lender
BEF is a not-for-profit Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) that has helped businesses across the North access finance since 2004. We exist to help businesses start, develop and grow, creating jobs, opportunity and economic value across the communities we serve.
"There are brilliant founders and business owners across the North. We understand their ambitions, help them access finance and build more vibrant communities."
Doug Heseltine, Director of Investments
Not for profit
Decisions made by people
Relationship-led
Finance beyond the high street
Trusted to deliver
Hear from a business owner
See what it's like to work with BEF, in their own words.
What do you need finance for?
Start a business
Find your finance
Get your business off the ground with finance for start-up costs, equipment, stock, marketing and other early investments.
Manage cash flow
Find your finance
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.
Grow your business
Find your finance
Invest in your next stage of growth, whether you're hiring staff, increasing capacity, moving premises or reaching new customers.
Refinance borrowing
Find your finance
Replace expensive short-term borrowing with finance that could better support your business and provide more manageable repayments.
The impact of our lending since 2012
£
129.5m
Invested in startups and SMEs
£
518m
Added to the regional economy
17,600+
Jobs created or protected
3,648
New UK businesses created
Businesses we've helped
We've helped thousands of businesses access the finance they need to move forward. Read some of their stories and see what finance has helped them achieve.
West Yorkshire
Start up
£75,000
Say 'Cheers' to growth of Leeds Craft Beer Brewery
Leeds-based specialist brewpub is primed for growth and job creation.
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.
Could BEF fund my business?
How much can I borrow?
Do you support start-ups?
What can business finance be used for?
Can I get finance for working capital?
Can I get finance to refinance expensive borrowing?
How do I know which finance option is right for me?
Better outcomes through partnership
We work alongside brokers, accountants, growth hubs, local authorities and business support organisations across the North West to help more businesses access the funding and guidance they need to succeed.