SBCI | Business Banking

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Does your business qualify?

SBCI and Ulster Bank supporting local enterprise.

Loans are for business purposes only and are subject to their terms and conditions, security and lending criteria. They are subject to availability. Each case is take on an individual basis. Applicants must be over 18 years of age.

Add your signposting title here… A loan to support your business

At Ulster Bank we are dedicated to supporting local enterprise. Which is why we are delighted to work with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to bring lower cost, long-term, innovative and accessible funding to independent Irish SMEs and farmers.

 

What is the SBCI? The SBCI is a new state body which is securing cheaper funding to lend to Irish Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through partnerships with organisations like Ulster Bank.

Eligibility Does your business qualify?

To avail of SBCI funding through Ulster Bank, your SME should meet each of the following criteria:

  Less than 250 employees

  Turnover of €50 million or below

  Balance Sheet assets less than €43 million

  No other companies with a vested interest or shareholding

  Less than 25% of ownership help by public bodies

  A significant presence in Ireland

WARNING:

The entire amount you have borrowed will still be outstanding at the end of the interest-only period.

The cost of your repayments may increase.

You may have to pay charges if you repay early, if full or in part, a fixed-rate credit facility.

Products Lending options

We currently offer two products in conjunction with the SBCI

Ulster Bank/ SBCI Business term loan

Ulster Bank/SBCI Agriculture investment loan

Product features for both products

Eligibility Summary of excluded activities
  • Finance of specific export operations, or finance contingent upon the use of domestic over imported products. In particular, it should not apply to financing the establishment and operation of a distribution network in other states, or current expenditure linked to the export activity.
  • Finance of pure real estate development activity.
  • Finance of activities constituting pure financial transactions (e.g. purchase of shares).
  • Loans to undertakings in difficulties.
  • Finance of activities forbidden by national or EU law.
  • Agriculture (see specific SBCI agricultural investment loan product), aquaculture and fisheries loans.
  • Please refer to the SBCI website for comprehensive detail on specific exclusions.
Need to knows Is this loan State Aid?

 

The provision of funding for the business term loan is being made under the De Minimis regulations which permit the provision of State Aid.

SMEs may avail of De Minimis Aid provided it does not exceed €200,000 in any 3-year period. In the case of certain loans, State Aid may arise by virtue of the discounted interest rate recieved by the SME on SBCI loans, and if so, the SME will be advised. It is important to note that the Aid is not the amount of the loan.

The provision of funding for the Agriculture Investment loan product is being made under the Agriculture Investment Loan scheme 2015. 

Note: Ulster Bank is obliged to share any information provided in connection with SBCI funding applications with the SBCI, primarily for the purposes of determining eligibility for the SBCI Scheme. It may also be shared with the SBCI’s funders (which includes the European Investment Bank, Kredietanstalt für Wiederaufbau and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund). This will be done with regard to data protection legislation obligations, and full details are provided on our application form. In relation to agricultural investment loans, the SBCI may post information on its website about you the customer, the SBCI scheme project and also the loan. If you decide to proceed with this application you consent to the transfer and use of your information in this manner. The SBCI may also correspond directly with you from time to time.

Contact us How to apply?
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    General enquiries

    1850 211 690 (Republic of Ireland)

    0345 366 5592 (UK)

    Or if calling from abroad 0044 2890 538459

    Lines are open 8.30am - 5pm  Monday to Friday - Note calls may be recorded

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