First Enterprise has channelled £10 million in finance to UK small and medium-sized businesses within the first half of the 2025/26 financial year. The organisation, which operates as a Community Development Finance Institution, has seen a marked rise in lending activity compared with the same period last year.
The loans, typically ranging from £25,000 to £250,000, have been delivered through programmes backed by the British Business Bank, including the Start Up Loans initiative, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, and the Community ENABLE Fund. The expanded funding pipeline has strengthened First Enterprise’s capacity to work with firms seeking alternatives to mainstream lenders.
The organisation’s portfolio continues to target businesses facing barriers to traditional finance. The current investment level is supporting job creation and business growth across a range of sectors. First Enterprise has signalled that it will maintain its focus on inclusive lending and widen its reach to more SMEs through the remainder of the financial year.
