The Future Growth Loan Scheme is a Government of Ireland schemeoffered by the SBCI in conjunction withthe Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund

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Image: AIB has launched Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Future Growth Loan Scheme. Photo: courtesy of Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay.

AIB  has announced it is making €75 million in funding available as part of the Strategic  Banking Corporation of Ireland’s (SBCI) ‘Future Growth Loan Scheme’ which is designed to provide support to SME and Agribusinesses.

Over c. €480 million in SBCI  funding  has been administered to  Irish SMEs by AIB  to date and participation in this latest scheme forms another part of the range of supports which AIB has made available to customers.

Speaking about the announcement, Colin Hunt, Chief Executive Officer, AIB said“AIB is delighted to be making €75million  in funding available as part of the  Strategic  Banking Corporation of Ireland Future Growth Loan Scheme. Our team of dedicated advisors are available to meet with businesses who  are  looking  to  avail  of  this  scheme  and  invest  in  their  operations,  helping  create  long-term sustainable growth.”

The  Minister  for  Business,  Enterprise  &  Innovation,  Heather  Humphreys  T.D.  said “We have experienced very strong  demand  for the  Future  Growth  Loan  Scheme  from businesses since it  was launched earlier this year and I am very pleased  that  AIB  will  now  be providing funding under  the Scheme.  This  is  an  important  support  for  businesses  who  want  to  invest  in  their  future,  providing affordable finance for up to 10 years.”

The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. said“I am pleased that the loan funding through AIB will help to meet the significant demand from farmers, the seafood sector and food businesses for investment finance under the Future  Growth  Loan  Scheme.  This is particularly important for young and new entrant farmers, especially those who do not have high levels of security. It will also  serve smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate for more favourable terms with their banks. Critically  it  will  allow  them  to  focus  on  competitiveness  and innovation, both key themes in our Food Wise strategy for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector.’’

Loan amounts vary from €100,000 to a maximum of €3,000,000 per SME applicant and €50,000 to a maximum of €3,000,000 for Agr applicants. Businesses looking to avail of the scheme through AIB will be able to so from November 9th.

SBCI Chief Executive Nick Ashmore said:“We look forward to further developing our partnership with  AIB  with the delivery of the Future  Growth  Loan  Scheme in Ireland. SBCI’s objective of supporting and promoting competition in the provision of finance to small businesses combined with AIB’s ability to deliver lending products to the whole SME and farming sector will ensure a compelling offering for those looking to finance their long-term investment.”

The Future Growth Loan Scheme is a Government of Ireland scheme offered by the SBCI in conjunction with the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. The Future Growth Loan Scheme benefits from a guarantee from the  European Union under the  European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).