BCRS Business Loans has reached a lending milestone of £100m since it launched in 2002.
The Wolverhampton-based community lenders have generated £518m in economic impact across the Midlands and Wales.
So far, 1,594 businesses have received funding they were unable to secure from traditional lenders, with BCRS saying this has helped create over 5,900 jobs and safeguard nearly 12,000 more.
The lender has also focused on backing underrepresented groups, 20% of the businesses supported were female-led, and 44% were based in economically deprived areas.
Stephen Deakin, chief executive of BCRS said: “Reaching the £100m lending milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting businesses that struggle to access mainstream finance. Behind this figure, thousands of businesses have grown, creating jobs and prosperity in their communities. This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team. As a business with a strong heritage, we are proud to continue expanding our reach, now supporting businesses across the Midlands and Wales.”
BCRS manages the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF), offering loans from £25,000 to £250,000.
To date, the fund has provided £5m in lending to 62 businesses, which has helped create 160 jobs and protect over 600 others.
CIEF is backed by Lloyds Bank, social impact investor Better Society Capital, and is managed by Social Investment Scotland in partnership with three community finance providers, including BCRS.
BCRS is also involved in delivering funds backed by the British Business Bank. This includes a portion of the new £130m Investment Fund for Wales and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, a £400 million initiative.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine room of our economy and BCRS Business Loans is helping them to unlock the government-backed investment they need to scale up and create jobs. This support has driven real growth over the last year, from helping a Black Country manufacturer double its turnover to bringing a heritage Birmingham building back into use as a thriving bar and restaurant. And more than 1,000 jobs created or protected.
“These are the businesses that will push the region out of economic stagnation and get us back to growth. That’s why I’m focused on making sure these, and thousands of other businesses across the region, can access the funding and expert advice they need to get firing on all cylinders.”
The milestone comes after a strong 2024–25 financial year, in which BCRS lent nearly £10m to 124 businesses, up 68% from the previous year.
The organisation says this supported nearly 900 existing jobs and created over 300 new roles, contributing £51.2m to regional economies.
Just over a third of the funding went to the UK’s most disadvantaged areas.
