What emergency funding facilities are out there to survive the Covid-19 cash-flow crisis?

The UK Government has, in the last few weeks, introduced a multi-billion-pound package of measures, including certain financial support for businesses and institutions that experience issues with their cash flow as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Various schemes have been introduced, including the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the charities financial support package that could be pertinent to these sectors and which we explore below further.

Covid Corporate Financing Facility (CCFF)

This loan facility was introduced to support large institutions that make a material contribution to the UK economy. The Bank of England provides this funding to businesses and other entities by purchasing via a form of short-term debt instrument (with maturity between 1 week and 12 months) with fairly standardised terms. The CCFF is unsecured, but it is issued at a discount, with the incentive being the investors being paid an amount equal to the face value on maturity. The minimum amount purchased starts at £1,000,000, and since its introduction, the total amount of funding available through this scheme exceeded £5.5 billion.

Conclusion

It is worth considering this facility as an option when considering any short-term borrowing to cover short-term liquidity issues. If you operate in a regulated sector and are considering any of the above forms of finance, then you may also need to consider whether you have to discuss these cash-flow issues with the regulator. We have seen that some housing associations have been applying and qualifying for the scheme, although some have been rejected due to their V2 rating (which is the second-highest available grading for financial viability) so there continues to be some inconsistency in applying for this funding.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS)

Under these schemes, the UK Government will guarantee 80% of the outstanding balance of any loan facilities drawn down by the borrowers to encourage the banks and other funders to lend by mitigating the risk of repayment default and hence reducing lenders’ exposure. The UK Government are currently considering increasing this guarantee to 100% for small businesses, although this has not yet been implemented.

Both schemes are subject to certain eligibility conditions and target both smaller and larger businesses under which the lenders can provide loans of up to £5 million under CBILS and up to £50 million under CLBILS. The funding under these two schemes can be in the form of term loans, asset finance, overdrafts or invoice finance, and these loans remain a responsibility of the borrower.

It is, however, also worth noting that personal guarantees may be requested for loans exceeding £250,000 by the lenders in support of these two schemes, which may cause issues for many smaller borrowers. We encourage the business to speak to their lenders to explore any acceptable alternatives.

Conclusion

It is important to note that these two schemes are opened only to any viable businesses that meet the requirements for a commercial loan (including where relevant security is available or indeed where no security is available) due to the Covid-19 crisis. Businesses will need to be able to demonstrate the same.

Those organisations operating in low-risk, stable sectors (such as social housing or social care) are more likely to be able to unlock the funds available through these schemes, although they are less likely to need to call on the above facilities. There will, however, be some merit in exploring what is available to them under these schemes as part of their broader strategy for surviving the Covid-19 cash-flow crisis and we can guide you through these options further (as well as any alternatives).

Charities Financial Support Package

Last but not least, the additional £750 million package to help some struggling charities was also announced by the UK Government in April 2020. This should involve cash grants of up to £360 million to be provided by the government departments directly to charities, which are providing key services during the Covid-19 crisis. Up to £370 million cash grants have been made available to any smaller local charities, including those delivering food and essential medicines and providing financial advice.

Conclusion

The limitations on those who can benefit from this financial support mean that many other charities that may not be considered ‘key’ during the crisis will have very limited access to these cash grants or assistance other than saving costs via the job retention scheme. Our website is updated weekly with the most recent developments in this sector, including how charities are rising to the challenge and keeping connected.

There are numerous other forms of funding introduced by the UK Government with the above being just a snapshot as to what is available in the ever-changing financial market. If you wish to explore any of the above funding options or discuss any other options you may have as a result of your current funding, please contact Adriana Klincova, Emma Watt or Natalie Singh.

We also recommend you engage with your lenders and financial advisers alongside exploring any online resources such as the British Business Bank website. 

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