• Swindon & Wiltshire Support
• Monday June 15 2026

Lender celebrates another record-breaking year supporting SMEs

Business lender SWIG Finance has celebrated another record-breaking year, with more than £18.4 million delivered to small businesses throughout the South and West Country.

More than 500 businesses were supported with funding, helping to generate £95.2 million in social value.

SWIG Finance is the South West’s dedicated Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and is dedicated to supporting small businesses that might find it difficult to access funding elsewhere.

This year, 36 per cent of lending was delivered to female-led businesses and 19 per cent to businesses led by ethnic minorities, while 22 per cent of its lending supported businesses in some of the most deprived areas of the region.

The Business Loans team delivered more than £10.4 million
helping to create and safeguard 1,134 SME jobs, while a further £8 million was delivered by the Start Up Loans team, helping to create 404 new start-ups, according to the company’s latest Impact Report.

Managing director Matthew Wilde said: ““2025/26 has been a significant year for SWIG Finance, both in the scale of our lending and the depth of our impact across the South West.

“Looking ahead, we will build on this momentum, integrate BBB’s Community ENABLE Fund, enhance technology to improve accessibility, and continue evolving as a future-focused CDFI. I want to thank the SWIG Finance team for delivering a record year during change.

“I am proud of our progress and confident in the impactful journey ahead.”

And SWIG Finance chair, Rebecca Pritchard said: “In 2025/26, SWIG’s work generated more than £95 million in social value – an achievement that would not be possible without the passion and dedication of SWIG colleagues.”