A new taskforce and Government-backed roadmap will develop partnerships between our members and banks, to make it easier for small businesses across the UK to access finance. The UK Community Finance Partnership Taskforce has a mission… Continue reading
News
Plucky underdogs and unsung heroes save the day
Are your eardrums ready? Pantomime season is here and if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, expect the volume to rise as “oh no it isn’t!” and “oh yes it is” echo around the theatre.… Continue reading
From access to opportunity: Lessons from America’s CDFIs for a stronger UK
A transatlantic learning journey Four weeks on from our visit to Washington DC for the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) Conference, the Responsible Finance team, and the CDFI members who joined us, are buzzing with ideas. With… Continue reading
Powering-up small businesses to unleash economic growth with JPMorganChase and First Enterprise (new podcast)
Colleen Ebbitt from JPMorganChase and Danielle Davis from First Enterprise join us today for a fascinating chat about listening to and supporting under-served businesses so they can thrive. How? Well, Colleen covers JPMorganChase’s small business philanthropy,… Continue reading
Championing SME Growth: Lloyds Bank CDFI Referrals Pilot
Responsible Finance and Lloyds Bank are piloting an exciting referral initiative designed to enable more businesses to find and access the finance that suits them. Jo Clough, Social Sustainability Director, Lloyds Bank Business and Commercial Banking… Continue reading
Why an evidence-backed policy to double affordable credit provision must be part of the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy
“In the past I’d had loans, people knocking on my door saying ‘you owe me money.’ That should be left behind. A responsible lender should look at the person you are now. If you’re working and… Continue reading
The Times: small businesses turning to CDFIs to refinance alternative lenders’ expensive loans
17 October 2025: Jess Jones’ new article in The Times newspaper covers the growing trend of businesses with expensive, short-term loans approaching community development finance institutions, our members, to refinance them on better terms. The piece… Continue reading
The Scotsman: ethical lender SIS is creating meaningful change
14 October 2025: Social Investment Scotland has impacted the lives of millions and is covered in a new article in The Scotsman to mark the publication of a new impact report. The Scotsman’s piece describes SIS’… Continue reading
The Times: businesses face postcode lottery accessing finance, but CDFIs play key role
07.10.2025 Today’s Times newspaper covers the British Business Bank’s Nations and Regions Tracker 2025, which gives an analysis of geographic patterns in UK small business finance. The Times’ article covers the Tracker’s findings that businesses’ location… Continue reading
The high-cost loan scandal no one is talking about
“The only gig in town came with 60% interest, because we were considered subprime lending. It meant that every payment of £15,000 included £9,000 interest.” When it comes to high-cost credit, most of us think of… Continue reading