Responsible Finance

We are the voice of the Responsible Finance industry

Lending statistics

2023 annual figures

In 2022, responsible finance providers lent a total of £248m, reaching 94,744 customers who would otherwise have been excluded from affordable finance. 99% of the businesses which borrowed from CDFIs in 2022 had previously been declined by another lender. They lent £117 million to 416 social enterprises. Thanks to community lenders, low income households saved £28 million in interest repayments compared to high-cost lenders. More than 8,000 jobs were created or saved with the support of responsible finance.

2022 annual figures

In 2021 responsible finance providers lent a total of £228 million. 94% of the established businesses they lent to had been declined by another lender. They lent £73 million to 383 social enterprises, a 17% rise from 2020. Thanks to community lenders, low income households saved £30 million in interest repayments compared to high-cost lenders. More than 10,000 jobs were created or saved with the support of responsible finance.

2021 annual figures

Between 1st April 2019 and 31st December 2020 responsible finance providers lent a total of £263 million to 6,000 start-ups, businesses and social enterprises.

2021 annual figures

Between 1st April 2019 and 31st December 2020 responsible finance providers lent a total of £39 million in 42,000 loans to 31,000 individuals.

2020 annual figures

Due to the impact of COVID-19 the 2020 survey was delayed until 2021. The latest figures will be released in Spring 2021.

  • Total value: £n/a
  • Number of loans: n/a

2019 annual figures

In 2019 responsible finance providers lent a total of £200 million to 40,069 customers. 13,800 jobs were created or saved with the support of responsible finance.

2018 annual figures

In 2018 the industry continued to grow. Responsible finance providers lent a total of £254 million to 52,121 customers, and 14,430 jobs were created or saved with the support of responsible finance.

2017 annual figures

In 2017 our members helped 34% more customers than in 2016. Responsible finance supported over 12,700 jobs, enabled the creation of 4,200 new businesses, enabled customers to deposit £3 million into savings accounts and supported the creation and survival of over 300 social enterprises.

2016 annual figures

In 2016 our members continued to play a vital role in supporting thousands of small businesses and lower-income consumers who feel left behind, in 2016, the responsible finance industry helped Britain’s businesses to create and save over 20,000 jobs and enabled 37,000 ‘just about managing’ households to build financial capability and resilience.

2015 annual figures

2015 proved a record year for the responsible lending market, with a 45% surge to £251million of lending to small businesses, social enterprises and local communities. This created 10,000 new businesses and 25,000 jobs, and ensured over 45,000 people had access to ethical loans as an alternative to high interest payday loans.