Growth Sustainability Loan Scheme

We have partnered with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to bring you loans under the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS).

This Scheme, which benefits from a guarantee from the European Investment Bank Group (EIB) and support from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), is operated by the SBCI. There are more details on the SBCI Website.

There are two loans offered under the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme.

Key features

A variable rate loan.
Supporting SMEs with long-term finance to invest in the climate action and environmental sustainability or the growth and resilience of their business.
Loan terms from seven years up to ten years.
Amounts of €25,000 up to €3,000,000 are available.
No security required on loans up to €500,000; loans above €500,000 may be secured.
Loans are available up to 30 June 2029 or until the scheme has been fully subscribed.
A variable rate loan with a fixed repayment. This means that if interest rates go up or down the repayment amount does not automatically change which could mean that additional repayments are needed to clear the loan at the end of the loan term.

The Scheme at a glance

Variable interest rate
Loan amounts from €25,000 - €3,000,000
Terms from seven years up to ten years
Unsecured loans up to €500,000

GSLS Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability Loan

This loan is available to businesses who qualify as a green enterprise, farmers classified as holders of a Green Eco Label or customers who are investing in green measures. For full details on the qualifying criteria please refer to the SBCI Website.

Green Enterprise – SME or Farmer:

SME: Enterprises that have revenue of 90% plus concentrated in areas under climate action and environmental sustainability, such as, renewable energy, energy efficiency, circular economy, waste prevention and recycling.
Farmer: Farm holdings participating in sustainable programmes, such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Organic Farming Scheme or are a member of both, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and Bord Bia’s Sustainable Farming Origin Green programme.

Green Measures:

The broad range of investments can include initiatives, such as

building upgrades and renovations,
roof and wall insulation,
replacement of windows,
replacement of existing lighting with energy efficient LEDs,
electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging points,
manufacturing of energy efficient equipment / renewable energy equipment,
minimum tillage equipment,
tractor and harvester replacement,
agriculture building renovation or upgrade,
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS III) supported improvements.

GSLS Growth and Resilience Loan

This loan is for long-term investments towards the growth and resilience of the enterprise. Loans will be allowed, subject to eligibility criteria for, but not limited to, the following purposes:

investments in tangible or intangible assets,
machinery or equipment,
research and development,
business expansion,
premises improvement,
process innovation.

Interest Rate

The interest rate on Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability Loans is the SBCI Variable Rate1 plus 1.942% margin.

The interest rate on Growth and Resilience Loans is the SBCI Variable Rate1 plus 2.192% margin.

The interest rate reflects the benefits of the guarantee that has been provided by the European Investment Bank Group (EIB), with support from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to AIB.

¹The SBCI Variable Rate Loan interest rate is a variable interest rate which may change. The SBCI Variable Rate Loan interest rate is set weekly and published on this website.

More information about who the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme is suitable for.

To apply for a Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme loan customers must be a viable small or medium sized enterprise (SME), Small Mid-Cap enterprise or Primary Producers (including farmers, fisheries and aquaculture).

Eligible participants in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS III) and the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Young Fishers Scheme, subject to scheme criteria and lender approval.

An SME is defined by the Standard EU definition [Commission Regulation 2003/361/EC] as an enterprise that:
- has fewer than 250 employees
- has a turnover of €50 million or less (or €43 million or less on their balance sheet)
- is independent and autonomous that is, not part of a wider group of enterprises
- has less than 25% of their capital held by public bodies
A Small Mid-Cap is an enterprise that is not an SME but has fewer than 500 employees.

A Primary Producer is a person who is engaged in the production, rearing or growing of primary products including harvesting, milking and farmed animal production prior to slaughter. It also includes hunting and fishing and the harvesting of wild products.

In addition, in order to be eligible for the Scheme, the business must be both established and operating in the Republic of Ireland.
Step 1 – First, apply for a SBCI Eligibility Code from the SBCI through their online Hub which can be accessed here SBCI Hub

Step 2 – Once you have received your SBCI Eligibility Code from the SBCI, You can fill out our SBCI Lending Scheme Online Enquiry Form.

Please note: Under Scheme rules we may need to cease taking applications without notice from certain sectors, for certain loan purposes or if we meet our allocation under the Scheme. Please note that eligibility confirmation from SBCI is not a guarantee of loan approval and no application is guaranteed until it is approved by AIB.
Under Scheme rules, customers in some sectors are excluded from applying.

Some of the excluded sectors are listed below, see full list of Excluded and Restricted Sectors here.

MINING AND QUARRYING

Extraction of natural gas

Support activities for petroleum and natural gas extraction

MANUFACTURING

Manufacture of tobacco products

Manufacture of weapons and ammunition

REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES

Buying and selling of own real estate

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION

Gambling and betting activities
The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme operates under the following State aid measures:

De Minimis Regulation
- Small Mid-Caps
- SMEs borrowing funds for climate action and environmental sustainability measures
Article 17 of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)
- SMEs borrowing funds to invest in growth and resilience measures
Article 20 of the Fishery Block Exemption Regulation (FIBER)
- Eligible fisheries-sector borrowers seeking finance for first vessel acquisition and related qualifying activities.
Article 29 of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)
- SMEs in the fishery and aquaculture sector implementing process and organisational innovation projects
Article 14 of the Agriculture Block Exemption Regulation (ABER)
- SMEs active in the primary production of agricultural products
Article 17 of the Agriculture Block Exemption Regulation (ABER)
- SMEs active in the processing of agricultural products and the marketing of agricultural products
Customers:
- Applying to refinance existing debt.
- Applying to finance pure real estate development activity.
- Applying to finance land, including agricultural land.
- Applying to support the purchase of livestock.
- In financial difficulty.
- That are bankrupt or being wound up or having its affairs administered by the courts.
- That have a substantial focus in any of the Excluded or Restricted Sectors
- That are subject to sanctions or engaged in illegal activities.
Applicants should visit the SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme website for full eligibility criteria and information on how to obtain an SBCI Eligibility Code.

Other resources

Helpful Guide to Applying for Business Finance

T&C’s Governing Business Lending

Important / Regulatory Information

Lending Criteria, terms and conditions apply. Credit facilities are subject to repayment capacity and financial status and are not available to persons under 18 years of age. Security may be required.