HSBC Financing for Growth

HSBC UK offers a range of lending solutions to help eligible businesses manage cash flow, invest, expand and pursue opportunities in domestic and international markets.

Depending on your specific business needs, financial circumstances and eligibility, these may include:

• Overdrafts and working capital facilities
• Term loans
• Commercial mortgages
• Asset and equipment finance
• Trade finance
• Acquisition finance
• Structured lending.

HSBC UK can work with you to understand your business needs and identify suitable financing options.

Explore our business finance and borrowing solutions or contact us to discuss your requirements.

HSBC UK lends businesses more than money. It offers lending expertise, a strong understanding of sectors and markets, and experience supporting international trade.

Subject to assessment and local availability, HSBC UK may be able to support eligible businesses with financing for working capital, investment, expansion and cross-border growth.

Businesses may benefit from a relationship-led approach that considers borrowing alongside broader financial needs. This can help create a more joined-up approach to managing finances and supporting growth.

The annual HSBC Financing for Growth report explores how businesses are responding to changing conditions and considering investment, resilience and growth. It provides context for the decisions businesses face when planning their next stage of development.

Businesses may use a combination of different funding strategies to fund their growth. These may include:

• Reinvesting profits
• Using existing cash reserves
• Arranging working capital facilities
• Taking term loans
• Financing equipment or property
• Accessing trade finance
• Raising investment
• Structured funding

The latest HSBC Financing for Growth report explores how businesses are approaching growth, investment and resilience in a changing environment. Because funding choices carry different costs, risks and repayment requirements, businesses should assess how each option fits their strategy and financial capacity.

There are a number of key factors to consider before borrowing, such as what you’ll be using the funds for, how much you need, how long you’ll need to repay, the total cost, and how flexible the finance is. It’s also important to consider whether repayments would still be manageable if trading conditions change.

Key things to review include:

• Purpose: what the funding is for
• Amount and timing: how much is needed and when
• Repayment term: whether repayments fit cash flow
• Total cost: interest, fees and other charges
• Security: any collateral or guarantees required
• Flexibility: whether the facility can adapt as needs change
• Currency exposure: any FX or interest-rate risk
• Documentation: financials, forecasts and business plans
• Resilience: ability to repay if conditions worsen

Lending is subject to status. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. To find out about how HSBC could support your growth ambitions, please get in touch.

The HSBC UK Financing for Growth 2026 report shows how UK businesses are funding their ambitions. It's based on a survey of business leaders across the UK and covers businesses that range from established medium-sized enterprises with a turnover of £3m or more to corporates turning over £15m or more.

The report explores how companies are:

• Managing cash flow and borrowing
• Investing in technology and AI
• Entering new markets
• Building sustainability into everyday operations

It also shares practical insights from HSBC UK specialists. If you're planning your next stage of growth, it's a useful way to see how your peers are approaching the same decisions.

The big message is clear: ambitious businesses aren't waiting for perfect conditions. They see volatility as something to manage, not a reason to delay.

• Confidence is high. 78% of businesses are optimistic about their growth prospects over the next 12–24 months. This rises to 95% among firms targeting significant growth.
• Borrowing has doubled. 56% of businesses accessed new borrowing or credit lines in the last year, up from 28% in 2025.
• Banks are playing a bigger role. 44% of companies plan to use bank financing, up from 38% in 2025.
• Technology is driving change. 79% of firms expect technology change to have a positive impact. Plans vary by business size. Corporates are using balance sheet capacity to invest. Smaller businesses are focusing on cash flow resilience to handle high operating costs.

In short, they're using finance more strategically. Many businesses now keep cash reserves as a safety buffer and use external funding to grow. Intent to use cash reserves has fallen by 7% year on year.

Here's how growth-focused businesses are approaching it:

• Arranging funding early. They put committed facilities in place, so they can act fast when an opportunity appears.
• Protecting working capital. Reducing costs (82%) and improving cash flow (79%) are their top priorities.
• Borrowing with purpose. They're funding digital technology, new products, overseas expansion, and acquisitions. 39% have borrowed, or would borrow, for digital technology.
• Exploring more options. Asset finance now funds technology, and sustainable finance can help lower the cost of capital.
• Working with a trusted partner. 54% turn to their primary bank first for borrowing decisions.

Not sure which option suits your business? Our relationship teams can help you compare solutions and plan for both tougher conditions and new opportunities. Talk to us today about your growth plans.