On February 16, 2026, the Wolverhampton-based lender BCRS Business Loans announced it has provided over £10 million in funding to 121 companies across the West Midlands and Wales. This investment has helped to create 288 new jobs and protect another 1,337 existing roles for people living in the region.
The money is distributed through a £62 million community fund which is backed by Lloyds Bank and Better Society Capital. The project is managed by Social Investment Scotland and focuses on helping small firms that might otherwise struggle to get support from traditional high street banks.
According to figures from the lender, the £10.3 million provided so far has added an estimated £52 million in value to the local economy. Businesses such as the local firm Vabe Wholesale are among those that have used the loans to help grow their operations and safeguard their future.
This milestone comes after the non-profit finance provider passed its first £1 million lending mark in August 2024. Chief Executive Stephen Deakin and his team have overseen the steady growth of the fund to ensure that more businesses in the community can access the money they need to expand.
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