South West community finance providers celebrate record impact

23 July 2025

Three of the South West’s leading community finance organisations are celebrating a record-breaking year of supporting individuals, households, and businesses across the region with access to fair, affordable, and community-driven finance.

Chamber members Lendology CIC and SWIG Finance, together with Great Western Credit Union, have formed a mission-aligned community finance partnership to raise awareness of impact-led funding initiatives that help drive local economic growth, improve lives, and create a more sustainable future.

Together, the Partnership delivered:

• £30 million delivered to individuals, households and small businesses.
• A 19.5% year-on-year increase.

SWIG Finance delivered:

• A record £14.8 million in lending, an increase of £800,000 on 2023/24.
• £3.4 million was delivered to businesses in the region’s most deprived communities.
• The funding helped safeguard and create 1,272 jobs and create 413 new businesses.
• SWIG’s team is dedicated to increasing access to finance for small businesses, with 30 Access to Finance workshops delivered during the year.

Lendology CIC delivered:

• A record-breaking £3.6 million in loans to homeowners.
• Supported 405 homeowners with finance for vital home repairs, adaptations, and renewable energy installations.
• Increased its loan book by 27% by adding four new council partners to its sustainable, recyclable loan model.
• Notably, 50% of all loans were for renewable and energy efficiency measures, supporting residents to reduce energy bills, futureproof homes, and help tackle the climate crisis.

Great Western Credit Union delivered:

• A record-breaking lending value of £11m across the year, a 22% rise.
• 6,861 affordable loans to people across the region, up 19% on the year before.
• Interest-free lending to support 612 homeless families to access rented accommodation in partnership with local authorities.
• 19% of all savings and lending activity across the year to households in the worst-off 20% of areas in England.

Collectively, Great Western Credit Union, Lendology CIC, and SWIG Finance are the voice of the South West’s community lenders. Through accessible, affordable finance, they create meaningful change for households, small businesses, and the region’s economy.

John Peters, MD of SWIG Finance, said: “These figures highlight the tangible difference Community Finance organisations can make. We’re working to build resilience in our communities by ensuring that marginalised people and businesses have a fair opportunity to access the finance they need to thrive.”

Emma Lower, CEO of Lendology CIC, added: “This is about more than just numbers. It’s about creating real, lasting change that transforms lives, builds stronger local economies, and helps people thrive. We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside SWIG Finance, a fellow CDFI championing fair, inclusive, and value-driven lending right here in the South West.”

For more information, please contact lisanathan@swigfinance.co.uk