BCRS Business Loans

24/09/2026

The count down is on!

Our Hollywood: Night At The Movies Charity Ball is right around the corner, taking place on Friday 16th October at the Grand Station - Wolverhampton.

We're encouraging everyone to come dressed as their favourite movie character! Think Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Barbie, James Bond, Tony Stark, or characters from films like Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Whether you're a superhero, Hollywood icon, wizard or villain, we can't wait to see your creativity!

We're proud to be dedicating this night to our Charity of the Year, Dudley Stroke Association. Established in 1987, the independent local charity provides advice, support and information to people who have experienced a stroke, as well as their families and friends.

Only a few tickets remain, so be sure to book yours for a night of fun, fundraising and glamour. We can’t wait to see you there for an unforgettable evening: https://lnkd.in/eRbQjSDc

If you have any questions regarding the event please reach out to us via [email protected]

11/09/2026

Unlock a new understanding of people and business at our Black Country Diners Club 2026!🧠

Join us for a lunchtime networking event with tea and coffee on arrival, a delicious two-course meal, networking with professionals from across the West Midlands, and a raffle supporting Dudley Stroke Association, our Charity of the Year.

We are delighted that Michelle Mills-Porter, human behaviour expert, author, award-winning entrepreneur and creator of The People Reader, will be joining us to bring a powerful, thought-provoking and memorable perspective to the room.

On Boxing Day 2004, Michelle's life changed beyond recognition when she survived the Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka. That extraordinary experience transformed her perspective and helped shape the work she is known for today.

Michelle will take us beneath the surface of human behaviour, exploring the forces that shape our decisions, relationships, careers and businesses. Expect laughter, moments of recognition and perhaps an entirely new understanding of yourself.

Only a few tickets remain, so book now to secure your place before bookings close at 12pm on Monday 14th September: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bcrs-black-country-diners-club-is-back-on-23rd-september-2026-tickets-1990090415003?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

08/09/2026

We’re excited to launch our 25/26 Impact Report!👏

Since our inception in 2002, social and economic impact has been at the core of everything we do. While many things have evolved over the years, our unwavering commitment to creating meaningful impact remains steadfast.

Key highlights from our 2025/2026 impact report:
✅ £10.2 million lent to SMEs
✅ £53.2 million value added to the communities we serve
✅36% of BCRS’s total lending was disbursed into the UK’s top 35% most disadvantaged areas
✅25% of BCRS’s total lending was disbursed to female led businesses
✅21% of BCRS’ total lending was disbursed to ethnic minority led businesses.

We’re delighted with this year’s performance, which reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting businesses when they need it most. Over the past financial year, we have continued to strengthen our impact – safeguarding more jobs, delivering significant economic growth, and making a greater contribution to the wider regional economy.

We remain committed to making a lasting difference in the communities that we serve.

Check out the full impact report here: https://bcrs.org.uk/impact/

28/08/2026

We're thrilled to be celebrating the milestone of lending more than £13 million through the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF), supporting more than 150 businesses across Wales and the West Midlands.

Having now completed the distribution of our allocated CIEF funding, BCRS Business Loans has generated more than £67 million in economic impact, with over £10 million invested into SMEs.

Of the 154 businesses supported across the wider area of Wales and the West Midlands, 25 per cent of lending went to support female-led businesses, whilst 28 per cent supported ethnic minority-led businesses.

In the West Midlands region, 131 businesses received funding totalling £11.1m, creating 330 new jobs and safeguarding 1206 more roles. From the £1.9m of lending provided to 23 Welsh businesses, 117 jobs were created and a further 264 were safeguarded.

Reaching this milestone demonstrates the positive impact the fund has had on businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. We are proud to have supported more than 150 businesses on their growth journeys, helping them access the funding needed to invest, create jobs and fulfil their potential.

The full West Midlands-focused version here: https://lnkd.in/eSy8uGjB

The full Wales-focused version here: https://lnkd.in/eDsZUSrQ

Social Investment Scotland, Lloyds Bank, Better Society Capital

17/08/2026

We’re delighted to welcome Rob Greasley to BCRS Business Loans as our new Business Development Manager for North Wales!

With more than 20 years in the financial services sector, Rob brings a wealth of expertise to BCRS Business Loans.

He has supported SMEs throughout his career, working for organisations including HSBC and Barclays in roles such as Relationship Manager and coaching-focused positions, with a recent focus on sustainability.

He is excited to use his expertise to help businesses across North Wales access the finance and support they need to achieve their goals and unlock future growth.

We forward to the positive impact he’ll make across the region.

Join us in welcoming him!👏

The British Business Bank

10/08/2026

It's fantastic to see the impact we're already making with our Charity of the Year, the Dudley Stroke Association!💜

So far this year, we've enjoyed spending quality time with the team and service users, as well as welcoming them to our events to help raise awareness of the support they provide across the local community.

The impact of stroke can be life-changing, and the Dudley Stroke Association offers vital support, advice and practical assistance to stroke survivors and their families.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability in the UK, with more than 700 people in Dudley affected by stroke each year. The charity provides a range of valuable services, including:

- Peer support groups
- Signposting to local services
- Stroke reviews
- Stroke prevention and awareness sessions

With your donations and support, the charity can continue to rebuild lives and help even more people affected by stroke. If you would like to contribute, please visit our JustGiving page and help us raise vital funds for this important cause: https://lnkd.in/eVZvKnJ6

We are also excited to be hosting our Hollywood Ball in aid of the Dudley Stroke Association this October. More details about the event can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eE_xhFsB

Thank you for your continued support in helping us make a difference!

29/07/2026

A visit that brought our impact to life!🌟

Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming HSBC's Phillip Dominique, Thomas Baker, and Heeral Shah to learn more about what a CDFI is, what we do, and how we support businesses within our communities.

As part of the visit, we met with Jennie (Paton) McMahon, Director of Limes Court Nursery in Tettenhall. It was fantastic to see the nursery and the growth it has achieved since receiving a loan from BCRS Business Loans, with support from our Senior Business Development Manager, Lynn Wyke.

We were also delighted to spend time at the nursery, meeting some of the children and experiencing the calm space the business has created. Witnessing first-hand the impact our funding has had on businesses like Limes Court Nursery was incredibly rewarding.

We are proud to support local businesses in turning their visions into reality, helping them achieve sustainable growth and create a positive impact within their local communities.

A big thank you to HSBC for spending the day with us and to Jennie for welcoming us to Limes Court Nursery. We look forward to continuing our support for small businesses across the regions we serve.

28/07/2026

Exciting New Wave of Talent: Sponsorship Announcement!🏄‍♂️

We're thrilled to announce our sponsorship of a promising young St David’s surfer as he progresses onto the worldwide surfing circuit.

Elijah Jones, 16, is a talented young surfer whose rapid progress and competitive results have marked him as one to watch on the UK surfing scene. To date, Elijah has mainly competed in Welsh competitions, but thanks to this support, he is now looking ahead to the next chapter of his surfing journey.

We are confident in Elijah's journey and can't wait to see the amazing things he will accomplish. We know he has a bright future ahead, and we look forward to supporting his incredible talent.

Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ezPZ2d-U

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Ton Newydd Gyffrous o Ddoniau: Cyhoeddiad Nawdd!🏄‍♂️

Rydym wrth ein bodd yn cyhoeddi ein nawdd i syrffiwr ifanc addawol o Sant Dewi wrth iddo symud ymlaen i'r gylchdaith syrffio ledled y byd.

Mae Elijah Jones, 16 oed, yn syrffiwr ifanc talentog y mae ei gynnydd cyflym a'i ganlyniadau cystadleuol wedi'i wneud yn un i'w wylio ar olygfa syrffio'r DU. Hyd yn hyn, mae Elijah wedi cystadlu'n bennaf mewn cystadlaethau Cymru, ond diolch i'r gefnogaeth hon, mae bellach yn edrych ymlaen at y bennod nesaf yn ei daith syrffio.

Rydym yn hyderus yng nghymdaith Elijah ac yn edrych ymlaen yn arw at weld y pethau anhygoel y bydd yn eu cyflawni. Rydym yn gwybod bod dyfodol disglair o'i flaen, ac rydym yn edrych ymlaen at gefnogi ei dalent anhygoel.

22/07/2026

We were delighted to welcome Gail Arnold yesterday, who visited us to present the Bostin' Badge to our Chief Executive, Stephen Deakin in recognition of becoming a Black Country Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Bostin’ Black Country Business!

The Black Country is where our journey first began in 2002, and we are proud to continue making a positive impact across our local communities and economies. From supporting small businesses and nurturing local talent to representing the communities we serve, we remain committed to helping the region thrive.

Thank you to the Black Country Chamber of Commerce for this recognition, and we look forward to continuing to champion this amazing region and embracing the many exciting opportunities that lie ahead🥳

20/07/2026

You did brilliantly well, proud of you all!

PS Love the kit, we're incredibly proud to be sponsors.

A massive THANK YOU to our sponsors that helped make this trip possible! We are so so grateful for your support, you’ve allowed us to make memories of a lifetime whilst representing England🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🫶🏼✨

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