The government-backed scheme launched this month and is targeted at small businesses. It succeeds the Recovery Loan Scheme.

GGS is aimed at helping firms invest and grow, and the finance can be used for “any legitimate business purpose” including managing cashflow and investment.

Close Brothers Commercial CEO Matt Roper said the firm was delighted to have been accredited.

“The GGS provides both lenders and the business community with the continuity needed to create confidence while allowing SMEs to plan for the future,” he said.

“A key feature of the scheme is to improve small business’ access to funding across all sectors and regions. Government-backed guarantees like the GGS encourages and enables lenders – like ourselves – to provide support to a wider range of businesses, something we did very successfully with CBILS and RLS.”

Term loans and asset finance facilities are available from three months up to six years, while overdrafts, invoice finance and asset-based lending is from three months up to three years.

Firms or groups with sales of up to £45m are eligible.

The maximum amount is £2m, or £1m for businesses that are Northern Ireland Protocol borrowers.

The minimum facility size depends upon the purpose but is £25,001 for term loans and overdrafts.

Close Brothers Asset Finance supports a number of different industries, including print, packaging, plastics, and waste and recycling.