HSBC has announced a £400m lending fund for small and medium-sized business in Bristol and Bath.
The cash is part of a wider £15bn package being made available by the bank to boost local economies and drive growth across the country.
The fund also includes ring-fenced money for businesses trading internationally (£2bn), in the agriculture sector (£1.2bn) the tech sector (£500m) and franchise businesses (£500m), HSBC said.
Since launching the SME Fund in 2014, HSBC has lent more than £90bn to businesses, including Bristol-based lifestyle and sports distributor Shiner. The company received a six-figure cash injection last year to expand into the European market and add a Dutch subsidiary to its business.
Small business minister Paul Scully said: “This extra funding builds on the support available through government schemes like Help to Grow and Start Up Loans to help small businesses grow and reach their full potential."
Peter McIntyre, head of business banking at HSBC UK, said the bank's fund would support "key sectors" and drive investment across the regions.
He added: "We want to make a significant contribution to economies across the country, driving employment, local wealth and growth by providing funding, when and where it’s needed most. We know our customers are innovating and adapting at pace and British businesses need their bank to be flexible, supporting future growth opportunities.”
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