UKEF Expands Export Finance Options for UK Businesses

4 November 2025

 

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has expanded its General Export Facility (GEF) to include non-bank lender White Oak UK, a move designed to open up new finance options for SMEs involved in international trade.

This expansion gives UK firms greater access to working capital loans, revolving credit and invoice finance — with facilities of up to £25 million backed by an 80% UKEF guarantee. The move is intended to help firms in manufacturing, services, and supply-chain sectors secure the finance they need to fulfil international contracts and grow overseas sales.

What the Change Means for Exporters

By adding a non-bank lender to its panel, UKEF aims to reach businesses that may not have established borrowing relationships with traditional high-street banks. Under the General Export Facility, participating lenders can provide loans, revolving credit, or invoice financing facilities of up to £25 million, 80% guaranteed by UKEF.

For exporters, this means:

  • Faster access to finance – more lenders competing to provide funding backed by UKEF’s guarantee.
  • Greater flexibility – facilities can be used for cashflow, contract fulfilment, or to develop new markets.
  • Support for growth sectors – including advanced manufacturing, engineering, creative services, and technology-based exporters.

Benefits for Importers and Supply Chain Businesses

While the scheme primarily targets exporters, its effects extend to UK-based importers and supply-chain partners that depend on export contracts. Easier access to working capital can help:

  • Stabilise domestic supply chains, ensuring smaller UK manufacturers and distributors can fulfil export-linked orders on time.
  • Increase demand for imported components and raw materials, as exporters ramp up production.
  • Enhance financial resilience among SMEs involved in mixed import-export activities, including re-exporting or cross-border services.

Key Conditions to Access the Facility

To qualify, businesses must:

  • Be UK-registered and creditworthy.
  • Demonstrate direct or indirect involvement in export activity — such as supplying goods or services to an exporting business.
  • Apply through a participating lender (now including White Oak UK, as well as major banks).

Exporters are encouraged to discuss eligibility with their finance provider or UKEF directly. Those in capital-intensive or seasonal sectors may particularly benefit from flexible short-term borrowing backed by government guarantees.

Sector Implications

  • Manufacturing: Firms in aerospace, automotive, and machinery can fund component sourcing and production runs ahead of export shipments.
  • Services and creative industries: Agencies or consultancies delivering overseas projects can better manage payment gaps between project milestones.
  • Technology and innovation: Start-ups and growth-stage firms can secure finance to expand into export markets without diluting equity.

Find Out More

Need help navigating UKEF finance or wider import/export opportunities?

Contact our specialists for tailored support on export documentation, market access, and trade finance.

 

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