UK net lending to large businesses 12-month growth
UK net lending to large businesses 12-month growth stood at 8.9% in Aug 2026, according to Bank of England. It is one of the indicators in the Bank lending table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Apr 2012 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Bank lending table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net lending to all businesses, 12-month growth | 7.4 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 9.5 | 8.8 | 7.9 | 7 | 5.8 | 5.4 | |
| Net lending to large businesses, 12-month growth | 8.9 | 9.4 | 10.5 | 9.9 | 12.3 | 11.7 | 10.6 | 9.5 | 7.8 | 7.3 | |
| Net lending to SMEs, 12-month growth | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2 |
Understanding UK net lending to large businesses 12-month growth
Registered banking entities record the annual percentage change in outstanding sterling credit extended exclusively to large corporate enterprises across the United Kingdom. This metric calculates the twelve-month growth trajectory of debt balances held by businesses exceeding standard SME size thresholds, providing a dedicated measure of wholesale commercial borrowing trends. By excluding smaller enterprises, the series isolates the financing patterns of major corporations that often utilise capital markets alongside traditional bank facilities.
When evaluating this growth rate, analysts must account for substitution effects, where large firms switch between issuing corporate bonds and drawing bank credit depending on relative yields. Early monthly estimates incorporated into the twelve-month calculation are subject to routine revisions as corporate reporting is verified. Comparing this rate with SME lending growth illuminates whether credit conditions are tightening or easing uniformly across different tiers of the corporate sector.
Frequently asked questions
- What drives changes in large business credit growth compared to smaller firms?
- Large corporations have direct access to capital markets and commercial paper, allowing them to substitute bank loans with bond issuance.
- Are overdrafts included in large business debt stocks?
- Yes, overdraft facilities and revolving credit lines form part of the total outstanding sterling balances measured.
- Does this series cover foreign subsidiaries operating in the United Kingdom?
- It includes sterling lending by UK resident banks to any incorporated entity operating within the defined geographic scope, regardless of ultimate ownership.