Strategic Bank Corporation of Ireland
Future Growth Loan Scheme SME Applicants involved in primary agriculture
Loan Features
  • Loan amounts from €50,000 to a maximum of €3,000,000 per Applicant
  • Initial maximum loan interest rate of 4.5% for loans < €250,000 and 3.5% for loans >= €250,000. Variable interest rates are subject to change
  • Loan terms ranging from 8 to 10 years
  • Unsecured loans up to €500,000
  • Optional interest – only repayments may be made available at the start of the loans

An “Applicant” is an SME that applies for a loan under the FGLS. Applicants for loans greater than €250,000 must submit a business plan to the relevant financial institution.
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How to apply for a loan
  • The Applicant must first submit an Eligibility Application Form to the SBCI to check if it is eligible to apply. 
  • If the SBCI determines that the Applicant is eligible it will confirm that to the Applicant in writing.
  • The Applicant must provide this eligibility confirmation letter to the relevant Financial Institution when applying for a loan. 
Loans Purpose
Loans can be used for long term investment in tangible or intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production.

Primary Agriculture Applicants must choose one of the below loan purposes –
  1. the improvement of the overall performance and sustainability of the agricultural holding;
  2. the improvement of the natural environment, hygiene conditions or animal welfare standards, provided the investment goes beyond EU standards;
  3. the creation and improvement of infrastructure related to the development, adaptation and modernisation of agriculture;
  4. the achievement of agri-environmental-climate objectives; and
  5. The restoration of production potential damaged by natural disasters, adverse climatic events, animal diseases, plant pests and the prevention of damages caused by those events
  • The Applicant must submit a written eligibility application before work on the project or activity commences.
  • The Applicant must declare that the loan will be used to fund only the eligible costs applicable to the project.
When is the FGLS available?
  • Applications for loan eligibility can be made from 17 April 2019 through  https://sbci.gov.ie/​
  • It is intended that the FGLS  will be available for a three year period or until the scheme has been fully subscribed.