Atom bank saves client £145k through Growth Guarantee Scheme commercial mortgage

24 October 2025

Atom bank has completed a £1.6m commercial mortgage refinance through the Growth Guarantee Scheme, saving the client £145,000 per year.

The Growth Guarantee Scheme, the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme, is aimed at assisting viable businesses in accessing the finance required for growth, investment and resilience. Atom bank has been a consistent participant in both schemes, demonstrating its commitment to supporting marginalised businesses.

The borrower in this case, a hotel in Birmingham which operates under the Best Western brand, was looking to consolidate its existing facility with Atom bank - originally completed with Atom as part of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CIBILS) - alongside additional credit which had become extremely costly.

Despite compiling quotes from alternative lenders, Atom bank managed to deliver a significantly more competitive rate and, during the underwriting process, was even able to reduce this further to just 2.65% above Bank of England base rate. By staying with Atom bank, the borrower was able to save around £15,000 in solicitors costs, while the broker-led valuation process meant Atom could use a recent valuation originally completed as part of the quote generation process, saving the borrower and broker time and money.

In addition, Atom bank was able to facilitate an additional £600,000 on the commercial mortgage, which has allowed the borrower to pay off other debts as well as complete refurbishment work on 20+ rooms in the hotel.

With Atom bank, business borrowers enjoy bespoke pricing. This ensures that borrowers receive an interest rate that reflects their individual situation, providing better value in the process.

Karen McGrath, Regional Business Development Manager at Atom bank, said:

“This case is a great example of why Atom bank has been such a big supporter, and participant in, schemes like the Growth Guarantee Scheme. We are passionate about supporting British businesses, providing them with the funding they need in order to achieve their ambitions. Our funding package has saved the borrower a substantial sum, allowing them to complete the refurbishment of the property, and all in a fraction of the time possible with other lenders.

“It also demonstrates how measures like broker-led valuations are providing tangible financial and time savings to borrowers. Atom bank consistently acts on feedback from brokers to ensure that our service proposition goes above and beyond, allowing us to deliver for our clients.”

Andrea Maddalena, Commercial Specialist at SFC, added:

“This case went from application to completion in a matter of weeks, which could only happen because everyone involved really pulled together. The service from Atom bank was outstanding - I’ve worked with Karen on many cases in the past, and can vouch for the benefits of having a strong relationship with quality BDMs. My client is saving a significant amount each year because of this package - I know that Atom bank will always go the extra mile to look after my clients.”