The Cumberland Building Society has announced an expansion of its commercial lending criteria, signalling a commitment to bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK through 2025 and beyond.

Under the revised terms, the society has increased its maximum loan-to-value ratio to 70%, extended the possible loan term to 25 years, and raised the cap on individual loan sizes to £6 million. The changes will apply not only to the hospitality sector – traditionally a core focus for the lender – but also to newly supported industries including healthcare, professional services, and food and drink.

The measures form part of what The Cumberland describes as its “Kinder Banking” approach, which prioritises client relationships and longer-term business support over transactional lending.

Scott McKerracher, head of commercial at The Cumberland, said the updates reflect both market conditions and customer feedback. “Changes to lending criteria enhances our offering, giving more options to businesses looking for funding,” he said.

“After listening to our customers, we’ve made this decision to further support them in their ambitions, helping them to access the finances they need to thrive and grow a successful business.”

The lender’s shift in policy comes at a time when many SMEs are facing tighter access to credit and growing pressure from rising costs. The move is intended to offer firms greater flexibility in refinancing, expansion, and future-proofing operations during an uncertain economic climate.

McKerracher added: “Whatever businesses are looking to achieve, whether it is future-proofing their operations or looking to seize opportunities for growth, by making positive changes to our lending criteria the society is better placed to provide additional support and help them with their ambitions.”

“We’re looking forward to working closely with our current customers and building partnerships with new clients in the year ahead,” McKerracher said.