Sustainability
We have an important role to play in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Find out how we're helping UK businesses to grow and thrive with the latest thought leadership from our business experts, sector insight, data and resources.
Businesses power the UK’s growth, and right now they’re faced with a combination of challenges and exciting opportunities. New technology, like AI, is helping companies work faster and better while consumer expectations continue to evolve.
We’re proud to be a partner of choice for British businesses, backing their ambitions by helping them to adapt to these opportunities, invest with confidence, adopt new technology, reach new markets and grow sustainably. One million UK businesses are supported by our leading digital and relationship banking services as they start up, grow and thrive.
In 2026, we’ll make over £35 billion of new finance available to companies operating and investing in the UK – supporting jobs, growth and prosperity for our communities. And of this, £9.5 billion will be dedicated to SMEs.
2025 was a year of growth for many businesses of all sizes across all regions of the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, our £1 billion Regional Impact Fund, backs projects with significant social, economic, or environmental benefits, such as housing regeneration and the transition to net zero.
We have a comprehensive strategy that combines investment, partnerships, and community engagement to support regional economic growth across the UK.
A key objective of our fund is to support social and affordable housing in alignment with the Group’s overall strategic priorities.
An early example is our funding to Breck Homes, enabling the development of sites for social and affordable housing in the North-West of England. Many of these developments are located in some of the most deprived areas in the UK and our funding will accelerate growth plans, allowing Breck Homes to continue to help to meet the growing demand for this type of housing.
Data from the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer in May 2025 revealed that 82% of UK businesses using AI report increased productivity, while 76% say it has improved their profitability.
These gains are especially pronounced in sectors like retail and manufacturing, and in regions such as Northern Ireland and the North West.
Looking ahead, over half of UK businesses (56%) plan to invest further in AI over the next year.
With winning new customers, improving efficiency, and staying competitive mentioned as main drivers for AI adoption.
To support this, 17% of businesses plan to create new AI-specific roles, showing how seriously companies are taking the opportunity. However, challenges remain including cost, skills gaps, and concerns around data privacy and energy use.
We're committed to supporting the UK's regions and communities through the regeneration of low-income areas, addressing disparities, and fostering investment and growth.
CEO, Business & Commercial Banking
Managing Director of Regional Development, Sustainability & Client Advisory
12 March 2026
UK businesses adopting AI see strong gains in profitability and productivity
27 February 2026
UK business confidence holds steady
13 January 2026
Lloyds announces £1 billion new finance commitment for North East businesses
31 December 2025
Lloyds Business Barometer New Year Flash
23 December 2025
Business confidence ends year higher than start of 2025
28 Nov 2025
UK business confidence softens but remains above long-term average
26 Nov 2025
Lloyds announces £35 billion of new finance in 2026 to companies operating and investing in UK
17 Nov 2025
Lloyds Banking Group appoints John Langley as CEO of Corporate & Institutional Banking
5 Nov 2025
Lloyds and MTC mark 5,000 apprentices, graduates and engineers milestone
31 Oct 2025
Business confidence regains ground at start of fourth quarter
The Business Barometer report is a proprietary survey of 1,200 companies, produced so you can know the confidence levels among UK businesses every month.
55%
overall business confidence
60%
trading prospects
50%
economic optimism
Hann-Ju Ho Senior Economist, Lloyds Commercial BankingFirms continue to report cost pressures and economic uncertainty, with some mindful of potential disruption linked to global events. Despite this backdrop, confidence edged higher in March, helped by firmer demand and a more positive trading outlook by smaller businesses.
As the UK’s largest financial services provider, we have an important role to play in creating a more sustainable and inclusive future for people and businesses, by shaping finance as a force for good.
We aspire to contribute to a UK in which all households have access to affordable, safe and sustainable homes in places they want to live.
We're committed to supporting the UK's regions and communities, supporting the regeneration of low-income areas, addressing disparities, and fostering investment and growth.
Page last updated: February 2026