Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 28 OCTOBER 2026

Sustainability-Linked Loans And SMEs

HCR Law
HCR Law
Contributor
HCR Law

HCR Law

The law firm with a passion for people. HCR Law is an award-winning, top 50 UK law firm providing...

View firm profile
Explore more from HCR Law

Small and medium-sized enterprises face unique obstacles when pursuing sustainability-linked loans, from establishing baseline ESG metrics to managing verification costs. The Loan Market Association has developed practical frameworks to help SMEs navigate these challenges while maintaining the integrity of sustainable lending principles. Can proportionate approaches and stackable KPIs make green finance accessible to smaller businesses without compromising environmental accountability?

United KingdomFinance and Banking
Harry Bengough
Harry Bengough

Introduction

It is some time since we looked at Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs). For an introduction, see our previous article here. In this latest article we will remind you of the key aspects of SLLs and then look at the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their lenders in this market. A word of warning – there are a lot of acronyms in this article!

The Loan Market Association (LMA), the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) and the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA) have published what are known as the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles together with guidance notes. They have recently published a Practice Note on the Application of Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles to SMEs, all of which, along with other materials, can be found at: LMA: Sustainable Lending Microsite.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

FCA Finalises Cryptoasset Perimeter Guidance Ahead Of The New UK Regime

The Financial Conduct Authority has released comprehensive perimeter guidance for the UK's new regulated cryptoasset activities regime, clarifying when firms will need authorization and how the regulatory framework applies to qualifying cryptoassets and stablecoins. The guidance addresses critical questions about scope, territorial application, and the narrower "by way of business" test that determines which entities fall under the new regulatory requirements.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Katten
Katten
Article

The Future Of Islamic Finance: Insights From IFN UK Forum 2026

Islamic finance is experiencing rapid global expansion, with assets approaching US$6tn and record sukuk issuance attracting non-traditional investors. The convergence of Shariah-compliant and sustainable investing is creating new opportunities, while AAOIFI Standard No. 62 and tokenisation developments are reshaping how Islamic finance structures are designed and implemented across international markets.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Walkers
Walkers
Article

Investment Management Update - September 2026

The Financial Conduct Authority has released a comprehensive package of regulatory updates and findings covering investment management, wealth management, and consumer protection. Key developments include reforms to MiFID costs and charges disclosures, remuneration code changes, AIFM regime overhauls, and detailed reviews of firms' Consumer Duty compliance, financial crime controls, and governance frameworks.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Macfarlanes LLP
Macfarlanes LLP
Article

Nearly Out Of PERG-atory – But Not Quite Yet: Good News As The FCA Finalises PERG 18 On Cryptoassets, But With Even More Legal Changes To Come

Cryptoasset firms face a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape as the FCA's authorisation gateway opens on 30 September 2026. With the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 laid before Parliament and the FCA's finalised PERG 18 guidance published within 24 hours, firms must navigate significant perimeter changes including new stablecoin payment exclusions.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

New AIM Rules (August 2026)

The London Stock Exchange has implemented sweeping reforms to the AIM Rules, fundamentally reshaping admission requirements, transaction thresholds, and governance obligations for companies on the Alternative Investment Market. These changes eliminate longstanding requirements like working capital statements and corporate governance codes while introducing new features such as capital access windows and special voting shares, marking the most significant overhaul of AIM regulations in recent years.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP
Article

Modernising UK Payments: HM Treasury’s Proposed Overhaul Of The Payment Services Regime

On 14 July 2026, HM Treasury published its long-awaited consultation on modernising the UK’s payment services and electronic money regulatory framework. The consultation is part of the Government’s National Payments Vision agenda, which aims to ensure that the UK has a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, while preserving choice for consumers and businesses.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman
Article

SFDR 2.0 – European Parliament Negotiating Position: The Stage Is Set For Trilogue

The European Parliament has published its negotiating position on SFDR 2.0, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council. With the asset management industry hoping for relief from the complexities of SFDR 1.0, the Parliament's proposals claim to simplify the regime while maintaining credibility of sustainability-related investments.
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Travers Smith LLP
Travers Smith LLP
Article

Financial Regulation Weekly Bulletin - 10 September 2026

This weekly bulletin examines critical developments in UK financial regulation, including the FCA's findings on systemic operational resilience from its Defence, Security, and Resilience Lab exercise, the government's comprehensive consultation on modernising corporate reporting frameworks, and progress on the Financial Services and Markets Bill through Parliament. The bulletin also covers international regulatory updates on cyber resilience for financial market infrastructures, sustainable finance disclosu
United KingdomFinance and Banking
Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May
Article

Understanding Cross-border Asset-based Lending

Steven Geerlings shares insights from his extensive international career in asset-based lending, spanning work across the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Drawing on experience managing multi-billion euro transactions for Deutsche Bank and navigating complex cross-border finance structures, he explores the operational and legal challenges that arise when lending against assets across multiple European jurisdictions. The discussion reveals how evolving regulations and practical expertise are reshaping
United KingdomFinance and Banking
HCR Law
HCR Law