British Patient Capital Interim Evaluation report
British Business Bank
UK public financial bodies
British Business Bank
Wholly ownedNational · United Kingdom
The UK’s economic development bank supports smaller businesses through investment funds, lenders, guarantees and direct investments. Its subsidiaries form part of the group rather than separate government stakes in this catalogue.
- UK ownership or participation
- 100% owned by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade
- Lead department or body
- Department for Business and Trade
- UK voting rights
- Sole shareholder
- Mandate
- Small business and growth finance
UK financial position
Cost of UK shareholding£4.386bn31 March 2026
DBT reported historical cost of its holding. This is not fair value and excludes £82m recorded separately as a receivable pending share certificates.
Underlying source ↗New UK share capital£690mFY 2025–26
Additional share capital invested by DBT during the year.
Underlying source ↗Accounting values, paid-in capital and funding commitments have different meanings and reporting dates. These figures are not added together.
Institution finances and activity
These describe the institution or the assets it administers. They are separate from the UK government’s holding.
Financial capacity£25.6bnMandate effective April 2026
Economic capital limit: £8bn represented by guarantees, remainder loans and equity. This is not paid-in share capital.
Underlying source ↗Public funding supporting businesses£1.3bnFY 2025–26
Public funding component of £9.4bn total finance supported; the total also includes private capital and guaranteed lending.
Underlying source ↗Ownership and accountability
DBT sets strategy and holds the shares. A UKGI director represents the shareholder on the board. The bank operates independently, with financial and performance reporting to the department.
Research hub
7 publications relevant to BBB · Institution-specific research shown first
Enterprise Capital Funds interim evaluation report 2021
British Business Bank
British Business Bank
National Audit Office
News and announcements
View in News and announcements →- BBB reports £9.4bn of finance supported in 2025–26 ↗
The bank identifies £1.3bn of public funding, alongside private investment and lending backed by its guarantees.
- Much ado about PuFins: How the UK’s public financial institutions can unlock billions for investment ↗
Maps the expansion of UK public financial institutions and examines investment options under the fiscal rules. The authors recommend additional National Wealth Fund capital and question the case for institutions issuing their own bonds.
View in Research hub → - BBB and UKEF announce joint scheme for smaller exporters ↗
The proposed scheme aims to increase access to finance for smaller firms expanding their exports. The planned scheme is intended to improve smaller firms’ access to export-related finance.
View UKEF profile → - Five-year strategy follows expanded government mandate ↗
BBB sets out plans for increased investment, support for scale-ups and mobilisation of institutional capital.