As a state-owned promotional institution, the SBCI is an integral part of the business finance framework. By supporting and helping to develop an effective market for SME finance, it ensures that SMEs have access to finance in both positive and negative market conditions. The SBCI provides wholesale finance and guarantees to SMEs through its on-lending partners, ensuring that the benefit of its support is delivered to the ultimate SME borrower and not its on-lending partners. The SBCI’s mission is to deliver effective financial supports to SMEs that address failures in the Irish credit market, while driving competition and innovation, and ensuring the efficient use of available EU resources.