HSBC UK steps up support for farmers as extreme weather drives cashflow pressures
Weather conditions are creating operational and financial pressures for farming businesses in many regions nationwide, with the greatest impact being felt in parts of the South, the Midlands and the East of England.
HSBC UK’s agriculture team reports that the current weather pattern is likely to cause working capital pressure later in the year. It’s affecting decisions around production, inputs and forward planning. At the same time, several farmers are increasing investment in infrastructure and/or alternative crop types, including more heat- and drought-tolerant varieties, to build resilience against drier conditions.
To help manage these pressures, many farmers have been and continue to diversify their income streams, both inside and outside agricultural systems. Some are reducing reliance on a single crop or farming type, helping to protect revenues through a more varied business model.
Martin Hanson, Head of Agriculture at HSBC UK, said: “Farming businesses are used to managing uncertainty, but the frequency and intensity of extreme weather is making resilience an everyday commercial priority.
No two farms are the same. If farmers are experiencing difficulties meeting day-to-day working capital needs or keeping up with repayments on existing borrowing, we’ll look at the best ways to support them including, if appropriate, repayment holidays and restructuring existing debt.
Beyond those short-term needs, it’s also important that we engage with farmers to explore the need for finance to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation actions to make farms more resilient in the seasons ahead, and HSBC UK is very supportive of such approaches.”
Eligible farmers can access HSBC UK’s Sustainable Farming Pathway through HSBC UK’s agricultural banking team, with eligibility aligned to participating sustainability schemes.
Media enquiries to:
Sephora Landu | 07384 792 248 | Sephora.Ineza.landu@hsbc.com
Email: UKPressOffice@hsbc.co.uk
Notes to editors:
HSBC UK
HSBC UK serves over 15 million active customers across the UK, supported by over 23,000 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC UK is a ring-fenced bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.
HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,438bn at 30 June 2026, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.