Urgent call for more accessible finance options with 34% of SMEs at risk of closure

More flexible finance options are needed in the UK as 28% of SMEs are being turned down for funding. That is the finding from a survey of 500 SMEs by invoice finance company Novuna Business Cash Flow, which highlights the critical need for more accessible and flexible financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises if they are to survive.

Urgent call for more accessible finance options with 34% of SMEs at risk of closure

Apr 18, 2024

More flexible finance options are needed in the UK as 28% of SMEs are being turned down for funding. That is the finding from a survey of 500 SMEs by invoice finance company Novuna Business Cash Flow, which highlights the critical need for more accessible and flexible financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises if they are to survive.

Viewpoint: FLA broker accreditation scheme

Following the recent Asset Finance Connect (AFC) webcast on the Finance & Leasing Association’s (FLA) broker accreditation scheme, AFC asked an investor in asset finance lenders and brokers his view on the FLA proposals for the scheme. Brokers are unsurprisingly reluctant to disagree publicly with their lender-partners. This investor prepared the following for us but asked not to be named.

Viewpoint: FLA broker accreditation scheme

Apr 18, 2024

Following the recent Asset Finance Connect (AFC) webcast on the Finance & Leasing Association’s (FLA) broker accreditation scheme, AFC asked an investor in asset finance lenders and brokers his view on the FLA proposals for the scheme. Brokers are unsurprisingly reluctant to disagree publicly with their lender-partners. This investor prepared the following for us but asked not to be named.

Why asset finance brokers should get accredited by the FLA

During the latest Asset Finance Connect (AFC) webcast, representatives from the Finance and Leasing Association and the broker community came together to discuss the FLA’s broker accreditation scheme and its implications for the broker channel. Announced by Chair John Phillipou during February’s Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) annual dinner, the FLA’s new broker accreditation scheme is designed to drive through changes in the asset finance broker-lender channel that the FLA hopes will improve efficiency and increase both compliance and channel transparency.

Why asset finance brokers should get accredited by the FLA

Apr 17, 2024

During the latest Asset Finance Connect (AFC) webcast, representatives from the Finance and Leasing Association and the broker community came together to discuss the FLA’s broker accreditation scheme and its implications for the broker channel. Announced by Chair John Phillipou during February’s Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) annual dinner, the FLA’s new broker accreditation scheme is designed to drive through changes in the asset finance broker-lender channel that the FLA hopes will improve efficiency and increase both compliance and channel transparency.

AFC WEBCAST - 19 APRIL - REGISTER NOW!

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Asset Finance Europe 50 2023 - maintaining growth in turbulent times

The annual ranking of Europe’s leading asset finance providers today reveals the leasing companies that delivered industry growth during a year in which the asset finance industry continued to face a period of economic uncertainty. The Asset Finance Europe 50, sponsored by Alfa, is the unique European annual ranking survey of business equipment and fleet lessors that provides an objective overview of all parts of the European leasing market.

Asset Finance Europe 50 2023 - maintaining growth in turbulent times

Nov 09, 2023

The annual ranking of Europe’s leading asset finance providers today reveals the leasing companies that delivered industry growth during a year in which the asset finance industry continued to face a period of economic uncertainty. The Asset Finance Europe 50, sponsored by Alfa, is the unique European annual ranking survey of business equipment and fleet lessors that provides an objective overview of all parts of the European leasing market.

 

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Solifi Global Leasing Report 2023 reveals growth as the leasing industry emerges from the pandemic

The new Solifi Global Leasing Report 2023 reveals a promising 9.3% increase in new business volumes in 2021, as the global leasing industry emerged from the pandemic and equipment investments rebounded. The report highlights that the top 50 countries reported new business volume of US$1.463 billion in 2021, up from US$1.338 billion in 2020.

Solifi Global Leasing Report 2023 reveals growth as the leasing industry emerges from the pandemic

Mar 01, 2023

The new Solifi Global Leasing Report 2023 reveals a promising 9.3% increase in new business volumes in 2021, as the global leasing industry emerged from the pandemic and equipment investments rebounded. The report highlights that the top 50 countries reported new business volume of US$1.463 billion in 2021, up from US$1.338 billion in 2020.

 

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Bluestone integrates with Siemens Financial Services API for strategic growth collaboration

Independent finance broker, Bluestone, has collaborated with Siemens Financial Services (SFS) to offer its customers an end-to-end online platform that enables an auto-decisioning facility for their financing requirements. The integration, achieved through an API (application processing interface), allows quick quotes to be drawn up and finance applications to be decisioned within minutes, all from within Bluestone’s native operational systems.

Bluestone integrates with Siemens Financial Services API for strategic growth collaboration

Apr 18, 2024

Independent finance broker, Bluestone, has collaborated with Siemens Financial Services (SFS) to offer its customers an end-to-end online platform that enables an auto-decisioning facility for their financing requirements. The integration, achieved through an API (application processing interface), allows quick quotes to be drawn up and finance applications to be decisioned within minutes, all from within Bluestone’s native operational systems.

Fignum joins Asset Finance Connect as newest Corporate Member

Asset Finance Connect (AFC) is delighted to welcome Fignum as its newest Corporate Member. “AFC are thrilled that Fignum has joined our ever-growing community of asset finance corporate members,” commented Edward Peck, CEO of Asset Finance Connect.

Fignum joins Asset Finance Connect as newest Corporate Member

Apr 17, 2024

Asset Finance Connect (AFC) is delighted to welcome Fignum as its newest Corporate Member. “AFC are thrilled that Fignum has joined our ever-growing community of asset finance corporate members,” commented Edward Peck, CEO of Asset Finance Connect.

Innovate UK and British Business Bank sign Memorandum of Understanding

Innovate UK and the British Business Bank have further strengthened their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). As partners dedicated to fostering innovation and growth of UK businesses across the country, this new collaboration will see the two organisations working even more closely together to co-create new opportunities to promote investment and to support UK businesses through better tailored offerings.

Innovate UK and British Business Bank sign Memorandum of Understanding

Apr 17, 2024

Innovate UK and the British Business Bank have further strengthened their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). As partners dedicated to fostering innovation and growth of UK businesses across the country, this new collaboration will see the two organisations working even more closely together to co-create new opportunities to promote investment and to support UK businesses through better tailored offerings.

 
AFC SUMMER CONFERENCE - 6 JUNE IN LONDON

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Place your nominations for the Asset Finance Connect Social Award

Awards nominations are starting to roll in for the 2024 Asset Finance Connect (AFC) Summer Awards. Celebrating innovation and industry best practice in auto and equipment finance, the Awards will be held on 9th July 2024 at City Central in a spectacular setting within the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London. Book your table now for the year’s must-attend event! One of this year’s ‘people’ awards is the AFC Social Award highlighting an individual, team or organisation which has made a substantial contribution to some aspect of managing the social impact of an organisation or the industry.

Place your nominations for the Asset Finance Connect Social Award

Apr 16, 2024

Awards nominations are starting to roll in for the 2024 Asset Finance Connect (AFC) Summer Awards. Celebrating innovation and industry best practice in auto and equipment finance, the Awards will be held on 9th July 2024 at City Central in a spectacular setting within the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London. Book your table now for the year’s must-attend event! One of this year’s ‘people’ awards is the AFC Social Award highlighting an individual, team or organisation which has made a substantial contribution to some aspect of managing the social impact of an organisation or the industry.

Solifi announces completion of integration with Codat

Solifi has announced the completion of the integration with Codat, a provider of enhanced-connectivity automated solutions, which is now available on Open Finance Platform. The out-of-the-box functionality enables asset-based lending (ABL) firms to make smarter, faster and actionable credit decisions. Using pre-built APIs, the integration with Codat permits consented business data, such as accounts receivable and debtor information, to securely integrate into operational systems in real-time, providing ABL customers with a more comprehensive view of risk.

Solifi announces completion of integration with Codat

Apr 16, 2024

Solifi has announced the completion of the integration with Codat, a provider of enhanced-connectivity automated solutions, which is now available on Open Finance Platform. The out-of-the-box functionality enables asset-based lending (ABL) firms to make smarter, faster and actionable credit decisions. Using pre-built APIs, the integration with Codat permits consented business data, such as accounts receivable and debtor information, to securely integrate into operational systems in real-time, providing ABL customers with a more comprehensive view of risk.

Healthcare recruitment agency boosts growth with £1.5m facility from Cynergy Business Finance

Healthcare recruitment agency, Sirona Medical Ltd (SML), has secured a £1.5m invoice discounting facility from asset-based lending (ABL) specialists Cynergy Business Finance (CBF). Headquartered in Sawbridgeworth, Essex, SML was founded in 2015 by Ray and Natasha Sullivan. The business works with healthcare organisations across the public and private sector to support their staffing needs for a range of roles including nurses, doctors, support workers, social workers and more.

Healthcare recruitment agency boosts growth with £1.5m facility from Cynergy Business Finance

Apr 15, 2024

Healthcare recruitment agency, Sirona Medical Ltd (SML), has secured a £1.5m invoice discounting facility from asset-based lending (ABL) specialists Cynergy Business Finance (CBF). Headquartered in Sawbridgeworth, Essex, SML was founded in 2015 by Ray and Natasha Sullivan. The business works with healthcare organisations across the public and private sector to support their staffing needs for a range of roles including nurses, doctors, support workers, social workers and more.

 
 
AFC AWARDS - 9 JULY IN LONDON

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UTB’s Nathan Mollett takes on the Marathon des Sables

Nathan Mollett, Head of Asset Finance at United Trust Bank, and Rev. Dr. K. Bill Dost, Group CEO at DND Finance, have successfully completed day one of the Marathon des Sables, described as ‘the toughest footrace on Earth’. UTB’s Nathan Mollett is currently competing in the 2024 event to raise money for two deserving charities - the South East Cancer Help Centre and Wings for Life, a charity which funds research into cures for spinal cord injuries. Nathan has covered the full costs of entry to the event and travel expenses himself so every penny raised will be split equally between the two charities.

UTB’s Nathan Mollett takes on the Marathon des Sables

Apr 15, 2024

Nathan Mollett, Head of Asset Finance at United Trust Bank, and Rev. Dr. K. Bill Dost, Group CEO at DND Finance, have successfully completed day one of the Marathon des Sables, described as ‘the toughest footrace on Earth’. UTB’s Nathan Mollett is currently competing in the 2024 event to raise money for two deserving charities - the South East Cancer Help Centre and Wings for Life, a charity which funds research into cures for spinal cord injuries. Nathan has covered the full costs of entry to the event and travel expenses himself so every penny raised will be split equally between the two charities.

Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses to keynote UK Asset Finance Connect Conference in June

Last December the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) issued a super-complaint to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) highlighting the harsh lending practices of banks that demand excessive personal guarantees (PGs) for business loans. Asset Finance Connect (AFC) has invited FSB National Chair to come to the AFC UK Summer Conference on 6th June 2024 at etc venues, County Hall, London to talk to its members about the FSB perspective on SME lending: how SMEs feel treated by lenders, and what lenders can do to make the SME journey better.

Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses to keynote UK Asset Finance Connect Conference in June

Apr 09, 2024

Last December the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) issued a super-complaint to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) highlighting the harsh lending practices of banks that demand excessive personal guarantees (PGs) for business loans. Asset Finance Connect (AFC) has invited FSB National Chair to come to the AFC UK Summer Conference on 6th June 2024 at etc venues, County Hall, London to talk to its members about the FSB perspective on SME lending: how SMEs feel treated by lenders, and what lenders can do to make the SME journey better.

Restructure at Shire Leasing sees Helen Lumb take MD role

Shire Leasing PLC has announced an Executive Board restructuring to drive continued growth plans. Effective April 1, 2024, Helen Lumb has assumed the role of Managing Director. Lumb brings a wealth of experience and an intimate knowledge of the company's operations, joining the company as Finance Director in 2014 and later taking up the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2018.

Restructure at Shire Leasing sees Helen Lumb take MD role

Apr 12, 2024

Shire Leasing PLC has announced an Executive Board restructuring to drive continued growth plans. Effective April 1, 2024, Helen Lumb has assumed the role of Managing Director. Lumb brings a wealth of experience and an intimate knowledge of the company's operations, joining the company as Finance Director in 2014 and later taking up the role of Chief Financial Officer in 2018.

Viewpoint: It’s time to take the fight back to the regulators

Stephen Bassett, AFC’s community head for UK asset finance professionals, looks at the background to the FOS decisions over discretionary commission in vehicle lending. The news that Barclays is mounting a legal challenge to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) ruling over unfair discretionary commission arrangements on a conditional-sale agreement for a car purchase is the first sign that lenders are challenging regulators to answer the obvious question about the motor finance market: what exactly have they done wrong?

Viewpoint: It’s time to take the fight back to the regulators

Apr 12, 2024

Stephen Bassett, AFC’s community head for UK asset finance professionals, looks at the background to the FOS decisions over discretionary commission in vehicle lending. The news that Barclays is mounting a legal challenge to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) ruling over unfair discretionary commission arrangements on a conditional-sale agreement for a car purchase is the first sign that lenders are challenging regulators to answer the obvious question about the motor finance market: what exactly have they done wrong?

FCA warns motor finance lenders over costs of commission probe

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning to motor finance firms they must maintain adequate financial resources at all times, in light of potential claims arising from the regulator’s review of the historical use of motor finance discretionary commission arrangements (DCA). The regulator also reports that many lenders are struggling to provide the data required for its assessment.

FCA warns motor finance lenders over costs of commission probe

Apr 12, 2024

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning to motor finance firms they must maintain adequate financial resources at all times, in light of potential claims arising from the regulator’s review of the historical use of motor finance discretionary commission arrangements (DCA). The regulator also reports that many lenders are struggling to provide the data required for its assessment.

Arkle to climb Arkle

On 11th May the Arkle Finance team will be climbing Arkle Mountain in the far North-West of Scotland in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK. It is a long-held ambition of Arkle’s Managing Director, Daniel Bailey, to climb Arkle’s name-sake. Dan explains that Arkle Finance was named after the famous racehorse that achieved notable Cheltenham Gold Cup success – a nod to Arkle’s racing heritage as part of the Weatherby’s Banking Group. It was the racehorse that was named after the mountain.

Arkle to climb Arkle

Apr 11, 2024

On 11th May the Arkle Finance team will be climbing Arkle Mountain in the far North-West of Scotland in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK. It is a long-held ambition of Arkle’s Managing Director, Daniel Bailey, to climb Arkle’s name-sake. Dan explains that Arkle Finance was named after the famous racehorse that achieved notable Cheltenham Gold Cup success – a nod to Arkle’s racing heritage as part of the Weatherby’s Banking Group. It was the racehorse that was named after the mountain.

 

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Barclays leads Funding Xchange Series B funding round

Barclays leads FXE’s Series B funding round, which is open to a consortium of FXE clients. The fu...

Barclays leads Funding Xchange Series B funding round

Apr 11, 2024

Paragon Bank supports JOB Logistics to grow its business through asset finance

Blackpool-based JOB Logistics has expanded its business and opened a new recycling centre with the...

Paragon Bank supports JOB Logistics to grow its business through asset finance

Apr 11, 2024

Societe Generale to sell SGEF to Groupe BPCE

The much-anticipated sale of Societe Generale Equipment Finance (SGEF) remains on-track with today...

Societe Generale to sell SGEF to Groupe BPCE

Apr 11, 2024

British Business Investments announces £15m facility to Performance Finance Limited

British Business Investments is providing a £15m facility to Performance Finance Limited. The tran...

British Business Investments announces £15m facility to Performance Finance Limited

Apr 11, 2024

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