1 in 3 UK businesses are finding it harder to get a loan

12th June 2017 Commercial Credit Management |

New research conducted by RateSetter Business Finance reveals how credit conditions look to be tightening again, with over 400,000 small businesses now interested in finding an alternative to the banks for a loan. When asked, 32% of SMEs that had considered raising finance said that it was now harder than six months ago. During this…

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Asset Finance lending increases by 5% in April

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 5% in April, compared with the same month last year. The plant and machinery finance sector reported new business up in April by 9%, while new finance for business cars grew…

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Half of SMEs believe economy is stifled by reluctance to borrow

Almost half (48%) of SMEs felt that British businesses are missing out on opportunities because of a reluctance to borrow, and 45% believe that the economy is being stifled because they won’t borrow. Yet, almost a third (27%) of those SMEs are holding back the growth of their own business, due to a ‘fear of funding’,…

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IGF adds three Director appointments

Independent Growth Finance (IGF) has announced the appointment of three senior hires at its offices in London and Manchester with a new ABL Director and two Regional Sales Directors joining the firm. Jamie Gould will join IGF Business Credit as ABL Director for London and South East, Gould has over 35 years’ experience in the alternative finance…

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Gener8 Finance to sell Invoice business

19th May 2017 Mergers and Acquisitions |

Gener8 Finance has announced that it has agreed on terms to sell its invoice finance business to 1pm Plc, a stock market listed provider of asset based lending facilities to the UK SME sector. Asset Finance specialist, 1pm provides asset finance, business loans and related financial products for both hard and soft assets and has…

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FLA appoint new Chair

Richard Jones has been named as the new chairman of the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA). Jones, Managing Director at Black Horse, was already a board director at the FLA before taking on the chairman role. Jones the Managing Director at Black Horse, He has replaced outgoing chairman Nigel Clibbens, whose term has ended. Stephen Sklaroff,…

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Aldermore Group appoint new BDM for Manufacturer & Dealer Services

Aldermore, has announced the appointment of James Pigrem as Business Development Manager within the Manufacturer & Dealer Services team in its Asset Finance division. Pigrem has over 13 years’ experience in the industry, most recently working for GE Capital Equipment Finance where he held variety of roles. James was a member of the field-based sales team…

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Asset finance increases by 9%

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 5% in March, compared with the same month last year, and by 9% in Q1 2017 overall. For deals of up to £20 million, asset finance new business in March grew…

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Close Brothers Group acquires Novitas Loans

5th May 2017 Mergers and Acquisitions |

Close Brothers has announced the acquisition of Novitas Loans. Novitas is a leading provider of loans to the legal sector and will become part of Close Brothers Invoice Finance and Rentals, led by David Thomson. Novitas specialises in providing working capital for law firms and also loans to their clients purchasing specific legal services, from divorce…

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ABFA Ireland appoints new Chair

21st April 2017 Commercial Credit Management |

The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) has appointed Michael Walsh as Chairperson of the organisation in Ireland and Mark O’ Rourke as Vice Chairperson. Walsh, who has over 25 years’ experience in the Irish banking sector, is currently Director of Ulster Bank Invoice Finance. Michael has held a number of senior roles within the company…

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Asset finance grows by 8% in February

10th April 2017 Commercial Credit Management |

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 8% in February, compared with the same month in 2016. The plant and machinery finance and business equipment finance sectors reported new business up in February by 11% and 24% respectively,…

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Asset based finance takes market share from bank overdrafts as funding source for SMEs

28th March 2017 Commercial Credit Management |

 Asset based finance is increasingly taking market share from bank overdrafts as a key source of funding for SMEs, says the Asset Based Finance Association, the body representing the invoice finance and asset based lending industry in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.  The ABFA explains that at any one time an average £9.5…

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Aldermore appoints new Business Risk Directors

28th March 2017 Commercial Credit Management |

Aldermore, the specialist bank, has made two senior appointments to its Business Finance risk team. Jon Flagg has joined as Risk Director for Asset Finance and Clive Gould has been appointed Risk Director for Invoice Finance. Having started his financial services career in corporate lending at NatWest, Flagg has over two decades of asset finance risk…

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