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Asset finance new business grew by 14% in July 2023

New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew in July 2023 by 14% compared with the same month in 2022. In the seven months to July 2023, new business was also 14% higher than in the same period in 2022.

The business new car finance sector reported new business up in July by 59% compared with the same month in 2022. The business equipment finance and commercial vehicle finance sectors reported new business growth of 15% and 12% respectively, over the same period.

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Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Director of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said: “The asset finance market has reported double-digit new business growth in eleven of the last twelve months. Growth in July was more broad-based with higher levels of new business in the equipment finance as well as the vehicle finance sectors.

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“In the twelve months to July 2023, asset finance new business provided to SMEs reached a record level of £24.4 billion. There has been increased use of leasing and hire purchase by larger SMEs with 10 or more employees. The success rate of SMEs who applied for asset finance since the beginning of 2022 was high, with 93% of those businesses offered and taking what they applied for.”

By Lisa Laverick

Source: Asset Finance International

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Asset finance new business grew by 12% in April 2023

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew in April 2023 by 12% compared with the same month in 2022. In the first four months of 2023, new business was 13% higher than in the same period in 2022.

The business new car finance and business equipment finance sectors reported new business up in April by 48% and 13% respectively, compared with the same month in 2022. The commercial vehicle finance and plant and machinery finance sectors reported falls in new business of 2% and 6% respectively, over the same period.

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Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Director of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said: “The asset finance market reported a year of sustained monthly new business growth in April supported by continued strong growth in the business new car finance sector. Annual new business in April at £35.3 billion was only 1% lower than the pre-pandemic peak in 2019.

“Asset finance supports business investment across all major industry sectors and business size. New business provided to larger businesses grew by 27% in April, to the manufacturing sector increased by 30%, and to the services sector grew by 11%, compared with April 2022.”

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By Lisa Laverick

Source: Asset Finance International

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Distiller secures finance to acquire historic Rosebank site

IAN MACLEOD Distillers has secured a funding deal worth £80 million, revealing that the finance will be used to underpin its recently-announced acquisition of Falkirk’s historic Rosebank Distillery.

The Broxburn-based distiller, which owns the Glengoyne and Tamdhu single malts, said it will also use the loan package to drive its organic growth ambitions.

The asset finance facility, which has been jointly provided by Bank of Scotland and PNC Business Credit, is secured against the distiller’s whisky stocks. Its most recent accounts show that the value of stock held by the firm stood at £76.5m at September 30, up 14 per cent on the year prior.

As part of its new funding deal Bank of Scotland will provide Ian Macleod, which acquired Edinburgh Gin last year, with day to day banking services, including a £250,000 overdraft facility.

It comes shortly after the distiller announced that it is set to restore production at Rosebank Distillery, which has been silent since 1993.

Ian Macleod has agreed a deal to acquire the stock and trademark from Diageo, while securing a separate agreement to purchase the site from Scottish Canals, subject to planning consent. Rosebank Distillery sits on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Mike Younger, finance director at Ian Macleod Distillers, said: “Bringing the iconic Rosebank distillery back to life is a big project, and one that we’re incredibly excited about.

“We are very pleased that we now have a funding package which allows us to both rebuild Rosebank and fund the general expansion of the business.

“Asset based lending is ideal for us, as it provides highly flexible funds secured against our appreciating maturing whisky stocks.”

Source: Herald Scotland