Investment & Fund Management

LDF, a non-bank finance provider, faced significant challenges in providing access to asset finance for small businesses in the UK. The critical barrier was the limited availability of finance for asset procurement, which hindered the growth and success of many smaller enterprises. To address this issue, LDF partnered with the British Business Bank to secure a £51 million facility under the ENABLE Funding programme, which is designed to enhance the supply of leasing and asset finance to smaller businesses.

The tailored solution involved a 50% guarantee from the European Investment Fund, allowing LDF to expand its asset finance offerings significantly. This partnership not only aimed to increase the volume of finance available but also to support LDF's ambitious growth plans in the SME market. With the backing of this facility, LDF was able to leverage its existing expertise and client base, which includes over 5,000 clients, to provide enhanced financial support to professional firms and corporate SMEs.

As a result of this initiative, LDF anticipated a substantial increase in its asset finance provision, with plans to deliver over £400 million of finance to UK small and medium-sized businesses in 2016. The ENABLE Funding programme was expected to create a diversified pool of SME debt, facilitating further refinancing opportunities and ultimately boosting the availability of asset finance across the UK. This strategic collaboration not only strengthened LDF's market position but also contributed to the broader goal of improving access to finance for SMEs, thereby fostering economic growth.