Charities benefit from finance company fundraising

Charities will benefit from donations worth thousands of pounds following initiatives from D&D Leasing and Hitachi Capital. D&D Leasing, the multinational equipment and loan provider, is supporting humanitarian organisation WE by setting aside a proportion of the monthly income from every finance contract it funds or originates, throughout the life of the contract. Funds raised will support WE’s programme in Kalinjar, India, to improve access to education, clean water, healthcare, food and income opportunities.

Charities benefit from finance company fundraising

Dec 10, 2018

Aston Barclay develops industry-first Alexa-based auction briefing

UK remarketing company Aston Barclay has developed a new auction briefing service for users of Alexa, the cloud-based digital assistant from online retail giant Amazon. Customers can obtain details of the UK auction company’s programme by asking the digital assistant for a ‘flash briefing’, after setting up the auction alerts feature. Alexa will automatically announce auction activity at key sites over the next 24 hours either via the Amazon Echo smart speaker or via smartphone when the Alexa app is installed. Aston Barclay believes the innovation is a first in the remarketing industry.

Aston Barclay develops industry-first Alexa-based auction briefing

Dec 10, 2018

BNP Paribas Personal Finance targets UK auto finance market through iVendi partnership

BNP Paribas Personal Finance has launched a new motor finance solution for the UK market. The consumer finance provider, part of global bank BNP Paribas, currently works with more than 1,800 dealers in 11 countries, as well as partnering a network of 16 manufacturers. BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK has worked with automotive e-commerce solutions company iVendi to create the motor finance service, based around a digital platform.

BNP Paribas Personal Finance targets UK auto finance market through iVendi partnership

Dec 10, 2018

How to create a seamless auto finance journey from home to the showroom

When customers buy cars and vehicle finance, their purchasing journey typically switches between online and offline methods four times before completion, and they expect this journey to be seamless. With 86% of car buyers starting their journey online, the challenge facing auto finance companies is how to integrate both the digital and physical experience, so the customer journey progresses smoothly without buyers needing to start again when they visit a showroom. A major initiative at FCA Bank has been tackling the ‘online to offline’ challenge by shaping a new digitalization journey. It began in 2013 and is expected to offer full e-commerce by 2020, with customers using a platform at home that can also be accessed at dealerships. You can hear more about the ‘O2O’ journey in this exclusive presentation by Giacomo Carelli, CEO of FCA Bank, provided courtesy of leading finance software provider White Clarke Group.

How to create a seamless auto finance journey from home to the showroom

Dec 05, 2018

There is more to asset finance than a slick interface and computing power

You don’t need to be a fan of the dystopian Terminator films to know that technology should be a means to an end, not an end in itself. Yet recent marketing campaigns by some of Britain’s mainstream lenders have gone big on the technological aspects of their offering. A decade on from the dark days when many high street banks were forced to all but cease business lending, several are now talking up the difference that new technology has made to the speed and accuracy with which they can make loan decisions.

There is more to asset finance than a slick interface and computing power

Dec 10, 2018

UK vehicle rental and leasing industry ready to adapt to challenges of 2019

Rental and leasing companies are laying the groundwork for a productive and secure long-term future, according to the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association’s new Industry Outlook 2019 Report. Although the next year will be a very challenging period, with nine key areas of disruption identified in the report, there is clear evidence that BVRLA members are seizing the initiative, instead of waiting for an upturn in the economy or government support.

UK vehicle rental and leasing industry ready to adapt to challenges of 2019

Dec 06, 2018

First Asset Finance appoints Patrick Sherrington as managing director

First Asset Finance (FAF) has appointed Patrick Sherrington as managing director. Sherrington, who takes over the role in January 2019, is a former head of corporate asset finance at Lloyds Bank and has worked as a director of FAF since 2016.

First Asset Finance appoints Patrick Sherrington as managing director

Dec 05, 2018

Realising your digital journey - next steps for asset finance organisations

Download Alfa's latest research into asset finance digitalisation The asset finance sector, in common with the industries it serves, is experiencing a period of rapid and transformative change, driven by advancements in technology which have led to the emergence of the sharing economy and a new focus on usage rather than ownership. Alfa’s first Digital Directions report, published in 2017, explored leading industry opinion on how digitalisation was changing asset finance. In this follow-up, produced in association with Clarity and Asset Finance International, Alfa looks more closely at where companies have reached in their digital journey.

Realising your digital journey - next steps for asset finance organisations

Nov 06, 2018

The Leasing Foundation seeks industry mentors

The Leasing Foundation's MA in Business Finance Innovation is seeking industry mentors to support its student body of industry professionals studying for the qualification. The foundation says mentoring is a key part of students' experience and allows them to explore their developing ideas with experienced industry leaders.

The Leasing Foundation seeks industry mentors

Dec 05, 2018

Vehicle subscription service Wagonex announces pilot partnership with PSA Finance

Wagonex, the car subscription service, has announced a pilot partnership with PSA Finance to offer the manufacturer’s cars on its UK platform. Wagonex offer cars on subscription through its partners as an alternative to ownership or leasing. Customers can sign up for flexible contracts that run from one month to two years. Its all-inclusive subscriptions include insurance, roadside assistance, servicing and maintenance so that the only additional running cost to customers is fuel.

Vehicle subscription service Wagonex announces pilot partnership with PSA Finance

Dec 05, 2018

1pm launches its first graduate scheme

1pm, the AIM-listed alternative finance provider, has launched its first graduate scheme, offering final-year university students the opportunity to start a career in the financial sector. It is looking to recruit two graduates to cover its northern and southern offices, to take part in a two-year programme.

1pm launches its first graduate scheme

Dec 04, 2018

Digitalisation and robotic process automation boost Bancolombia results

Bancolombia increased total assets during the third quarter of 2018 as it reported digitalisation and automation were driving growth. Its Q3 results revealed that total assets reached 206,655 billion Colombian Pesos (COP) (USD$64 billion), a rise of 1.26% year-on-year, while asset growth between quarters two and three stood at 1.03%. The bank is the largest leasing company in Latin America, according to the Alta LAR 100, and has recently made a series of moves to digitise its services. It highlighted that 14% of new loans issued in Q3 were processed entirely online.

Digitalisation and robotic process automation boost Bancolombia results

Dec 04, 2018

Helicopter leasing giant Waypoint files for Chapter 11

Waypoint Leasing Holdings., the largest independent global helicopter leasing company, together with some of its subsidiaries, has filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the southern district of New York, as part of a major restructuring of the business which is likely to see it find a new owner. The company says it expects to move through the restructuring process as quickly as possible and is committed to working with its lenders and all stakeholders towards a speedy and successful transformation. Waypoint has received bids for the business from numerous parties, and expects to use the Chapter 11 process to facilitate the acquisition of Waypoint by a new owner.

Helicopter leasing giant Waypoint files for Chapter 11

Dec 03, 2018

SHIFTMobility launches blockchain reward solution

SHIFTMobility, which specializes in blockchain-powered connected automotive solutions, has released a new product, Vehicle Passport. Vehicle Passport creates a digital identity for any vehicle that can be used to track service history, transactions, and real-time events. The service stores everything from transactions to sales deeds, title, insurance, proof of ownership and receipts, which drivers can make instantly available to dealerships.

SHIFTMobility launches blockchain reward solution

Dec 03, 2018

Donald Kerr to lead SME banking division at Co-operative Bank

The Co-operative Bank has appointed Donald Kerr to a new role of managing director, SME banking, as it bids to grow its presence in business banking. Kerr (pictured), whose appointment is subject to regulatory approval, joins from CYBG, where as head of SME banking he led business growth and delivered key digital improvements. Previously, he spearheaded growth at Lloyds Banking Group, where he held managing director roles in commercial finance and SME banking.