Bank lending to UK small retailers falls 4% in just a year

UK bank lending to small and medium sized retail businesses has fallen by 4% in the last year, to £14.9 billion, new research from online business finance supermarket Funding Options has revealed. The fall for November 2018, from £15.6 billion for the same period in 2017, comes despite larger retailers seeing finance levels increase 5% to £37.7 billion over the same period.

Bank lending to UK small retailers falls 4% in just a year

Feb 12, 2019

UK bank lending to small and medium sized retail businesses has fallen by 4% in the last year, to £14.9 billion, new research from online business finance supermarket Funding Options has revealed. The fall for November 2018, from £15.6 billion for the same period in 2017, comes despite larger retailers seeing finance levels increase 5% to £37.7 billion over the same period.

US independent lenders find higher returns in a smaller market

US independent financing companies have a smaller market share than 20 years ago but generate consistently higher yields and returns than either banks or captive lenders, according to a study from the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation. More than 20 independent finance company executives were interviewed for an examination of how independents have built their current success and are preparing for future events. The in-depth study, commissioned by the ELFF, was prepared by FIC Advisors and follows up on an earlier report published in 2011.

US independent lenders find higher returns in a smaller market

Feb 11, 2019

US independent financing companies have a smaller market share than 20 years ago but generate consistently higher yields and returns than either banks or captive lenders, according to a study from the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation. More than 20 independent finance company executives were interviewed for an examination of how independents have built their current success and are preparing for future events. The in-depth study, commissioned by the ELFF, was prepared by FIC Advisors and follows up on an earlier report published in 2011.

Identifying growth opportunities in Islamic finance

Islamic finance is available in 56 countries through 1,389 sharia-compliant companies that have total assets under management (AUM) of $2.4 trillion, according to a 2018 study from Thomson Reuters. In 2017, the market grew 11% and while recent expansion has been slower in core markets, such as the Gulf and south-east Asia, future trends are significantly rosier.

Identifying growth opportunities in Islamic finance

Feb 08, 2019

Islamic finance is available in 56 countries through 1,389 sharia-compliant companies that have total assets under management (AUM) of $2.4 trillion, according to a 2018 study from Thomson Reuters. In 2017, the market grew 11% and while recent expansion has been slower in core markets, such as the Gulf and south-east Asia, future trends are significantly rosier.

EMEA

Ikea pilots leasing for kitchens and furniture as it promotes circular economy

Feb 07, 2019

Swedish furniture giant Ikea is piloting a leasing service for kitchens and furniture as part of its focus on championing a circular economy and eliminating waste. The pilot project in Switzerland is looking at ways for customers to ‘buy, care for and pass on products’ as part of its aim to become a fully circular business by 2030.

Americas

Top 10 equipment buying trends for 2019 revealed

Feb 05, 2019

The US Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has revealed its top 10 equipment acquisition trends for 2019, suggesting growth in the sector will continue, with an increasing emphasis on digital solutions. Ralph Petta, ELFA president and CEO, said: “Equipment acquisition plays a critical role in driving the supply chains across all US manufacturing and service sectors. Equipment leasing and financing provide the source of funding for approximately 60 % of US businesses to acquire the productive assets they need to operate and grow.”

Asia Pacific

Santander builds ties to support China’s $900bn Belt and Road initiative

Apr 12, 2018

Santander and Bank of Shanghai have announced a strategic alliance as part of China’s Belt and Road initiative, one of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects. The memorandum of understanding between the two banks will focus on Europe and Latin America elements of the Chinese-led project to connect its mainland, the ASEAN countries, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe via road and maritime routes. The initiative is set to be the defining legacy of Xi Jinping, China’s president, which has already attracted world leaders to discuss how the initiative will develop.