Asset finance new business grew by 18% in June 2023

10 August 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 June 2023 by 18% compared with the same month in 2022. In the first half of 2023, new business was 15% higher than in the same period in 2022.

The business new car finance and commercial vehicle finance sectors reported new business up in June by 89% and 23% respectively, compared with the same month in 2022. The plant and machinery finance sector reported a fall in new business of 7% over the same period.

Commenting on the figures, Geraldine Kilkelly, Director of Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said:

“The asset finance market reported a strong performance in the first half of 2023 driven by a rebound in the vehicle finance markets as supply shortages eased. The high inflationary environment has led to growth in average advances, but we have also seen growth in volumes. 

“The industry supports businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors to invest in vehicles, equipment and machinery that is vital to building a more sustainable future. The first half of 2023 saw new lending to SMEs increase by 13% and to larger businesses by 15%. Over that period, new asset finance lending to businesses in the services sector grew by 14%, in the construction sector increased by 19%, and in the manufacturing sector grew by 21%.” 

 

Jun

 2023

% change on prev. year

3 months to

Jun

2023

% change on prev. year

12 months to

Jun 2023

% change on prev. year

Total FLA asset finance (£m)

3,484

18

9,476

15

36,539

14

Total excluding high value (£m)

3,379

22

9,038

15

34,891

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data Extracts:

 

By asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and machinery finance (£m)

673

-7

1,923

-7

8,058

6

Commercial vehicle finance (£m)

949

23

2,440

10

9,571

12

IT equipment finance (£m)

102

-10

250

-18

1,332

-16

Business equipment finance (£m)

174

-3

461

-5

1,906

-5

Car finance (£m)

1,231

50

3,224

41

11,456

33

Aircraft, ships and rolling stock finance (£m)

46

29

93

23

324

-1

 

By channel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct finance (£m)

1,565

24

4,129

21

15,782

25

Broker-introduced finance (£m)

746

16

2,102

12

8,269

18

Sales finance (£m)

1,068

22

2,806

10

10,840

7

 

By product:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance leasing (£m)

343

22

801

0

3,449

7

Operating leasing (£m)

823

77

2,134

54

7,778

32

Lease/Hire purchase (£m)

1,927

10

5,216

6

20,300

12

Other finance (£m)

286

-9

951

14

3,736

3

 

Note to editors:

  1. In 2022, FLA members provided £151 billion of new finance to UK businesses and households.  £34 billion of finance was provided to businesses and the public sector. FLA members financed almost a third of UK investment in machinery, equipment and purchased software in the UK in 2022.
  2. For media enquiries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

 

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