Simply and Lombard forge SME lending partnership

Specialist lender Simply Asset Finance has announced a major new partnership with Lombard, in a move set to expand access to funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK.

The agreement, described as “ground-breaking” by both parties, will combine Simply’s technology-driven lending platform with Lombard’s institutional scale and longstanding expertise in asset finance. Lombard, which operates as part of NatWest Group, aims to significantly extend its reach into the scale-up segment of the SME market through the collaboration.

Founded in 2017, Simply Asset Finance has built a reputation for offering a digital-first approach to lending, focusing on businesses’ future potential rather than solely their financial history. Central to its model is an end-to-end proprietary platform, supported by its AI-powered digital agent “Kara,” which enables faster decision-making and streamlined access to finance.

Under the partnership, approved SME customers will benefit from quicker processing times and improved access to funding, backed by Lombard’s financial strength. The combined offering is expected to help businesses bypass traditional lending delays and secure capital more efficiently to support growth opportunities.

Simply will lead on origination, drawing on its nationwide network of local specialists and vendor relationships to distribute funding to businesses across the UK. The partnership’s initial phase includes a Lombard wholesale funding facility to be deployed over a three-month period, with further expansion planned.

Andrew Kilheeney, Managing Director of Wholesale and Specialist Businesses at Lombard, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting UK businesses amid economic uncertainty.

“SMEs across the UK need fast, reliable access to finance to manage uncertainty and pursue growth,” he said. “By partnering with Simply, we are combining Lombard’s strength with an innovative, technology-led platform to help more businesses access the funding they need to succeed.”

Ylva Oertengren, co-founder and COO of Simply Asset Finance, added that the collaboration would “super-charge” the company’s ability to support SMEs while unlocking new market opportunities.

“The combination of our market leading capabilities and Lombard’s track record as the largest provider of asset finance will not just super-charge our ability to help SMEs achieve their growth ambitions but also unlock new pools of business and reach new customer segments. This origination will be key to driving UK growth,” she said.