Ultimate Finance reaches record £393m loan book in 2025

Ultimate Finance has reported a landmark year in 2025, closing with a record loan book of £393 million after delivering strong growth across all areas of the business. The funding provider said it exceeded the accelerated targets set out in its 2025 growth plan, driven by increased demand for its Working Capital, Asset Finance and Bridging Finance solutions.

The Group’s closing loan book rose 24% year-on-year, supported by broad-based expansion. Working Capital saw the fastest growth, climbing 32% to £166m. Asset Finance grew 27% to reach £136m, while Bridging Finance rose 9% to close the year at £95m. Together, these results marked new loan book highs for both Working Capital and Asset Finance.

Origination activity also hit unprecedented levels, with new facilities issued during the year up 37% compared with 2024. Total new lending reached £250m, split evenly between Asset Finance and Bridging Finance at £89m each, and £72m in Working Capital.

The company continued to enhance its product offering throughout the year. Key developments included raising the maximum Working Capital facility size to £10m, expanding its Structured Finance proposition with the addition of a commercial property loan within an ABL funding package, and launching a new Light Touch Refurbishment facility.

Ultimate Finance also introduced Optimise, a digital-first bridging loan designed to accelerate application and approval times.

In Asset Finance, the lender expanded its team, moved into a larger office and increased its securitisation capacity to meet growing demand, while rolling out new tiered pricing structures to support larger facilities.

CEO Josh Levy said the record performance was the result of consistent execution and strong relationships with introducers.

“We hit record scale with a £393m peak loan book and closed the year 24% up on last year’s performance — with every product area performing well. That comes from disciplined execution and genuine partnership with our introducers,” he said.

Levy highlighted the company’s strengthened regional presence, growth in its introducer base and the depth of its client relationships. “Recognition has been reflected in new business growth, winning Intermediary Advocate of the Year at this year’s NACFB Commercial Lender Awards, our outstanding NPS of 79 and strong client retention,” he added.

Levy also noted his appointment to the NACFB Board as a further demonstration of Ultimate Finance’s long-term commitment to brokers and SME funding.

With momentum behind it, the company is setting its sights on further growth in 2026. “Looking ahead, we’ll continue developing our product propositions, investing in service and delivery, and backing UK businesses with funding that fits. We enter 2026 with momentum and a clear ambition: to remain the funding partner of choice for introducers and the SMEs and property investors they support,” Levy said.