UTB Asset Finance lending volumes rise 53%

United Trust Bank (UTB) Asset Finance has reported a 53% year-on-year increase in lending volumes during the first seven months of 2026, supported by growing broker demand for its Stance Asset Finance proposition.

The lender recorded its highest-ever monthly lending total in July, following a run of four record-setting months during 2026.

Growth has come from UTB’s established asset finance business alongside the expansion of Stance Asset Finance, its newer proposition targeting SME customers across England, Wales and Scotland.

Despite increased application volumes, UTB said it continued to deliver same-day credit approval in more than 90% of cases. During July, payouts averaged 24 hours, with 83% completed within 48 hours.

Stance was introduced to complement UTB’s existing asset finance offering and provide brokers with an additional funding and refinancing option for SME customers across a range of assets, industries and circumstances.

Broker demand for the proposition has increased ahead of a planned full market launch later this year, with UTB reporting improving approval rates as it develops the offering.

Nathan Mollett, Managing Director – Asset Finance at United Trust Bank, said:

“We’re delighted with the momentum we’ve built this year achieving record results in July and significant growth in 2026, but what’s most pleasing is that for the vast majority of time we’ve continued to deliver the fast, personal service our brokers need from us.

“The response to Stance has been fantastic. Brokers have been looking for another strong, competitive option in the market and demand has grown steadily as more people experience what the team can deliver.

“Stance complements our established UTB Asset Finance business perfectly, allowing us to support more brokers, more customers and a broader range of funding requirements. With the full launch later this year, we’re excited about the next stage of the journey.”

The performance also points to Stance generating incremental business from existing UTB broker relationships as the lender expands into a broader segment of the SME asset finance market.

John Devlin, Associate Director of Allied Finance (UK) Limited, said: “We’ve worked with UTB and its traditional AF offering of Tier 1 to Tier 2 funding for years and we welcome UTB’s move into the tier 3 sector with Stance.

“Despite some initial teething problems, to be expected with a new proposition, we are now writing some good levels of business, and I estimate that we have increased our new business with UTB and Stance combined by some 25% or more year to date. It could be said we are doing the dance with Stance!”

With its full market launch scheduled for later in 2026, UTB expects Stance to account for an increasingly important part of its asset finance growth as it seeks to support a wider range of SME funding requirements.