FLA reveals SME resilience
20/10/2026
New figures released this morning by the Finance & Leasing Association (“FLA”) reveal how the Association’s members across the asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance markets provided £110.8 billion of new lending in the eight months to August 2026, 4pct higher than in the same period in 2025.
Of this total:
- £27.5 billion was provided to businesses for investment in machinery, equipment, and vehicles, including £17.2 billion to SMEs.
- £83.3 billion was provided to households, including £28.9 billion for new and used car purchases.
- £45.5 billion was provided by non-bank lenders.
CEO Shanika Amarasekara MBE said that these figures “show that businesses and consumers continue to invest in their future despite ongoing uncertainty, demonstrating the resilience of the UK economy. Finance is available to support investment and spending, but confidence remains the key to unlocking faster growth."
"The Autumn Budget is an opportunity to give businesses and households the confidence to look ahead and make long-term decisions. Measures that boost business investment, improve access to finance for SMEs, reduce energy costs and protect lenders' ability to fund growth would help unlock private sector investment, raise productivity and strengthen the foundations for sustainable economic growth."
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