It’s best known in the bike trade for providing dealer-focused finance services. But now Distribution Finance Capital (DF Capital) has been authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to conduct consumer lending.
DF Capital, a specialist bank providing working capital solutions to dealers and manufacturers across the UK, applied to the FCA for permission to enter the consumer sector last summer. After due diligence, the firm has demonstrated to the FCA that it can meet the expected standards for consumer lending. It’s now planning to begin an asset finance/hire purchase scheme in the first half of 2025, initially through existing dealer clients.
Carl D’Ammassa, DF CEO, said: “This development represents a significant step forward in our growth strategy. Becoming a multi-product lender has been a key element of our medium-term growth plan and strategic ambition for some time. Now, having the required permissions from the FCA to launch a consumer asset finance product unlocks a sizeable opportunity for the group and one that is in significant demand from our dealer and manufacturer customers.”
Meanwhile, DF has launched a new ‘Structured Finance’ scheme in its current dealer financing operation. This is a series of solutions to meet customers’ capital needs, including financing projects like mergers and acquisitions, business restructures and asset purchases. Run by a dedicated team based in Manchester, the Structured Finance program includes wholesale finance, stock flow finance, invoice finance, and secured short-term business loans, and it is complementary to the firm’s existing inventory finance range.
Sarah Barker, MD of Structured Finance at DF Capital, said: “The formal launch of our Structured Finance offering is an exciting milestone for DF Capital, representing a fantastic step forward in our mission to be the go-to specialist funding partner for businesses across the UK.
“Complementing our core inventory finance offering, Structured Finance reflects our focus on finding new and innovative ways to support businesses, and we are committed to working with our customers to quickly and efficiently unlock new funding opportunities to achieve their ambitions.
“We now have a dedicated team in place to deliver this offering, and given our early successes to date, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with existing customers and helping new customers achieve their goals.”