New lending up four per cent in 2026, finds FLA
Finance and Leasing Association members provided £110.8bn in new lending during the first eight months of the year.
This represents a four per cent rise on the same period in 2025.
Further analysis showed that £27.5bn was provided to businesses for investment in machinery, equipment, and vehicles, while £28.9bn was provided to households for new and used car purchases.
Shanika Amarasekara, CEO of the FLA, said: “The latest FLA lending 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.”
She continued: “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.”
