How a 20-year strategic banking relationship is fuelling Ultimate Finance’s growth

As businesses across the UK seek reliable and flexible funding solutions, specialist lender Ultimate Finance has emerged as a key player, offering tailored financial products to facilitate growth for SMEs. Behind the company’s success is a strong and strategic banking relationship with Lloyds, whose services and facilities have played a pivotal role in accelerating Ultimate Finance’s growth journey.

A relationship built over two decades

Lloyds has been a core partner for Ultimate Finance since its early days. The association began with essential banking services and has evolved into comprehensive wholesale funding solutions, including back-to-back facilities and securitisation arrangements. A significant milestone in this journey came in 2015 when Ultimate Finance was acquired by Tavistock Group , providing the business with additional resources and strategic backing to accelerate its expansion. Throughout these transitions, Lloyds Bank’s unwavering support has helped Ultimate Finance navigate challenges, ensuring stability and sustained growth over the last 20 years.

Scaling with the right financial solutions

Ultimate Finance’s loan book has expanded significantly, growing from £70 million to £350 million over the past decade. Lloyds has played a key role in supporting this growth, providing structured funding facilities that have helped strengthen Ultimate Finance’s balance sheet and expand its lending capacity to SMEs.

That momentum has only accelerated in recent years. “In the last 12 months, we’ve gone from having one facility with Lloyds to two,” explained Josh Levy , CEO of Ultimate Finance. “The total funding commitment has tripled - from £60 million to £180 million, and is soon to increase further. We’re already in discussions about further incremental additions to our facilities, which speaks to the strength of our relationship and our aligned growth ambitions. And because of that trust and long-term collaboration, we’re now also exploring non-banking products and broader strategic opportunities together.”

Supporting SMEs at scale

With Lloyds’ support, Ultimate Finance now provides funding solutions to over 4,000 SMEs in the UK, helping them sustain and expand their operations. This aligns closely with the company’s core mission of “Keeping Business Moving”, which resonates with Lloyds Banking Group’s wider purpose of “Helping Britain Prosper”.

But the value of the relationship goes well beyond core lending. Over the last couple of years, it has evolved to include a broader suite of services and benefits that support not just Ultimate Finance, but other entities within the wider Tavistock Group.

For example, Scottish Widows , part of Lloyds Banking Group, now provides pension provisions to Ultimate Finance. Reinforcing the growing cross-group collaboration, Tavistock portfolio companies are gaining strategic advantage through Lloyds Bank Market Intelligence, which offers aggregated and anonymised market data to support smarter, insight-driven decisions. “These are the kinds of ideas you only get in a true working relationship,” Josh noted. “It’s not just about the lender-borrower relationship – it’s about sharing expertise and shaping strategy together.”

A collaborative and proactive relationship

What sets this association apart is Lloyds’ proactive, relationship-led approach. From introducing innovative financial solutions to facilitating key industry connections, Lloyds helps Ultimate Finance stay ahead in an evolving financial landscape.

“I would liken our relationship team to a concierge service,” Josh shared. “When we need something done or want to explore a new solution, they guide us through the Lloyds ecosystem - introducing us to the right people, the right teams, and helping us make things happen quickly. They’ve been instrumental in navigating opportunities and challenges alike.”

This collaborative spirit is underpinned by a deep foundation of trust built over two decades. “We’ve built up so much history and depth in the relationship that we have a real sense of security,” Josh added. “We know Lloyds will be there for us – no matter what. That gives us the confidence to keep pushing forward.”

“We’ve maintained a longstanding relationship for Ultimate Finance over 20 years, built upon a symbiotic connection that provides capital to SMEs and helps to grow the UK economy. This relationship has truly flourished over the last few years expanding into multiple products, with several touch points between the businesses. We look forward to supporting their future growth ambitions and powering the next chapter of success together.”

Alan Stevenson, CFA , Director, Global Banks & Specialist Finance at Lloyds.

Looking ahead

As Ultimate Finance continues its growth trajectory, Lloyds remains a key enabler of its ambitions. With an evolving funding landscape and increasing demand for alternative finance, the relationship ensures Ultimate Finance is well-positioned to seize new opportunities.

“Having a banking partner that is as committed to our growth as we are makes a real difference,” Josh concluded. “With Lloyds Bank’s support, we’re confident in our ability to keep growing and helping even more businesses access the funding they need to succeed.”

By providing tailored financial solutions, strategic insight, and a true collaborative approach, Lloyds is playing a crucial role in the expansion of Ultimate Finance. Together, we are driving innovation and delivering funding solutions that empower SMEs across the UK.

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