Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) members provided £84.3bn of new lending during the first half of 2026, an increase of 5% compared with the same period last year.
The funding supported business investment in machinery, equipment and vehicles alongside household purchases and consumer spending.
Businesses received £21bn during the six-month period, including £13bn provided to SMEs.
A further £63.3bn went to households, including £22.7bn used to finance new and used vehicle purchases.
NON-BANK LENDERS PROVIDE £34.4BN
Non-bank lenders account for £34.4bn of first-half lending, underlining the contribution of specialist finance providers to the UK economy.
The FLA says the figures demonstrate the importance of maintaining a diverse and competitive lending market during a period of continued economic uncertainty.
JUNE LENDING RISES 8%
Total new business reached £14.76bn in June, representing an annual increase of 8%.
Business asset finance grew by 15% to £3.82bn during the month, while consumer finance rose by 6% to £10.94bn.
Motor finance recorded annual growth of 13% in June, reaching £5.19bn.
Across the three months to June, FLA members provided £41.99bn of new finance, up 5% annually. Lending during the 12 months to June totals £167.45bn, also 5% higher.
‘FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE’ FOR GROWTH
Shanika Amarasekara (main picture) MBE, CEO of the Finance & Leasing Association, says: “Behind every one of those £84 billion of lending decisions is a business investing for the future or a household making an important purchase.
“Whether it is an SME buying new equipment, a family replacing a vehicle or a company investing in technology, access to finance helps turn confidence into economic activity.
“The UK’s long-term growth depends on businesses continuing to invest and consumers having access to competitive, responsible finance.
“Our members provide the financial infrastructure that enables that investment every day, supporting productivity, innovation and opportunity in every nation and region of the UK.
“As policymakers focus on driving sustainable economic growth, maintaining a diverse, competitive and innovative finance market will be essential to ensuring businesses and households continue to have access to the funding they need to thrive.”
Bridging Soup revealed yesterday how confidence across the finance and leasing industry improved during the second quarter, although most firms continue to expect weaker UK economic conditions over the coming year.
