Peer-to-peer lender receives US investment
AMERICAN asset management firm Victory Park Capital said yesterday it would invest up to £150m in loans arranged by British peer-to-peer lender Assetz Capital under a five-year contract.
The Chicago-based Victory Park, which specialises in middle market debt and equity investments, said the funds would support the development of UK small businesses.
Peer-to-peer lending in the UK has grown rapidly in recent years, with small and medium-sized businesses in the country struggling to access bank credit since the onset of the financial crisis.
Gordon Watson, principal at Victory Park, said: “It is a great time to partner with Assetz Capital as the company continues to scale in an under-served market.”
Since its creation in 2013, Assetz Capital has originated over 100 loans totalling approximately £55m.
In addition to financial guarantees from its directors, Assetz Capital takes asset security, including charges on property and equipment, to support the loans.
Commenting on the deal, Stuart Law, co-founder and chief executive of Assetz Capital, said: “This lending facility will allow us to meet the increasing demand for capital from businesses in the UK, and will help increase loan origination activity as a whole including greater volume of loans for retail investors.”