Specialist asset finance provider Arkle Finance has marked its 21st anniversary by reaching £100 million in loans successfully completed.

The lender has increased its loan book by 15% a year for each of the last three years.

Arkle Finance, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherbys Bank, began life in 1997 as two-person operation in the Northamptonshire town of Wellingborough.

Today the team has expanded to 52 staff, who work across the range of commercial and consumer sectors for which Arkle provides finance.

Demand for Arkle’s asset finance has been particularly strong among businesses investing in office equipment, commercial vehicles, renewables, printing, laboratory equipment and food retail assets. Together with its specialist marine and aviation finance products, these sectors now comprise a significant portion of its loan portfolio.

Daniel Bailey, managing director of Arkle Finance, said: “Reaching these twin milestones isn’t just an achievement to celebrate. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on our journey so far, and to consider how we build for the future.

“Our people are key to our success. We’ve assembled a team with a rich seam of expertise in several key sectors, who together allow us to offer both a first-class service and a compelling range of finance options to our clients.

“Clearly asset finance needs to adapt to advances in technology and the changing needs of borrowers. Arkle is already financing professional drones, 3D printers and other emerging technologies, and we expect to expand into exciting new sectors in the years to come.

“Arkle is well capitalised and proud to be supported by Weatherbys, one of just a handful of family-owned private banks in Britain. 2019 will see us consolidate our existing momentum with an expansion into new territories.”