Reward Funding has passed the £350m loan book milestone for the first time in its 15-year history, marking a significant step for one of the original players in the alternative finance sector.
The lender has now backed more than £1.45bn of deals nationwide and, since its last major lending landmark, has grown its team by 15 people and supported 625 clients.
The expansion has helped to widen its footprint across the UK, with recent activity showing particular strength in the leisure and hospitality sectors.
Nick Smith (pictured), managing director of Reward Funding, said: “£350m isn’t just another number, it’s proof that our approach works. We back ambition quickly, and we back it well. That’s why more clients and introducers are choosing Reward.
“The whole country is in a difficult position with the state of the economy at the moment, and our team is ready to support those in need with our fast, flexible funding.
“To have grown our loan book by a further £50m in less than a year shows the market is rewarding a different kind of lender, and it truly reflects our speed, instinct and decisiveness to support SMEs with their funding requirements.”
Reward positions itself as a flexible lender willing to consider cases that traditional funders may overlook. The firm has increased its exposure in sectors such as leisure and hospitality, providing support to experienced operators with viable plans at a time when others are retrenching.
As well as funding growth, the lender has taken a more vocal stance on behalf of small businesses, calling on policymakers to ensure SMEs remain central to government financial strategy. The business describes these firms as the “lifeblood of the economy” and argues they should be prioritised in decision making as conditions remain uncertain.
