Last checked at 10 Dec 2013 07:00
10th December 2013
S&U plc ("S&U" or "the Group")
Interim Management Statement
S&U, Britain's foremost home credit and motor finance provider, today issues an IMS for the period from the 1st August 2013 to 10th December 2013.
Home Credit
As we enter the last few weeks of our prime Christmas trading period, recent trends on both
collections and sales are promising. Debt quality has improved, credit availability for existing customers is up on last year, and recent new customer promotions have been very successful. Recent sales and demand for new loans reflect a gradual improvement in consumer confidence. Our Regulators, including the FCA, continue to recognise the unique qualities of home credit for our customers; we regard the recent announcement of potential rate caps for parts of the consumer credit sector, in particular pay-day lending, as benign and consistent with continued support for our unique home collected relationships.
Motor Finance
Advantage, our motor finance business, has not only maintained its powerful performance of the first half, but in certain areas, particularly debt quality, exceeded it. Indeed over this trading period customer numbers are at a new record and their rate of growth remains very impressive. Both the range of our products and the number of our introducing brokers has been increased; this provides the platform for further significant expansion.
Funding and Capital
Recent investment in both our home credit and motor finance businesses has seen gearing rise during the period to 41% from 31% last year.
In order to comfortably continue to finance this expansion and the consequent growth in our loan book, we have, during the period, arranged an additional £15m of facilities with a new banking partner on a medium term basis. With our new and existing banking partners we look forward to continuing to build our business over the next few years.
Commenting on Group trading and outlook, Anthony Coombs, S&U Chairman, said:
"Encouraging current trading and the loyalty and renewed confidence of our home credit and motor finance customers enable us to confidently anticipate the results which the hard work and dedication of everybody at S&U fully deserves."
For further information, please contact:
S&U plc www.suplc.co.uk
Anthony Coombs, Chairman 0121 705 7777
Financial Advisers, Sponsors and Brokers Arden Partners
Adrian Trimmings 020 7614 5920
Media and Investor Relations Smithfield
Will Swan/Ellie Gummer 020 7360 4900