Purchase of Land
Additional acreage or a unique property opportunity may come available at any time and often at short notice. We can move quickly to help you secure this and expand your business.
When we lend to someone, we like to know that they are capable and motivated borrowers, which means we like to know as much as possible about you and your business as possible. However, we’re also realistic and understand the challenges of operating in the agricultural sector. This allows us to take a holistic and balanced view of the people and the business, so that our approach is:
- Fast and fair - we move swiftly to provide finance and are able to adapt a loan to suit you circumstances. Given the basic loan information, we can rapidly provide a decision in principle and then deliver on this.
- Experienced - our management team has over 100 years of collective experience and we work with leading experts in agricultural valuation, security, restructuring and underwriting to ensure swift, informed and fair decisions.
- Reliable - we have a simple loan approval process and you can talk directly to the lending decision makers, all of whom have practical experience of business and are able to shape a loan to meet your needs.
- We understand the unique financial challenges farmers face from day to day. Our aim is to help you with your short and medium term borrowing needs and support the successful and profitable operation of your farming activities and any diversification or expansion plans you may have.
- Responsible - we take responsible lending seriously. Our loan should help your business create value and your business plan should demonstrate how our loan helps you generate sufficient income or capital to repay our loan, or refinance with the High Street.
Why we're different
- We are straightforward to deal with and experts in our field.
- We offer a no-nonsense approach and speak farming.
- We take responsible lending seriously and believe our loans should help you create value.
- You can talk directly to a lending decision maker.
- All our loan officers have practical experience of building a business.
- If we can’t help you, we will tell you quickly and honestly.
Credit committee
We undertake normal credit enquiries for credit referencing, status, asset ownership, and a personal meeting prior to the loan being agreed. These enquiries are carried out by our loan officers, who have underwriting and real business expertise.
Once the loan and borrower have passed our required standards, the final decision goes to our Credit Committee, which uses its expertise and collective knowledge to form a rounded view. Quite often, one of the Credit Committee members will visit you to help gain an insight into the factors that make a good loan and allowing you to meet one of our senior team. This helps us know more about you as a person - your character, history and reliability – beyond just an anodyne credit report. We believe this enables us to better assess the deal and confirm that you are capable of taking on and servicing the loan.
- Security for the loan must primarily be a first charge on freehold land and property
- The valuation of the land and property is on a strict bricks and mortar valuation
- The maximum loan to value is 65%
- The valuation must be done by a reputable local chartered surveyor, who is able to identify any factors that may our security
- A borrower must be credible, with sensible business ideas and freehold land and property to back them up, with a good track record in their community and be able to create the capital value or income to afford the loan
Lending Services
Livestock Finance
Once you decide that you’d like to expand your livestock holdings, our facility can provide a flexible option that can be used repeatedly, allowing you to make judicious purchases or sales, depending on the market.
Recovery & Restructure
We understand the acute financial pressures farmers face and can help you cope with expected and unexpected demands. Being able to take control and plan rationally is vital - our facility can provide your window for this.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy projects can be a great source of additional income and add real value to under-utilised land on your farm, or even turn waste products into revenue.
Diversification
Diversifying your enterprise can increase revenue and reduce risk. We understand this and the benefits it brings in the current market, as our team has direct experience of building new businesses.
Property
Are you making the most from your property? A loan from us could help you develop, renovate or repair property for capital appreciation and income generation.
Generational Transfers
Looking to transfer your farm to the next generation, possibly below market value, but wanting to keep some of your capital? One of our loans might help you achieve this.
Tenancy Right to Buy
If you’re a tenant farmer and have a right to buy your land, we may be able to help with a loan based on the open market value of your land, rather than the actual discounted purchase price.