East Coast Credit is a lender that aims to address the financing needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom by offering private debt and direct lending solutions. Our experience is drawn from time in retail banks and debt fund lending, raising corporate debt, acting as an M&A advisor, restructuring businesses and acting as expert witness in litigation actions.
UK Entrepreneurs continue to drive forward their businesses and create value in a range of different ways that aren't compatible with sometimes rigid underwriting policy. Businesses with strong cashflows yet modest Balance Sheets are within our policy as are businesses with fixed assets that can be leveraged simply off value.
Targeting businesses seeking loans between £500k and £10 million, the company provides flexible and customized financing options to support growth, diversification, restructuring and operational needs. Loans are capitalised by Family Offices and High Net Worth Individuals and provided around the needs of the borrower, not defined products.
Many businesses have strong, diversified cashflows in sectors of the economy that operate robustly throughout economic cycles. Following the Global Financial Crisis there was a significant increase in the number of non-bank lenders who provided capital where retail banks used to. Now those lenders have matured, with credit risk reducing, wholesale lending models dictating pricing and underwriting policy maturing. A new gap has been created for the third generation of credit providers to become relevant at a time when new to market options are less prevalent.
Facility types: Offering fixed term loans, working capital loans, revolvers and mezzanine financing.
Transactions: Refinancing, growth, restructuring, MBO/MBI, share buy backs, tax and other purposes.
Target Market: UK SMEs across various sectors see below for examples.
Loan Sizes: Financing facilities from £500,000 to £10,000,000.
Repayments: Amortising, partially amortising or interest only either cash paid or rolled/PIK.
Loan Terms: Short- and medium-term facilities available from 1 year to 5 years.
Loan Cost: Competitive fees and interest rates tailored to the risk profile of each borrower.
The SME sector is a critical component of the UK economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP. However, many SMEs face challenges in securing traditional and challenger bank financing due to tightening lending criteria, lengthy approval processes and binary credit committee decisions. This creates a substantial market opportunity for private debt and direct lending solutions that can offer more accessible and tailored financing options. Backing experienced entrepreneurs with cashflow generative businesses is our immediate focus.
Direct Lending and Private Credit currently spans a range of sectors and used with examples below:
Sector Financing Uses
Manufacturing Machinery Purchase, Plant Upgrades, Production Expansion
Technology. R&D, Market Expansion, Operational Scaling, PE process funding
Healthcare. Extending Premises, Acquisitions, Clinical Trials, New Technologies,
Renewable Energy Project Development, Energy-saving Technologies, Due Diligence costs
Real Estate. Development, Acquisition, Refurbishment, Land purchase, Prof' fees
Retail & Consumer Goods. Working Capital, Expansion Funding, Stock purchase
Transportation & Logistics. Fleet Expansion, Modernisation, Technology Integration, New Infrastructure
Agriculture & Agribusiness. Equipment Financing, Working Capital, Plant Upgrades, Family Buy out
Hospitality and Leisure. Refurbishment, Expansion, New Attractions, Refinancing, Tech Upgrades
Financial Services. Growth and Expansion Strategies, M&A, Regulatory Infra, Cash out.
Media and Entertainment. Film, Television, Digital Content Creation, Social Media activities.
Infrastructure. Maintenance, Capex, Expansion of Utilities, Road, Rail, Planning Costs
Professional Services. Working Capital, Acquistion, Expansion Financing, Partner buyout, Tax
Food and Beverage. New Product Lines, Factory Improvement, Production Scaling, Distribution Networks
Our competitive advantage, like many new lenders, is speed and flexibility. Fast term sheets, sensible due diligence, orderly credit approval processes. We aim to deliver customised financing structures and covenants shaped around your needs including factors such as revenue seasonality, M&A pipeline, realisation events as well as diversification and your long-term strategy. If we are unable to support you we will tell you specifically why and communicate this to you as quicky as we can.
East Coast Credit are well-positioned to support Entrepreneurs secure the capital they need for the next phase of their journey. East Coast Credit are the origination, underwriting and post completion loan manager on behalf of the ultimate lender.
Make contact today to discuss how we can help you grow your business.