British Business Bank boosts LE Capital with £100m guarantee for used car financing

Deal News | Feb 04, 2025 | British Business Bank Investments Ltd

The British Business Bank has entered into a transaction valuing over £100 million under its ENABLE Guarantee programme, partnering with Paragon Bank. This initiative aims to extend financial support to LE Capital, boosting their capacity to serve more used car dealerships in the UK. Historically significant, this transaction marks the first time the British Business Bank is promoting electric and hybrid vehicle financing through a pricing incentive on the guarantee. The overarching objective is to enable LE Capital to double its dealership outreach, thereby facilitating larger financing facilities and offering competitive pricing. Paragon Bank has been pivotal in this process, creating opportunities for independent dealerships to sustainably manage their stock. The ENABLE Guarantee is a government-backed mechanism designed to ensure increased lending to SMEs across the UK, incentivising lenders like LE Capital to expand their automotive financing operations. Established in 1985, Paragon Bank has a longstanding history of providing financial services and currently participates in the UK’s specialty finance sector which increasingly prioritizes eco-friendly vehicle solutions.

Sectors

  • Automotive Finance
  • Specialty Finance
  • Green Finance

Geography

  • United Kingdom – The ENABLE Guarantee and all financial activities discussed primarily take place across UK-based entities and their operations.

Industry

  • Automotive Finance – The article discusses financing provided to used car dealerships, highlighting LE Capital's role in the automotive finance industry.
  • Specialty Finance – Involves unique financing structures like the ENABLE Guarantee, meant to assist non-traditional sectors and smaller dealerships.
  • Green Finance – Emphasizes funding of eco-friendly electric and hybrid vehicles, aligning with sustainable finance practices.

Financials

  • £100m – The size of the senior facility supported by the British Business Bank's ENABLE Guarantee provided to LE Capital.
  • 750m – The total stock funded by LE Capital since its inception, supporting over 100,000 transactions.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
British Business BankPE FirmCompanyA state-owned British development bank established to increase the supply of credit to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Paragon BankLenderCompanyA UK-based specialist lender that provides a range of financial services, including loans and savings products.
LE CapitalBorrowerCompanyA leading UK stock funder providing financing solutions to used car dealerships.
Michael StrevensHead of Structured FI SolutionsPersonAn executive at the British Business Bank involved in the ENABLE Guarantee transaction.