FLA members provided £111bn of new lending in the eight months to August 2026
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that FLA members across the asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance markets provided £110.8bn of new lending in the eight months to August 2026, 4% higher than in the same period in 2025. Of this total:
- £27.5bn was provided to businesses for investment in machinery, equipment, and vehicles, including £17.2bn to SMEs.
- £83.3bn was provided to households, including £28.9bn for new and used car purchases.
- £45.5bn was provided by non-bank lenders.
FLA markets sit at the heart of the real economy, funding business investment in equipment, machinery and vehicles, helping households spread the cost of major purchases, and supporting economic activity across the UK.
Shanika Amarasekara, CEO of the FLA, said: “The latest FLA lending figures show that businesses and consumers continue to invest in their future despite ongoing uncertainty, demonstrating the resilience of the UK economy. Finance is available to support investment and spending, but confidence remains the key to unlocking faster growth.”
“The Autumn Budget is an opportunity to give businesses and households the confidence to look ahead and make long-term decisions. Measures that boost business investment, improve access to finance for SMEs, reduce energy costs and protect lenders’ ability to fund growth would help unlock private sector investment, raise productivity and strengthen the foundations for sustainable economic growth.”
| Aug 2026 | % change on prev. year | 3 months to Aug 2026 | % change on prev. year | 12 months to Aug 2026 | % change on prev. year | |
| Total FLA new business (£m) | 12,638 | 4% | 41,290 | 4% | 167,954 | 5% |
| By customer:
| ||||||
| Business (asset) finance (£m) | 2,965 | 10% | 10,344 | 9% | 41,934 | 6% |
| Consumer finance (£m) | 9,673 | 3% | 30,946 | 3% | 126,020 | 5% |
| Within the above: | ||||||
| Motor finance (£m) | 3,736 | 4% | 13,505 | 6% | 56,930 | 7% |