Funding the Real Economy: FLA Launches its Impact Report 2026
The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) will launch its first-ever Impact Report, The Hidden Engine Behind UK Growth, on 29 June to an audience of industry leaders, politicians and the media.
The inaugural report highlights the significant contribution FLA members make to the real economy, with total new lending across the markets reaching £163bn to support businesses and consumers across the UK. In Q1 2026 alone, FLA members provided a further £42bn of new lending, up 5% year on year.
It is part of a series of initiatives the FLA are introducing to showcase the contribution its members make to the economy and will support a broader conversation around the role of the sector in supporting growth and investment now and in the future.
Shanika Amarasekara, FLA chief executive, said: “The FLA Impact Report demonstrates the difference finance makes to consumers and businesses – changing lives, creating value, improving productivity and helping people achieve their goals. The Report draws out the full range of ways in which our members support growth and investment across the economy, from the adoption of new technology to boost productivity to flexible financial arrangements to spread the cost of life-changing purchases.”
The FLA is also delighted to announce Paragon Bank as the Founding Impact Partner supporting the launch of the FLA Impact and Future of Finance platform and the FLA Impact Report, The Hidden Engine Behind UK Growth.
John Phillipou, managing director of Paragon SME Lending, said: “The UK is a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators and behind these success stories is a finance sector which works hard to consistently invest in and back this ambition.
“From helping SMEs to scale to supporting investment in new assets and technologies, specialist finance plays a crucial role in creating opportunity and helping the wider economy grow.
“That is why Paragon is proud to support the FLA Future of Finance platform as a Founding Impact Partner. By bringing together robust evidence and insight, this report will unveil the real-world impact of our sector and inform how finance can continue to support sustainable growth in the years ahead.”
Shanika added: “The Impact Report is one of several ways the FLA delivers a strong collective voice for an important economic sector. We are delighted to welcome Paragon Bank as our Founding Impact Partner. Their strong focus on supporting investment and growth, and their contribution to the real economy, make them a natural partner for this important new platform.”