Interim Results

RNS Number : 9601M
Sancus Lending Group Limited
27 September 2021
 

27 September 2021

 

Sancus Lending Group Limited

(formerly, GLI Finance Limited)

(the "Company")

 

Interim Results the six month period ended 30 June 2021

 

 

Rory Mepham, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Sancus Lending Group Limited, commented:

 

" I am delighted to have assumed the position of Interim CEO from the 1 July 2021. The last eighteen months have been highly dynamic and it is our expectation that the outlook will continue to provide both opportunities and challenges. Reduced willingness of traditional lenders to participate in the residential development and bridge lending space has offered Sancus the opportunity to increase the speed of our growth in the target expansion markets of Ireland and the UK, and continue to grow the Offshore markets, whilst at the same time various Covid related factors have continued to delay our exit from a number of historical loan positions. As we navigate our path through the expected recovery, we remain confident that the business is in a strong position from which to grow."

 

Highlights

 

· Change of name from GLI Finance Limited to Sancus Lending Group Limited announced on 11 May 2021 reflecting the Group's continued focus on property lending in residential development and bridge financing;

· Change in personnel in the period following the resignation of Andy Whelan, Rory Mepham was appointed as Interim CEO on 1 July 2021 and Dan Walker as Deputy CEO effective on 2 June 2021. Steve Smith was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman on 31 August 2021, with the previous Chairman, Patrick Firth stepping down after sixteen years with the Group;

· The successful fundraise at the end of 2020 and a positive shift in the real estate market presents the Group with a favourable outlook and an opportunity to focus on growth in the coming period;

· Our geographic focus remains unchanged with Offshore being our largest market and the business in the UK and Ireland continues to expand. The pipeline for these key growth markets is strong with revenue growth in the UK up five-fold in comparison to last June;

· Group revenue for the half year was £5.0m (H1 2020: £5.5m) with lower exit fees in the period which can vary year on year. However, transaction fees are up from £0.6m last year to £1.7m in 2021 reflecting an increase in loan activity;

· Group operating loss for the half year was £4.1m (H1 2020: loss £0.5m) with £3.0m relating to an increase in expected credit losses under IFRS9; and

· A strong start to 2021 with new loan facilities written at £53m for the first half of 2021 against £50m for the full year 2020.

 

 

The information contained within this Announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No.596/2014 as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. By the publication of this Announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.    

 

Enquires:

 

 

Sancus Lending Group Limited  via Instinctif Partners

 

Rory Mepham, Interim CEO

 

 

Nominated Adviser and Broker

Liberum Capital Limited   +44 (0)203 100 2000

 

Chris Clarke

Edward Thomas

 

 

Public Relations Adviser

Instinctif Partners

 

George Peele  +44 (0) 7517 539 427 

Tim Linacre  +44 (0) 7949 939 237

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

 

Positioning the business for the future

 

I was delighted to join the Group earlier in the year and, having taken on the role of Chairman on 31 August 2021, I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.

 

A number of key events took place prior to my appointment and the successful fundraise at the end of last year was the first step in what the Group believes will be a structured programme of change and repositioning for growth. Our target markets continue to provide good opportunities and reduced appetite amongst traditional balance sheet lenders may add to our capacity to write favourable new business.  

 

It has been a busy first half of the year, during this time the Group was rebranded as Sancus Lending Group Limited (from GLI Finance Limited) on 11 May 2021. This change reflects the Group's continued focus on lending to residential property development and bridge financing.

 

There have been a number of changes to our senior executive team which are outlined more fully below.

 

As part of a wider review of the business, we have carried out a detailed impairment review and have made additional IFRS9 provisions of £3.0m. The provisions are largely against interest due and not loan principal, as the Group has been impacted by the late repayment of certain loans (due to Covid delays). As we are required under the accounting rules to book revenue due from interest and it follows that we have applied commensurate expected credit loss provisions.

 

Finally, after a five-year tenure our auditor, Deloitte LLP is standing down to be replaced by Moore Stephens following a tender process carried out in the period.

 

Our People

 

There have been a number of personnel changes in the last six months, following the resignation of Andy Whelan, Rory Mepham was appointed as Interim CEO on 1 July 2021 and Dan Walker as Deputy CEO on 2 June 2021. Rory has extensive experience in corporate finance, capital raising, debt finance, asset and fund management and property development. Prior to his appointment as Interim CEO Rory was responsible for funding and origination for the Group, having joined in January 2021. Dan has assumed the role of Deputy CEO and continues to act as the Managing Director of Sancus UK, having joined the Group in January 2018. 

 

On 31 August 2021, Patrick Firth stepped down after sixteen years with the Group and we would like to thank Patrick for his invaluable contribution during this time.

 

Dividend and Shareholders

 

In line with our dividend policy, it is not proposed to declare a dividend for this period.

 

While our operational focus, Offshore, UK and Ireland, remains largely unchanged, we expect the Sancus offices in Ireland and the UK, to drive free cash flow in the coming periods and to return the Group to profitability. We fully intend to recommence the dividend programme but only at such time as the Company is in a position to make such payments.

 

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank shareholders for their continuing support and patience. We certainly do not underestimate the scale and challenge ahead, but with the continuing support of shareholders and other stakeholders we believe that we have the strategy, the systems and the personnel to put the business onto a much firmer footing. I look forward to reporting positive developments in the coming period.  

 

 

 

Steve Smith

Chairman

 

 

 

 

INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

 

Overview

 

Having joined Sancus at the beginning of 2021, I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to assume the position of Interim CEO from 1 July 2021. The Company has ambitious growth objectives which will rely upon a combination of growing our loans under management together with improving our margins. In order to deliver these plans the Company is reviewing its capital requirements and considering its options in terms of potential sources of funding.

 

During the first half of 2021 we have completed a number of re-organisational initiatives which now enables the business to focus on its strategy to be a leading alternative lender in the residential lending space. The initiatives undertaken include the rebranding of the Company and reorganisation of staff into teams aligned with our business priorities: Origination, Funding, Lending and Finance & Operations. Our geographic focus remains unchanged, and we will continue to invest in growing our business across the jurisdictions in which we are active (UK, Ireland, and the Offshore markets of Channel Islands & Gibraltar). It is our belief that the UK and Irish markets offer us the greatest growth opportunities and consequently we foresee a significant scaling up of our businesses there. We are looking to simplify the Group over the course of 2021 and will be reporting a new simplified Group basis at the end of the year when we will set out the Group's strategy in further detail and set key performance metrics that we will report on going forward.

 

We are looking at our options for the FinTech Ventures portfolio and we will communicate any developments to shareholders as appropriate. It has certainly been a difficult, challenging and hugely disappointing journey over the years with the FinTech Ventures portfolio.  Many of the platforms have reached key points in their development and the market for raising equity and debt financing is challenging, which has had a material impact on valuations in the past.

 

Business Priorities

 

The essence of the Sancus business involves matching sources of capital to appropriate risk/return lending opportunities. In order to continue to grow, the business therefore needs to (1) continue to focus on the Origination of suitable lending opportunities for its existing sources of capital; (2) work with current secured Funders and to identify complementary sources of capital seeking differing risk/return criteria; (3) continue to increase our Lending book and maintain a high quality loan management process; and (4) ensure Finance and Operations is fully equipped to support the growth of the business.

 

1.  Origination

 

We have seen a strong start to 2021 with new loan facilities written at £53m for the first half of 2021 against £50m for the full year 2020 and loan deployments of £46m for the first half of the year compared to £69m for the full year 2020. Arrangement fees and commitments fees are received on the full loan facility written and therefore we believe loan facilities written is a more meaningful metric when tracking growth. We continue to see significant demand for development finance and are increasing our presence in the bridging market with a couple of key hires.

 

2.  Funding

 

We are confident that as new loan opportunities arise, the loan book will increase as Co-Funders are attracted to the risk adjusted returns, especially when compared to the all-time low alternative yielding assets such as cash or bonds.  The business has recently recruited two senior team members to focus on both managing relations with our existing funding sources and identify additional complementary sources of funding. A longer-term objective remains to identify capital sources domestic to the market in which the lending opportunity has been identified and this is an ongoing initiative in Ireland for example. Growing and diversifying pools of lending capital is critical for our growth.  Our funding sources include institutional, corporate and high net worth individuals which are in excess of 200.  We also continue to target the Co-Funder base and nurture relationships.  The Honeycomb Investment Trust plc ("HIT") funding line, noted below, is designed to be complementary to our Co-Funder base and work alongside it to complete on larger sized loans which have a greater revenue impact on the Group.

 

Our existing committed sources of funding include Sancus Loan Notes ("SLNs") and a credit facility provided by HIT.

 

The SLNs comprise a series of Special Purpose Vehicles ("SPVs") designed to act like securitisation vehicles, enabling Co-Funders to participate in a diversified loan portfolio rather than individual loans. On 10 May 2021 SLN7 was launched with £16.6m assets managed by Amberton Limited, following the repayment of SLN5 and SLN6. SLN7 matures on 10 May 2024 and has a coupon of 7% p.a. (payable quarterly), with Sancus providing a 10% first loss guarantee.

 

As announced on 4 December 2020 the HIT credit facility was increased to £75m from £45m and the term was extended to 28 January 2025. At 30 June 2021 the total drawn was £47.5m (31 December 2020: £45.0m).

 

The availability and cost of funding is key to achieving our growth ambitions and we are reviewing the capital position of the business with a view to ensuring it's best placed to grow funding capacity on improved terms.

 

3.  Lending

 

The senior management team have carried out an extensive review of the current loan book, particularly in the context of Covid and the impact this has had on the wider real estate market and individual borrowers. Where concerns have been identified the loans have been placed on a recoveries watchlist allowing a more detailed recovery strategy to be prepared and worked through. The senior management team believe that initial progress is being made on the various recoveries strategies but note that working these through to realisation will take time to ensure the best result for all stakeholders. The Group has also refreshed its credit process and we expect to build out this team further as we execute on our growth strategy.

 

The Sancus asset backed lending loan book decreased by 7% since the end of 2020 from £171m to £160m as we saw some large loans repay in the period which does not reflect the increase in activities, we are seeing with new facilities written. We have a strong pipeline and expect the loan book to increase by the end of the year. Within the loan book, the Offshore loan book makes up the majority of this at the moment at £132m (Dec 2020: £147m) with the UK loan book £18m (Dec 2020: £15m) and Irish loan book at £10m (Dec 2020: £9m).

 

4.  Finance and Operations

 

Effective compliance and corporate governance remains a priority for the Board. This is critical to ensuring that only well-considered risks are taken, and expected returns emerge as planned.

 

A key milestone at the end of last year was the successful new equity raise as well as restructuring our debt (Bonds and ZDPs) and increasing and extending the term of our facility with HIT. This transaction had the full support of our largest shareholder Somerston Group who participated in both the equity raise and new bond issue.

 

The development of our digital trading platform (Loan Management System "LMS") continues with increased online functionality for Co- Funders across the Group allowing them to participate online in asset backed lending opportunities. During the course of 2021 we have been making further improvements to the platform to ensure it is well set to support our growth plans.

 

As highlighted above, we have made a number of recent hires across the business, in particular to bolster our Funding and Origination capabilities in the markets in which we are active. At the end of June 2021, the Group headcount stood at 29 (31 December 2020: 25) and as we build out our presence across the UK and Ireland, we expect this to increase over time. 

 

Summary of Financial Performance

 

Group revenue for the first half of 2021 was £5.0m against £5.5m last year and an operating loss of £4.1m (June 2020: loss of £0.5m). As disclosed in Note 4 of the accounts, transaction fees were £1.7m in the first half of 2021, in comparison to £0.6m last year, which highlights the increase in activity of loans written as noted above. Exit fees which were £0.9m last year have reduced this year to £0.3m. Due to the nature of these fees, they can vary significantly year on year.

 

Note 3 Segmental Reporting sets out the results by Offshore, UK and Ireland. We have seen Offshore revenue decrease by 11% in the period, largely due to some large exit fees which were received in 2020. The UK for the first time has reported an operating profit of £0.1m against a loss of £0.5m last year with revenue growth up five-fold in comparison to last June. Ireland results are relatively flat (revenue up 6%) against last year however loan closures have been slow in the first half of the year due to continued lockdowns in that region, so we expect results to pick up in the second half of the year.

 

The movement in expected credit losses (IFRS 9) of £3.0m in the period (June 2020: £0.2m) predominantly relates to interest debtor balances where we have seen loan repayments taking longer to complete over the last eighteen months due to market conditions and this has impacted the expected recoverability of the interest due. The underlying loans however have not seen a material deterioration.

 

The loss for the period was £4.2m (30 June 2020: loss of £6.5m)

 

The Group's net assets have reduced in the period from £29.5m at 31 December 2020 to £25.2m as a result of the operating loss in the period which includes an increase in the expected credit loss provision of £3.0m.

 

The Board has carried out a full impairment review of the carrying amount of goodwill and the resultant value-in-use calculation indicated that no impairment of goodwill was required in either Sancus Jersey or Sancus Gibraltar. The g oodwill value therefore remains at £22.9m.

 

Group cash remains healthy. Within the £16.2m of cash and cash equivalents balance at 30 June 2021, £3.8m relates to Group operational cash with £12.4m within Sancus Loans Limited. Post period end one of the development sites within Sancus Properties Limited was sold for £0.7m cash, leaving just one block of flats which is being developed and due to complete around the end of this year.  

 

On balance sheet loans (excluding those loans in Sancus Loans Limited) were £11.4m before IFRS9 provisions at 30 June 2021 compared to £11.8m at 31 December 2020. During the period £1.8m was received following the sale of the BMS fund, leaving £1.9m on the balance sheet by way of a convertible loan note in one entity. Following this sale, Sancus BMS Holdings Limited was liquidated on 13 September 2021. Sancus Loans Limited has loans of £40.6m at 30 June 2021 (31 December 2021: £45.0m).

 

The Group's liabilities consist of the Bond of £12.5m which has a quarterly coupon of 7% p.a. and matures on 31 December 2025; and ZDPs of £10.1m with a coupon of 8% and payable on 5 December 2022. As the Group considers what capital mix will best support its growth ambitions, it may seek to acquire ZDPs in the market during the course of the year and explore other options for reducing balance sheet leverage. The HIT credit facility was increased to £75m from £45m on 4 December 2020 and at 30 June 2021 was £40.6m (31 December 2020: £45.0m).

 

Outlook

 

The wider market offers a positive outlook for an alternative lender such as Sancus, particularly in the development lending space where traditional banks remain inactive. Whilst we have recently seen some increased competition from alternative lenders, the residential property supply/demand dynamic in all of our target markets remains favourable meaning that there is sufficient scale of opportunity for the business to achieve its growth objectives. With reasonable prospects for economic growth in the remainder of the year and thereafter, it is expected that there will continue to be favourable underlying market fundamentals for the foreseeable future. 

 

Finally, I want to thank all shareholders for their support during this period of change. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead of us and look forward to delivering profitability in due course.  In the short time I have been in my new position, I have done my best to meet as many stakeholders as possible and look forward to continuing that during the second half of the year.

 

 

Rory Mepham

Interim Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

 

Risks and uncertainties

 

There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the group's performance over the remainder of the financial year. These include, but are not limited to, Capital and liquidity risk, Regulatory and compliance risk, Market risk, Credit risk with respect to the loan book (primarily bridging loans and, increasingly, development loans), Operational risk and the execution of Sancus strategy. These risks remain unchanged from December 2020 and are not expected to change in the 6 months to the end of the financial year. Further details on these risks and uncertainties can be found in the December 2020 Annual Report.

 

Responsibility statement

 

The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

 

§ The Interim Report has been prepared in accordance with the AIM rules of the London Stock Exchange;

 

§ This financial information has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the UK;

 

§ The interim results include a fair review of the important events during the first half of the financial year and their impact on the financial information as required by DTR 4.2.7R; and

 

§ The interim results include a fair review of the disclosure of related party transactions as required by DTR 4.2.8R.

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT ON INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Conclusion

 

We have been engaged by Sancus Lending Group Limited (the "Company") to review the condensed set of Consolidated Financial Statements in the Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2021 which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and related Notes 1 to 19. We have read the other information contained in the Interim Report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of consolidated financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2021 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the UK and the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange.

 

Basis for Conclusion

 

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" (the "ISRE") issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

As disclosed in Note 2 of the annual financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the UK. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the UK.

 

Conclusions Relating to Going Concern

 

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis of Conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that management have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.

 

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with the ISRE, however future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

 

Responsibilities of Directors

 

The Interim Report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors.  The Directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Report in accordance with the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange.

 

In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

 

Our responsibilities for the review of the financial information

 

In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for expressing to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of consolidated financial statement in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.

 

 

Moore Stephens Audit and Assurance (Guernsey) Limited

Level 2 Park Place

Park Street

St Peter Port

Guernsey, GY1 3HZ

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Notes

Period ended

Period ended

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

 

£'000

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

£'000

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

4

5,002

5,498

Cost of sales

 

5

(3,386)

(3,011)

Gross profit

 

1,616

2,487

Operating expenses

6

(2,671)

(2,824)

Changes in expected credit losses

17

(3,028)

(161)

Operating loss

 

(4,083)

(498)

FinTech Ventures fair value movement

17

8

(4,238)

Other net losses

 

(95)

(1,712)

Loss for the period before tax

 

(4,170)

(6,448)

Income tax expense

 

(58)

(67)

Loss for the period after tax

 

(4,228)

(6,515)

 

 

 

 

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

 

 

 

Foreign exchange arising on consolidation

 

9

(26)

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period after tax

 

9

(26)

Total comprehensive loss for the period

 

(4,219)

(6,541)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per Ordinary Share

7

(0.88)p

(2.14)p

Diluted loss per Ordinary Share

 

(0.81)p

(2.14)p

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

31 December 2020 (audited)

ASSETS

Notes

£'000

£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

Fixed assets

8

638

774

Goodwill

9

22,894

22,894

Other intangible assets

10

97

168

Sancus loans and loan equivalents

17

18,683

3,863

FinTech Ventures investments

17

500

-

Investments in joint ventures and associates

 

766

866

Other investments

 

50

-

Total non-current assets

 

43,628

28,565

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Other assets

12

1,067

1,015

Sancus loans and loan equivalents

17

29,600

49,369

Trade and other receivables

11

6,984

8,204

Cash and cash equivalents

 

16,246

15,786

Total current assets

 

53,897

74,374

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

97,525

102,939

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

Share premium

13

116,218

116,218

Treasury shares

13

(1,172)

(1,099)

Other reserves

 

(89,844)

(85,625)

Total Equity

 

25,202

29,494

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

69,705

69,450

Other liabilities

 

357

469

Total non-current liabilities

14

70,062

69,919

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

14

1,235

1,638

Tax liabilities

14

106

118

Provisions

14

733

1,542

Other liabilities

14

187

228

Total current liabilities

 

2,261

3,526

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

72,323

73,445

 

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

 

97,525

102,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Share

Treasury Shares

Warrants Outstanding

Foreign Exchange Reserve

Retained Earnings/

Total

 Premium

(Losses)

Equity

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 31 December 2020 (audited)

 

116,218

-1,099

847

-1

-86,471

29,494

Acquired on sale of BMS Finance AB

 

-

-73

-

-

-

-73

Fair value of warrants

 

-

-

616

-

-616

-

Transactions with owners

 

-

-73

616

-

-616

-73

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period

 

-

-

-

9

-4,228

-4,219

Balance at 30 June 2021 (unaudited)

 

116,218

-1,172

1,463

8

-91,315

25,202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2019 (audited)

 

112,557

-1,099

-

22

-71,107

40,373

Transactions with owners

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total comprehensive loss for the period

 

-

-

-

-26

-6,515

-6,541

Balance at 30 June 2020 (unaudited)

 

112,557

-1,099

-

-4

-77,622

33,832

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Period ended

Period ended

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

Notes

£'000

£'000

 

Cash outflow from operations, excluding loan movements

 

15

 

(2,654)

 

(2,797)

(Increase) / Decrease in Sancus loans

 

(2,298)

3,168

Decrease in loans through platforms

 

-

10

Decrease in loans to UK and Irish SARLS

 

1,796

113

Decrease in loans through the HIT facility

 

4,518

5,084

Investment in Sancus Loan notes

 

(50)

-

Net cash inflow from operating activities

 

1,312

5,578

 

Cash inflows / (outflows) from investing activities

 

 

 

Investment in IOM Preference Shares

 

(16)

-

Net Repayments / (Investments) in FinTech Ventures

 

(492)

(49)

Divestment in joint ventures

 

9

-

Expenditure on SPL Properties

12

(52)

(147)

Sale of SPL Properties

 

51

1,598

Expenditure on fixed assets and intangibles

 

(4)

(8)

Net cash (outflow) / inflow from investing activities

 

(504)

1,394

 

 

 

 

Cash inflows / (outflows) from financing activities

 

 

 

Draw down / (Repayment) of HIT facility

15

2,496

(3,499)

Capital element of lease payments

15

(97)

(128)

Repayment of ZDPs

15

(2,756)

(3,942)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

 

(357)

(7,569)

 

 

 

 

Effects of Exchange

 

9

(26)

 

 

 

 

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

460

(623)

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

15,786

7,244

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

16,246

6,621

 

 

£12.4m of the £16.2m cash held at 30 June 2021 is for the exclusive use of Sancus Loans Limited (June 2020: £3.9m of the £6.6m)

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.  GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Sancus Lending Group Limited (the "Company"), (formerly known as GLI Finance Limited), and together with its subsidiaries, ("the Group") was incorporated, and domiciled in Guernsey, Channel Islands, as a company limited by shares and with limited liability, on 9 June 2005 in accordance with The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 1994 (since superseded by The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008). Until 25 March 2015, the Company was an Authorised Closed-ended Investment Scheme and was subject to the Authorised Closed-ended Investment Scheme Rules 2008 issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). On 25 March 2015, the Company was registered with the GFSC as a Non-Regulated Financial Services Business, at which point the Company's authorised fund status was revoked. The Company's Ordinary Shares were admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange on 5 August 2005 and its issued zero dividend preference shares were listed and traded on the Standard listing Segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange with effect from 5 October 2015.

 

The Company does not have a fixed life and the Articles do not contain any trigger events for a voluntary liquidation of the Company. The Company is an operating company for the purpose of the AIM rules. The Executive Team is responsible for the management of the Company.

 

As at 30 June 2021, the Group comprises the Company and its subsidiaries. During 2021 as part of the Group's rebranding the Company and a number of its subsidiaries have been renamed:

 

Previous name

New name

Date of name change

Sancus BMS Group Limited

Sancus Group Holdings Limited

17 March 2021

Sancus BMS (Ireland) Limited

Sancus Lending (Ireland) Limited

29 March 2021

GLI Finance Limited

Sancus Lending Group Limited

11 May 2021

Sancus (Guernsey) Limited

Sancus Lending (Guernsey) Limited

12 July 2021

Sancus Funding Limited

Sancus Lending (UK) Limited

13 July 2021

Sancus Finance Limited

Sancus Holdings (UK) Limited

13 July 2021

 

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption conferred by the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, Section 244, not to prepare company only financial statements which is consistent with the 2020 Annual Report.

 

2.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a)  Basis of preparation

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements ("financial statements") have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard (IAS) 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the United Kingdom and all applicable requirements of Guernsey Company Law.  They do not include all the information and disclosures required in annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as endorsed by the European Union.

 

The Group does not operate in an industry where significant or cyclical variations, as a result of seasonal activity, are experienced during any particular financial period.

 

(b)  Principal accounting policies

 

The same accounting policies and methods of computation are followed in these financial statements as in the last annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

 

(c)  Going Concern

 

The Board has assessed the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2021 and the factors that may impact its performance in the forthcoming year. After considering the maturity profile of the debt structure of the Group and projected cash flows, the Directors are of the opinion that it is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on a going concern basis.

 

 

(d)    Critical accounting estimates and judgements in applying accounting policies

 

The critical accounting estimates and judgements are as outlined in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

 

 

3.   SEGMENTAL REPORTING

 

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the manner in which the Executive Team reports to the Board, which is regarded to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) as defined under IFRS 8. The main focus of the Group is Sancus. Bearing this in mind the Executive team have identified 4 segments based on operations and geography.

 

Finance costs and Head Office costs are not allocated to segments as such costs are driven by central teams who provide, amongst other services, finance, treasury, secretarial and other administrative functions based on need. The Group's borrowings are not allocated to segments as these are managed by the Central team. Segment assets and liabilities are measured in the same way as in these financial statements and are allocated to segments based on the operations of the segment and the physical location of those assets and liabilities.

 

The four segments based on geography, whose operations are identical (within reason), are listed below. Note that Sancus Loans Limited, although based in the UK, is reported separately as a stand-alone entity to the Board and as such is considered to be a segment in its own right.

 

1.  Offshore

 

Contains the operations of Sancus (Jersey) Limited, Sancus Lending (Guernsey) Limited, Sancus (Gibraltar) Limited, Sancus Properties Limited and Sancus Group Holdings Limited.

 

2.  United Kingdom (UK)

 

Contains the operations of Sancus Lending (UK) Limited and Sancus Holdings (UK) Limited.

 

3.  Ireland

 

Contains the operations of Sancus Lending (Ireland) Limited.

 

4.  Sancus Loans Limited

 

Contains the operations of Sancus Loans Limited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six months to 30 June 2021

 

Offshore

UK

Ireland

Sancus Loans Limited (SLL)

Sancus Debt Costs

Total Sancus

 

Head Office

SLL Debt Costs

FinTech Ventures Fair Value & Forex

Other

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

1,883

1,018

230

(239)

-

2,892

 

-

2,033

-

77

 

5,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Profit/(loss) *

685

136

(8)

(248)

-

565

 

(693)

-

-

73

 

(55)

Credit Losses

(2,270)

-

-

(746)

-

(3,016)

 

-

-

-

(12)

 

(3,028)

Debt Costs

-

-

-

-

(1,000)

(1,000)

 

-

-

-

-

 

(1,000)

Other Gains/(losses)

96

2

(26)

1

-

73

 

-

-

(4)

(49)

 

20

Loss on JVs and associates

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

-

-

(107)

 

(107)

Taxation

(58)

-

-

-

-

(58)

 

-

-

-

-

 

(58)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit After Tax

(1,547)

138

(34)

(993)

(1,000)

(3,436)

 

(693)

-

(4)

(95)

 

(4,228)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six months to 30 June 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

2,160

196

216

444

-

3,016

 

-

1,836

-

646

 

5,498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Profit/(loss) *

979

(470)

(7)

437

-

939

 

(539)

-

-

337

 

737

Credit Losses

(163)

2

-

-

-

(161)

 

-

-

-

-

 

(161)

Debt Costs

-

-

-

-

(1,074)

(1,074)

 

-

-

-

-

 

(1,074)

Other Gains/(losses)

(946)

-

2

(27)

-

(971)

 

-

-

(4,174)

(50)

 

(5,195)

Loss on JVs and associates

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

-

-

(755)

 

(755)

Taxation

(67)

-

-

-

-

(67)

 

-

-

-

-

 

(67)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit After Tax

(197)

(468)

(5)

410

(1,074)

(1,334)

 

(539)

-

(4,174)

(468)

 

(6,515)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Operating Profit/(loss) before credit losses and debt costs

 

Sancus Loans Limited is consolidated into the Group's results as it is 100% owned by Sancus Group. However, the reality is that Sancus Loans Limited is a Co-Funder the same as any other Co-Funder. As a result the Board reviews the economic performance of Sancus Loans Limited in the same way as any other Co-Funder, with revenue being stated net of debt costs. Operating expenses include recharges from UK to Offshore £238,000, Offshore to Ireland £37,000 and Head Office to Offshore £36,000. "Other" includes FinTech (excluding fair value and forex) and Sancus BMS Holdings operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 30 June 2021

 

Offshore

UK

Ireland

Sancus Loans Limited (SLL)

Total Sancus

 

Head Office

Investment in IOM

Fintech Portfolio

Other

Inter Company Balances

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

49,613

10,314

372

57,250

117,549

 

43,931

766

500

374

(65,595)

 

97,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

(42,847)

(11,187)

(587)

(58,246)

(112,867)

 

(24,177)

-

-

(874)

65,595

 

(72,323)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets/(liabilities)

6,766

(873)

(215)

(996)

4,682

 

19,754

766

500

(500)

-

 

25,202

                               

 

 

At 31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

44,486

7,203

488

54,131

106,308

 

47,137

866

-

4,177

(55,549)

 

102,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

(38,720)

(8,214)

(679)

(53,255)

(100,868)

 

(27,774)

-

-

(352)

55,549

 

(73,445)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets/(liabilities)

5,766

(1,011)

(191)

876

5,440

 

19,363

866

-

3,825

-

 

29,494

                               

 

 

 

Head Office liabilities include borrowings £22.6m (December 2020: £24.9m).  Other FinTech assets and liabilities, and Sancus BMS Holdings Limited assets and liabilities are included within "Other"

4.  REVENUE

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

£'000

£'000

  Co-Funder fees

777

890

Earn out (exit) fees

270

926

Advisory fees

-

230

Transaction fees

1,662

563

Total revenue from contracts with customers

2,709

2,609

 

 

 

Interest on loans

117

556

HIT interest income

1,794

2,280

Other income

382

53

Total Revenue

5,002

5,498

 

 

5.   COST OF SALES

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

£'000

£'000

Interest costs

1,016

1,104

HIT interest costs

2,033

1,836

Other cost of sales

337

71

Total cost of sales

3,386

3,011

 

 

6.   OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Administration and secretarial fees

67

25

Amortisation and depreciation

195

216

Audit fees

84

111

Corporate Insurance

27

42

Directors Remuneration

69

64

Employment costs

1,719

1,647

Investor relations expenses

37

36

Legal and professional fees

123

114

Marketing expenses

20

19

NOMAD fees

38

38

Other office and administration costs

247

348

Pension costs

28

141

Registrar fees

15

15

Sundry

2

8

Total operating expenses

2,671

2,824  

7.    LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE

 

Consolidated loss per Ordinary Share has been calculated by dividing the consolidated loss attributable to Ordinary Shareholders in the period by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding (excluding treasury shares) during the period.

 

Note 13 describes the warrants in issue. Taking these warrants into account the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares used in calculating the diluted loss per share was 524,011,652. There was no dilutive effect in the prior year.

 

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Number of shares in issue

489,843,477

312,065,699

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

478,294,522

304,139,700

Loss attributable to Ordinary Shareholders in the period

£4,228,000

£6,515,000

Basic Loss per Ordinary Share

(0.88)p

(2.14)p

Diluted Loss per Ordinary Share

(0.81)p

(2.14)p

 

 

 

 

8.    FIXED ASSETS

 

 

Right of use assets

Property & Equipment

Total

Cost

£'000

£'000

£'000

At 31 December 2020

1,267

462

1,729

Additions in the period

-

4

4

Lease adjustment

(16)

-

(16)

Disposals

-

(15)

(15)

Expired lease

(132)

-

(132)

At 30 June 2021

1,119

451

1,570

 

Accumulated depreciation

£'000

£'000

£'000

At 31 December 2020

628

327

955

Charge in the period

98

26

124

Disposals

-

(15)

(15)

Expired lease

(132)

-

(132)

At 30 June 2021

594

338

932

 

 

 

 

Net book value 30 June 2021

525

113

638

 

 

 

 

Net book value 31 December 2020

639

135

774

 

 

 

 

 

9.   GOODWILL

 

 

Goodwill at 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2020 comprises:

 

 

 

 

£'000

 

 

 

Sancus Jersey

 

14,255

Sancus Gibraltar

 

8,639

Total

 

22,894

 

 

 

Impairment tests

 

The carrying amount of goodwill arising on the acquisition of certain subsidiaries is assessed by the Board for impairment on an annual basis or sooner if there has been any indication of impairment. The annual review is due on 30 June each year. As a result the Board has assessed the Goodwill for impairment on 30 June 2021.

 

The value in use of Sancus Jersey and Sancus Gibraltar was based on an internal Discounted Cash Flow ("DCF") value-in-use analysis using cash flow forecasts for the years 2021/22 to 2025/26. The starting point for each of the cash flows was the revised forecast for 2021 produced by Sancus Jersey and Gibraltar management. Management's revenue forecasts applied a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to revenue of 16.1% and 19.6% for Jersey and Gibraltar respectively. A cost of equity discount rate of 11.5% was employed in the valuation model for Sancus Jersey and 12.0% for Sancus Gibraltar. The resultant valuation indicated that no impairment of goodwill was required in either Sancus Jersey or Sancus Gibraltar, with significant headroom.

 

Goodwill valuation sensitivities

 

When the discounted cash flow valuation methodology is utilised as the primary goodwill impairment test, the variables which influence the results most significantly are the discount rates applied to the future cash flows and the revenue forecasts. The table below shows the impact on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income of stress testing the period end goodwill valuation with a decrease in revenues of 10% and an increase in cost of equity discount rate of 3%. These potential changes in key assumptions fall within historic variations experienced by the business (taking other factors into account) and are therefore deemed reasonable. The current model reveals that a sustained decrease in revenue of circa 20% for Jersey and circa 28% for Gibraltar or a sustained increase of circa 11% in the cost of Equity discount rate for Jersey and circa 14% for Gibraltar would remove the headroom.

 

Sensitivity Applied

 

Reduction in headroom implied by sensitivity

 

 

 

 

Sancus

Jersey

 '000

Sancus

Gibraltar

 '000

 

Total

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

10% decrease in revenue per annum

 

5,650

3,063

8,713

3% increase in cost of Equity discount rate

 

4,040

2,679

6,719

 

Neither a 10 % decrease in revenue nor a 3% increase in the cost of Equity discount rate implies a reduction of Goodwill in Jersey or Gibraltar.

 

  10.   OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

 

£'000

Cost

 

At 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2020

1,584

 

 

Amortisation

 

At 31 December 2020

1,416

Charge for the period

71

At 30 June 2021

1,487

 

 

Net book value at 30 June 2021

97

 

 

Net book value at 31 December 2020

168

 

 

Intangible assets comprise capitalised contractors' costs and costs related to core systems development. No impairment provision has been recorded. The amortisation charge has been recorded within Operating Expenses.

 

 

11.   TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

 

31 December 2020

(audited)

 

Current

£'000

£'000

Loan fees, interest and similar receivable

5,734

7,438

Receivable from associated companies

2

49

Derivative contracts (Note 17)

504

94

Other trade receivables and prepaid expenses

744

623

 

6,984

8,204

 

12.    OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

Development properties

Cost

 

 

£'000

At 31 December 2019

 

 

3,336

Additions

 

 

236

Disposals

 

 

(1,665)

Write down

 

 

(892)

At 31 December 2020

 

 

1,015

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

52

At 30 June 2021

 

 

1,067

 

Other assets are developments which were previously held as security against certain loans which have defaulted. These assets are held at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The remaining £1.1m comprises of one development property which is held at cost plus the net realisable value of a development plot.

13 .   SHARE CAPITAL, SHARE PREMIUM & DISTRIBUTABLE RESERVE

 

Sancus Lending Group Limited has the power under its articles of association to issue an unlimited number of Ordinary Shares of nil par value.

 

No Ordinary Shares were issued in the period to 30 June 2021 (Period to 30 June 2020: Nil).

 

 

Share Capital

 

 

Number of Ordinary Shares - nil par value

 

At 30 June 2021 (unaudited) and 31 December 2020 (audited)

489,843,477

 

 

Share Premium

 

 

Ordinary Shares - nil par value

£'000

At 30 June 2021 (unaudited) and 31 December 2020 (audited)

116,218

 

Ordinary shareholders have the right to attend and vote at Annual General Meetings and the right to any dividends or other distributions which the company may make in relation to that class of share.

 

 

Treasury Shares

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

Number of shares

31 December 2020

(audited)

Number of shares

 

 

 

Balance at start of the period/year

7,925,999

7,925,999

Sancus Lending Group shares acquired on the sale of BMS Finance AB 

3,926,677

-

Balance at end of period/year

11,852,676

7,925,999

 

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

£'000

31 December 2020

(audited)

£'000

 

 

 

Balance at start of the period/year

1,099

1,099

Sancus Lending Group shares acquired on the sale of BMS Finance AB 

73

-

Balance at end of period/year

1,172

1,099

 

Warrants in Issue

 

On 22 December 2020, in connection with the issue of new bonds, the Company issued 153,994,543 Warrants to subscribe in cash for new Ordinary Shares at a subscription price of 2.25 pence per Ordinary Share. The Warrants will be exercisable on at least 30 days notice in the period to 31 December 2025. As at 30 June 2021 and up to the date of signing these condensed interim financial statements none of these warrants have been exercised. The warrants are classified as equity instruments because a fixed amount of cash is exchangeable for a fixed amount of equity, there being no other features which could justify a financial liability classification. The fair value of the Warrants at 30 June 2021 is £1,463,000 (31 December 2020: £847,000).  

 

14.   LIABILITIES

 

 

Non-current liabilities

30 June  2021

(unaudited)

31 December 2020

(audited)

 

£'000

£'000

Corporate bond (1)

12,461

12,473

HIT facility (2)

47,130

44,553

ZDP shares (3)

10,114

12,424

Lease Creditor

357

469

Total non-current liabilities

70,062

69,919

 

 

Current liabilities

30 June  2021  (unaudited)

31 December  2020  (audited)

 

£'000

£'000

Accounts payable

262

436

Accruals and other payables

 973

1,202

Taxation

106

118

Deferred income

-

40

Provision for financial guarantees

733

1,542

Lease creditor

187

188

Total current liabilities

2,261

3,526

 

Movement on provision for financial guarantees

 

 

 

 

£'000

At 31 December 2019

 

-

Profit and loss charge in the year

 

1,542

At 31 December 2020

 

1,542

Profit and loss credit in the period

 

(809)

At 30 June 2021

 

733

 

Provisions for financial guarantees were recognised in the year to 31 December 2020 in relation to ECLs on off-balance sheet loans and debtors where the company has provided a guarantee (see Note 18). The fair value is determined using the exact same methodology as that used in determining ECLs (Note 17).

 

 

(1)  Corporate Bond

 

On 22 December 2020 Sancus Lending Group issued £12,575,000 corporate bonds of which £3,875,000 were rolled from  the existing £10m bonds (the remaining £6,125,000 being repaid) and £8,700,000 issued for cash. Over the term of the bonds £15m may be issued. The bond maturity date is 31 December 2025 and they bear interest at 7% (2020: 7%).

 

(2)  HIT Facility

 

On 29 January 2018, Sancus Funding Limited signed a new funding facility with Honeycomb Investment Trust plc (HIT). The funding line had a term of 3 years and comprised of a £45m accordion and revolving credit facility. On 3 December 2020 the term of the facility was extended to 28 January 2024. On the same date the facility was increased to £75m. The facility bears interest at 7.25%. The HIT facility has portfolio performance covenants including that actual loss rates are not to exceed 4% in any twelve month period and underperforming loans are not to exceed 10% of the portfolio. Sancus Group has an obligation to maintain a 10% first loss position on the HIT facility. Sancus Lending Group has also provided HIT with a guarantee, capped at £2m that will continue to ensure the orderly wind down of the loan book, in the event of the insolvency of Sancus Group, given its position as facility and security agent.

 

 

(3)  ZDP shares

 

The ZDP shares have a maturity date of 5 December 2022 with a final capital entitlement of £1.6464 per ZDP share, and bear interest at an average rate of 8.0% (2020: 8.0%).

 

Refer to the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation for full detail of the rights attached to the ZDP shares. This document can be accessed via the Company's website www.sancus.com .

 

In accordance with article 7.5.5 of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation, the Company may not incur more than £30m of long term debt without the prior approval from the ZDP shareholders. The Memorandum and Articles also specify that two debt cover tests must be met in relation to the ZDPs. At 30 June 2021 the Company was in compliance with these covenants as Cover Test A was 3.08 (minimum of 1.7) and Cover Test B was 5.40 (minimum of 3.25).

 

At the period end senior debt borrowing capacity amounted to £17.4m. The HIT facility does not impact on this capacity as this is non-recourse to the Company.

 

In addition to a tender offer in March 2021, whereby the company acquired and subsequently cancelled 1,690,034 ZDP shares, a further 226,718 shares have been acquired during the period. As a result, the number of ZDP shares in issue at 30 June 2021 was 19,101,384 (31 December 2020: 20,791,418) of which 12,235,748 (31 December 2020: 12,009,030) with an aggregate value of £18,085,888 (31 December 2020: £17,051,409) are held by the company.

 

 

15. NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT  

 

Cash outflow from operations (excluding loan movements)

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

30 June 2020

(unaudited)

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

 

(4,228)

(6,515)

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (gain) / loss on FinTech Ventures

 

(8)

4,238

Other net losses / (gains)

 

88

(121)

Adjustment in carrying value of Sancus IOM Holdings Limited

 

116

755

Accrued interest on ZDPs

 

468

554

Impairment of financial assets

 

3,028

253

(Gain) / loss on SPL assets

 

(51)

983

Gain on purchase of ZDPs

 

(34)

(44)

Amortisation / depreciation of fixed assets

 

195

216

Amortisation of debt issue costs

 

105

96

 

 

 

 

Changes in working capital:

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables

 

(1,793)

(3,272)

Trade and other payables

 

(540)

   60

 

 

 

 

Cash outflow from operations, excluding loan movements

 

(2,654)

(2,797)

 

 

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

 

The table below details changes in the Group's liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be classified in the Group's consolidated cash flow statement as cash flows from financing activities.

 

 

1 January 2021

Financing cash flows1

 

 

Loan swap Non-cash

Amortisation of debt issue costs

Non-cash

Other

Non-cash

30 June 2021

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

ZDP Shares

12,424

(2,756)

-

12

4343

10,114

Corporate Bond

12,473

-

-

12

(24)3

12,461

HIT Facility

44,553

2,496

-

81

-

47,130

Lease Liability

657

(97)

-

-

(16)4

544

Total liabilities from financing activities

70,107

(357)

-

105

394

70,249

 

 

1 January 2020

Financing cash flows1

 

 

Loan swap Non-cash

Amortisation of debt issue costs

Non-cash

Other

Non-cash

30 June 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

ZDP Shares

16,825

(3,942)

(829)2

40

5103

12,604

Corporate Bond

10,000

-

-

-

-

10,000

HIT Facility

44,191

(3,499)

-

56

-

40,748

Lease Liability

890

(128)

-

-

(6)4

756

Total liabilities from financing activities

71,906

(7,569)

(829)

96

504

64,108

 

1 These amounts can be found under financing cash flows in the cash flow statement.

2 A loan to the value of £829,000 which sat within Sancus loans and loan equivalents was swapped for 621,586 ZDP shares.

3 Interest accruals.

4 Lease variation.

 

16.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

 

Transactions with the Directors/Executive Team

 

Non-executive Directors

 

As at 30 June 2021, the non-executive Directors' annualised fees, excluding all reasonable expenses incurred in the course of their duties which were reimbursed by the Company, were as detailed in the table below:

 

 

 

30 June 2021

 

30 June 2020

 

£

 

£

 

 

 

 

Patrick Firth (Chairman)

50,000

 

50,000

Stephen Smith (appointed 11 May 2021)

35,000

 

-

John Whittle 

42,500

 

42,500

Nick Wakefield 

35,000

 

35,000

 

 

 

 

 

On 11 May 2021 Mr Smith was appointed as a non-executive Director to the Board. Mr Smith's directorships were listed in the RNS issued on 11 May 2021.

 

Golf Investments Limited ("Golf"), of which Mr Wakefield is a Director, holds 50,815,167 ordinary shares in the Company. Golf is part of the Somerston Group of companies which collectively holds 200,349,684 ordinary shares in the Company, representing 40.9 per cent of the current issued share capital. From time to time, the Somerston Group may participate as a Co-Funder in Sancus loans. Other than this and the Directors' fees and expenses in relation to Mr Wakefield's appointment as a Director the Group has not recorded any transactions with either Golf or Somerston for the period ended 30 June 2021 (30 June 2020: none).

 

Total Directors' fees charged to the Company for the period ended 30 June 2021 were £68,640 (30 June 2020: £63,750).

 

 

Executive Team

 

For the period ended 30 June 2021, the Executive Team members' remuneration from the Company, excluding all reasonable expenses incurred in the course of their duties which were reimbursed by the Company, were as detailed in the table below:

 

 

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Aggregate remuneration in respect of qualifying service - fixed salary

303

343

Aggregate amounts contributed to Money Purchase pension schemes

8

47

Aggregate bonus paid

125

-

 

 

All amounts have been charged to Operating Expenses.

 

 

Directors' and Persons Discharging Managerial R esponsibilities ("PDMR") shareholdings in the Company

 

As at 30 June 2021, the Directors had the following beneficial interests in the Ordinary Shares of the Company:

 

 

30 June 2021

31 December 2020

 

No. of Ordinary Shares Held

% of total issued Ordinary Shares

No. of Ordinary Shares Held

% of total issued Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Patrick Firth (Chairman)

367,966

0.08

367,966

0.08

John Whittle

138,052

0.03

138,052

0.03

Andrew Whelan

9,553,734

1.95

9,553,734

1.95

Emma Stubbs

1,380,940

0.28

1,380,940

0.28

Dan Walker

911,300

0.19

911,300

0.19

 

In the six month period to June 2021 and the year to December 2020, none of the above received any amounts relating to their shareholding.

 

Transactions with connected entities

 

The following significant transactions with connected entities took place during the current period:

 

 

 

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

 

Balance

£'000

Interest accrued in the period

Balance

£'000

 

Interest

accrued in

 the period

 

 

£'000

 

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Loans (and corresponding interest receivable) to entities in which Sancus Lending Group has a significant stake

-

-

1,853

82

 

 

 

 

Receivable from related parties

 

 

30 June

2021

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

Sancus (IOM) Limited

 

 

2

36

 

Sancus (IOM) Holdings Limited

 

 

-

2

 

Amberton Asset Management

 

 

1

11

 

 

 

 

Cost recharges

 

 

30 June 2021

30 June 2020

 

Amberton Asset Management

18

20

 

Sancus (IOM) Limited

-

62

 

             

 

There is no ultimate controlling party of the Company.

All platform loans and preference shares bear interest at a commercial rate.

 

 

17.   FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - Fair values and risk management

 

 

Sancus loans and loan equivalents

 

 

30 June 2021 (unaudited)

31 December 2020 (audited)

Non-current

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Sancus loans

1,005

442

Sancus Loans Limited loans

17,678

3,421

Total Non-current Sancus loans and loan equivalents

18,683

3,863

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

Sancus loans

7,281

7,873

Loan equivalents

31

117

Sancus Loans Limited loans

22,288

41,379

Total Current Sancus loans and loan equivalents

29,600

49,369

 

 

 

Total Sancus loans and loan equivalents

48,283

53,232

 

 

 

Fair Value Estimation

 

 

The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:

 

 

30 June 2021

(unaudited)

31 December 2020 (audited)

 

Level 2

Level 3

Level 2

Level 3

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Fintech Ventures investments

-

500

-

-

Derivative contracts

504

-

94

-

Total assets / liabilities at fair value

504

500

94

-

 

 

The classification and valuation methodology remains as noted in the 2020 Annual Report.

 

All of the FinTech Ventures investments are categorised as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. In the past the Directors have estimated the fair value of financial instruments using discounted cash flow methodology, comparable market transactions, recent capital raises and other transactional data including the performance of the respective businesses. Having considered the terms, rights and characteristics of the equity and loan stock held by the Group in the FinTech Ventures investments, as well as the challenges that have faced the platforms during the pandemic, the Board's estimate of liquidation value of these assets is £0.5m at 30 June 2021 (31 December 2020: £Nil) following £0.5m deployed into an existing investment in March 2021. Changes in the performance of these businesses and access to future returns via its current holdings could affect the amounts ultimately realised on the disposal of these investments, which may be greater or less than £0.5m. There have been no transfers between levels in the period (2020: None).

 

 

Assets at Amortised Cost

 

30 June 2021

31 December 2020

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

 

£'000

£'000

Sancus loans and loan equivalents

48,283

53,232

Trade and other receivables

5,736

7,487

Cash and cash equivalents

16,246

15,786

Total assets at amortised cost

70,265

76,505

 

 

Liabilities at Amortised Cost

 

30 June 2021

31 December 2020

 

(unaudited)

(audited)

 

£'000

£'000

ZDP shares

10,114

12,424

Corporate Bond

12,461

12,473

HIT facility

47,130

44,553

Trade and other payables

1,885

2,453

Provision in respect of guarantees

733

1,542

Total liabilities at amortised cost

72,323

73,445

 

Refer to Note 14 for further information on liabilities.

 

 

FinTech Ventures Investments

 

 

Total Portfolio

30 June 2021

£

At 31 December 2020

-

Net new investments / loan repaid

492

Realised gain recognised in profit and loss

8

At 30 June 2021

500

 

 

 

 

Total Portfolio

31 December 2020

£

At 31 December 2019

6,299

Net ne investments / (divestments)

(277)

Unrealised losses recognised in profit and loss

(5,996)

Foreign exchange loss

(26)

At 31 December 2020

-

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk

 

Credit risk is defined as the risk that a borrower/debtor may fail to make required repayments within the contracted timescale. The group invests in senior debt, senior subordinated debt, junior subordinated debt and secured loans. Credit risk is taken in direct lending to third party borrowers, investing in loan funds, lending to associated platforms and loans arranged by associated platforms. The group mitigates credit risk by only entering into agreements related to loan instruments in which there is sufficient security held against the loans or where the operating strength of the investee companies is considered sufficient to support the loan amounts outstanding.

 

Credit risk is determined on initial recognition of each loan and re-assessed at each balance sheet date. It is categorized into Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 with Stage 1 being to recognise 12 month Expected Credit Losses (ECL), Stage 2 being to recognise Lifetime ECL not credit impaired and Stage 3 being to recognise Lifetime ECL credit impaired.

 

 

Foreign Exchange Risk - Derivative instruments

 

The Treasury Committee Team monitors the Group's currency position on a regular basis, and the Board of Directors reviews it on a quarterly basis. Loans denominated in Euros which are taken out through the HIT facility are hedged. Forward contracts to sell Euros at loan maturity dates are entered into when loans are drawn in Euros. At 30 June 2021 the following forward foreign exchange contracts were open:

 

 

June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

Settlement date

Buy Currency

Buy Amount £'000

Sell currency

Sell amount €'000

Unrealised loss £'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EWealthGlobal Group Limited

July 2021 to September 2022

GBP

9,680

Euro

10,806

406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberum Wealth Limited

December 2021 to February 2022

GBP

2,626

Euro

2,928

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealised loss on forward foreign contracts

504

 

December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counterparty

Settlement date

Buy Currency

Buy Amount £'000

Sell currency

Sell amount €'000

Unrealised gain £'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EWealthGlobal Group Limited

 January 2021 to February 2022

GBP

4,121

Euro

4,641

(50)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberum Wealth Limited

February 2020 to  November 2020

GBP

8,062

Euro

8,854

144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealised gain on forward foreign contracts

94

 

No hedging has been taken out against investments in the FinTech Ventures platforms (2020: £Nil).

 

 

Provision for ECL

 

Provision for ECL is made using the credit risk, the probability of default (PD) and the probability of loss given default (PL) all of which are underpinned by the Loan to Value (LTV), historical position, forward looking considerations and on occasion, subsequent events and the subjective judgement of the Board. Preliminary calculations for ECL are performed on a loan by loan basis using the simple formula: Outstanding Loan Value x PD x PL and are then amended as necessary according to the more subjective measures as noted above.

 

A probability of default is assigned to each loan. This probability of default is arrived at by reference to historical data and the ongoing status of each loan which is reviewed on a regular basis. The probability of loss is arrived at with reference to the LTV and consideration of cash that can be redeemed on recovery.

 

 

 

Movement of provision for ECL

 

 

Loans

 '000

Trade Debtors £'000

 

Guarantees £'000

 

 

Total

 '000

Loss allowance at 31 December 2019

2,868

311

-

3,179

Charge for the year 2020

1,238

1,885

1,542

4,665

Utilised in the year 2020

93

(6)

-

87

Loss allowance at 31 December 2020

4,199

2,190

1,542

7,931

Charge/(credit) for the period to June 2021

437

3,400

(809)

3,028

Utilised in the period to June 2021

(878)

-

-

(878)

Loss allowance at 30 June 2021

3,758

5,590

733

10,081

 

 

18.   GUARANTEES

 

 

The Group undertakes a number of Guarantees and first loss positions which are not deemed to be contingent liabilities under IAS37 as there is no present obligation for these guarantees and it is considered unlikely that these liabilities will crystallise.  

 

HIT Facility

Sancus Group has a 10% first loss position as part of the HIT facility. Sancus Group has also provided HIT with a guarantee, capped at £2m that it will continue to ensure the orderly wind down of the HIT related loan book, in the event of the insolvency of Sancus Group Holdings Limited, given its position as facility and security agent.

 

Sancus Loan Notes

SLN7 launched on 10 May 2021 with £16.6m assets, and at the end of August 2021 had increased to £17.3m. Sancus Group Holdings Limited has a 10% first loss position on this loan note . No other Loan notes are currently in existence.

 

Commitments

As at 30 June 2021 the Group has unfunded commitments of £43.0m (31 December 2020:  28.4m). These unfunded commitments primarily represent the undrawn portion of development finance facilities. Drawdowns are conditional on satisfaction of specified conditions precedent, including that the borrower is not in breach of its representations or covenants under the loan or security documents. The figure quoted is the maximum exposure assuming that all such conditions for drawdown are met. Directors expect the majority of these commitments to be filled by Co-Funders.

 

 

  19.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Sale of asset in Sancus Properties Limited

 

On 26 August 2021, the sale of a development site held by Sancus Properties Limited completed for £0.7m.  

 

Liquidation of Amberton Asset Management Limited

 

The Guernsey registered Company, Amberton Asset Management Limited was liquidated on 2 September 2021. Amberton Limited, which is a Jersey registered entity, was incorporated in January 2021 and has been established as a joint venture to manage the loan note programme going forward.  

 

Liquidation of Sancus BMS Holdings Limited

 

On 13 September 2021, Sancus BMS Holdings Limited dissolved following the sale of the BMS Fund during the period.

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