THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATIONS (EU) NO. 596/2014 WHICH FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC UK LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("UK MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE INFORMATION.
Sancus Lending Group Limited
("Sancus" the "Company" or the "Group")
Trading Update and Issuance of Sancus Bond
Sancus Lending Group Limited (AIM: LEND) provides an update on trading for the four months ended 30 April 2026 (the "Period"). The Company also announces the issuance of £0.5 million under its existing bond instrument (the "Sancus Bond"). The figures in this announcement remain subject to audit.
Trading Update
In the Period, the Company's revenue increased by 44.1 per cent. to £8.5 million (four months ended 30 April 2025: £5.9 million) driven by the UK and Irish businesses. During the Period, the Company wrote new loan facilities of £42.9 million, in line with the four months ended 30 April 2025 (£42.4 million). As at 30 April 2026, the Company had assets under management of £326.8 million, representing a 6.6 per cent. increase relative to 31 December 2025 (£306.7 million).
The Board remains encouraged by the continued growth in revenues and assets under management and by the resilience of origination volumes in challenging market conditions. However, the current geo-political and macro-economic backdrop continues to impact activity levels across the Group's markets and has resulted in slower deployment of capital than originally anticipated and a longer duration of loans.
In addition, the Group has experienced increased financing and liquidity carry costs associated with maintaining higher cash balances pending deployment. As a result, notwithstanding the strong revenue performance, profitability in the first half has been adversely impacted and is below management expectations.
The Board remains focused on disciplined deployment of capital, margin management and growing assets under management through the remainder of the financial year, whilst remaining mindful of the uncertain market environment.
The Group expects to release its half year results for the period ended 30 June 2026 in September 2026.
Issuance of Sancus Bond
The Board of the Company today also announces that it has issued £0.5 million of Sancus Bonds to Somerston Fintech Limited ("Somerston Fintech"), a subsidiary of Somerston Group, the majority shareholder of the Company. The Sancus Bonds have a coupon of 8 per cent. and mature in October 2027. The proceeds of the subscription will provide the Group with additional working capital flexibility.
Related Party Transaction
Somerston Fintech, a member of Somerston Group Limited, is a related party of the Company for the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies ("AIM Rules"). This issuance of Sancus Bonds constitutes a related party transaction under AIM Rule 13, in respect of which the independent directors of the Company, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, Shore Capital and Corporate Limited, consider the terms to be fair and reasonable insofar as shareholders of the Company are concerned.
For further information, please contact:
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Sancus Lending Group Limited Rory Mepham, Chief Executive Officer Keith Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer |
+44 (0)1481 708280 |
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Shore Capital (Nominated Adviser and Broker) Oliver Jackson George Payne Ansh Batura |
+44 (0)20 7408 4050 |
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Redwood Co Sec Limited Charlotte Sanders Gwen Norman |
+44 (0)1481 701950 |