Upstream ABL Partner Lewis McCallan says future-focused local businesses are benefiting from more accessible flexible finance streams.

Running a business isn’t easy, with inflationary pressures, skills shortages and economic uncertainty all weighing on motivations to drive growth and increase profit.

Meanwhile, more businesses are also becoming increasingly concerned that the level of funding once offered by traditional ‘mainstream’ banks is becoming less easy to access or is taking longer to be approved – and often with additional criteria attached that is making some owner managers and entrepreneurs rethink their options outside the traditional banking structures and explore solutions that might better meet their needs.

A recent UK survey found that more businesses are turning to ‘non mainstream’ lenders for funding as concerns mount that the UK market is falling behind on finance for business, with specialist lenders outperforming the UK’s ‘Big Five’ banks. And there are plenty of reasons why.

With an underwriting process that considers individual business needs rather than fixed lending criteria, commercially-focused independent lenders can offer tailored finance solutions to organisations that more accurately align to their long term goals.

Since we formally launched our Structured Asset Based Lending offer to the market this year, our fast-growing team has helped to fund businesses across Northern Ireland and Ireland to unlock new opportunities and drive growth as part of a trusted partnership model that helps them to realise their potential, freeing them from the inertia which traditional finance can sometimes bring.

Supported by a £150 million line of finance from London’s Pollen Street Capital, Upstream ABL offers businesses a flexible facility based on the value of specific assets.

If you’re a business with an inventory of stock or equipment, a fleet of vehicles, property, land or debtors, it means you have the ability to release cash against their value to fund to expansion, investment or avail of new opportunities for growth.

Structured Asset Based Lending allows businesses to scale by unlocking higher levels of funding that might not otherwise be available. Decisions are generally swift and straightforward, and the money can be drawn down quickly.

As the only independent Structured Asset Based lender on the island of Ireland, Upstream ABL is spearheading a new era of growth and opportunity for local businesses, supporting the growing interest in complementary finance options which in turn provides fresh choice and flexibility, widens economic inclusion and drives competition in the sector for the benefit of everyone.

Whether you have got your eye on developing new product lines, are targeting new markets, scaling your team, or investing in research and innovation, every business reaches a flexion point where the need for external support peaks.

For the businesses that have partnered with us, they’re already enjoying the benefits of embracing the move to an independent funder, with structured flexibility and the continuous opportunity to convert assets into cash. The only barrier to success is not finding out more.

At Upstream ABL, we’ve a local, knowledgeable and experienced team which would love to hear more about your goals and to discuss how we can help.

Since 2011, Upstream has been helping business owners to unlock essential working capital in a variety of ways.

This new product set naturally enhances what Upstream offers and has been driven by the changing needs of the business owners we serve.

Led by Judith Totten MBE, Lewis McCallan and Bill Hichens, Upstream ABL’s Belfast-based team brings deep financial expertise and a genuine passion for supporting businesses across every sector – from local firms to global brands.