See a selection of tombstones and detailed case studies
Introduction
This page contains a selection of our Business Finance case studies.
If you prefer not to read any detailed case studies, then please click on the “Download” link below for a high-level summary format instead. It contains some short examples of previous cases that illustrate the benefits and flexibility of our Business Finance service. The cases are in ascending order of the amount raised, from £200,000 to £5,000,000.
Marketing Company
Brand agency in the motor sector
Referred by
Their accountant
Amount needed & purpose
£245,000 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan for working capital
Overview
This client was already reviewing their working capital needs when the COVID pandemic struck. Having once been in their bank’s ‘Business Support Unit’ they felt in an exposed position and needed our help with their application. We did all the analysis for the client; then drafted and submitted a bespoke written application to their bank, successfully obtaining the CBIL for the maximum 6-year term.
Lender agrees finance with no personal guarantees
Three employees of a specialist building supplies company wanted to buy it from the outgoing owner. The potential purchasers had no cash stake and were reluctant to offer their homes as security. Following a referral from their accountant, we were able to arrange the required finance on their behalf. We submitted our own credit paper to the lender, on the strength of which it felt sufficiently comfortable to offer the facility without personal guarantees or security from the new directors.
Charity
Housing Association for single, homeless young people and adults
Referred by
Their Independent Financial Advisor
Amount needed & purpose
£470,000 term loan to buy premises they currently rented
Overview
Two lenders had already declined, citing client’s previous losses due to Government changes to the benefit rules. We handled their application resulting in four lenders vying to win the business. A 25 year loan was granted on attractive terms.
Firm of Accountants
Local accountancy practice
Referred by
Direct approach
Amount needed & purpose
£425,000 to fund a retiring partner and refinance existing debt
Overview
Their bankers for the last 10 years would not assist this well-regarded LLP despite holding partner guarantees and having the comfort of a successful track record. We arranged the required finance and reduced each partner’s guarantee liability by £70,000.
Business rescued from bank’s ‘intensive care’ section saves over £1 million
A fashion wholesale, design and manufacturing company with annual sales of circa £15 million had built premises for its own use using £8 million of development finance from the bank. Following a change of Lending Manager, the company found itself under the control of its bank’s Intensive Care Team. IBC refinanced the business with another bank, saving them almost £1.2 million in interest charges and fees.
Property Consultants
Bespoke property investment management
Referred by
A Clearing Bank
Amount needed & purpose
£165,000 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan for working capital
Overview
Faced with a tricky application process, and with their case clouded by recent cash flow problems and an imminent share buy back, they asked for help with their application. We did all the analysis for them; then drafted and submitted a bespoke written application to their bank, which agreed a CBIL for the full amount over 3 years and extended their existing overdraft for another 12 months.
Bank changes its mind and client saves £74,000
A business needed £500,000 to buy the freehold of a public house and refit it to replicate the successful formula of an existing outlet. They had been turned down by their existing bank and had already approached another lender but the terms were unfavourable. When it saw the credit paper we had prepared, the client’s existing bank changed its mind and agreed to lend and saved them £74,000 in the process.
Business buys out a competitor and saves £25,000 in finance costs
We received a referral from a Lawyer, whose client needed finance for an acquisition of one of its competitors. As acquisitions go, this was a relatively small transaction, which made it difficult to fund as lenders view such transactions as inherently risky. However, we secured the required £250,000 finance and saved the company over £25,000 in the process.
International Company
Rental business
Referred by
Their accountant
Amount needed & purpose
£2.125m Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan for working capital
Overview
This client had already been declined twice by their bank for a CBIL. We started over; did all the analysis for them, then drafted and submitted a bespoke written application to their bank, which changed its mind and agreed a CBIL for the full amount over the maximum 6-year term. Based on the strength of our proposal the bank even put in place a temporary overdraft until the loan could be drawn.
IBC saves farmer over £2million
An accountant asked us to refinance a farmer whose bank wanted him to close his accounts and go to another bank. Although the bank was bouncing cheques, and despite the fact that three lenders had already declined to lend – including the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation – we arranged a loan for £2.7 million on much better terms.
Manufacturer
Specialist design and manufacture of optical displays
Referred by
A Clearing Bank
Amount needed & purpose
£250k Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan for working capital and premises move
Overview
This client is the UK arm of a US company, whose directors were based in the USA. They had been turned aside by their bank and needed help to reapply. We drafted and submitted a bespoke written application to their bank, which changed its mind and agreed a CBIL for the full amount over the maximum 6-year term.
Sole Trader
Commercial property landlord
Referred by
Chartered surveyor
Amount needed & purpose
£400,000 Loan to refurbish a mixed-use property, then a term loan to refinance once completed
Overview
Client was an inexperienced borrower and had hired a team to manage and carry out the work. There were also time pressures due to an incoming new retail tenant. We approached 12 lenders in order to find the required terms for the build finance. The term loan proved more problematic, not least because completion took place during the COVID lockdown. We had to work through 30 lenders to source the required terms, which we did successfully.
IBC secures funding for planned build of over £800,000
Ann and Mark Robinson needed £800,000 to assist with the purchase of a vets practice but their plans had stalled due to an issue with their finance. We resolved the problem and sourced finance for them on very beneficial terms.
Building Company
Residential builder
Referred by
Their accountant
Amount needed & purpose
£620,000 development loan to build two houses
Overview
A long-established builder but first-time borrower, seeking funding for a build project, to include roll-up of the finance costs. We approached 14 lenders in total and sourced an 18-month facility on excellent terms, saving the client up to £22,900 in interest and fees, compared to budget. Typically, a guarantee was required but we limited this to only 15% of the loan amount. Additionally, the client saved a huge amount of time and stress through not having to deal with lenders!
Funeral Directors
Funeral services
Referred by
A commercial lender
Amount needed & purpose
£150,000 Loan to assist in purchasing a well-established business
Overview
This was a tricky case – the purchase of a business during the pandemic. The client wanted to borrow 100% of the purchase price and fees, retaining their own cash for working capital. The banks were all closed to new business at the time. We eventually obtained the money on the required terms and in time for the completion date, although we had to approach 18 lenders to do it.
Property Company
Property development and investment
Referred by
Their accountant
Amount needed & purpose
£630,000 development loan to build new flats & refurbish an existing commercial unit
Overview
This client was looking for the best terms we could find, necessitating an approach to 18 different lenders. We dismissed some lenders who would have lent (and so we would have been paid) because we felt their interest rates were too high. Timescales were met. Client was delighted with the outcome and appreciated our care and attention to finding the best outcome. We have since worked for them again with the promise of more to come.
Property Company
Commercial property investment
Referred by
Was a previous client
Amount needed & purpose
£975,000 term loan to refinance a property portfolio
Overview
Like many others, this client was using us again because they like the way we work and know we get good results. In difficult market conditions, mid-pandemic, and against tight timescales we arranged finance on the terms requested – mostly on ‘interest only’ and with no personal guarantees required. We approached 11 lenders and obtained a rate of Base +2.4%. Total savings in interest and fees was circa £25,000 compared to the next best alternative. Plus, there were also no early repayment fees for the client to worry about.
I.T Specialist
Practice management systems for the dental sector
Referred by
A business contact
Amount needed & purpose
£200,000 CBIL for working capital and systems development
Overview
Came to us after a CBIL application had been declined by their bank on affordability grounds. Through a specialist lender we arranged a larger loan than originally requested which the lender put in place very quickly. The extra money meant that the client did not have to resort to a short-term equity raise which, had the loan not materialised, would have been their only other option.
Property Investment Company
Residential investment
Referred by
HSBC
Amount needed & purpose
£700,000 interest only loan to expand investment portfolio
Overview
Inexperienced borrower with a portfolio of unencumbered tenanted houses wanted to leverage in order to buy other properties. The impact of COVID on lenders’ appetites meant we had to approach more than 20 lenders and overcome several obstacles to obtain the right terms. End result was an interest only loan for 10 years; although we managed to get £840,000, giving an extra £140,000 of purchasing firepower.
Graphics Company
Specialist graphics design and production company
Referred by
Another client of ours
Amount needed & purpose
£249,000 Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan for working capital
Overview
The business had already suffered due to Brexit and the last General Election and was then badly hit by the pandemic. We had to write a very detailed funding case, which included analysis of their loan and HP repayment profile to prove to their bank that the CBIL was affordable. On the strength of our submission, they received approval from the bank, for the full amount, in only 3 days!
Residential Property Developer
Civil engineering and residential property
Referred by
An existing client of IBC
Amount needed & purpose
£2,300,000 development loan to build 15 houses
Overview
This loan was successfully obtained against land with only outline planning permission. The amount borrowed also had to include interest roll-up and professional fees. We approached 25 lenders to make sure that we found the best terms for the client.