New figures published by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show its members provided £84.3 billion of new lending in the first half of 2026, 5% higher than in the same period last year.
A total of £22.7bn was used to finance new and used car purchases. The FLA revealed that motor finance sales rose 13% in June to £5.2bn. Sales rose 10% in the three months to June at £14.3bn and in the year to June it rose 7% to £56.7bn.
Shanika Amarasekara MBE, FLA CEO, said: “Behind every one of those £84bn of lending decisions is a business investing for the future or a household making an important purchase.
“Whether it is an SME buying new equipment, a family replacing a vehicle or a company investing in technology, access to finance helps turn confidence into economic activity.
“The UK’s long-term growth depends on businesses continuing to invest and consumers having access to competitive, responsible finance. Our members provide the financial infrastructure that enables that investment every day, supporting productivity, innovation and opportunity in every nation and region of the UK.
“As policymakers focus on driving sustainable economic growth, maintaining a diverse, competitive and innovative finance market will be essential to ensuring businesses and households continue to have access to the funding they need to thrive.”
