Recent successes - all started with a 'no' from a bank or lender 

Traditional rural lenders and banks often miss the bigger picture or struggle to see beyond standard models, potentially hindering viable business opportunities.

Here are some recent cases where we’ve been able to consider the whole story to create funding solutions for our clients. In each case, our clients had approached their own banks or other rural lenders who had not been able to help – or had not even tried. 

Client 1

A client operates a small estate and needs a short-term loan for capital investment, repaid by guaranteed forestry income within the next year. Their bank offers an overdraft facility, but as the client says, "they can't grasp the concept" – a straightforward solution seemed out of reach.

Previously, an agricultural lender had helped with a mortgage secured by a cottage. However, due to regulation changes, they can’t lend against that security anymore. They didn't propose any alternatives.

Our solution

R&BS can assist the client in working with their bank to understand the forestry income or provide a common-sense short-term loan with interest rolled in. This minimizes cash flow disruption until repayment is made with the forestry income. 

We have an option that will lend on a short to medium term on very reasonable terms on an interest-only basis with repayment from the proceeds of the forestry income. 

Our approach is practical – we find cost-effective solutions tailored to specific needs using our knowledge and experience, and the lending options available to us.

Client 2

Another client, an arable tenant farmer, needed a higher overdraft limit to manage working capital for their contract farming operation. They had meticulous management information (MI), but their existing high street bank just couldn't grasp the contract farming model and the need for increased working capital. It led to the client and their family being stressed and unable to move forward.

Today, banks and lenders often lack the agricultural expertise to assess unique farming situations, leading to delays and holding back businesses.

Our solution

R&BS understood the complexities of contract farming. By presenting the client's strong MI to a different high street bank, we bridged the communication gap. In less than a month, the new bank approved the unsecured overdraft facility. Now, the client can focus on what they do best – farming – and manage cash flow effectively.

We excel in specialized farming situations. We translate complex information for lenders, securing the right financial solutions for our clients, even when some banks fall short.

Client 3

A client, running a combined farming, contracting, and equine transport business, wished to purchase the original farmhouse, which had previously been sold off. This would reunite their fragmented operation and gain the benefits of living on-site.

A traditional agricultural lender rejected the mortgage solely based on historic accounts, ignoring the potential of the combined venture, and offered no further help. 

Our solution

R&BS will focus on the benefits of combining the activities and living on one site to build a credit ready proposal for our clients. 

It’s not all about lending to those who can already afford the borrowing but helping people to achieve their aims and aspirations.

Client 4

A horse-loving couple with professional careers had the chance to buy the equestrian holding where they kept their horses – a property with untapped equestrian business potential. Our clients were £30,000 short of a deposit, but the vendor offered to take the equity in payments over time, call it a vendor loan, to bridge the deposit gap.

The couple had excellent outside income and could service the vendor loan personally without any serviceability burden on the business. However, lenders balked at both the vendor loan concept and lending based on forecasts of the business potential. 

Our solution

R&BS understood the potential of the property and prepared a lending proposal on that basis. We secured a 25-year mortgage from a mainstream lender, who wasn’t fazed by the vendor loan, and who recognized the solid serviceability of the proposal. 

R&BS offers practical solutions, unlike banks and lenders who opt for cookie-cutter approaches. We work with our clients and our proactive funding partners to find the right fit. 

Our approach

These examples demonstrate that R&BS takes a different approach. Our experienced team consider the whole story and create solutions that fit your needs. 

Above all, we believe in helping you achieve your goals.