Secure Trust Bank PLC is a longstanding established UK bank, having been incorporated in 1954. Its core business is to provide banking services including a range of lending solutions and savings products. The bank operates from its head office in Solihull, West Midlands and had 589 full-time equivalent employees at 30 June 2014. It has been a subsidiary of the Arbuthnot Banking Group since 1985. Visit www.arbuthnotgroup.com for more information on the Arbuthnot Banking Group.

The bank successfully listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in November 2011 and has increased its portfolio in recent years, acquiring the Everyday Loans Group and the V12 Finance Group in June 2012 and January 2013 respectively and the trade and certain assets of Debt Managers Holdings Ltd in January 2013.

The bank’s diversified lending portfolio focuses on its core products of unsecured personal lending, motor finance and retail finance, whilst it is also now developing lending solutions for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) market. It provides current accounts to UK customers who may not be adequately served by other banks and its lending is entirely funded by customer deposits, with no exposure to wholesale funding.

Personal lending

These are fixed rate, fixed term products with loan terms of between 12 and 60 months and advances varying from £500 to £15,000. The acquisition of Everyday Loans in June 2012 has significantly broadened the bank’s reach to a wider market as well as introducing a high street presence.

Motor finance

Motor finance is a multi-channel offering through motor dealerships and brokers. These are fixed rate, fixed term hire purchase agreements which are secured mainly against used cars with finance term periods ranging from 24 to 60 months and a maximum loan size of £15,000. The bank services the majority of the Top 100 UK car dealership groups.

Retail finance

Retail finance offers lending solutions for store and online retailers for fixed rate unsecured loans of up to £25,000 and terms ranging from 6 to 48 months. The bank acquired the V12 Finance Group during 2013; an acquisition which was complementary to the bank’s existing retail finance activities and which has enabled it to integrate its retail lending activities with those of the V12 Finance Group to leverage their market leading point of sale system.

SME finance

This comprises the Real Estate Finance, Commercial Finance and Asset Finance businesses.

Real Estate Finance has built a significant pipeline of predominantly short-term development finance, typically for house building. The new Commercial Finance and Asset Finance businesses are also being developed with proven high quality teams recruited.

Current Accounts

These offer customers a current account with a prepaid card. A monthly fee is charged for the service but customers have the ability to earn rewards at participating retailers. The current account product has undergone progressive enhancements since its introduction.

Savings products

These represent a combination of instant access accounts, notice deposits and deposit bonds with competitive interest rates


http://www.securetrustbank.com/general/about-secure-trust-bank

Wow, no stopping secure trust bank.

Recommended in this week's SHARES. It looks a good long term bet.

Final results Thursday 20 March

Final Results

RNS


RNS Number : 7242C

Secure Trust Bank PLC

20 March 2014










PRESS RELEASE

For immediate Release

20 March 2014



SECURE TRUST BANK PLC

Audited Final Results for the year to 31 December 2013

Continued growth and record profits

Secure Trust Bank PLC ("STB" or "the Company") today announces continued strong progress during 2013. An increase in customer lending balances of 31% and an increase in overall customer numbers of 51% demonstrate the appeal of STB's simple straightforward banking philosophy. Record underlying profits before tax of £25.2m, an increase of 52% from 2012 provide another positive set of results.

Financial Highlights

· Underlying* profit before tax increased by 52% to £25.2m (2012: £16.6m)

· Statutory profit before tax was £17.1m (2012: £17.2m)

· Operating income increased by 68% to £79.0m (2012: £47.0m)

· Loan to deposit ratio 90% (2012: 75%)

· Underlying* post-tax return on average equity 31% (2012: 32%)

· Post-tax return on average equity 21% (2012: 39%)

· Reported earnings per share 78.3p (2012: 108.9p)

· Underlying* earnings per share 118.2p (2012: 89.2p)

· Proposed final dividend per share of 47p (2012: 43p)

· Proposed total dividend per share of 62p (2012: 57p)

· Core Tier 1 Capital ratio at year end of 20% (2012: 23%)



Operational Highlights

· Customer numbers grew 51% to 350,861

· Customer lending balances increased by 31% to £391.0m

· Customer deposits increased by 9% to £436.6m

· Impairments have continued to be lower than the level expected at origination

· Renewal of Customer Service Excellence Award, introduced by the Cabinet Office in 2010 to replace the Kite Mark.

· Renewal of Fairbanking Foundation 4 star mark in respect of the current account product

· Strong contribution from Everyday Loans following the acquisition in June 2012

· V12 integration completed and substantial pipeline of new business being pursued

· Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance operational with substantial pipeline of opportunities

· Secure Trust Bank Invoice Finance platform build progressing and expect to begin writing business in H1 2014



Henry Angest, Chairman, said:

"Secure Trust Bank is delighted to announce record levels of underlying profits today which reflect the progress made in executing our strategic plan. Our very strong balance sheet gives us the ability to increase our loan book further and continue to provide strong returns to shareholders."

Paul Lynam, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"2013 was another excellent year for Secure Trust Bank. We have generated strong returns from the existing core businesses whilst achieving high levels of customer satisfaction as evidenced by a number of external awards and Feefo (a customer review and feedback system) ratings in the range of 90 - 95%. The current momentum and the creation of a new SME lending division give us confidence for the current year and beyond."

* Before acquisition costs (2013: £0.9m; 2012: £3.1m), fair value adjustments (2013: £4.9m cost; 2012: £6.9m income), costs associated with share based payments (2013: £2.2m; 2012: £1.6m) and Arbuthnot Banking Group management charges (2013: £0.1m; 2012: £0.1m), income from acquired portfolios (2012: £0.4m) and excess funding costs incurred prior to completion of acquisitions (2012: £1.9m). All numbers quoted are before tax.

-ENDS-

20 Mar Canaccord... 3,125.00 Buy

Wed 9 Apr ex divi 47p

10 Jul Oriel... 3,180.00 Buy

Half Yearly Report

RNS


RNS Number : 8844M

Secure Trust Bank PLC

22 July 2014








PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday 22 July 2014

For Immediate Release





SECURE TRUST BANK PLC



Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2014



Positive momentum and record profits



Secure Trust Bank PLC ("Secure Trust Bank" or the "Company") is pleased to announce half year results for the six months to 30 June 2014. The Company has traded strongly during H1 2014 achieving underlying profit before tax of £15.2m, up 48% compared with the same period last year. The benefits of its previous acquisitions, strong controlled growth in the lending book and the entry into SME markets have contributed to a new record level of underlying profit.



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS



· Operating income £43.8m (H1 2013: £36.3m)

· Underlying* profit before tax £15.2m (H1 2013: £10.3m) representing growth of 48%

· Reported profit before tax £11.4m (H1 2013: £6.2m) representing growth of 84%

· Capital ratios, liquidity and funding positions remain strong

· Underlying* annualised return on average equity 39.8% (H1 2013 annualised: 33.3%)

· Earnings per share 53.6p (H1 2013: 30.5p)

· Underlying* earnings per share 73.8p (H1 2013: 50.4p)

· Interim dividend per share of 16p, a 7% increase (H1 2013: 15p)



OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS



· Overall loan book increased to £447.8m; a 22% increase on H1 2013: £365.8m

· Customer deposits increased to £476.8m; a 23% increase on H1 2013: £386.7m

· Total customer numbers increased to 391,610; a 20% increase on H1 2013: 325,052

· Impairments remain below levels expected at origination

· Real Estate Finance team established with a substantial pipeline of business opportunities being worked on

· Invoice Finance executive team recruitment completed, testing of the operating platform is progressing and business due to commence during Q3

· Successful completion of fund raising increased capital resources by 77%





* Before acquisition costs (2014: £0.2m; 2013: £0.3m), fair value adjustments (2014: £2.7m; 2013: £2.7m), costs associated with share based payments (2014: £0.8m; 2013: £1.0m) and Arbuthnot Banking Group management charges (2014: £0.1m; 2013: £0.1m). All numbers quoted are before tax and relate to the six months ended 30 June.



Henry Angest, Chairman, said:

"Secure Trust Bank has continued to implement its strategy of providing simple straightforward banking solutions to customers, whilst remaining true to its philosophy of managing the bank's balance sheet on a prudent basis. The improving economic environment, the better than expected performance of the existing lending activities, and the increased capital resources following the recent successful placing provide strong foundations for the bank to diversify into attractive SME markets and give us confidence for continued growth of the business in the second half."

Paul Lynam, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"Our robust results for H1 2014 clearly demonstrate the growth potential of the 'challenger banks' sector and Secure Trust Bank in particular. As the economy recovers, we have written record levels of new loans, without compromising our standards. This growth in lending balances, coupled with lower levels of impairments and tight control of costs has resulted in a new record for underlying profits for the six month period.

The performance and continued growth of our consumer finance portfolios is encouraging and the recent successful completion of a substantial capital raise means we can now diversify into SME lending activities in a meaningful way, building on the expertise and experience that the bank has in this sector. We have continued to position the bank to capitalise on the significant opportunities available to it, in a controlled and prudent manner, and we look forward to the future with confidence."



This announcement together with the associated investors' presentation are available on www.securetrustbank.com/general/results-presentations.

Secure Trust Bank eyes SME opportunities

By John Harrington

August 25 2014, 11:01am
The motor finance business only kicked off in 2009 and from a standing start the loan book is now an impressive £128mln,



As names go, Secure Trust Bank is a hard one to beat for a banking organisation.

It is not, however, a household name, but given the current reputation of the best-known UK banks, maybe that is no bad thing for a company happy to take on the role of “challenger bank” - a term coined in the wake of the UK’s government’s stated desire to make it easier for new entrants to shake up the banking scene.

Of course, we’ve had “challenger banks” before, most notably in the days when almost every building society in the land was giving up its mutual status and pledging to give the big four banks a serious run for their money.

The only “serious run" that resulted was the well-publicised one suffered by Northern Rock, which came a cropper in the credit crunch through its over-reliance on the wholesale money markets.

Secure Trust (LON:STB) has little in common with Northern Rock, aside from having a long history and being a retail bank, as it is entirely funded by customer deposits and has no exposure to wholesale funding.

Although it only floated in November 2011, the company has been around since 1954. From 1985 the company was part of the Arbuthnot Banking Group, but Arbuthnot took the decision to sell off a chunk of Secure Trust and plough the proceeds into Arbuthnot Latham, its private bank.

Arbuthnot still owns 53% of Secure Trust but Lynam believes that should institutions start clamouring for more shares in the company, Arbuthnot is unlikely to stand in its way, but he says “they are in no hurry to sell; they’ve had a good run."

You can say that again. Having floated at 720p, less than three years later the shares are trading at around 2,260p, giving the AIM-listed company a market value of just over £400mln.

The bank chiefly operates in three areas: retail finance (for big ticket items in shops); motor finance; and personal secured loans.

To those three, you should soon be able to add small-to-medium enterprise (SME) finance, which is the area in which chief executive Paul Lynam cut its teeth.

The company raised around £49mln in June through a placing of shares and when asked by Proactive Investors how the company intends to spend the money, Lynam was quick to stress “the money won’t be spent; it will be invested”.

The company has identified opportunities to compete in the invoice finance market and to up its SME lending activities, predominantly through real estate finance.

“These are big, big markets,” Lynam notes.

However, Secure Trust is not interested in size for the sake of it.

“Our focus is not on scale; our focus is on control and profitability,” Lynam asserts. “A business cannot survive if it is not profitable.”

That last statement suggests Lynam is unaware of the “too big to fail” phenomenon that has saved many an unprofitable bank but it is a reassuringly old-fashioned assertion from a banker who has been in the business since 1988.

Entering new markets is always a risk, but Secure Trust has decent form in this respect, as the motor finance business only kicked off in 2009 and from a standing start the loan book is now an impressive £128mln,

The company is profitable, and, refreshingly for a bank, its profit & loss statement is relatively easy to understand, being mercifully light on impairments, revaluations of the value of its own debt and all the other stuff that ensure results announcements from the Big Four banks run to hundreds of pages.

In the first half of this year profit before tax surged to £11.3mln from £6.2mln, and if the investment analyst community is to be believed full-year profits should rise to £30.4mln from £17.1mln in 2013.

The company also pays a dividend. Last year, it paid 62p a share, and the City scribblers have pencilled in a figure of 66.51p for this year, covered more than two times by projected earnings per share of 138.219p.

If the government wants the challenger banks to be different to the incumbents, then Secure Trust certainly fits the bill.

It is not doing anything revolutionary or ground-breaking; its success largely revolves around matching deposits against lending, performing many of the services the high street banks no longer seem interested in doing.

“We don’t do mortgages and we don’t do credit

Trading Update

RNS


RNS Number : 3160U

Secure Trust Bank PLC

15 October 2014






FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 October 2014



Secure Trust Bank PLC

2014 Third Quarter Trading Update

Secure Trust Bank PLC ("STB" or "Secure Trust Bank") traded strongly during the quarter ending 30 September 2014. Total customer lending balances across the STB Group now exceed £500 million for the first time.

The bank continues to enjoy the favourable conditions in the retail deposits market. It has raised additional two, four and seven year fixed rate deposits which enable it to match broadly the new lending activities and to mitigate the potential impact of interest rates rising faster than the market expects.

Demand for consumer lending, especially in Cycle and Motor Finance, remained healthy and overall new lending business volumes are materially higher than for the same period in 2013. The bank's retail finance division successfully launched its Season Ticket finance offering and will seek to build on this initial success in 2015.

Secure Trust Bank has made significant progress with the development of its plans for SME lending. The Real Estate Finance team, which is staffed by highly experienced bankers with proven property lending expertise, has built up a significant pipeline of good quality new business opportunities. A number of these have been drawn down during the quarter. The lending is mainly short term development financing with prudent loan to value levels. In light of the successes achieved so far, and the future potential, the bank has accelerated its recruitment plans to augment the existing credit risk and relationship management teams.

Secure Trust Bank Commercial Services, the invoice finance division of the bank, was launched as planned on 1st September after a year in development. New business is already being written and interest in our entry to the market has exceeded expectations resulting in further new business opportunities. As a result Secure Trust Bank Commercial Services has brought forward its recruitment plans for additional risk and business development staff and is pleased to note that it is attracting high calibre recruits.

The STB Group's total new lending volumes written during Q3 2014 are over 87% higher than in the same period last year. The loan book has performed in line with the trends reported in the first six months of 2014. Impairment levels remain below the level expected when the loans were originated.

Secure Trust Bank PLC continues to work on a range of organic and external business opportunities.

As a result of the growth in lending balances coupled with continuing lower levels of impairments and firm operational cost control Secure Trust Bank PLC anticipates full year results to be at or above the upper end of market expectations. With the UK economy continuing to recover, inflation remaining subdued, employment levels rising and consumers and businesses feeling more confident Secure Trust Bank believes it is well positioned to sustain its positive progress over the coming period.

Secure Trust Bank: Canaccord Genuity raises target price from 3125p to 3200p keeping a buy recommendation.

Signal Update

Our system’s recommendation today is to STAY LONG. The previous BUY signal was issued on 10/11/2014, 2 days ago, when the stock price was 2,591.0000. Since then STB.L has risen by +3.22%.

Market Outlook

You may relax since our STAY LONG position is secure. The market action does not cast a serious doubt on the wisdom of going long.


http://www.britishbulls.com/SignalPage.aspx?lang=en&Ticker=STB.L

One of the independents tips for 2015 -

We had to have a few safer bets, hence Secure Trust Bank (2835.5p). This will be the year of consolidation among so-called challenger banks. Secure can be one of the winners. It was spun out of Conservative donor Henry Angest’s Arbuthnot Banking Group three years ago at 720p. Today the shares are 2820p but even that quadrupling has not stopped US hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen building up an 8.5 per cent stake. Secure is likely to be a driver in consolidation and, unlike several of its larger peers, it even pays a dividend.

Final Results
RNS
RNS Number : 8407H
Secure Trust Bank PLC
19 March 2015



SECURE TRUST BANK PLC

Audited Final Results for the year to 31 December 2014

Growth and diversification drives record profits

Secure Trust Bank PLC ("STB" or "the Company") today announces continued strong progress during 2014. An increase in customer lending balances of 59% and growth in overall customer numbers of 22% reflect STB's success in gaining customers who are attracted by the straightforward transparent banking solutions offered. A new record statutory profit before tax figure of £26.1m, an increase of 53% from 2013, evidences another progressive year.

Financial Highlights

· Statutory profit before tax increased by 53% to £26.1m (2013: £17.1m)

· Underlying* profit before tax increased by 32% to £33.3m (2013: £25.2m)

· Operating income increased by 24% to £97.9m (2013: £79.0m)

· Underlying* post-tax return on average equity 29% (2013: 31%)

· Statutory post-tax return on average equity 23% (2013: 21%)

· Reported earnings per share 122.3p (2013: 78.3p)

· Underlying* earnings per share 155.8p (2013: 118.2p)

· Proposed final dividend per share of 52p (2013: 47p)

· Proposed total dividend per share of 68p (2013: 62p)

· Net assets nearly doubled following successful £50m capital raise in July 2014

· Core Tier 1 Capital ratio at year end of 23% (2013: 20%)

· Loan to deposit ratio 102%** (2013: 90%)



Operational Highlights

· Customer lending balances increased by 59% to £622.5m

· Customer deposits increased by 39% to £608.4m. Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) usage remained unchanged at £16m

· Customer numbers grew 22% to 429,507

· Impairments have continued to be lower than the level expected at origination

· Renewal of Customer Service Excellence Award, introduced by the Cabinet Office in 2010 to replace the Kite Mark

· Renewal of Fairbanking Foundation 4 star mark in respect of the current account product

· Strong contribution from consumer lending activities

· SME division established and now operational in Asset Finance, Invoice Finance and Real Estate Finance sectors with substantial pipeline of lending opportunities being progressed





Henry Angest, Chairman, said:

"Secure Trust Bank is today pleased to announce another year of record levels of profits. These are the product of the ongoing diligent execution of our strategic plan. During 2014 we further improved our balance sheet strength and operational capabilities giving us the ability to provide a wider range of products and services to consumer and business customers whilst growing and diversifying our loan book."

Paul Lynam, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"The 60th anniversary of Secure Trust Bank's incorporation represented a record year of profits for the Company. The stated 2014 strategic objectives have been delivered with the controlled growth of the consumer finance businesses and the creation of a new SME lending division, continuing our prudent approach to capital and liquidity. I am particularly pleased with the demand from customers for our services and consistently high levels of customer satisfaction evidenced by a number of external awards and FEEFO*** ratings in the range of 90 - 95%. Our current momentum and the continuing UK economic recovery give us confidence for the current year and beyond."



* Before acquisition costs (2014: £0.2m; 2013: £0.9m), fair value amortisation (2014: £5.3m; 2013: £4.9m), costs associated with share based payments (2014: £1.5m; 2013: £2.2m) and Arbuthnot Banking Group management charges (2014: £0.2m; 2013: £0.1m). All numbers quoted are before tax.

** This excludes the UK Treasury Bills borrowed from the Bank of England under the Funding for Lending Scheme, which have subsequently been pledged as part of a sale and repurchase agreement. If these were included the loan to deposit ratio would be 100%.

*** FEEFO is an independent online tool which allows customers to publicly rate our service standards and record any verbatim comments they want, no matter how candid (www.feefo.com).



-ENDS-

9 Jul Canaccord... 4,000.00 Buy

Interim Results
RNS
RNS Number : 5708T
Secure Trust Bank PLC
21 July 2015





SECURE TRUST BANK PLC



Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2015



Assets exceed £1 billion for the first time and record profits



Secure Trust Bank PLC ("STB", "The Bank" or the "Group") is pleased to announce an increase in profit before tax of 40% for the six months to 30 June 2015. The Bank has traded strongly during H1 2015, whilst continuing to invest heavily in the development of an SME lending division. The Group achieved a record level of profit before tax for a first half period of £16.0m. The positive momentum in customer lending continues, with balances up 90% in the last twelve months, evidencing the successful ongoing execution of the strategic plan.



FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS



· Operating income £62.2m (H1 2014: £43.8m)

· Reported profit before tax £16.0m (H1 2014: £11.4m) representing growth of 40%

· Underlying* profit before tax £17.4m (H1 2014: £15.2m) representing growth of 14%.

· Underlying* profit before tax on a like for like** basis was £18.5m representing growth of 22%

· Capital ratios, liquidity and funding positions remain strong

· Underlying* annualised return on average equity 23.6% (H1 2014: 39.8%)

· Earnings per share 70.8p (H1 2014: 53.6p)

· Underlying* earnings per share 76.8p (H1 2014: 73.8p)

· Interim dividend per share of 17p, a 6% increase (H1 2014: 16p)



OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS



· Overall loan book increased to £852.3m; a 90% increase on H1 2014: £447.8m

· Customer deposits increased to £835.1m; a 75% increase on H1 2014: £476.8m

· Total customer numbers increased to 486,805; a 24% increase on H1 2014: 391,610

· High levels of customer satisfaction as measured by FEEFO

· Impairments remain below levels expected at origination

· The SME division progressing as expected with average new lending exceeding £25m per month reflecting the firm control being exerted in the early stages of this division.

· The Consumer finance division has achieved excellent growth driven by Retail Finance and Motor Finance in line with the strategic plan.





* Before acquisition costs (2015: nil; 2014: £0.2m), fair value adjustments (2015: £1.0m; 2014: £2.7m), costs associated with share based payments (2015: £0.3m; 2014: £0.8m) and Arbuthnot Banking Group management charges (2015: £0.1m; 2014: £0.1m). All numbers quoted are before tax and relate to the six months ended 30 June.

** Before the costs of the phantom options granted in March 2015 (2015: £1.1m; 2014: nil).

Sir Henry Angest, Chairman, said:

"Secure Trust Bank continues to demonstrate its ability as a strongly capitalised and well-funded bank to provide straightforward transparent banking solutions to consumers and businesses whilst making attractive returns for shareholders. The diversification into SME activities is proving successful, with lending to UK businesses growing and now exceeding £25m per month. The improving macroeconomic environment and the election of a business friendly government give us confidence for continued growth of the business in the second half of the year."



Paul Lynam, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"Today's results show an ever growing number of customers being very satisfied with our products and services. As a result of the growth in our customer base we have been able to make a significant investment in the creation of an SME division whilst simultaneously achieving a record level of interim profit before tax. We have written record volumes of new loans to consumers and businesses and have not compromised our underwriting standards as reflected in impairment levels being below the levels priced for when the loans were originated.



"The performance and continued growth of our consumer finance portfolios and the strong traction achieved by the new SME division is encouraging. To support our future ambitions we are exploring the potential to broaden our deposit products by entering the cash ISA market and are considering the merits of possible entry into the UK mortgage market. We believe we have continued to position the bank to capitalise on the significant opportunities available to it, in a controlled and prudent manner, and we look forward to the future with confidence."

21 Jul Canaccord... 4,000.00 Buy

2015 Third Quarter Trading Update
RNS
RNS Number : 3075C
Secure Trust Bank PLC
15 October 2015





PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

15 October 2015

SECURE TRUST BANK PLC

2015 Third Quarter Trading Update

The Secure Trust Bank PLC group ("STB" or "Secure Trust Bank" or "the Group") traded strongly during the quarter ended 30 September 2015. Total customer lending balances across the Group now exceed £900 million for the first time.

The Bank continues to enjoy the favourable conditions in the retail deposits market. It has raised additional two, three, four, five and seven year fixed rate deposits which enable it to match broadly the new lending activities and to mitigate interest rate basis risks.

STB has maintained its policy of investing in its system and people capabilities. A new deposit platform capable of offering Cash ISA products is being developed for launch in H2 2016. STB continues to add to its senior and executive team as it seeks to ensure that its ongoing growth is well controlled and sustainable. During Q3 the Bank was pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Henderson into a new role responsible for strategy, personal lending and mortgages. Ian was the CEO of Kensington Mortgages and prior to that the CEO of Shawbrook Bank.

Demand for consumer lending, especially in Retail and Motor Finance, remained healthy and overall new lending business volumes are materially higher than for the same period in 2014. STB does not take residual value risks via operating lease products and does not anticipate being negatively impacted by the emerging emissions scandal impacting Volkswagen. The Bank is monitoring developments closely as it is possible that some manufacturers will find their cost of finance increasing which could dampen their appetite for providing vehicle finance which could present opportunities for the Group.

Secure Trust Bank SME lending activities continue to make positive progress with good levels of new business in Asset Finance, Invoice Finance and Real Estate Finance being written. There has been a notable increase in demand since the General Election and over the summer period. The Group notes HM Government recently committed to build one million new homes during the life of this parliament and feels it is well positioned to help fund proven housebuilders in support of this public policy.

The Group's total new lending volumes written for the first nine months of 2015 are over 93% higher than in the same period last year. The loan book continues to perform well and impairment levels remain below the level expected when the loans were originated.

Secure Trust Bank continues to work on a range of organic and external business opportunities.

As a result of the growth in lending balances coupled with continuing lower levels of impairments STB anticipates the 2015 full year results will be in line with market expectations. With the UK economy continuing to expand, inflation remaining subdued, real wages growing, employment levels rising and consumers and businesses feeling more confident Secure Trust Bank believes it is well positioned to sustain its positive progress over the coming period.



-ENDS-

15 Oct Canaccord... 4,000.00 Buy

Trading statement Fri 13 Jan