Secure Trust Bank Interim Results to 30 June 2024

About this update from Secure Trust Bank Plc

[{"type":"text","content":"\n \n PRESS RELEASE \n 14 August 2024 \n For immediate release \n LEI: 213800CXIBLC2TMIGI76 \n   \n   \n SECURE TRUST BANK PLC \n Interim Results for the six months to 30 June 2024 \n Further progress towards £4 billion loan book and cost income targets \n David McCreadie, Chief Executive Officer, said: \n \"Secure Trust Bank continues to make progress towards its medium-term targets and strategic priorities. In the first half, we have delivered solid loan book growth and managed cost increases through our cost optimisation programme, Project Fusion. Today we are upgrading our cost savings target 1 for Project Fusion from £5 million to £8 million. \n The business has delivered a double digit increase in our adjusted 2 profit before tax pre impairments. We have continued to grow our loan book towards the £4 billion target, the level at which we expect to deliver an adjusted 2 return on average equity of 14-16%. As such, we remain confident in achieving our medium-term targets.\" \n Financial Highlights 3 \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Loan book growth of 3.2% (8.3% on HY 2023) \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Total profit before tax increased by 14.0% to £17.1 million (HY 2023: £15.0 million) \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Adjusted 2 profit before tax pre impairments up 12.4% to £45.2 million (HY 2023: £40.2 million) \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Adjusted 2 profit before tax of £17.1 million (HY 2023: £17.4 million) \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Net Interest Margin ('NIM') at 5.3% (HY 2023: 5.4%), with a period end exit rate of 5.4% \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Adjusted 2 cost income ratio improved by 220 bps to 53.7% (HY 2023: 55.9%) \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Annualised cost saving target increased from £5 million to £8 million 1 by year-end 2025 \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Tangible book value per share increased 3.1% to £18.36 per share (FY 2023: £17.80) \n \n \n \n \n Secure Trust Bank PLC ('Secure Trust Bank', 'STB' or the 'Group') achieved 3.2% net lending growth in the six months to 30 June 2024 (£106.3 million), with Consumer Finance contributing growth of 7.3% (£122.9 million). Business Finance saw a decrease in net lending of 1.0% (£16.6 million), driven by subdued commercial finance and real estate markets. \n Customer deposits reached a record level of £3.0 billion (FY 2023: £2.9 billion) through a combination of growth in Access accounts, ISAs and Fixed term bonds. This increase has enabled us to repay £75.0 million of TFSME funding ahead of maturity, including £25.0 million in July 2024. \n The Group's NIM decreased to 5.3% (HY 2023: 5.4%), reflecting the strategic shift towards lower yielding, lower risk lending in both our Business Finance and Consumer Finance divisions and the impact of higher cost of funds which have been partially offset as lending markets reprice. We have observed a slowdown in the rate of change in cost of funds in the second quarter and expect full year NIM will be in line with market expectations. \n Project Fusion, the Group's cost optimisation programme, continues to contribute to our improved adjusted 2 cost income ratio, reducing to 53.7% (HY 2023: 55.9%). Project Fusion helped contain our net cost growth to £1.8 million (3.6%) in the period despite inflationary pressures. \n The impairment charge of £28.2 million (HY 2023: £23.0 million) reflects a cost of risk of 1.7% (HY 2023: 1.5%). As highlighted earlier this year, we engaged in formal discussions with the FCA about our collections processes, procedures and policies following its Borrowers in Financial Difficulty ('BiFD') review. As a consequence of this review, the Group temporarily paused Vehicle Finance collection activities. This has caused higher volumes of loans reaching default status and delays in repossession and recovery activities, resulting in a higher provision coverage in Vehicle Finance of 10.7% (FY 2023: 8.9%) and a cost of risk of 8.8% (HY 2023: 2.4%) for this business. \n The credit quality of new lending in the Vehicle Finance business has improved over time, and arrears levels in this business have reduced since year end, and are tracking towards pre-BiFD review levels. Collections activities have recommenced and we expect further progress in managing the stock of default cases in H2 2024. Retail Finance cost of risk improved to 0.7% (HY 2023: 1.6%) reflecting the quality of business written and IFRS 9 model enhancements, which resulted in some one-off provision releases. HY 2023 included a one-off charge within Commercial Finance of £7.2 million. \n The Group achieved an adjusted 2 return on average equity ('ROAE') of 7.3% (HY 2023: 8.0%) and maintained strong capital ratios. \n Financial summary 3 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Six months \nto 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n Six months \nto 30 June 2023 \n \n \n Change 4 % \n \n \n \n \n Total statutory profit before tax \n \n \n £17.1m \n \n \n £15.0m \n \n \n  14.0 \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 profit before tax \n \n \n £17.1m \n \n \n £17.4m \n \n \n  (1.7) \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 profit before tax and pre impairments \n \n \n £45.2m \n \n \n £40.2m \n \n \n  12.4 \n \n \n \n \n Total basic earnings per share \n \n \n 67.2 pence \n \n \n 59.4 pence \n \n \n  13.1 \n \n \n \n \n Continuing basic earnings per share \n \n \n 67.2 pence \n \n \n 65.8 pence \n \n \n  2.1 \n \n \n \n \n Interim dividend per share \n \n \n 11.3 pence \n \n \n 16.0 pence \n \n \n (29.4) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Total return on average equity \n \n \n 7.3% \n \n \n 6.8% \n \n \n 0.5 pp \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 return on average equity \n \n \n 7.3% \n \n \n 8.0% \n \n \n (0.7) pp \n \n \n \n \n Net interest margin \n \n \n 5.3% \n \n \n 5.4% \n \n \n (0.1) pp \n \n \n \n \n Cost of risk \n \n \n 1.7% \n \n \n 1.5% \n \n \n 0.2 pp \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 cost income ratio \n \n \n 53.7% \n \n \n 55.9% \n \n \n (2.2) pp \n \n \n \n \n Cost income ratio \n \n \n 53.7% \n \n \n 56.9% \n \n \n (3.2) pp \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n 31 December \n2023 \n \n \n Change % \n \n \n \n \n Net lending balances \n \n \n £3,421.6m \n \n \n £3,315.3m \n \n \n  3.2 \n \n \n \n \n Customer deposits \n \n \n £3,042.7m \n \n \n £2,871.8m \n \n \n  6.0 \n \n \n \n \n Tangible book value per share \n \n \n  £18.36 \n \n \n  £17.80 \n \n \n  3.1 \n \n \n \n \n Common Equity Tier 1 ('CET 1') ratio \n \n \n 12.7% \n \n \n 12.7% \n \n \n  - \n \n \n \n \n Total capital ratio \n \n \n 15.0% \n \n \n 15.0% \n \n \n  - \n \n \n \n \n   \n Optimising for Growth: Further strategic progress \n The Group has continued to make good progress against its strategic priorities of Simplify , Enhance Customer Experience and Leverage Networks during the first six months of the year. This strategic progress has driven our loan book growth and cost efficiency. Key strategic priorities for the period ahead, include: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Annualised cost savings target 1 for Project Fusion increased by £3 million to £8 million. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Realise further benefits from reorganised Group reporting lines, aligning additional IT and operational functions under the Group Chief Operating Officer to drive cost efficiency and enhance service delivery to support more business areas. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Further enhancements to our new digital Savings app, and completing the IT development work this year so that our modern Vehicle Finance platform is capable of hosting all new business across products and risk segments, which will enable us to offer loans to more customers. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Market share gains for Retail Finance, and maintaining our Vehicle Finance position, leveraging the opportunities from our strong networks. \n \n \n \n \n Other highlights \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Customer satisfaction remains high, as measured by Feefo, 4.7 stars (HY 2023: 4.6 stars). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Listed as an official UK Best Workplace™ for the sixth year running, ranking 26 out of 105 companies (large organisations category) and, in the first year of rankings, for a new category of Development, ranking 26 out of 100 companies (large organisations category). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We recently became members of Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financial ('PCAF'), which underlines our ongoing commitment to measure and monitor our environmental impacts as part of our Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') strategy. \n \n \n \n \n Dividend \n The Board approved an interim dividend of 11.3 pence per share for HY 2024 (HY 2023: 16.0 pence), which will be payable on 26 September 2024 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 30 August 2024. This is in line with the Group's revised dividend policy set out in the FY 2023 results; where the dividend was re-based to a progressive approach. \n Outlook \n The macro-economic outlook remains uncertain, but the Group remains confident it can continue to show agility, credit discipline and continue to grow the loan book profitably. The Group expects further loan book growth in the second half towards the £4 billion target. \n The second half of 2024 saw the first Bank of England Base Rate cut for four years and the inflation outlook appears more benign, both of which we expect to boost demand in our business areas. The Group expects to see further improvement in its cost income ratio as net lending balances grow and Project Fusion delivers further operational efficiency. \n We are still targeting significant growth in year-on-year profits, although slightly below our previous expectations. \n The Board remains confident in the achievement of the medium-term targets for the Group. \n \n \n \n \n Medium-term targets \n \n \n 30 June 2024 \n Actual \n \n \n Target \n \n \n \n \n Net lending balance \n \n \n £3.4bn \n \n \n £4bn \n \n \n \n \n Net interest margin \n \n \n 5.3% \n \n \n >5.5% \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 cost income ratio \n \n \n 53.7% \n \n \n 44-46% \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 return on average equity \n \n \n 7.3% \n \n \n 14% - 16% \n \n \n \n \n CET 1 ratio \n \n \n 12.7% \n \n \n >12.0% \n \n \n \n \n Footnotes: \n 1. £4.4 million cost savings relative to operating expenses for the 12 months ended December 2021. The remainder of £3.6 million savings (of the £8 million) will be relative to annualised operating expenses for the six months ending 30 June 2024. \n 2. Adjusted metrics exclude exceptional items of £nil (HY 2023: £0.9 million). Details can be found in Note 5 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n 3. Performance metrics presented relate to continuing operations unless otherwise stated. For further details see the Appendix to the 2024 Interim Report. \n 4. pp represents the percentage point movement. \n Results presentation \n This announcement together with the associated investors' presentation are available on: www.securetrustbank.com/results-reports/results-reports-presentations \n Secure Trust Bank will host a webcast for analysts and investors today, 14 August 2024 at 10.00am, which can be accessed by registering at: https://brrmedia.news/STB_HY_24 \n For those wishing to ask a question, please dial into the event by conference call: \n Dial +44 (0)330 551 0200 \n UK Toll Free: 0808 109 0700 \n Confirmation code (if prompted): STB Half Year \n Enquiries:  \n Secure Trust Bank PLC \n David McCreadie, Chief Executive Officer \n Rachel Lawrence, Chief Financial Officer \n Phil Clark, Investor Relations \n Tel: +44 (0) 121 693 9100 \n Investec Bank plc (Joint Broker) \n Christopher Baird, David Anderson, Maria Gomez de Olea \n Tel: +44 (0) 20 7597 5970 \n Shore Capital Stockbrokers (Joint Broker) \n Mark Percy / Rachel Goldstein (Corporate Advisory) \n Guy Wiehahn (Corporate Broking) \n Tel: +44 (0) 20 7408 4090 \n Camarco \n Ed Gascoigne-Pees, Geoffrey Pelham-Lane, Sean Palmer \n [email protected] \n Tel: +44 (0) 7591 760844 \n This announcement contains inside information. \n The person responsible for the release of this information on behalf of STB is Lisa Daniels, Company Secretary. \n Forward looking statements \n This announcement contains forward looking statements about the business, strategy and plans of STB and its current objectives, targets and expectations relating to its future financial condition and performance. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about STB's or management's beliefs and expectations, are forward looking statements. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. STB's actual future results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these forward looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. These include economic and business conditions, risks from failure of clients, customers and counterparties, market related risks including interest rate risk, risks regarding market conditions outside STB's control, expected credit losses in certain scenarios involving forward looking data, operational risks, legal, regulatory, or governmental developments, and other factors. The forward looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of the date of this announcement, and (except as required by law or regulation) STB undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward looking statements. \n \n \n \n \n Certain key performance indicators and performance metrics represent alternative performance measures that are not defined or specified under IFRS. Definitions of these alternative performance measures, their calculation and an explanation of the reasons for their use can be found in the Appendix to the Interim Report. \n 30 June 2023 results and key performance indicators have been restated to present exceptional items of £0.9 million, which were previously included in operating expenses, consistent with the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. Further details are provided in Note 5 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n 'Secure Trust Bank PLC', 'STB' and the 'Group' refer to Secure Trust Bank PLC together with its subsidiaries. \n \n \n \n \n About us \n Our vision \n To be the most trusted specialist lender in the UK \n   \n Purpose \n To help more consumers and businesses fulfil their ambitions \n   \n Our strategic pillars \n \n \n \n \n Grow \n \n \n Sustain \n \n \n Care \n \n \n \n \n Always act with integrity and transparency, delivering value for all stakeholders \n   \n Our strategic priorities \n \n \n \n \n Simplify \n Focus on core business units and use technology to deliver efficiency and better operational processes \n \n \n Enhance Customer Experience \n Improve the customer journey to increase retention and attract new customers to gain market share \n \n \n Leverage Networks \n Take advantage of our strong partnerships with introducers to drive growth \n \n \n \n \n Enabled by technology \n Take advantage of recent investments within our technology platforms to automate processes and streamline and enhance customer experience for our business partners via integration, and for our end customers, through self-service \n \n \n \n \n   \n Strengths \n \n \n \n \n Specialist \n   \n \n \n Expert \n   \n \n \n Diverse \n \n \n Ambitious \n   \n \n \n \n \n   \n Values \n \n \n \n \n Customer Focused \n   \n \n \n Risk Aware \n   \n \n \n Future Orientated \n   \n \n \n Teamwork \n   \n \n \n Ownership \n   \n \n \n Performance \nDriven \n \n \n \n \n   \n   \n Stakeholders \n \n \n \n \n Customers \nShareholders \n   \n \n \n Employees \nEnvironment \n   \n \n \n Wider society \nRegulators \n \n \n Suppliers \n   \n \n \n \n \n Chief Executive's statement \n \"Further progress towards our medium-term targets\" \n I am pleased with our performance during the first six months of the year. We made further progress towards our medium-term targets, achieving loan book growth and delivering against our strategic priorities, allowing us to scale the Group in line with our ambitions. Project Fusion, our cost optimisation programme, is on track to deliver its target of £5 million 1 in annualised savings by the end of the year and today we have announced we are increasing our cost saving target to £8 million 1 of annualised savings by 2025. We are well placed to deliver further improvement in our profitability in the second half of the year and in 2025. \n We have delivered a statutory profit before tax of £17.1 million (30 June 2023: £16.5 million); on an adjusted 2 basis £17.1 million (30 June 2023: £17.4 million), largely driven by net loan book growth of 3.2% to £3.4 billion since 31 December 2023 (£3.3 billion). This has been achieved despite the challenges in the external market for new business due to a subdued economy impacting demand for credit and the high cost of borrowing for our customers. We have remained agile in our approach to managing our balance sheet, ensuring good credit discipline and being selective on new business opportunities. \n Net Interest Margin ('NIM') reduced to 5.3% (30 June 2023: 5.4%), due to the impact of the higher interest rate environment on funding costs and the lag effect in asset repricing. We are encouraged that the rate of change in funding costs eased in Q2 2024, which is expected to help bring full year NIM in line with market expectations. Project Fusion has continued to support our progress towards a lower adjusted 2 cost income ratio, improving by 220bps to 53.7% (30 June 2023: 55.9%). Statutory cost income ratio was 53.7% (30 June 2023: 56.9%). \n Impairment charges rose to £28.2 million (30 June 2023: £23.0 million), which was primarily driven by a pause in our collections processes in Vehicle Finance (see section on Regulatory initiatives below). Excluding impairment charges, adjusted 2 profit before tax pre impairment rose to £45.2 million (30 June 2023: £40.2 million). \n As a result, we saw an improvement in our total return on average equity to 7.3% (30 June 2023: 6.8%). \n With our four specialist lending segments all operating in large addressable markets, we are well placed to make further market share gains. This is demonstrated by our strong track record in recent years. We saw gains in Retail Finance's market share of new business, which grew to 17.0% 3 . Vehicle Finance's market share of new business was maintained at 1.2% 4 . This growth contributed to net lending growth in the Consumer Finance businesses of 7.3% (£122.9 million) since 31 December 2023. Business Finance has broadly maintained its net lending position, despite a subdued trading environment. \n As announced earlier in the year, we have moved to a progressive dividend policy in direct response to investor feedback. The Board has approved an interim dividend of 11.3 pence per share. \n Our key performance indicators are provided below. Further details on our financial performance metrics are included in the Financial review. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n \n \n 31 December \n2023 \n \n \n \n \n Grow \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers (£billion) \n \n \n 3.4 \n \n \n 3.2 \n \n \n 3.3 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Shows the growth in the Group's lending balances, which generate income \n \n \n \n \n Total return on average equity (%) \n \n \n 7.3 \n \n \n 6.8 \n \n \n 7.3 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Measures the Group's ability to generate profit from the equity available to it \n \n \n \n \n Net interest margin (%) \n \n \n 5.3 \n \n \n 5.4 \n \n \n 5.4 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Shows the interest margin earned on the Group's lending balances, net of funding costs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sustain \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Common Equity Tier 1 ('CET 1') ratio (%) \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n 13.0 \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: The CET 1 ratio demonstrates the Group's capital strength \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 cost to income ratio (%) \n \n \n 53.7 \n \n \n 55.9 \n \n \n 54.0 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Measures how efficiently the Group utilises its cost base, excluding exceptional items to produce income \n \n \n \n \n Cost to income ratio (%) \n \n \n 53.7 \n \n \n 56.9 \n \n \n 57.5 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Measures how efficiently the Group utilises its cost base to produce income \n \n \n \n \n Cost of risk (%) \n \n \n 1.7 \n \n \n 1.5 \n \n \n 1.4 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Measures how effectively the Group manages the credit risk of its lending portfolios \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Care \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Customer Feefo ratings (Stars) \n (mark out of 5 based on star rating from 1,073 reviews, (30 June 2023: 854 reviews, 31 December 2023: 1,989 reviews)) \n \n \n 4.7 \n \n \n 4.6 \n \n \n 4.6 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Indicator of customer satisfaction with the Group's products and services \n \n \n \n \n Employee survey trust index score (%) 5 \n (based on 2023 all employee survey) \n \n \n N/A \n \n \n N/A \n \n \n 83 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Indicator of employee engagement and satisfaction \n \n \n \n \n Environmental intensity indicator 5 \n (Total Scope 1, 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions per £m Group operating income. See page 61 of 2023 Annual Report and Accounts for further details) \n \n \n N/A \n \n \n N/A \n \n \n 2.2 \n \n \n \n \n Why we measure this: Indicator of the Group's impact on the environment \n \n \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n All key performance indicators are presented on a continuing basis, unless otherwise stated. \n Continuing businesses include the Retail Finance, Vehicle Finance, Real Estate Finance and Commercial Finance businesses only. Discontinued business includes the Debt Management business, where the loan book was sold in 2022. Further details of discontinued business can be found in Note 7 of the Interim Financial Statements. \n Further explanation of the financial key performance indicators is discussed in the narrative within the Financial review, where they are identified by being in bold font. Further explanation of the non-financial key performance indicators is provided in the Managing our business responsibly (pages 41 to 54) and Climate-related financial disclosures sections (pages 55 to 64) of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. \n \n \n \n \n   \n Strategic priorities \n Our Optimising for Growth strategic priorities support our strategic pillars of Grow, Sustain and Care. A clear focus on simplifying the Group, enhancing customer experience and leveraging our networks will enable us to progress towards delivering all of our medium-term targets. \n Our Optimising for Growth framework has three core strategic priorities: \n Simplify \n Our journey to simplify the Group continues with Project Fusion, driving ongoing efforts to identify cost savings through supplier reviews as well as implementing technology enhancements. In Retail Finance we have migrated the e-signing of lending agreements to use in-house developed technology, eliminating the need to use a third party. Project Fusion remains on track to achieve the target of £5 million 1 in annualised savings by the end of 2024, with a sustained focus on cost discipline, we have contained our period-on-period cost growth at 3.6%. \n We have completed the consolidation of our IT and Operations teams under the Group's Chief Operating Officer and have recently reviewed and refined our organisational design. This will drive a simpler and more cost-efficient structure, remove duplication and provide clearer career paths and development opportunities. Predominantly as a result of our organisational redesign, we are increasing the cost savings to be delivered by Project Fusion to £8 million 1 by the end of 2025. \n Combined, these initiatives give us high confidence in driving our cost income ratio to our target of 44-46% once we achieve our ambition for net lending of £4 billion. \n Enhance customer experience \n We see continued growth in the use of our digital platforms. More customers than ever (84.5%) have registered with our Retail Finance online account management system (31 December 2023: 80.4%), and having launched the Savings Mobile app in September 2023, 24% of our customers have registered to use the app, with 96% of customers registered with online banking. \n Our internal net promoter scores continue to remain high for our Consumer Finance businesses and benchmark well against our industry. \n We have been operating in a highly competitive interest rate environment for Savings accounts. We continue to offer competitive rates to depositors, attracting significant levels of new funding (£0.7 billion), as well as retaining matured funds (£0.4 billion). Our deposits are entirely from retail customers and more than 95% of deposits are fully covered by the FSCS. \n We continue to focus on customer outcomes and improving customer satisfaction. The Group was accredited with the Customer Service Excellence Standard for the 11 th year running, demonstrating our commitment to high standards for all our customers. We continue to score highly with Feefo, scoring 4.7 (30 June 2023: 4.6) for our Consumer Finance businesses. In addition, our Retail Finance business was nominated for Best Consumer Credit Product at the Credit Awards. \n Our Commercial Finance business was recognised by the TheBusinessDesk.com North West Rainmakers Award, and was nominated for the 'Asset- based Lending Team'. \n Leverage networks \n Our relationships with partners, retailers, car dealers, intermediaries, new business originators and advisers support our growth, and are a critical part of our business model. Our Retail Finance retail partners total over 1,000, gaining new retailers in the lifestyle sector, and securing longer term contracts with a large furniture and a jewellery retailer, supporting a net lending balance of £1.3 billion (31 December 2023: £1.2 billion). Vehicle Finance saw customer numbers increase by 8.3% supporting a net lending balance of £0.50 billion (31 December 2023: £0.47 billion). \n Our focus on API integration enables us to work seamlessly with our partners, creating efficient working practices across both partner organisations and internally. This has long been an advantage as part of our Retail Finance offering to retail partners, integrating at speed; and we now have over 93% of our Vehicle Finance Prime partners also utilising API integration. \n The power of our relationship model in Real Estate Finance has seen new lending to existing clients increase from 36% in 2021 to 63% in the first half of 2024, with reliance on new lending origination from brokers declining from 42% to 6% over the same period. This retention model has the benefit of reduced cost of customer acquisition and provides greater knowledge of customers' risk profiles. \n Enabled by technology \n During the first half of the year, we implemented a series of technology enhancements, including further enhancements to our new digital Savings app, and are evolving our AppToPay proposition to offer a mobile-based service platform for all Retail Finance products. This would allow all our Retail Finance customers already registered for our online account management portal to service their account via their mobile phone. In addition, we will complete the IT development work this year so that our modern Vehicle Finance platform is capable of hosting all new business across products and risk segments, which will enable us to offer loans to more customers. \n Regulatory initiatives \n As highlighted at year-end, we were working on improving our collections processes, procedures and policies following the FCA's review of Borrowers in Financial Difficulty ('BiFD') across the industry. Customers are now being offered a wider range of forbearance options to support them through financial difficulties. We are still aiming to complete this review by the end of the year, with no further material costs expected to be incurred this year. This review has resulted in a larger stock of defaulted loans within our Vehicle Finance business and increased the associated loan impairment provision. This is not a reflection of the underlying quality of the business, and we are working to restore the performance of the book towards a more normal level by year end. Vehicle Finance arrears levels have reduced from the year end, and we are now seeing these tracking back to levels experienced before the BiFD review. \n As previously disclosed, in January 2024, the FCA announced it was to undertake a review of discretionary commission arrangements in the motor finance market. We sometimes operated these arrangements for a low proportion of our agreements until June 2017. The FCA recently confirmed it has deferred communicating its next steps to the industry from September 2024 to May 2025. \n Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') \n Our colleagues continue to support our volunteering programmes, and we see many initiatives being supported across the Group. Alongside this, charitable fundraising continues to grow, with teams involved in a golf day and the Three Peaks Challenge, raising over £55,000 for great causes so far this year. \n UK's Best Workplaces™ by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, once again ranked us highly at 26th out of 105 (large organisation category). Further accolades have also included being placed 26th out of 100 for Best Workplace for Development™ and 59th out of 100 for Best Workplace for Wellbeing™. This is supported by colleagues completing employee opinion surveys. The most recent pulse survey showed that 83% of colleagues continue to say that STB is a great place to work. Another fantastic outcome, demonstrating the positive sentiments of our colleagues. I would like to extend my personal thanks for their hard work and commitment. \n As part of our ongoing work on Climate Action, we have become members of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials ('PCAF'). Our membership of PCAF underlines our ongoing commitment to monitor and manage our environmental impacts as part of our ESG strategy. We continue to look at internal initiatives to also support the impact we have on the environment, having launched a new employee benefit, a green car scheme, that is enabling our employees to lease brand new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. \n Welcome to the Chairman \n We welcomed Jim Brown to the Board in March and he was appointed as Chairman at the Annual General Meeting. Jim has many years' of experience in the financial sector and his guidance will be a huge asset to the business as it continues its journey. \n Outlook \n UK inflation appears to have stabilised around the Bank of England's target level and we saw a first reduction in the Base Rate for over four years in August, slightly ahead of market expectations. The new UK Government has outlined its programme of change to deliver growth, and business confidence is at the highest level we have seen in the last two years. We are therefore optimistic that the trading environment for our business and economic environment for our customers is improving. The Group expects to see further loan book growth in the second half and further progress towards the £4 billion net lending target which will support improved profitability. \n The Board remains confident in the achievement of the medium-term targets for the Group. \n   \n David McCreadie \n Chief Executive Officer \n   \n 1. £4.4 million cost savings relative to operating expenses for the 12 months ended December 2021. The remainder of £3.6 million savings (of the £8 million) will be relative to annualised operating expenses for the six months ending 30 June 2024. \n 2. Adjusted metrics exclude exceptional items of £nil (30 June 2023: £0.9 million). Details can be found in Note 5 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n 3. Source: Finance & Leasing Association ('FLA'): New business values within retail store and online credit: 2024 based on January to June.: FLA total and Retail Finance new business of £3,803 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £8,810 million) and £645.1 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £1,185.4 million) respectively. As published at 30 June 2024. \n 4. Source: FLA. Cars bought on finance by consumers through the point of sale: New business values: Used cars: 2024 based on January to June 2024, FLA total and Vehicle Finance total of £11,145 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £22,083 million) and £135.9 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £260.0 million) respectively. As published at 30 June 2024. \n 5. Data is only collated on an annual basis. \n   \n Financial review \n \"Continued momentum in operating income growth and effective cost management\" \n \n \n \n \n Income statement \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n Restated 1 \n30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n Change \n% \n \n \n 31 December \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n \n Continuing operations \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Interest income and similar income \n \n \n 178.6 \n \n \n 138.8 \n \n \n 28.7 \n \n \n 304.0 \n \n \n \n \n Interest expense and similar charges \n \n \n (90.4) \n \n \n (57.8) \n \n \n 56.4 \n \n \n (136.5) \n \n \n \n \n Net interest income \n \n \n 88.2 \n \n \n 81.0 \n \n \n 8.9 \n \n \n 167.5 \n \n \n \n \n Fee and commission income \n \n \n 8.0 \n \n \n 8.1 \n \n \n (1.2) \n \n \n 17.3 \n \n \n \n \n Fee and commission expense \n \n \n (0.1) \n \n \n - \n \n \n - \n \n \n (0.1) \n \n \n \n \n Net fee and commission income \n \n \n 7.9 \n \n \n 8.1 \n \n \n (2.5) \n \n \n 17.2 \n \n \n \n \n Operating income \n \n \n 96.1 \n \n \n 89.1 \n \n \n 7.9 \n \n \n 184.7 \n \n \n \n \n Net impairment charge on loans and advances to customers \n \n \n (28.2) \n \n \n (23.0) \n \n \n 22.6 \n \n \n (43.2) \n \n \n \n \n Gains on modification of financial assets \n \n \n 0.1 \n \n \n 0.2 \n \n \n (50.0) \n \n \n 0.3 \n \n \n \n \n Fair value and other gains on financial instruments \n \n \n 0.7 \n \n \n 0.9 \n \n \n (22.2) \n \n \n 0.5 \n \n \n \n \n Operating expenses \n \n \n (51.6) \n \n \n (49.8) \n \n \n 3.6 \n \n \n (99.7) \n \n \n \n \n Profit before income tax from continuing operations before exceptional items \n \n \n 17.1 \n \n \n 17.4 \n \n \n (1.7) \n \n \n 42.6 \n \n \n \n \n Exceptional items \n \n \n - \n \n \n (0.9) \n \n \n (100.0) \n \n \n (6.5) \n \n \n \n \n Profit before income tax from continuing operations \n \n \n 17.1 \n \n \n 16.5 \n \n \n 3.6 \n \n \n 36.1 \n \n \n \n \n Income tax expense \n \n \n (4.3) \n \n \n (4.2) \n \n \n 2.4 \n \n \n (9.7) \n \n \n \n \n Profit for the period from continuing operations \n \n \n 12.8 \n \n \n 12.3 \n \n \n 4.1 \n \n \n 26.4 \n \n \n \n \n Discontinued operations: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Loss before income tax from discontinued operations \n \n \n - \n \n \n (1.5) \n \n \n (100.0) \n \n \n (2.7) \n \n \n \n \n Income tax credit \n \n \n - \n \n \n 0.3 \n \n \n (100.0) \n \n \n 0.6 \n \n \n \n \n Loss for the period from discontinued operations \n \n \n - \n \n \n (1.2) \n \n \n (100.0) \n \n \n (2.1) \n \n \n \n \n Profit for the period \n \n \n 12.8 \n \n \n 11.1 \n \n \n 15.3 \n \n \n 24.3 \n \n \n \n \n Basic earnings per share (pence) - Adjusted \n \n \n 67.2 \n \n \n 70.6 \n \n \n (4.8) \n \n \n 172.3 \n \n \n \n \n Basic earnings per share (pence) - Continuing \n \n \n 67.2 \n \n \n 65.8 \n \n \n 2.1 \n \n \n 140.8 \n \n \n \n \n Basic earnings per share (pence) - Total \n \n \n 67.2 \n \n \n 59.4 \n \n \n 13.1 \n \n \n 129.6 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Selected Key Performance Indicators and performance metrics \n \n \n £million \n \n \n £million \n \n \n Change \n% \n \n \n £million \n \n \n \n \n Total profit before tax \n \n \n 17.1 \n \n \n 15.0 \n \n \n 14.0 \n \n \n 33.4 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n % \n \n \n % \n \n \n Percentage point movement \n \n \n % \n \n \n \n \n Net Interest Margin ('NIM') \n \n \n 5.3 \n \n \n 5.4 \n \n \n (0.1) \n \n \n 5.4 \n \n \n \n \n Yield \n \n \n 10.7 \n \n \n 9.3 \n \n \n 1.4 \n \n \n 9.8 \n \n \n \n \n Cost of funds \n \n \n 5.4 \n \n \n 3.9 \n \n \n 1.5 \n \n \n 4.4 \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 cost to income ratio \n \n \n 53.7 \n \n \n 55.9 \n \n \n (2.2) \n \n \n 54.0 \n \n \n \n \n Statutory cost to income ratio \n \n \n 53.7 \n \n \n 56.9 \n \n \n (3.2) \n \n \n 57.5 \n \n \n \n \n Cost of risk \n \n \n 1.7 \n \n \n 1.5 \n \n \n 0.2 \n \n \n 1.4 \n \n \n \n \n Adjusted 2 return on average equity \n \n \n 7.3 \n \n \n 8.0 \n \n \n (0.7) \n \n \n 9.6 \n \n \n \n \n Total return on average equity 1 \n \n \n 7.3 \n \n \n 6.8 \n \n \n 0.5 \n \n \n 7.3 \n \n \n \n \n Common Equity Tier 1 ('CET 1') ratio \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n 13.0 \n \n \n (0.3) \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n \n \n Total capital ratio 1 \n \n \n 15.0 \n \n \n 15.2 \n \n \n (0.2) \n \n \n 15.0 \n \n \n \n \n 1. Restated to present exceptional items of £0.9 million, which were previously included in operating expenses, consistent with the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. \n   \n \n \n \n \n Certain key performance indicators and performance metrics represent alternative performance measures that are not defined or specified under IFRS. Definitions of these alternative performance measures, their calculation and an explanation of the reasons for their use can be found in the Appendix to the Interim Report. In the narrative of this Financial review, key performance indicators are identified by being in bold font. \n Key performance indicators have been presented in the Financial review on a continuing basis, unless otherwise stated. \n Continuing businesses include the Retail Finance, Vehicle Finance, Real Estate Finance and Commercial Finance businesses only. Discontinued business includes the Debt Management business where the loan book was sold in 2022. Further details of discontinued business can be found in Note 7 of the Interim Financial Statements. \n Adjusted metrics exclude exceptional items of £nil million (30 June 2023: £0.9 million, 31 December 2023: £1.8 million). Details can be found in Note 5 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n \n \n \n \n The first half of 2024 saw a continued focus on growth whilst maintaining strong credit discipline and cost management. Growth has been targeting higher credit quality prime lending, particularly within our Consumer Finance business. Balance sheet growth has generated 7.9% increase in operating income, and this has been achieved with an 3.6% increase in costs. The Group achieved a profit before tax of £17.1 million (30 June 2023: £16.5 million), with CET 1 ratio remaining strong at 12.7%. \n Earnings per share rose from 65.8 pence per share (30 June 2023) to 67.2 pence per share. On an adjusted basis, EPS fell from 70.6 pence per share (30 June 2023) to 67.2 pence per share. Total return on average equity increased from 6.8% (30 June 2023) to 7.3%. \n Detailed disclosures of earnings per ordinary share are shown in Note 8 to the Interim Financial Statements. The components of the Group's profit for the period are analysed in more detail in the sections below. \n Operating income \n The Group's operating income increased by 7.9% to £96.1 million (30 June 2023: £89.1 million). Net interest income on the Group's lending assets continues to be the largest component of operating income. This increased by 8.9% to £88.2 million (30 June 2023: £81.0 million), driven by growth in net lending assets, with average balances increasing by 11.8% to £3,360.7 million (30 June 2023: £3,005.6 million). \n The Group's NIM decreased to 5.3% (30 June 2023: 5.4%), reflecting the strategic shift towards lower yielding, lower risk lending in both our Business Finance and Consumer Finance divisions and the impact of higher cost of funds which have been partially offset as lending markets reprice. During the six months to 30 June 2024, the rate of change in the cost of funds has eased and margins have improved, the Group exited the half year confident that progress will continue towards meeting market expectation for full year NIM. \n The Group's other income, which relates to net fee and commission income, decreased slightly by 2.5% to £7.9 million (30 June 2023: £8.1 million). \n Impairment charge \n Impairment charges increased to £28.2 million (30 June 2023: £23.0 million), and resulted in an increase in cost of risk to 1.7% (30 June 2023: 1.5%). The charge in the first half of 2023 was impacted by one material loss of £7.2 million relating to a long-running problem debt case within the Commercial Finance business. Increased expected credit losses associated with the Vehicle Finance business have been the principal reason for the increased cost of risk. The impairment charge for Vehicle Finance reflects increased levels of defaults due to a pause in collections activities as the business has addressed the specific feedback received following the FCA's review of Borrowers in Financial Difficulty ('BiFD'). Overall impairment provisions remain robust at £101.6 million (30 June 2023: £79.5 million) with an aggregate coverage level of 2.9% (30 June 2023: 2.5%). Impairment charges for the Retail Finance business have reduced reflecting the quality of business written, Loss Given Default ('LGD') assumptions (a result of pricing associated with debt sale arrangements) and IFRS 9 model enhancements, which resulted in some one-off provision releases. \n During the second quarter of the financial year, the Group refreshed macroeconomic inputs to its IFRS 9 Expected Credit Loss ('ECL') models, incorporating its external economic advisers' latest UK economic outlook. The forecast economic assumptions within each IFRS 9 scenario, and the weighting applied, are set out in more detail in Note 11.1.1 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n The Group has applied Expert Credit Judgements ('ECJs') where management believes the IFRS 9 modelled output is not fully reflecting current risks within the loan portfolios. Further details of these ECJs are included in Note 11 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n Fair value and other gains on financial instruments \n The Group has highly effective hedge accounting relationships, and as a result, recognised a small hedging ineffectiveness gain of £0.1 million (30 June 2023: £0.5 million gain) and £0.4 million (30 June 2023: £nil) relating to hedge accounting inception and amortisation adjustments (See Note 4 to the Interim Financial Statements). The Group also recognised a gain of £0.2 million (30 June 2023: loss £0.8 million) relating to interest rate swaps being entered into ahead of hedge accounting becoming available, which will reverse to the income statement over the remaining life of the swaps. During the period to 30 June 2023 the Group realised a gain of £1.2 million in relation to the buy-back of 2018 Tier 2 debt. \n Operating expenses \n The Group's cost base increased in the period by 3.6% to £51.6 million (30 June 2023: £49.8 million), with the adjusted cost income ratio improving to 53.7% (30 June 2023: 55.9%), despite the impact of inflation on operating expenses. The ratio reflects both the increase in operating income and the ongoing programme of initiatives that seek to achieve more efficient and effective operational processes, including the digitalisation of processes, supplier and procurement reviews, organisational design and property management. The statutory cost income ratio inclusive of exceptional items was 53.7% (30 June 2023: 56.9%). \n Taxation \n The total effective tax rate on total and continuing activities of 25.1% decreased compared with 2023 (30 June 2023: 26.0% and 25.5%, respectively). The effective rate is aligned with the Corporation Tax rate of 25%. \n Exceptional items \n In the first half of 2023 the Group recognised charges for exceptional items of £0.9 million in relation to non-recurring corporate activity. No exceptional costs were incurred in the first half of 2024. Further details are included in Note 5 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n Discontinued business \n In May 2022, the Group disposed of the loan portfolio of Debt Managers (Services) Limited, a further £1.5 million of wind-down costs were incurred during the first half of 2023. \n Distributions to shareholders \n The Board has approved an interim dividend of 11.3 pence per share (30 June 2023: 16.0 pence per share). \n Balance sheet \n \n \n \n \n Summarised balance sheet \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n \n30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n \n Assets \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Cash and balances at central banks \n \n \n 412.2 \n \n \n 318.3 \n \n \n 351.6 \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to banks \n \n \n 21.7 \n \n \n 33.3 \n \n \n 53.7 \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers \n \n \n 3,421.6 \n \n \n 3,158.5 \n \n \n 3,315.3 \n \n \n \n \n Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk \n \n \n (10.7) \n \n \n (47.7) \n \n \n (3.9) \n \n \n \n \n Derivative financial instruments \n \n \n 18.3 \n \n \n 50.3 \n \n \n 25.5 \n \n \n \n \n Other assets \n \n \n 35.8 \n \n \n 38.2 \n \n \n 35.8 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3,898.9 \n \n \n 3,550.9 \n \n \n 3,778.0 \n \n \n \n \n Liabilities \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Due to banks \n \n \n 359.1 \n \n \n 409.3 \n \n \n 402.0 \n \n \n \n \n Deposits from customers \n \n \n 3,042.7 \n \n \n 2,648.9 \n \n \n 2,871.8 \n \n \n \n \n Fair value adjustment for portfolio hedged risk \n \n \n (7.4) \n \n \n (33.7) \n \n \n (1.4) \n \n \n \n \n Derivative financial instruments \n \n \n 14.4 \n \n \n 36.1 \n \n \n 22.0 \n \n \n \n \n Tier 2 subordinated liabilities \n \n \n 93.1 \n \n \n 92.9 \n \n \n 93.1 \n \n \n \n \n Other liabilities \n \n \n 41.5 \n \n \n 64.2 \n \n \n 46.0 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3,543.4 \n \n \n 3,217.7 \n \n \n 3,433.5 \n \n \n \n \n   \n New business \n Loan originations in the period, being the total of new loans and advances to customers entered into during the period, decreased by 7.5% to £1,061.8 million (30 June 2023: £1,147.4 million). \n \n \n \n \n New business volumes \n \n \n 30 June \n 2024 \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n \n \n Change \n% \n \n \n \n \n Consumer Finance \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  Retail Finance \n \n \n 645.1 \n \n \n  613.5 \n \n \n 5.2 \n \n \n \n \n  Vehicle Finance \n \n \n 248.8 \n \n \n  250.1 \n \n \n (0.5) \n \n \n \n \n Business Finance \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  Real Estate Finance \n \n \n 135.5 \n \n \n  252.4 \n \n \n (46.3) \n \n \n \n \n  Commercial Finance \n \n \n 32.4 \n \n \n  31.4 \n \n \n 3.2 \n \n \n \n \n Total \n \n \n 1,061.8 \n \n \n 1,147.4 \n \n \n (7.5) \n \n \n \n \n   \n Customer lending and deposits \n Group lending assets increased by 3.2% to £3,421.6 million (31 December 2023: £3,315.3 million), primarily driven by strong growth in our Consumer Finance and Real Estate Finance business. \n Consumer Finance balances grew by £122.9 million or 7.3%, driven by strong demand from strategic partner retailers in the first half of 2024. \n Further analysis of loans and advances to customers, including a breakdown of the arrears profile of the Group's loan books, is provided in Note 20 to the Interim Financial Statements. \n Customer deposits include Fixed term bonds, ISAs, Notice and Access accounts. Customer deposits increased by 6.0% to £3,042.7 million (31 December 2023: £2,871.8 million). Total funding ratio of 112.3% increased slightly from 31 December 2023 (111.7%). As set out in the Financial Review, the mix of the deposit book has continued to change as the Group has adapted to the interest rate environment, with a focus on meeting customer demand for Access products and retaining stable funds, which is reflected in the proportion of ISAs and Fixed term bonds. \n Investments and wholesale funding \n As at the end of 2023, the Group held no debt securities (31 December 2023: £nil). Amounts due to banks consisted primarily of drawings from the Bank of England Term Funding Scheme with additional incentives for SMEs ('TFSME') facility, of which £50 million was repaid at the end of June 2024, and a further £25.0 million in July 2024. The remaining drawn balance of £340.0 million matures in 2025. \n Tier 2 subordinated liabilities \n Tier 2 subordinated liabilities represent £90.0 million of 10.5-year 13.0% Fixed Rate Callable Subordinated Notes, which qualify as Tier 2 capital. The 2018 Tier 2 subordinated liabilities were repurchased in February and March 2023. \n Capital \n Management of capital \n Our capital management policy is focused on optimising shareholder value over the long-term. Capital is allocated to achieve targeted risk adjusted returns whilst ensuring appropriate surpluses are held above the minimum regulatory requirements. \n Key factors influencing the management of capital include: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The level of buffers and the capital requirement set by the Prudential Regulation Authority ('PRA'); \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Estimated credit losses calculated using IFRS 9 methodology and the applicable transitional rules; \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n New business volumes; and \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The product mix of new business. \n \n \n \n \n Capital resources \n Capital resources increased over the period from £397.6 million to £409.6 million. CET 1 capital increased by £10.3 million, primarily driven by a total profit for the period of £12.8 million, offset by the 2024 interim dividend of £2.2 million, and the expected reduction in the IFRS 9 transitional adjustment of £2.1 million. The remainder of the increase was from Tier 2 (£1.8 million), as capital eligibility has increased as a consequence of risk weighted asset growth. \n \n \n \n \n Capital \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n \n30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n31 December \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n \n CET 1 capital, excluding IFRS 9 transitional adjustment \n \n \n 348.2 \n \n \n 324.4 \n \n \n 335.8 \n \n \n \n \n IFRS 9 transitional adjustment \n \n \n - \n \n \n 2.4 \n \n \n 2.1 \n \n \n \n \n CET 1 capital \n \n \n 348.2 \n \n \n 326.8 \n \n \n 337.9 \n \n \n \n \n Tier 2 capital 1 \n \n \n 61.5 \n \n \n 56.7 \n \n \n 59.7 \n \n \n \n \n Total capital \n \n \n 409.7 \n \n \n 383.5 \n \n \n 397.6 \n \n \n \n \n Total risk exposure \n \n \n 2,735.3 \n \n \n 2,518.5 \n \n \n 2,653.4 \n \n \n \n \n Capital ratios \n \n \n \n \n \n   \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n CET 1 capital ratio \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n 13.0 \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n \n \n Total capital ratio \n \n \n 15.0 \n \n \n 15.2 \n \n \n 15.0 \n \n \n \n \n CET 1 capital ratio (excluding IFRS 9 transitional adjustment) \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n 12.9 \n \n \n 12.7 \n \n \n \n \n Total capital ratio (excluding IFRS 9 transitional adjustment) \n \n \n 15.0 \n \n \n 15.1 \n \n \n 14.9 \n \n \n \n \n Leverage ratio \n \n \n 9.9 \n \n \n 10.1 \n \n \n 9.7 \n \n \n \n \n 1. Tier 2 capital, which is solely subordinated debt net of unamortised issue costs, is capped at 25% of total Pillar 1 and Pillar 2A requirements. \n Capital requirements \n The Total Capital Requirement, set by the PRA, includes both the calculated requirement derived using the standardised approach and the additional capital derived in conjunction with the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process ('ICAAP'). In addition, capital is held to cover generic buffers set at a macroeconomic level by the PRA. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n \n30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n \n Total Capital Requirement \n \n \n 246.2 \n \n \n  226.7 \n \n \n 238.8 \n \n \n \n \n Capital conservation buffer \n \n \n 68.4 \n \n \n  63.0 \n \n \n 66.3 \n \n \n \n \n Countercyclical buffer \n \n \n 54.7 \n \n \n 25.2 \n \n \n 53.1 \n \n \n \n \n Total \n \n \n 369.3 \n \n \n  314.9 \n \n \n 358.2 \n \n \n \n \n The increase in lending balances through the first six months of the year resulted in an increase in risk weighted assets over the period, bringing the total risk exposure up from £2,653.4 million to £2,735.3 million. The capital conservation buffer has been held at 2.5% of total risk exposure since 1 January 2019. The countercyclical capital buffer rose from 0% to 1% of relevant risk exposures in December 2022 and remained at this level until 5 July 2023 when it rose again to 2%. \n Liquidity \n Management of liquidity \n The Group uses a number of measures to manage liquidity risk. These include: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The Overall Liquidity Adequacy Requirement ('OLAR'), which is the Board's view of the Group's liquidity needs, as set out in the Board approved Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process ('ILAAP'). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The Liquidity Coverage Ratio ('LCR'), which is a regulatory measure that assesses net 30-day cash outflows as a proportion of High Quality Liquid Assets ('HQLA'). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Total funding ratio, as defined in the Appendix to the Interim Report. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n 'HQLA' are held in the Bank of England Reserve Account and UK Treasury Bills. For LCR purposes, the HQLA excludes UK Treasury Bills that are pledged as collateral against the Group's TFSME drawings with the Bank of England. \n \n \n \n \n The Group met the LCR minimum threshold throughout the year, with the Group's average LCR being 216.3% (30 June 2023: 217.0%), based on a rolling 12 month-end average. \n Liquid assets \n We continued to hold significant surplus liquidity over the minimum requirements throughout the first six months of the year, managing liquidity by holding HQLA and utilising predominantly retail funding to support lending. The Group held additional levels of liquidity at the end of June 2024: £433.9 million (31 December 2023: £400.2 million) to support funding planned for Business Finance drawdowns in the coming months. \n The Group is a participant in the Bank of England's Sterling Money Market Operations under the Sterling Monetary Framework and has £340.0 million of funding under the TFSME (31 December 2023: £390.0 million). The Group has no liquid asset exposures outside of the United Kingdom and no amounts that are either past due or impaired. \n \n \n \n \n Liquid assets \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n \n Aaa - Aa3 \n \n \n 412.2 \n \n \n 318.3 \n \n \n 356.4 \n \n \n \n \n A1 - A2 \n \n \n 21.7 \n \n \n 29.0 \n \n \n 43.8 \n \n \n \n \n Total \n \n \n 433.9 \n \n \n 347.3 \n \n \n 400.2 \n \n \n \n \n We continue to attract customer deposits to support balance sheet growth. The composition of customer deposits is shown in the table below: \n \n \n \n \n Customer deposits \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n% \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n% \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n% \n \n \n \n \n Fixed term bonds \n \n \n 50 \n \n \n 54 \n \n \n 54 \n \n \n \n \n Notice accounts \n \n \n 3 \n \n \n 12 \n \n \n 6 \n \n \n \n \n ISAs \n \n \n 23 \n \n \n 19 \n \n \n 22 \n \n \n \n \n Access accounts \n \n \n 24 \n \n \n 15 \n \n \n 18 \n \n \n \n \n Total \n \n \n 100 \n \n \n 100 \n \n \n 100 \n \n \n \n \n Business review \n Consumer Finance \n Retail Finance \n We provide quick and easy finance options at point of sale: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Helping consumers purchase lifestyle goods and services without having to wait. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Supporting the growth of UK retailers by offering integrated finance options that drive sales. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n New business (£million) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  645.1 \n \n \n 613.5 \n \n \n 1,185.4 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers (£million) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  1,315.4 \n \n \n 1,179.9 \n \n \n 1,223.2 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Net interest margin (%) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  6.6 \n \n \n  6.3 \n \n \n  6.4 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Risk adjusted margin (%) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  6.1 \n \n \n  4.9 \n \n \n  5.3 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What we do \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We operate a market-leading online e-commerce service to retailers, providing unsecured, prime lending products to UK customers to facilitate the purchase of a wide range of consumer products, including bicycles, musical equipment and instruments, furniture, outdoor/leisure items, electronics, dental, jewellery, home improvements and football season tickets. These retailers include a large number of household names. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The finance products are either interest-bearing or have promotional interest-free credit subsidised by retailers. For interest-free products, the customer pays the same price for the goods, regardless of whether credit is taken or not. Taking the credit option allows the customer to spread the cost of the main purchase into more manageable monthly payments, and afford ancillary extras and add-ons, which can also be financed. Interest-free borrowing attracts a large proportion of high credit quality customers. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The online processing system allows customers to sign their credit agreements digitally, thereby speeding up the pay-out process and removing the need to handle sensitive personal documents. 90% of applications are decisioned in an average of six seconds. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The business is supported by a highly experienced senior team and workforce. \n \n \n \n \n H1 2024 performance \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Lending and revenue growth has come mainly from interest-free lending into the furniture and jewellery sectors. We achieved record new lending in the period and increased our lending balances by 7.5% on December 2023, resulting from an increase in our market share of the retail store and online credit new business market to 17.0% 1 (31 December 2023: 13.5%). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Leveraging our networks through the extension of our footprint with key retail partners, as well as the introduction of new retailer relationships supported by our efficient onboarding technology. We have further strengthened our position as one of the major lenders in the point of sale credit market. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Net interest margin ('NIM') has increased by 0.3% compared to 30 June 2023 as a result of the impact of pricing changes over time. The cost of risk (0.7%) has also decreased compared to 30 June 2023 (1.6%) as a result of benefits from refinements to IFRS 9 model assumptions, and due to a growing lower credit risk lending book. NIM and cost of risk reflect the success of our strategy of focussing on prime sectors. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n At the end of June 2024, 86.8% (31 December 2023: 86.3%) of the lending book related to interest-free lending, and 84.5% (31 December 2023: 80.4%) of customers have signed up to online account management allowing self-service of their account. \n \n \n \n \n Outlook \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We anticipate continued lending growth from our existing retail partners and new retail partners. Our operational plans remain focused on digitalising all key processes to improve our customers' and retail partners' experience. \n \n \n \n \n 1. Source: Finance & Leasing Association ('FLA'): New business values within retail store and online credit: 2024 based on January to June. FLA total and Retail Finance new business of £3,803 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £8,810 million) and £645.1 million ((1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £1,185.4 million) respectively. As published at 30 June 2024. \n Vehicle Finance \n We help to drive more business in UK car dealerships: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Providing funds to customers to help them buy used vehicles from dealers via Vehicle Finance. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Providing funds to dealers to help them buy vehicles for their forecourts and showrooms via Stock Funding. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n New business (£million) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  248.8 \n \n \n 250.1 \n \n \n 471.2 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers (£million) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  497.9 \n \n \n 440.4 \n \n \n 467.2 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Net interest margin (%) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  9.5 \n \n \n  10.9 \n \n \n  10.3 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Risk adjusted margin (%) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  1.1 \n \n \n  9.1 \n \n \n  7.3 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What we do \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We provide lending products that are secured against the vehicle being financed. The majority of vehicles financed are used cars sold by independent dealers. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We also provide vehicle stock funding, whereby funds are advanced and secured against dealer forecourt used car stock; sourced from auctions, part exchanges or trade sources. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Finance is provided via technology platforms, allowing Vehicle Finance to receive applications online from its introducers; provide an automated decision; facilitate document production through to pay-out to dealer, and manage in-life loan accounts. \n \n \n \n \n H1 2024 performance \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n New business lending remained stable, despite the market for used cars bought on point-of-sale finance shrinking by 4.7% 1 year-on-year by value up to June 2024. Our market share remained 1.2% over the same period. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Our Prime lending products, launched in 2021, delivered £69.2 million of new lending during the first half of 2024 and represent 27.8% (30 June 2023: 25.2%) of new business. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n 38.1% (30 June 2023: 29.9%) of the lending portfolio relates to better quality Prime products. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The Stock Funding product launched in 2019 now has 286 active dealers (30 June 2023: 233), with credit lines of £54.2 million (30 June 2023: £45.3 million). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The cost of risk has been impacted adversely because of a temporary pause in collection activities, following formal discussions with the FCA relating to its Borrowers in Financial Difficulty ('BiFD') review. This has resulted in delays in collection activities and subsequently higher volumes of loans reaching default status. Arrears have reduced since year end, and are tracking towards pre-BiFD review levels. The improvement in quality of new business written continues to reflect improvement over time. Cost of risk was 8.8% (30 June 2023: 2.4%). \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Risk adjusted margin has been adversely impacted by the increased mix of Prime lending, and the elevated level of defaults described above. \n \n \n \n \n Outlook \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We have begun implementing the actions arising from the BiFD review and have recommenced collections activities. We therefore expect a reduction in default volumes in the second half of 2024 and cost of risk to become more normalised in 2025. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n In January 2024, the FCA announced it was to undertake a review of discretionary commission arrangements in the motor finance market. We sometimes operated these arrangements until June 2017. The FCA has recently announced that it plans to set out its next steps in May 2025, when the implications for the industry should become clearer. (See Note 16.1.2 to the Interim Financial Statements.) \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The final phase of our Motor Transformation Project is to transfer Near Prime originations onto the new platform, with the implementation of a new rate for risk module, which will allow us to price lending based on the risk profile of the borrower. We will complete the IT development work by the end of this year. \n \n \n \n \n 1. Source: FLA. Cars bought on finance by consumers through the point of sale: New business values: Used cars: 2024 based on January to June 2024, FLA total and Vehicle Finance total of £11,145 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £22,083 million) and £135.9 million (1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023: £260.0 million) respectively. FLA total business January to June 2023: £11,701 million. As published at 30 June 2024. \n Business Finance \n Real Estate Finance \n We lend money against residential properties to professional landlords and property developers: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Providing mortgage-style borrowing to professional landlords to allow them to improve and grow their portfolio. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Providing development facilities to property developers and SME housebuilders to help build new homes for sale or letting. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n New business (£million) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  135.5 \n \n \n 252.4 \n \n \n 434.0 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers (£million) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  1,271.5 \n \n \n 1,221.8 \n \n \n 1,243.8 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Net revenue margin (%) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  2.6 \n \n \n  2.6 \n \n \n  2.6 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Risk adjusted margin (%) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n  2.2 \n \n \n  2.2 \n \n \n  2.2 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What we do \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We provide new lending secured against property assets to a maximum 70% loan-to-value ratio, on fixed or variable rates over a term of up to five years. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Finance opportunities are sourced and supported on a relationship basis directly and via introducers and brokers. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We have an experienced specialist team, with many years of property expertise, who are nimble and responsive within the market. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We maintain a strong risk management framework for existing and prospective customers. \n \n \n \n \n H1 2024 performance \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The real estate market has been more subdued in the first half of 2024 than in 2023, with fewer opportunities for new lending. Despite this, net lending at 30 June 2024 is 4.1% higher year-on-year and average lending balances in the first six months in 2024 are 9.7% higher than in 2023. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Whilst new business volumes are lower, we have retained more clients' loans at maturity on new product terms. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The portfolio mix is consistent period-on-period, with lower risk Residential Investment lending comprising 82.6% of net lending balances (30 June 2023: 82.2%). The remainder of the book relates to development and commercial investment lending. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n 2024 net revenue margin remained in line with 2023. The cost of risk is 0.5%, 0.1% higher than the same period last year, leaving the risk adjusted margin steady at 2.2%. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Secured loan book with an average loan-to-value of 57.1% (30 June 2023: 57.2%), reducing the level of inherent risk to credit losses. \n \n \n \n \n Outlook \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Positive sentiment is returning to our market and with our specialist, relationship-led approach, we expect to grow lending balances and profitability. \n \n \n \n \n Commercial Finance \n We support the growth of UK businesses by enabling effective cash flow: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Providing a full suite of Asset Based Lending ('ABL') to UK clients who need working capital solutions. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Providing bespoke lending facilities where Secure Trust Bank is well known for working closely with clients to sustain their businesses. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n New business (£million) \n \n \n  32.4 \n \n \n 31.4 \n \n \n 214.8 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers (£million) \n \n \n  336.8 \n \n \n 316.4 \n \n \n 381.1 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Net revenue margin (%) \n \n \n  6.3 \n \n \n  7.3 \n \n \n 7.0 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Risk adjusted margin (%) \n \n \n  6.3 \n \n \n  3.2 \n \n \n 4.7 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What we do \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Our lending remains predominantly against receivables, releasing funds up to 90% of qualifying invoices under invoice discounting facilities. Facilities can also be secured against other assets, such as inventory, plant and machinery and property either short or long-term and for a range of loan-to-value ratios alongside invoice discounting facilities. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Business is sourced and supported directly from clients via private equity houses and professional introducers, but is not reliant on the broker market. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The Commercial Finance team has a strong reputation across the ABL market. The experienced specialist team works effectively with its partners across private equity and tier 1 and 2 accountancy practices. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Partners and clients have direct access to decision-makers. \n \n \n \n \n H1 2024 performance \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The ABL market has been quiet with fewer private equity backed buyouts suppressing new business activity. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Loans and advances to customers decreased by 11.6% compared to 31 December 2023, reflecting challenging market conditions, whilst average balances were 4.7% higher than the first half of 2023. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Net revenue margin has reduced from 7.3% to 6.3% due to the higher cost of funding and slightly reduced fee income. Risk adjusted margin increased primarily due to the one-off impairment charge incurred in the first half of 2023. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Our customers are still feeling the impact of the economic headwinds, but the current attrition is not causing any impairment as a result of our strong risk management controls. Consequently, there are nil impairment charges in the first half, leading to an increase in the risk adjusted margin from 3.2% to 6.3%. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The Group continues to administer UK Government CBILs, CLBILs and RLS 1 , however we will not be participating in the new Growth Guarantee Scheme loans recently launched by the British Business Bank. At 30 June 2024, the outstanding lending balances under these schemes totalled £8.3 million (31 December 2023: £15.5 million). \n \n \n \n \n Outlook \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We expect the market conditions to improve as reductions in the UK Base Rate reduce borrowing costs for investors and clients. \n \n \n \n \n 1. CBIL - Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan, CLBIL - Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan and RLS - Recovery Loan Scheme. \n Savings \n Customers trust us to look after their savings and provide a competitive return: \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Helping our customers secure and grow their savings. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Helping our lending businesses fund their product to enable them to lend in the market we compete in. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n 30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n 31 December 2023 \n£million \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Total funds raised \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 741.9 \n \n \n 714.1 \n \n \n 1,719.1 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n Product split \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n    Fixed term bonds \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 1,518.1 \n \n \n  1,410.0 \n \n \n 1,546.6 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n    Notice accounts \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 104.7 \n \n \n  324.3 \n \n \n 174.3 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n    ISAs \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 689.2 \n \n \n  505.2 \n \n \n 629.6 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n    Access accounts \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 730.7 \n \n \n  409.4 \n \n \n 521.3 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 3,042.7 \n \n \n  2,648.9 \n \n \n 2,871.8 \n \n \n   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n What we do \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We offer a range of savings accounts that are purposely simple in design, with a choice of products from easy access to 180-day notice, and six-month to seven-year fixed terms across both bonds and ISAs. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Accounts are made available and priced in line with our ongoing funding needs, allowing each individual to hold a maximum balance of £1 million. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Our range of Savings products enables us to access the majority of the UK personal savings markets and compete for significant liquidity pools, achieving a lower marginal cost with the volume, mix and the competitive rates offered; optimised to the demand of our funding needs. \n \n \n \n \n H1 2024 performance \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The first half of 2024 saw the Bank of England Base rate remain at 5.25%, but with markets fully pricing reductions from the second half of 2024. This has impacted the rates offered within the savings market and customer product preferences. During the period, we have raised over £0.7 billion of new deposits and retained £0.4 billion at maturity. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We have continued to grow Access balances since introducing the product last year, with it proving a popular customer choice given the recent level of the Bank of England Base Rate. We have seen a corresponding decrease in demand for Notice products. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The higher rate market environment has demonstrated the importance of competitive ISA products for those with higher balances looking to maximise returns, with plans to continue growing these balances during the second half of 2024. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We continue to look at ways of delivering self-service options for customers, and in May deployed a change to enable customers to perform internal transfers via internet banking. This was followed in June by the automation of the Bond maturity process, meaning that for straightforward maturities, there won't need to be any manual intervention from Operational teams. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Our deposit base is made up of retail customers and 95.3% of total deposits are fully covered by FSCS. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We further developed our digital proposition in April with the upgrade of the mobile app we launched in 2023, making it compliant with the App Store. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n Customers have continued to adopt a more digital-first approach, with over 96% registered for internet banking, of which 24% are also registered for the mobile app. \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n We continued to prioritise Savings' highest volume correspondence and convert from paper to digital. \n \n \n \n \n Outlook \n \n \n \n \n • \n \n \n The savings market has started to see product pricing adjustments in anticipation of a falling interest rate environment. Customers will seek to optimise returns, and we have a product set designed to meet these needs. \n \n \n \n \n Market review \n The Group operates exclusively within the UK and its revenue is derived almost entirely from customers operating in the UK. The Group is therefore particularly exposed to the condition of the UK economy. Customers' borrowing demands are variously influenced by, among other things, UK property markets, employment levels, inflation, interest rates and customer confidence. The economic environment and outlook affect demand for the Group's products, margins that can be earned on lending assets and the levels of loan impairment provisions. \n As a financial services firm, the Group is subject to extensive and comprehensive regulation by governmental and regulatory bodies in the UK. The Group conducts its business subject to ongoing regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA') and the Prudential Regulation Authority ('PRA'). The Group must comply with the regulatory regime across many aspects of its activities, including: the training, authorisation and supervision of personnel; systems; processes; product design; customer journey and documentation. \n Economic review \n Economic growth, measured in quarterly UK Gross Domestic Product ('GDP'), increased in the first quarter of 2024 by 0.7% 1 following a decline of 0.3% 1 in the final quarter of 2023. Economists' base case forecasts indicate GDP growth will continue in 2024, with full year growth in GDP expected to be 0.9%. \n Inflation has continued to fall in the first half of 2024 with the rate as at June 2024 in line with the Bank of England 2.0% target 1 . Reflecting this fall in inflation the Bank of England reduced the Base Rate from 5.25% to 5.00% in August 2024. Financial markets have responded to the Bank of England reducing rates, pricing in additional interest rate cuts in the second half of 2024. \n Employment levels in June 2024 are 74.5% 1 which represents a decrease during the period from 75.0% 1 in December 2023. In line with this fall unemployment has risen from 3.8% 1 in December 2023 to 4.2% 1 at June 2024. Vacancies in the labour market also fell to circa 0.9 million in July as employers hold back on recruitment to control costs in an uncertain economic environment. Although unemployment levels have risen during the period, wage growth remained strong, at 5.4% 1 . The latest forecasts suggest that unemployment peaked in May 2024 and will remain near its current level of 4.2% for most of 2024. \n Following the expectation that Base Rate cuts will be later and slower in 2024, mortgage rates increased in the first half of this year. In turn, this has impacted mortgage approval rates with lenders reporting lower approvals. As a consequence of lower approvals, net lending is expected to fall when approvals flow through to actual lending in 2024. Higher mortgage rates are also expected to impact house prices, with the latest expectation that prices will remain largely flat in the year. \n The response to the change in UK government has largely been flat to positive, with markets appearing to have priced in the change well in advance. The Group has conducted its own analysis of pledges in the Labour Party manifesto and potential impact they may have on its business plans. \n Outlook \n Interest rates are expected to fall further in 2024 with the market expecting rates to end the year at below 5.00%. This reflects the Bank of England achieving its target of holding inflation below 2.0%. The UK economy is expected to grow modestly through 2024 by 0.9%. House prices are expected to remain flat with mortgage rates pricing in later and lower Base Rate cuts. Unemployment is expected to remain near its current level of 4.2% 1 for most of 2024. The longer-term expectation is that unemployment will recover towards a long run level of 3.8% by 2027. \n 1. Source: Office for National Statistics, data as at 30 June 2024, unless otherwise stated. \n Government and regulatory \n This has been another eventful year for Government and regulatory announcements that impact the Group and/or the markets in which it operates. The key announcements in the year to date are set out below. \n Prudential regulation \n In November 2022, the PRA issued CP16/22 'The PRA consults on proposals for implementation of the Basel 3.1 standards' setting out its proposed changes to regulatory requirements, which are expected to become effective from 1 July 2025. The proposals set out changes to the regulatory environment, including significant changes to the capital requirements for credit risk and operational risk. In PS17/23 issued in December 2023, the PRA issued the near final approach for several areas, including operational risk. Confirmation of the remaining areas, including credit risk, is now expected during Q3 2024, the announcement having been delayed by the general election. \n The Group undertook an impact analysis of the CP16/22 proposals to understand the potential impact under the proposed full rules and expects them to be broadly neutral in terms of risk-weighted assets. \n During 2023, the PRA set out their initial proposals for a strong and simple prudential liquidity framework, as well as the Phase 1 proposed liquidity and Pillar 3 disclosure-related rules for the new regime. In December 2023 in PS15/23, the PRA confirmed the final eligibility criteria for the regime, the renaming of the regime to the Small Domestic Deposit Takers ('SDDT') regime and confirmed the Phase 1 implementation date as 1 July 2024. It also confirmed the associated liquidity and Pillar 3 rules for SDDT firms. \n The SDDT capital rules are subject to further consultation, which is expected during the second half of 2024. The PRA has indicated that the Basel 3.1 rules will be the starting point for designing the SDDT regime capital requirements. The implementation date of the SDDT capital regime is still to be announced but is expected to be during the first half of 2026. \n PS17/23 also confirmed that firms that are eligible for and have applied to join the SDDT regime do not need to adopt Basel 3.1 and can instead remain on interim rules equivalent to the current UK Capital Requirements Regulation regime until the capital rules applicable to the SDDT regime are launched. The Group has recently had confirmation of its successful application to join the SDDT regime. \n During March 2024, the PRA issued PS5/24 'Solvent exit planning for non-systemic banks and building societies'. This is intended to provide an alternative to resolution and creates a new requirement for non-systemic banks to perform a Solvent Exit Analysis to develop an understanding of how firms would exit from PRA-regulated activities while remaining solvent, the main barriers and risks faced in doing so, and how they would make timely and effective decisions during the process. The Group is in the process of assessing the requirements ahead of the implementation date of 1 October 2025. \n Conduct regulation \n In the first half of 2024, FCA publications have focused on Consumer Duty, including the findings from their review of implementation, which highlighted good practice and areas of improvement. Dear CEO letters and speeches have reiterated the focus on ensuring firms prioritise areas where there is the greatest risk of consumer harm, setting and testing higher standards, and promoting competition and positive change. Communications have reminded firms about the application of the Duty to closed products by 31 July 2024. Additionally, the FCA is conducting a review of firms' treatment of vulnerable customers and how they act to understand and respond to their needs and will share the findings by the end of 2024. The Group has taken action to embed the Consumer Duty across the consumer business, including assessing its position against the various publications and communications. \n In January 2024, the FCA introduced temporary changes to the rules for handling motor finance complaints. This was to allow time for its review of historical discretionary commission arrangements ('DCAs'), information requests for which were sent to motor finance firms in the period. The FCA has delayed its original deadline of Q3 2024 to May 2025 to outline its next steps. The FCA is monitoring the outcome of the Barclays Partner Finance judicial review proceedings relating to the Financial Ombudsman Services upheld complaint against their use of a DCA, and other court cases. They also issued a Dear CEO letter directing firms to maintain adequate financial resources, with a view to the implications for firms of any potential remedial activities arising from DCAs. \n In March 2024, the FCA sent a Dear CEO letter on action needed in response to common control failings identified in anti-money laundering frameworks across the industry. They identified common weaknesses in business model, risk assessment, due diligence, ongoing monitoring, policies and procedures, governance, management information and training. As requested in the letter, the Group is conducting a gap analysis against these common weaknesses. \n In April 2024, the FCA published two policy statements. One on protections for Borrowers in Financial Difficulty, incorporating aspects of the Tailored Support Guidance into the FCA's sourcebooks with effect from November 2024. The other bringing Consumer Credit product sales data reporting into force in Q4 2025. The Group has analysed both policy statements and identified where actions are required. \n Principal risks and uncertainties \n Risk management \n The effective management of risk is a key part of the Group's strategy and is underpinned by our Risk Aware value. This helps to protect the Group's customers and generate sustainable returns for shareholders. The Group is focused on ensuring that it maintains sufficient levels of capital, liquidity and operational control, and acts in a reputable way. \n The Group's Chief Risk Officer is responsible for leading the Group's Risk function, which is independent from the Group's operational and commercial teams. The Risk function is responsible for designing and embedding appropriate risk management frameworks, processes, and controls, and making sure that they are sufficiently robust, so that key risks are identified, assessed, monitored and accepted or mitigated in line with the Group's risk appetite. The Group's risk management practices are regularly reviewed and enhanced to reflect changes in its operating environment. The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for reporting to the Board on the Group's principal risks and how these are being managed against agreed risk appetite. \n Further details of the Group's risk management frameworks, including risk appetite statements and governance can be found on the Group's website: www.securetrustbank.com/riskmanagement \n Changes to the Group's risk profile \n Changes in the assessment of the Group's risk profile since the position reported in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts are set out below. \n Credit risk: Stable \n Description: The risk of loss to the Group from the failure of clients, customers, or counterparties to honour fully their obligations to the firm, including the whole and timely payment of principal, interest, collateral or other receivables. \n Consumer Finance Credit risk \n Retail Finance continues to show strong performance with arrears remaining materially below historical levels. Vehicle Finance has maintained the higher level of new business quality seen post pandemic, supported by more lower risk Prime HP and PCP business and a tightening of lending parameters within Near Prime originations. Vehicle Finance collections activity showed some improvement during the period as additional resource came on board and the Group embedded enhancements to its end-to-end processes in this area. Activity levels, however, remain suppressed, and as a result of reduced overall activity, both the level of defaults and the stock of arrears cases is currently elevated. Plans are in place to improve both of these aspects over the second half of the year. \n Business Finance Credit risk \n Whilst Business Finance customers have been impacted by inflation, high interest rates and suppressed consumer demand, credit performance remains robust across both Business Finance portfolios. \n Real Estate Finance at a portfolio level is performing well, with continued strong rental demand supporting valuations across the book. The business has worked closely with borrowers experiencing difficultly as a result of higher interest rates. Only a very small number of clients are in an active workout situation and where appropriate specific provisions have been taken to cover the risk of loss on these files. Individual provisions are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect latest information and our expectation of the outcome. \n Commercial Finance is similarly performing well at a portfolio level, and whilst it does have customers who have been materially impacted by suppressed consumer demand and high inflation, the secured and highly structured nature of facilities means that, in most cases, these exposures can be managed down without loss to the Group. \n Liquidity and Funding risk: Stable \n Description: Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to meet its liquidity obligations as they fall due or can only do so at excessive cost. Funding risk is the risk that the Group is unable to raise or maintain funds to support asset growth, or the risk arising from an unstable funding profile that could result in higher funding costs. \n The Group has maintained its liquidity and funding ratios in excess of regulatory and internal risk appetite requirements throughout the first half of the year. The Group continues to hold significant levels of high-quality liquid assets, principally cash, and there is no material risk that liabilities cannot be met as they fall due. The Group has reviewed funding requirements ahead of upcoming TFSME maturities in 2025 to manage the associated refinancing risk and has repaid £50.0 million in June 2024, and a further £25.0 million in July 2024. \n Capital risk: Stable \n Description: Capital risk is the risk that the Group will have insufficient capital resources to meet minimum regulatory requirements and to support levels of growth. \n The Group's balance sheet and total risk exposure has increased since the beginning of the year as the Group continues to grow its core businesses organically. Despite the growth in its balance sheet, the Group has continued to maintain adequate capital, and all capital ratio measures have been exceeded throughout the period. \n The Group continues to adopt the capital relief that has been provided by the Prudential Regulation Authority ('PRA') in respect of IFRS 9 COVID-19 related 'quick-fix' relief, which tapers off at the end of the year. \n The Group manages its capital requirements on a forward-looking basis against minimum regulatory requirements and Board risk appetite. It assesses the adequacy of the quantum and quality of capital held under stress through the annual Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process ('ICAAP'). The Group will take opportunities to increase overall levels of capital and optimise its capital stack, as and when appropriate. \n Market risk: Stable \n Description: Market risk is the risk to the Group's earnings and/or economic value from unfavourable market movements, such as interest rates and foreign exchange rates. \n The Group hedges any significant residual fixed rate positions after internal matching of assets and liability profiles, using interest rate swaps. These are hedge accounted for through fair value or cash flow hedges which are deemed highly effective. \n Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book ('IRRBB') is monitored by a range of Board risk appetite measures, including Earnings at Risk ('EAR'), Market Value Sensitivity ('MVS') and Economic Value of Equity ('EVE'). The Group has remained within these risk appetite thresholds throughout the first half of the year and continues to enhance its risk identification, measurement and mitigation for IRRBB. \n The Group has a small exposure to foreign exchange risk through its Commercial Finance clients, all exposures are appropriately hedged. The Group does not operate a trading book. \n Operational risk: Stable \n Description : Operational risk is the risk that the Group may be exposed to direct or indirect loss arising from inadequate or failed internal processes, personnel and succession, technology/infrastructure, or from external factors. \n The Group's operational risk processes and standards are defined in a formal Operational Risk Management Framework, which is aligned to the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision criteria for the sound management of operational risk. \n The Group continues to enhance and further embed its approach to achieving Operational Resilience for all its important business services, in line with regulatory requirements, with scenario testing being a key area of focus in 2024. \n Technological developments, including Artificial Intelligence ('AI'), continue to accelerate, and the Group has taken a holistic approach to managing AI risk; ensuring associated risks and opportunities are fully understood, with the management of AI risk being integrated into existing risk frameworks. \n Model risk: Stable \n Description: Model risk is the potential for adverse consequences from model errors or the inappropriate use of modelled outputs to inform business decisions. \n Model risk has been a key focus for the Group and it has enhanced its Model Risk Management Framework. \n Whilst the Group is not subject to regulatory expectations under SS1/23 Model risk management practices for banks, the new framework is aligned to this best practice \n Conduct and Compliance risk: Stable \n Description: The risk that the Group's products and services, and the way they are delivered, or the Group's failure to be compliant with all relevant regulatory requirements, result in poor outcomes for customers or markets in which we operate, or harm to the Group. This could be as a direct result of poor or inappropriate execution of our business activities or behaviour from our employees. \n The Group has engaged with its regulators on information requests, reflective of the regulatory focus on key priority areas across the industry. As already stated at the end of 2023, in relation to the FCA review of motor finance discretionary commission arrangements, the overall proportion of loans where we used discretionary commission arrangements was small, and for a shorter period, relative to the industry in general. The Group continues to track developments in order to respond when the implications for the industry become clearer. \n In the period, the Group has taken action to embed the Consumer Duty across the Consumer Finance businesses. The Group has further enhanced its collections processes, procedures and policies in Vehicle Finance, following its formal discussions with the FCA on its Borrowers in Financial Difficulty review, to enable good outcomes to be delivered in line with the Group's purpose and values. \n Financial Crime risk: Stable \n Description: The risk that the Group's products and services will be used to facilitate financial crime, resulting in harm to its customers, the Group or third parties, and the Group fails to protect them by not having effective systems and controls. Financial Crime includes anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, sanctions restrictions, modern slavery, human trafficking, fraud and the facilitation of tax evasion. The Group may incur significant remediation costs to rectify issues, reimburse losses incurred by customers and address regulatory censure and penalties. \n The Group's financial crime control environment continues to mature following strategic investment delivery with a focus on capabilities, systems and controls. We are closely monitoring changes to fraud and financial crime regulation and guidance and responding to them, even where there remain elements of uncertainty across the industry, such as the Failure to Prevent Fraud Corporate Offence guidance and Faster Payment Service Authorised Push Payment scam reimbursement policy. These external factors means that our Financial Crime Risk Management Framework will continue to evolve at a corresponding pace. \n Climate Change risk: Stable \n Description: Climate change, and society's response to it, present risks to the UK financial services sector, with some of these only fully crystallising over an extended period. The Group is exposed to physical and transition risks arising from climate change. \n The Group continues to assess its risk exposure to both the potential 'physical' effects of climate change and the 'transitional' risks from the UK's target to bring all greenhouse gas ('GHG') emissions to net zero by 2050. \n The Group has complied with the requirements of the Listing Rules by including climate-related financial disclosures consistent with the recommendations and recommended disclosures of the Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures' ('TCFD') within its 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. Two recommendations were assessed as partially aligned at the year end, relating to Strategy, and Metrics and thresholds. The Group has made good progress in these areas during the first half of 2024 and is expecting to have closed these gaps by the year end. \n In May 2024, the Group joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financial ('PCAF') to assist with the development of a consistent and transparent way of assessing and disclosing its Scope 3 emissions. \n Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income \n \n \n \n \n For the period ended \n \n \n Note \n \n \n Unaudited \n30 June \n2024 \n£million \n \n \n \nRestated¹ \nUnaudited \n30 June \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n \nAudited \n31 December \n2023 \n£million \n \n \n \n \n Continuing operations: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Income statement \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Interest income and similar income \n \n \n 3 \n \n \n 178.6 \n \n \n 138.8 \n \n \n 304.0 \n \n \n \n \n Interest expense and similar charges \n \n \n 3 \n \n \n (90.4) \n \n \n (57.8) \n \n \n (136.5) \n \n \n \n \n Net interest income \n \n \n 3 \n \n \n 88.2 \n \n \n 81.0 \n \n \n 167.5 \n \n \n \n \n Fee and commission income \n \n \n \n \n \n 8.0 \n \n \n 8.1 \n \n \n 17.3 \n \n \n \n \n Fee and commission expense \n \n \n \n \n \n (0.1) \n \n \n - \n \n \n (0.1) \n \n \n \n \n Net fee and commission income \n \n \n 3 \n \n \n 7.9 \n \n \n 8.1 \n \n \n 17.2 \n \n \n \n \n Operating income \n \n \n 3 \n \n \n 96.1 \n \n \n 89.1 \n \n \n 184.7 \n \n \n \n \n Net impairment charge on loans and advances to customers \n \n \n 11 \n \n \n (28.2) \n \n \n (23.0) \n \n \n (43.2) \n \n \n \n \n Gains on modification of financial assets \n \n \n \n \n \n 0.1 \n \n \n 0.2 \n \n \n 0.3 \n \n \n \n \n Fair value and other gains on financial instruments \n \n \n 4 \n \n \n 0.7 \n \n \n 0.9 \n \n \n 0.5 \n \n \n \n \n Operating expenses \n \n \n \n \n \n (51.6) \n \n \n (49.8) \n \n \n (99.7) \n \n \n \n \n Profit before income tax from continuing operations before exceptional items \n \n \n \n \n \n 17.1 \n \n \n 17.4 \n \n \n 42.6 \n \n \n \n \n Exceptional items \n \n \n 5 \n \n \n - \n \n \n (0.9) \n \n \n (6.5) \n \n \n \n \n Profit before income tax from continuing operations \n \n \n \n \n \n 17.1 \n \n \n 16.5 \n \n \n 36.1 \n \n \n \n \n Income tax expense \n \n \n 6 \n \n \n (4.3) \n \n \n (4.2) \n \n \n (9.7) \n \n \n \n \n Profit for the period from continuing operations \n \n \n \n \n \n 12.8 \n \n \n 12.3 \n \n \n 26.4 \n \n \n \n \n Discontinued operations: \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Loss before income tax from discontinued operations \n \n \n 7 \n \n \n - \n \n \n (1.5) \n \n \n (2.7) \n \n \n \n \n Income tax credit \n \n \n 7 \n \n \n - \n \n \n 0.3 \n \n \n 0...

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