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Click on the links below to read a selection of recent Leumi ABL media coverage

End of year review
M&A Magazine, December 2008

Leumi ABL: A vibrant force forging ahead in Yorkshire's deal-making community
Yorkshire Post, December 2008

Working Together - JLife Magazine
December 2008

End of year review - ACQ Magazine
December 2008

End of year deals review - ACQ Finance,
Business Money, December 2008

Leumi ABL appoints new Regional Sales Director, South West and Thames Valley
December 2008 2008

Leumi ABL appoints new Regional Sales Director in Midlands,
Business Money, November 2008

Leumi ABL adds new client manager to team,
Business Money, October 2008

ACQ Finance Global Review
October 2008

ABFA deal sheet featuring Cobra Beer
October 2008


For all media enquiries, please contact Phil Woodward – pwoodward@leumiabl.co.uk
End of year review - M&A Magazine
December 2008



Leumi ABL: A vibrant force forging ahead in Yorkshire's deal-making community
December 2008



Working Together - JLife Magazine
December 2008



End of year review - ACQ Magazine
December 2008



End of year deals review - ACQ Finance,
December 2008



Leumi ABL appoints new Regional Sales Director, South West and Thames Valley
Business Money, November 2008

Kai Hunter has joined Leumi ABL as Regional Sales Director, Thames Valley and South West, having spent almost ten years in the invoice finance industry. Most recently he was a regional director at Bank of Ireland and prior to that, spent time with Clydesdale Bank, RBSCS and HSBC Invoice Finance.

With this latest sales appointment, Leumi ABL is looking to offer well positioned SME's in the Thames Valley and the South West regions a knowledgeable, competitive, bespoke and complete asset based lending service. Kai will be working closely with key business introducers to promote Leumi ABL’s ability to deliver on speed of turnaround, delivery of service and product offerings.

Kai comments: “I'm looking forward to building a patch with an excellent brand and having the autonomy, control and support of the senior management to make a significant impact on the business. I'm also looking forward to joining an industry specialist with real ABL capability, and working as part of a close knit and highly skilled team.”

Phil Woodward, MD, Leumi ABL adds: “Kai joins us with a very successful sales track record and a strong reputation in his region, which I’m certain, will translate into a very positive outcome for Leumi ABL new business.”

Leumi ABL appoints new Regional Sales Director in Midlands
Business Money, November 2008

Leumi ABL has expanded the sales team with the appointment of Jason Holland as Regional Director in the Midlands.

Jason joins with much experience of both the corporate banking and ABL markets, having spent the last three years at HBOS Corporate and eight years before that with Venture Structured Finance and also Euro Sales Finance. Jason’s new role at Leumi ABL involves generating new business leads and referrals from business introducers and prospective clients throughout the Midlands.

Commenting on his appointment Jason says: “I’m looking forward to promoting a full ABL offering and working with a dynamic and entrepreneurial team where there are quick decision-making lines. I’m seeing an increase in the refinancing market here and Leumi ABL is in a strong position to fund these businesses.”

Phil Woodward, MD, Leumi ABL says: “Jason makes a great addition to our sales team and with his extensive knowledge of the Midlands business scene I’m confident we’ll see some strong growth in this area.”

Leumi ABL adds new client manager to team
Business Money, October 2008

Leumi ABL continues to extend its client operations team with the appointment of Steve Walker as Client Manager.

Brighton-based Steve has solid industry experience, having joined International Factors in 1995 where he stayed to see the changes brought about by Bank of New York and GMAC. His roles there included auditor and account manager. At Leumi ABL Steve will be responsible for managing a portfolio of clients across a range of asset based lending facilities.

Commenting on his appointment, Steve says: “I’m looking forward to building new relationships with my clients, really understanding what they do and what their business issues are. Here at Leumi ABL I’m involved at all stages of the client relationship, right from the take-on process, and I’m joining a great team with a real focus on client service and retention.”

Phil Woodward, MD, Leumi ABL says: “Steve combines the essential qualities of good risk management and client service that we look for, and he is a very welcome addition to our expanding team.”

When not working, Steve enjoys helping to run his local football team.

ACQ Finance Global Review
October 2008

ABFA deal sheet featuring Cobra Beer
October 2008

Snakes and Ladders (past, present and future, interview with Juliette Barlow)
ACQ Finance, July 2008

Leumi ABL, the specialist asset-based lender, has had a busy year so far with record levels of transaction activity. ACQ’s Juliette Barlow talks to founding director, Phil Woodward, about the past, present and future.

Funder cuts through credit crunch to help local businesses flourish
Yorkshire Post – 23rd September 2008

As business owners across the region appear to feel increasingly frustrated by the apparent reluctance of their banks to support them with a more flexible attitude to financing, it comes as no surprise that other forms of business funding are taking a higher profile.

For many local businesses, the long-established reliance on overdrafts and loans is falling under the spotlight as they begin to reassess their balance sheets and look to asset based lending as a means of releasing cash.

Figures from the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) show that during the first half of the year, the industry advanced over £17.3 billion against invoices, stock, property and other trading assets worth a total of £31.2 billion, a growth of 15 per cent. This now outperforms the growth of more traditional forms of funding.

During this period of economic uncertainty, those funders who can offer stability, coupled with more innovative approaches to financing, are feeling optimistic about the future. Leumi ABL is a member of the ABFA and specialises in working with businesses to maximise their funding – in both good and bad times.

John Walsh, Leumi ABL’s regional sales manager for Yorkshire, comments: “The transaction activity levels for us in the area have increased vastly with an upward trend in both deal size and complexity, but still with a focus on short lead times. Our approach to developing client relationships, understanding their business model and funding issues right from day one, means we can work quickly to structure the optimum deal for the client.”

One strategy to increase market share in these tough economic times is to identify and exploit a specific growth niche. Increasing numbers of start-up and established local import and distribution companies are doing just this, but then find they have very limited options to fund these new growth opportunities. A different type of financing deal is required. Leumi ABL has noticed a swing to deals involving a combination of stock, plant & machinery and trade finance alongside the invoice finance facility, rather than just traditional factoring. Together with the facilities offered by their parent, Bank Leumi UK, which includes trade finance, they are able to take a long term, holistic view of the financing opportunity to release as much liquidity as possible.

John adds: “This type of funding is very much our forte and has enabled many local companies to complete MBO's, MBI's and competitor/supplier acquisitions. Businesses are understanding the value of utilising a range of assets to raise finance, and I am seeing clients achieve both domestic and export growth ambitions.”

A recently completed deal with Leeds-based Troy Foods Limited is a case in point. One of the UK’s leading vegetable processing businesses, Troy Foods needed additional funding to acquire one of their suppliers and relocate the entire manufacturing plant and machinery to Leeds, securing supply and additional jobs and growth opportunities. Their incumbent bank seemed hesitant in responding to their needs, so they approached Leumi ABL. Within only fourteen working days Leumi ABL, working in conjunction with Bank Leumi UK, supplied invoice finance and commercial banking facilities totalling £5 million.

David Kempley, CEO at Troy Foods, is enthusiastic about the new financing arrangement: “The flexible funding from Leumi ABL is key to our business growth strategy. The team there reacted very quickly to our needs and we feel confident that we have a responsive and proactive funding partner on board.”

John adds: “It is clear that Troy Foods is a strong business and we were confident to buy into the quality of their management and business strategy.” WW Group Limited is another local company to benefit from Leumi ABL’s invoice finance service. Promoting own brands such as 4Kids, Beachcomber, Janique, Cameo and Skuba, WW Group is a new company specialising in the highly competitive retail sector of baby, toddler and adult wear. Their first year is forecast to expand quickly to £8 million turnover.

Leumi ABL completed the deal from start to finish in only five working days, putting in £0.75 million, rising to £1.3 million within twelve months. This will help secure and create new jobs in the region. The swift turnaround of this deal means WW Group is well placed to exploit opportunities to supply to local companies such as Instore, Second Thoughts, Boyes and The Original Factory Shop. Chris Ferris, MD at WW Group, comments: “With such rapid growth, it was vital for us to select a funding partner who really understands the need to work closely with their clients and provide support as the business continues to grow. The flexible invoice finance facility from Leumi ABL will help fuel our ambitions for the business.”

Despite the prevailing financial gloom, the Leumi ABL team is confident of a very active time for the remainder of 2008 and into 2009 as local companies take advantage of the stock and invoice finance deals that Leumi ABL can offer.

John Walsh can be contacted on 07824 486818 or at jwalsh@leumiabl.co.uk
 
Mid year’s deal review (profile and commentary)
ACQ Finance, July 2008

Leumi ABL strengthens team with new Operations Director
Business Money, June 2008

Alan Couzins has joined Brighton-based Leumi ABL to take the role of Operations Director. This is a key appointment that supports Leumi ABL’s continued growth strategy and its commitment to the highest quality of client service.

Alan joins from Royal Bank of Scotland where, as Director ABL, he was responsible for setting up the asset based lending offering, policies and working practices for the Bank. Prior to that, he spent three years as a senior manager at Kroll doing corporate advisory and restructuring work. Together with experience at GE Commercial Finance and at GMAC during his earlier career, he brings to Leumi ABL a deep practical understanding of the industry.

Some of you will know Alan from attending the ABFA training courses, where Alan also lectures on client management and Inventory as Collateral for Lending.

In his new role at Leumi ABL, Alan is responsible for looking after the team that run the client portfolio and all aspects of client service. Alan, who also lives in Brighton, is looking forward to being more locally based after years of commuting to London.

Commenting on his appointment, Alan says: “Having seen the industry from both sides, in an advisory capacity with an insolvency practitioner, as well as in client management, I’m well placed to drive growth in a safe way. This background helps give me a different perspective when looking at ABL deals. Working at Leumi ABL will give me new challenges in a smaller team, at a time when the company is looking at some exciting opportunities in the market.”

Paul Hird, CEO at Leumi ABL adds: “Having worked with Alan many years ago at International Factors, I’m now delighted to welcome him to the Leumi ABL team. His operational expertise in asset based lending coupled with his experience in insolvency, positions him very well to manage our client portfolio. Our approach to client service involves getting to really know the client’s senior management team and business strategy from the outset, and Alan and his team will play a major role in our success.”
The Cobra Beer deal story
M&A, May 2008

Leumi ABL get set to shape some new success stories
Business Money, May 2008

In life not everything goes smoothly according to plan. Exactly the same is true in the business world as the management team at Leumi ABL readily acknowledge.

2007 may not have ended as CEO, Paul Hird, and MD, Phil Woodward, would have wished, however prospects for 2008 are very promising indeed and despite many economists’ views to the contrary, this looks set to be a vibrant year for Brighton-based Leumi ABL.

Keen to move on, the boys have taken a strong approach to the first quarter and are now starting to reap the rewards of some impressive deals. Working on good opportunities, and with no change in credit stance, the trend is for larger, more multi-facility deals drawing on the range of products from their parent, Bank Leumi, to increase the funding available to clients. This means that trade and property finance can be added to the mix of Leumi ABL’s core invoice, stock, plant & machinery finance facilities to structure the optimum deal.

The particular brand of Leumi ABL client service puts much focus on working in partnership with the client’s senior management team right from the beginning, so that a deep understanding of the client’s business informs the ongoing relationship, and both parties feel enthusiastic about working together. This supports a holistic and long-term view of transactions, fundamental to Leumi ABL’s client service ethos.

Together, Paul and Phil have notched up around 40 years’ experience in the industry, and their entrepreneurial spirit and creative approach will help them stand out from the crowd as the business grows. As Leumi ABL continue to build their sales and client management team throughout 2008, this will be a company to watch with some interest.
Leumi ABL strengthens client management team
Business Money, May 2008

Brighton-based Leumi ABL has extended its client operations team with the appointment of James Willis as Client Manager.

James has obtained qualifications during his career from the Institute of Credit Management and the Asset Based Finance Association, while gaining more than ten years’ industry experience within Close Invoice Finance in a variety of roles ranging from credit control, sales and audit, before moving into the client management role. James left Close as a Senior Client Manager to continue his career at Leumi ABL where he will be responsible for managing a portfolio of clients across a range of asset based lending facilities.

Commenting on his appointment, James says: “I’ll be focusing on the larger ABL deals that combine larger invoice finance facilities and in some cases stock and plant & machinery. The Leumi ABL team have a great reputation for excellent client service and I’m very much looking forward to being a part of that team.”

Phil Woodward, MD, Leumi ABL says: “As we continue to build the team throughout 2008, James’ experience and expertise will be a valuable asset to the organisation and I am delighted to welcome him to Leumi ABL.”
Asset based lending, the other side of the coin
Corporate UK, February 2008