Folk2Folk appoints Stifel as Financial Advisor

Folk2Folk, a leading peer-to-peer lender, has announced the appointment of Stifel, a global wealth management and investment banking firm, as Financial Advisor, as they grow the business. Stifel worked on the Initial Public Offerings of both LendingClub and OnDeck in the United States.

Folk2Folk has enjoyed huge success in the South West region since its inception in 2013 and has introduced over £65 million of funding to date from local investment. The company is looking to replicate its local success nationally by opening new branches and networks, bringing an increased number of new borrowers and lenders to Folk2Folk.

Folk2Folk brings a new way of delivering peer-to-peer lending unique to the industry with its focus on matching lenders and borrowers within a community. Folk2Folk finds itself at the cautious end of the lending risk spectrum providing loans secured by a Legal Charge over a borrower’s property with a low loan-to-value ratio (no higher than 60% LTV), thus protecting lenders’ interest and limiting risk. Folk2Folk have supported businesses and invested millions of pounds in the South West economy by lending to borrowers in various industries including renewable energy, house building, leisure facilities and land and property acquisition.

Folk2Folk’s Chief Executive Officer, Jane Dumeresque, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Stifel. We believe this is the right time for Folk2Folk to expand the success we have achieved in the South West across the rest of the country. We are a unique operator in the peer-to-peer industry, punching well above our weight and introducing over £65 million to date into the South West economy.”

Rob Mann, Head of European Advisory at Stifel, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as Financial Advisor by Folk2Folk. UK peer-to-peer lending is a rapidly growing source of funding in the UK and we look forward to working with Folk2Folk as they expand their business.”