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UK Finance Report : Gross Lending To SMEs Continues To Increase


The UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are experiencing a boost in financial support, while the financial services industry is addressing critical regulatory changes.

Recent updates from UK Finance highlight these developments: a notable increase in SME lending and the release of a position paper on the national transposition of Article 21c of the Capital Requirements Directive VI (CRD VI).

These updates reflect the evolving landscape of business finance and regulatory frameworks in the UK and EU

UK Finance’s latest Business Finance Review reveals an 8 per cent increase in gross lending to SMEs by major high street banks in the second quarter of 2025, reaching £4.24 billion compared to the same period in 2024.

This growth signals a strong commitment from the banking sector to support small businesses, which form the backbone of the UK economy.

SMEs, ranging from startups to established firms, rely heavily on such funding to fuel growth, manage cash flow, and navigate economic uncertainties.

The rise in lending reflects several factors.

First, banks are increasingly tailoring financial products to meet SME needs, offering flexible loans, overdrafts, and asset finance.

Second, improved economic conditions and confidence in the SME sector may be driving demand for credit.

This growth aligns with broader efforts to bolster economic recovery post-pandemic, with SMEs playing a pivotal role in job creation and innovation.

However, challenges such as rising interest rates and inflationary pressures could impact repayment capacities, necessitating careful risk management by lenders.

The £4.24 billion figure underscores the banking sector’s responsiveness to SME needs, but it also raises questions about sustainability.

While the increase is positive, ensuring that lending is accessible to diverse SMEs—particularly those in underserved regions or sectors—remains critical.

UK Finance’s report suggests that banks are leveraging data and digital tools to streamline lending processes, which could further enhance access to finance.

For SMEs, this trend offers opportunities to invest in growth, but they must navigate a complex economic environment to make the most of available funds.

In addition to these updates, UK Finance, alongside other financial services industry bodies, has published a Position Paper on the National Transposition of Article 21c CRD VI.

This paper aims to guide EU Member States in implementing Article 21c, a key component of the EU’s updated Capital Requirements Directive.

Article 21c focuses on enhancing the resilience of financial institutions by addressing third-country branch supervision, ensuring that non-EU banks operating in the EU meet regulatory standards.

The position paper emphasizes the need for consistent and proportionate implementation across Member States to avoid regulatory fragmentation.

Such fragmentation could increase compliance costs for banks and create uneven playing fields, potentially undermining the EU’s financial stability objectives.

The paper advocates for clear guidelines on capital requirements, governance, and risk management for third-country branches, balancing oversight with operational flexibility.

For the UK, which is no longer part of the EU, the implications of Article 21c are significant.

UK-based financial institutions with operations in the EU must navigate these new rules to maintain market access.

The position paper serves as a collaborative effort to shape national transposition processes, ensuring they are practical and aligned with global financial standards.

By providing detailed recommendations, UK Finance and its partners aim to support regulators in crafting policies that foster stability without stifling innovation or competitiveness.

Together, these updates highlight the dual focus of the financial sector: supporting economic growth through SME lending and adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks.

The increase in SME lending reflects optimism about the UK’s economic trajectory, but sustained growth will depend on addressing structural challenges like access to finance for smaller or newer businesses.

Meanwhile, the CRD VI position paper underscores the importance of harmonized regulation in maintaining a resilient and competitive financial sector.

As the UK and EU navigate these changes, collaboration between industry, regulators, and policymakers will be crucial.

For SMEs, access to finance remains a lifeline, while for financial institutions, regulatory clarity is essential for long-term stability.

UK Finance’s efforts in both areas appear to demonstrate its pivotal role in shaping a dynamic and resilient financial services sector.



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How flooring choices affect mortgage appraisals



Lenders evaluating residential properties often overlook the influence of surface-level features that directly affect valuation outcomes. Flooring is one of the first elements an appraiser notices, often shaping their perception of a home’s overall maintenance, quality, and appeal. 

Poorly chosen or inconsistently installed flooring materials can introduce uncertainty that undermines final estimates. Loan originators, brokers, and underwriting teams benefit from understanding how floor decisions interact with equity, risk, and return.

Material type signals value expectations

Your flooring can impact your home’s resale value, and hardwood flooring consistently performs well in appraisals because it indicates quality. In contrast, low-cost laminate or worn carpet often triggers downward adjustments due to replacement timelines and buyer resistance. 

Appraisers consider not only surface appearance but also what the material suggests about long-term upkeep. One way flooring choices affect mortgage appraisals is by establishing initial impressions that align—or conflict—with neighborhood expectations. 

Installation quality leads to confident appraisals

Perfectly installed flooring supports positive condition ratings used to model risk exposure. Appraisers look closely at seams, alignment, edge work, and floor levelness when evaluating how well a home has been cared for. Uneven transitions or visible shortcuts often reflect broader neglect, which weakens confidence in collateral stability.

READ MORE: UAD 3.6: How mortgage lenders should prepare

Appraisal adjustments often stem from observable craftsmanship, not just raw materials. Lenders who understand that flooring quality signals broader property management patterns can better anticipate report discrepancies.

Inconsistencies create lending risk

Another way flooring choices affect mortgage appraisals is through value volatility caused by appraiser discretion. Small deviations in flooring evaluations can produce substantial loan-to-value shifts that challenge internal underwriting targets.

Even when two nearby homes have identical flooring, subjective appraisal outcomes can disrupt the financing process. One appraiser may assign added value to new tile installations, while another may focus on floor plan limitations. Inconsistent appraisals can cost lenders billions, and variations force lenders to balance borrower expectations with appraiser interpretation. 

Flooring style shapes functional appeal

Today’s homebuyers favor open layouts and clean visual lines, and flooring transitions play a central role in achieving that look. Disjointed materials between rooms or outdated styles can disrupt visual flow, triggering concerns about layout cohesion. In contrast, modern plank widths, uniform tones, and strategic installation patterns elevate both appearance and utility.

Lenders tracking resale potential should recognize how flooring impacts marketability, not just cost. When future sales depend on perceived livability, flooring consistency becomes a functional asset.

Neighborhood standards determine price tag

Premium floors don’t always translate into higher appraisals if surrounding properties don’t match that upgrade level. Overspending creates a valuation mismatch that can restrict financing flexibility or delay approval. In some cases, basic but well-maintained flooring outperforms more luxurious options simply because it mirrors local norms.

Appraisers prefer properties that reflect what buyers expect within the area’s pricing tier. Misaligned flooring value introduces appraisal gaps that put loan officers and servicers in challenging positions. Successful lending decisions require awareness of how flooring choices interact with perceived value and appraiser judgment.



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‘The era of Fed independence would be over,’ Cook’s lawyers warn



Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook is asking a U.S. appeals court to reject the Trump administration’s latest bid to remove her from her post ahead of the central bank’s next vote on interest rates.

In a filing with the court Saturday, attorneys on behalf of Cook asked the court to refuse an emergency request by the Trump administration for a stay of a lower court ruling that would clear the way for President Donald Trump to remove Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors.

Lawyers for Cook argue that the Trump administration has not shown sufficient cause to fire her, and stressed the risks to the economy and country if the president were allowed to fire a Fed governor without cause.

“A stay by this court would therefore be the first signal from the courts that our system of government is no longer able to guarantee the independence of the Federal Reserve. Nothing would then stop the president from firing other members of the board on similarly flimsy pretexts. The era of Fed independence would be over. The risks to the nation’s economy could be dire,” according to the filing.

The court has given the Trump administration the option to respond to Cook’s filing by 3 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

At stake is whether the Trump administration will succeed in its extraordinary effort to shape the board before the Fed’s interest rate-setting committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday. At the same time, Senate Republicans are pushing to confirm Stephen Miran, President Donald Trump’s nominee to an open spot on the Fed’s board, which could happen as soon as Monday.

Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud because she appeared to claim two properties as “primary residences” in July 2021, before she joined the board. Such claims can lead to a lower mortgage rate and smaller down payment than if one of them was declared as a rental property or second home.

Cook has denied the charges and sued the Trump administration to block her firing.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb ruled the administration had not satisfied a legal requirement that Fed governors can only be fired “for cause,” which she said was limited to misconduct while in office. Cook did not join the Fed’s board until 2022.

The administration then appealed the decision and asked for an emergency ruling reversing the lower court order by Monday. In their emergency appeal, Trump’s lawyers argued that even if the conduct occurred before Cook’s time as governor, her alleged action “indisputably calls into question Cook’s trustworthiness and whether she can be a responsible steward of the interest rates and economy.”

If the Trump administration’s appeal succeeds, Cook would be removed from the Fed’s board until her case is ultimately resolved in the courts, and she would miss next week’s Fed meeting, when the central bank is set to decide whether to reduce its key interest rate.

If the appeals court rules in Cook’s favor, the administration could seek an emergency ruling from the Supreme Court.

The Fed is under relentless pressure from Trump to cut rates. The central bank has held rates steady since late 2024 over worries that the Trump administration’s unpredictable tariff policies will reignite inflation.

Last month, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled that Fed officials are increasingly concerned about weaker hiring, setting the stage for a rate cut next week. Most economists expect the Fed will cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point to about 4.1%.

When the Fed reduces its key rate, it often, over time, lowers borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and business loans. Some of those rates have already fallen in anticipation of cuts from the Fed.

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