Orchard Funding Grp - Half-year Report
RNS Number : 6389YOrchard Funding Group PLC13 October 202613 October 2026
Orchard Funding Group PLC
(“Orchard Funding Group” or the “company” or the “group”)
Half Year Results for the Six Months ended 31 July 2026
Half Year Results
Orchard Funding Group, the finance group which specialises in insurance premium finance and the professions funding market, announces its unaudited results for the six months ended 31 July 2026.
Highlights in the six months to 31 July 2026, compared to the six months to 31 July 2025:
All amounts are £m unless otherwise stated
6 months to 31 July 2026
6 months to 31 July 2025
% increase/ (decrease)
Lending volume
57.57
60.69
(5.14%)
Average interest earning assets
66.60
66.22
0.56%
Total revenue
5.04
5.18
(2.63%)
Net interest income
3.70
3.60
2.74%
Profit before tax
2.52
1.91
31.71%
Profit after tax
1.89
1.48
27.05%
EPS (pence)
8.86
7.18
23.40%
Operating costs (excluding impairment provisions)
2.05
2.09
(1.49%)
Impairment provisions
-0.02
-0.03
(22.72%)
Average net interest margin
15.51%
14.81%
4.75%
ROAE (annualised)
16.29%
13.24%
23.08%
Average external funding
8.15
12.25
(33.47%)
Own resources (net financial assets)
28.31
23.55
20.21%
A more detailed breakdown of the Highlights is contained within the Chief Financial Officer’s summary below.
Ravi Takhar, Chief Executive Officer of the company, stated:
“The company has delivered a strong increase in profitability in the first half of the year. Profit before tax rose by 32% to £2.52m, even though lending volumes and revenues were a little lower than in the same period last year. Lower funding costs cut our interest payable by 40%, lifting net interest income, and we held operating costs slightly below last year’s level. We are continuing to lend, compete and succeed in an extremely competitive market. I want to thank our staff for their hard work and our finance providers Toyota and NatWest for their great support to our business.
“In light of our strong first half performance the board has agreed to pay an interim dividend of 2p.”
For further information, please contact:
Orchard Funding Group PLC +44 (0)1582 346 248
Ravi Takhar, Chief Executive Officer
Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad and Broker) +44 (0)20 3328 5656
Nick Naylor/James Reeve (Corporate Finance)
Amrit Nahal/Jos Pinnington (Sales and Corporate Broking)
For Investor Relations please go to: www.orchardfundinggroupplc.com
Chairman’s statement
I am pleased to report continued positive financial performance with profit before tax of £2.52m an increase of 32% on the same period last year. Lending volumes and Total revenue are slightly down but we have benefited from a reduction in our funding costs.
The market outlook is more challenging with inflationary pressures and expectations that the Bank of England will increase Base rate. We will keep a close watch on how this impacts our customers and our net margins.
We remain optimistic about our continued strong performance, and I am pleased to confirm that we will pay an interim dividend of 2p per share.
Steven Hicks
Chairman
Chief Financial Officer’s statement
There remains a great deal of turbulence in the markets, primarily due to the conflicts in the world together with tariffs being imposed by the USA and reciprocated by other countries. The full impact of these is already beginning to be felt.
Against this background the group again performed well in the half year to 31 July 2026.
Lending is down by 9.08% for non-Toyota GAP products from £54.64m to £49.68m and up 30.44% for Toyota GAP products from £6.05m to £7.89m.
Overall lending for the period fell by 5.14% from £60.69m to £57.57m when compared to the six months to 31 July 2025.
PBT has increased by 31.71% from £1.91m to £2.52m.
This came about mainly because of lower funding costs, with interest payable and similar charges down by £309k, and lower other direct costs (down £406k), together with a small reduction in operating costs. The main cost reductions are in professional and legal costs and IT costs.
The net impairment credit in the income statement was £19k compared with a credit of £25k in the equivalent period of the previous year.
Operating costs excluding impairment losses are 2.05% lower from £2.096m to £2.053m.
The main reductions in operating costs were professional and legal fees (down £106k) and IT costs (down £71k). There have been small savings across other cost headings. Both salaries and advertising and similar costs increased in the period (salaries by £125k including short term bonuses and advertising by £55k).
Impairment reviews are carried out at each reporting period on all financial assets. The method employed for assessing assets arising from lending is shown in the audited accounts to 31 January 2026 and is based on expected credit losses (ECLs). As at 31 July 2026 the provision was £1,198k (31 July 2025 £1,190k). Other assets (fixed assets and investments) are also subject to impairment reviews but no impairment provision is needed this period.
Net financial assets (all financial assets less all financial liabilities) are up by 20.21% to £28.31m from £23.55m.
Unused unrestricted borrowing availability was up 51.32% from £14.46m to £21.87m.
Liquidity (net current assets) was up by 4.39% from £21.656m to £22.61m.
Principal risks faced by the group are: Credit risk; Liquidity risk; Interest rate risk; Non-repayment risk; Systems risk; and Conduct risk.
Our principal risks are set out in the full-year financial statements for the 18 months ended 31 January 2026. A complete explanation of each risk, together with its impact and mitigation, is detailed in those financial statements.
Risks have remained within our appetite during this six month period.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Our KPIs are set so that fluctuations outside a certain tolerance would trigger an examination of our operations to establish why these fluctuations have occurred and, if necessary, take any remedial action deemed necessary.
The table below gives a breakdown of group KPIs as well as indicators not considered KPIs but which give a better understanding of the figures.
Key performance indicators
All amounts are £m unless otherwise stated and are annualised in respect of ratios
6 months to 31 July 2026
6 months to 31 July 2025
18 months to 31 January 2026
Lending volume (non-Toyota products)
49.68
54.64
162.90
Lending volume (Toyota products)
7.89
6.05
19.87
Average interest earning assets (non-Toyota products)1
47.70
48.61
47.65
Average income earning assets (Toyota products)1
18.90
17.61
16.59
Total revenue
5.04
5.18
15.73
Average external funding2
8.15
12.25
29.52
Cost of external funds
0.46
0.79
2.27
Cost of funds/funds ratio3
5.66%
6.42%
7.68%
Own resources (net financial assets)
28.31
23.55
25.57
Operating costs (excluding impairment provisions)
2.05
2.09
6.03
Impairment charges
-0.02
-0.03
0.06
Net interest margin - annualised (%)4
15.51%
14.81%
15.19%
Return on average equity - annualised5
16.29%
13.24%
15.54%
Financial summary – other performance indicators
All amounts are £m unless otherwise stated and are annualised
6 months to 31 July 2026
6 months to 31 July 2025
18 months to 31 January 2026
Net interest income
3.70
3.60
10.86
Profit before tax
2.52
1.91
6.59
Profit after tax
1.89
1.48
4.91
Gross interest margin - annualised6
17.44%
17.98%
18.49%
EPS (pence) 7
8.86
7.18
23.11
Return on capital employed - annualised8
8.86%
7.03%
8.37%
- Average interest and income earning assets consist of the average of the opening and closing loan book after taking account of the impairment provision.
- Average external funding comprises amounts borrowed on a daily basis net of repayments.
- Cost of funds/funds ratio is the cost of external funds divided by average external funding.
- Net interest margin is net interest income divided by the average loan book adjusted for Toyota assets.
- ROAE consists of profit after tax divided by average equity. Average equity is the average of opening and closing equity.
- Gross interest margin is gross interest income divided by the average loan book, again adjusted for Toyota assets.
- There are no factors which would dilute earnings therefore fully diluted earnings per share are identical. EPS is based on the half-year results divided by shares in issue.
- ROCE consists of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation divided by capital employed. Capital employed comprises capital and reserves together with borrowings, less cash held.
Future developments
The next six months will continue to be challenging, with the likely path of interest rates and inflation the main uncertainties for the business. However, the results for the half-year show that the business has remained stable. The board is happy with the results for the six months and there are no plans to materially alter how we operate.
Dividend
The board has decided to make an interim dividend payment of 2p per share. This dividend is to be paid on 12 November 2026 to shareholders on the register at 23 October 2026 with an ex-dividend date of 22 October 2026.
Liam McShane
Chief Financial Officer
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
6 Months to
31 July 2026
6 Months to
31 July 2025
18 months to
31 January 2026
Notes
£000
£000
£000
Continuing operations
Interest receivable and similar income
2
4,162
4,373
13,218
Interest payable and similar charges
(462)
(771)
(2,355)
Net interest income
3,700
3,602
10,863
Other trading income
2
883
810
2,510
Other direct costs
(32)
(438)
(690)
Net other income
851
372
1,820
Net total income
4,551
3,974
12,683
Other operating costs
(2,053)
(2,096)
(6,032)
Net impairment (losses)/gains on financial assets
19
25
(62)
Fair value adjustment for goodwill on consolidation
-
-
(2)
Operating profit
2,517
1,903
6,587
Interest receivable
4
2
5
Profit before tax
2,521
1,905
6,592
Tax
3
(633)
(425)
(1,678)
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period from continuing operations attributable to:
Owners of the parent
1,893
1,534
4,935
Non-controlling interests
(5)
(54)
(21)
1,888
1,480
4,914
Earnings per share
Basic and diluted
4
8.86
7.18
23.11
Consolidated statement of financial position
At 31 July 2026
At 31 July 2025
At 31 January 2026
£000
£000
£000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
437
449
443
Intangible assets
-
69
33
Investment at fair value through profit and loss
6
6
6
Loans to customers
11,421
9,429
17,367
11,864
9,953
17,849
Current assets
Loans to customers
55,457
56,874
48,773
Other receivables and prepayments
139
85
124
Cash and cash equivalents:
Bank balances and cash in hand
1,079
639
1,072
56,675
57,598
49,969
Total assets
68,539
67,551
67,818
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
9,894
11,634
9,244
Borrowings
21,816
22,761
21,703
Tax payable
2,357
1,548
1,723
34,067
35,943
32,670
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
9,591
10,095
11,940
Deferred tax
2
3
3
9,593
10,098
11,943
Total liabilities
43,660
46,041
44,613
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
Called up share capital
214
214
214
Share premium
8,692
8,692
8,692
Merger reserve
891
891
891
Retained earnings
15,077
11,744
13,398
Total equity attributable to:
Owners of the parent
24,874
21,541
23,195
Non-controlling interests
5
(31)
10
Total equity
24,879
21,510
23,205
Total equity and liabilities
68,539
67,551
67,818
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Called up share capital
Retained earnings
Share premium
Merger reserve
Attributable to the owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
£000
£000
£000
£000
£000
£000
Balance at 1 February 2025
214
10,637
8,692
891
20,434
23
20,457
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
1,534
-
-
1,534
(54)
1,480
Transactions with owners:
Dividends paid
-
(427)
-
-
(427)
-
(427)
Balance at 31 July 2025
214
11,744
8,692
891
21,541
(31)
21,510
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
2,081
-
-
2,081
41
2,122
Transactions with owners:
Dividends paid
-
(427)
-
-
(427)
-
(427)
Balance at 31 January 2026
214
13,398
8,692
891
23,195
10
23,205
Changes in equity
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
1,893
-
-
1,893
(5)
1,888
Transactions with owners:
Dividends paid
-
(214)
-
-
(214)
-
(214)
Balance at 31 July 2026
214
15,077
8,692
891
24,874
5
24,879
The merger reserve arose through the formation of the group on 23 June 2015 using the consolidation method which treats the merged companies as if they had been combined throughout the current and comparative accounting periods. The accounting principles for these combinations gave rise to a merger reserve in the consolidated statement of financial position, being the difference between the nominal value of new shares issued by the company for the acquisition of the shares of the subsidiaries and each subsidiary’s own share capital.
The share premium account arose on the issue of shares on the IPO on 1 July 2015 at a premium of 95p per share. Costs directly attributable to the issue of shares have been deducted from the account.
Non-controlling interests consist of equity belonging to non-group shareholders in Open B Gateway Limited in which the group has a 90% interest.
Consolidated statement of cash flows
6 Months to
31 July 2026
6 Months to
31 July 2025
18 months to
31 January 2026
£000
£000
£000
Cash flows from operating activities:
Operating profit
2,517
1,903
6,588
Adjustment for depreciation and amortisation
40
44
134
Goodwill on acquisition written off
-
-
(2)
2,557
1,947
6,720
Increase in trade and other receivables
(753)
2,510
841
Increase in trade and other payables
671
3,434
(181)
2,475
7,891
7,380
Tax paid
-
-
(497)
Net cash generated by operating activities
2,475
7,891
6,883
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
4
2
5
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(1)
(12)
(15)
Net cash generated/(absorbed) by investing activities
3
(10)
(10)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid
(214)
(427)
(641)
Proceeds from borrowings
-
-
3,651
Borrowings repaid
(2,257)
(7,723)
(10,293)
Net cash absorbed by financing activities
(2,471)
(8,150)
(7,283)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
7
(269)
(410)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
1,072
908
1,482
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period
1,079
639
1,072
Cash and cash equivalents consists of bank balances.
Notes to the financial statements
1. General information
Orchard Funding Group PLC (the “company") and its subsidiaries (together the “group") provide funding and funding support systems for insurance premiums, professional and equivalent fees and other leisure activities. The group operates in the United Kingdom.
The company is a public company quoted on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is 222 Armstrong Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 0FY.
The condensed consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 31 July 2026 has been prepared in accordance with the presentation, recognition and measurement requirements of applicable UK adopted International Accounting Standards (“IFRS”) except that the group has not applied IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, which is not mandatory for UK groups listed on AIM, in the preparation of the condensed consolidated interim financial information.
The financial information does not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the group for the 18 months ended 31 January 2026 which are prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The accounting policies used in the preparation of condensed consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 31 July 2026 are in accordance with the presentation, recognition and measurement criteria of IFRS and are consistent with those which are expected to be adopted in the annual statutory financial statements for the 12 months ending 31 January 2027. There are a number of new standards, amendments and interpretations that have been issued but are not effective for these financial statements. They are not expected to impact the financial statements as either they are not relevant to the group’s activities or are consistent with accounting policies already followed by the group.
Under the expected credit loss (“ECL”) model required in IFRS 9, there has been a credit of £19k to consolidated income (six months to 31 July 2025 credit of £25k). Arrears are under control and there are no other factors which would indicate potential credit losses. In assessing potential provisions, the group applies the general (three-stage) expected credit loss approach, consistent with the accounting policy set out in the audited financial statements for the 18 months to 31 January 2026. Part of this process has been to examine the impact of ongoing international situation.
The group’s annual report for the 18 months to 31 January 2026 provides full details of significant judgements and estimates used in the application of the group’s accounting policies. There have been no significant changes to these judgements and estimates during the period.
The financial information included in this document is unaudited and does not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The comparative figures for the 18 months to 31 January 2026 are the group's statutory accounts for that financial period. Those accounts have been reported on by the company's auditor and delivered to the registrar of companies. The report of the auditor was: (i) unqualified; (ii) did not include a reference to matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report; and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
2. Segmental reporting
The group’s activities are providing funding for insurance premiums, professional fees, school fees, leisure activities and asset financing wholly within the UK.
Most of our lending meets the criteria for aggregation as the underwriting process, management of the loans, distribution channels, risks and rewards are all similar.
The group does, however, report to the board of directors in terms of two segments – lending for Toyota products which carry no credit risk and have a lower return, and other lending.
Notes to the financial statements
Revenue
6 Months to
31 July 2026
6 Months to
31 July 2025
18 months to
31 January 2026
£000
£000
£000
Timing of revenue recognition:
Interest receivable and similar income
Over time – interest revenue outside the scope of IFRS 15
3,644
3,839
11,614
At a point in time – non utilisation fees
428
453
1,325
At a point in time – default and settlement fees
90
81
279
4,162
4,373
13,218
Other trading income – non-Toyota products
At a point in time – direct debit charges
221
203
611
Over time - loan administrative fees
179
194
633
Over time – licence fees
64
66
200
464
463
1,444
Other trading income – Toyota products
Over time - loan administrative fees
419
347
1,066
Gross total income
5,045
5,183
15,728
Expenses by nature
Interest payable and similar charges
Interest payable
411
704
2,252
Bank fees
51
67
103
462
771
2,355
Other direct costs – non-Toyota products
Bank fees
28
365
671
Other direct costs – Toyota products
Bank fees
4
73
19
32
438
690
Net total income
4,551
3,974
12,683
Other operating costs – non-Toyota products
Employee costs
1,027
902
3,009
Advertising and selling costs
628
573
1,613
Professional and legal fees
96
196
431
IT costs
117
188
396
Cost of listing
48
59
101
Depreciation and amortisation
40
44
134
Other net expenses
97
131
339
2,053
2,093
6,023
Other operating costs – Toyota products
Other net expenses
-
3
11
Total operating costs before impairment charges
2,053
2,096
6,034
Net impairment losses on financial assets
(19)
(25)
62
Operating profit
2,517
1,903
6,587
3. Taxation
The tax assessed for the period differs from the main corporation tax rates in the UK of 25% because of the effect of items disallowed for tax and accelerated capital allowances.
4. Earnings per share
Earnings per share are based on the profit attributable to the owners of the parent shown above, for each relevant period, and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during each period. For all three periods, this was 21,354,167. There are no options or other factors which would dilute these, therefore the fully diluted earnings per share is identical.
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