Lombard, the UK’s largest asset
finance company, is to sponsor the annual dinner of the Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders on 22 November, as part of a
campaign to increase its profile as a lender among UK
businesses.

While Lombard is a provider of
stocking finance to the car retail industry, this is not the
primary message the company wants to put across by putting its name
behind the SMMT dinner.

A spokesperson explained that
the decision had been made instead to reinforce its position as an
asset finance lender to the commercial transportation sector, a
role it has filled since it started life as the North Central Wagon
Company in 1861.

“Raising Lombard’s profile
within the wholesale stocking finance arena would be an additional
benefit,” the spokesperson added.