Schroder Investment Management Limited
31 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QA
Telephone +44 (0)20 7658 6000
www.schroders.com
News Release
Schroders enters into market for SME direct
lending through a strategic relationship with
NEOS Business Finance in the Netherlands
4 April 2016
Schroders today announces that it has entered into a strategic relationship with Dutch direct lending firm NEOS
Business Finance. Schroders has acquired a 25 per cent. stake in the business.
Launched in 2012, NEOS Business Finance provides institutional investors access to an alternative debt
financing platform for Dutch small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The company has developed an
approach to give SMEs access to small to medium size loans through a standardised issuance and loan terms
process.
NEOS Business Finance will provide investment advisory services to Schroders in connection with the
management of investment funds of Schroders' clients investing in SME financing.
NEOS Business Finance has an extensive network and broad client base. To date, NEOS Business Finance has
launched one investment fund funded by two large Dutch pension funds. In addition NEOS Business Finance
works with the largest Dutch bank ABN Amro to source SMEs in need of financing. This complements Dutch
government policy which encourages pension funds and other institutions to actively participate in local
economies.
Philippe Lespinard Co-Head of Fixed Income at Schroders said:
"Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Europe are increasingly looking to obtain debt financing from nonbank lenders. Part of this trend is explained by the decreasing supply of credit in that space by commercial banks
who face increasingly onerous capital requirements on loans perceived as risky by regulators and supervisors.
On the demand side, borrowers expect faster approval times and lower collateral requirements than afforded by
Schroders plc
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Schroder Investment Management Limited
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Telephone +44 (0)20 7658 6000
www.schroders.com
banks’ traditional processes and systems. These conflicting trends open up a space for non-bank actors to
provide growth financing to SMEs on simpler and faster terms.
In parallel, sophisticated institutional investors are becoming more familiar with the concept of providing growth
financing to SMEs in return for higher yields than are available in the public markets. That interest is also coupled
with a desire to make a positive social impact on the community by favouring local job creation. We are excited at
the prospect of matching the needs of our institutional clients with the innovative skills of a recognised leader in
this growing marketplace."
Quirijn Haak Chief Executive Officer at NEOS Business Finance said:
“The support of Schroders proves that direct lending to SME companies in a professional setting and based on
quality analysis has become a good alternative for companies looking for medium sized loans. We are confident
that the mutual commitment on which this relationship is based will provide a good basis for further cooperation
and will benefit both existing and future clients. We also believe that the complementary skills and existing
networks of the two organisations will lead to growth in this field of SME direct lending, which will benefit the SME
businesses in local economies.”
Michel Vermeulen, Country Head for Benelux and Boudewijn Jansen, Business Manager Fixed Income will be
joining the NEOS Business Finance board, representing Schroders.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Lucy Cotter
Tel: +44 (0)20 7658 3365/ lucy.cotter@schroders.com
Sarah Deutscher
Tel: +44 (0)20 7658 6139/ sarah.deutscher@schroders.com
Notes to Editors
For trade press only. To view the latest press releases from Schroders visit: http://ir.schroders.com/media
Schroders plc
Schroders is a global asset management company with £313.5 billion (€425.4 billion/US$462.1 billion) under
management as at 31 December 2015. Our clients are major financial institutions including pension funds, banks
Schroders plc
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Reg. 3909886 England
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Schroder Investment Management Limited
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Telephone +44 (0)20 7658 6000
www.schroders.com
and insurance companies, local and public authorities, governments, charities, high net worth individuals and
retail investors.
With one of the largest networks of offices of any dedicated asset management company, we operate from 38
offices in 28 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Middle East and Africa. Schroders has developed
under stable ownership for over 200 years and long-term thinking governs our approach to investing, building
client relationships and growing our business.
Further information about Schroders can be found at www.schroders.com.
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