These are valid assets, but they should not define the whole category because what asset-based lending provides for finance brokers is a highly personalised and flexible solution for complex client requirements.

For example, we have recently worked with a client of considerable net worth, who needed a quick replacement for a bridging loan as his existing lender was withdrawing its funding because it was exiting the market.

The client held a 30% stake in a high-profile fashion brand, owned a property in Mayfair, a rural retreat and a home in the south of France, and wanted to borrow up to £1.5m to refinance the bridging loan.

The problem was the client’s shares in the fashion business were held on a negative pledge and so could not be used as security. The UK properties both had high-LTV mortgages secured on them and, at first sight, it looked like there was little equity available in the French property.

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Upon further investigation, however, we identified that a significant amount of cash collateral was held by the French bank alongside the mortgage and we were able to negotiate with the bank to take a charge on the property.

We also took a second charge on both UK properties and so, by taking multiple property charges across multiple jurisdictions, we were able to achieve the level of security we needed to advance the loan the client required.

This is a good example of asset-based lending being able to deliver a really creative solution to get the deal done.

Not every case is this involved, of course, and a personalised lending service can sometimes mean the flexibility to move quickly.

Another recent case was a second charge on a residential property to raise £100,000 for business purposes, which we were able to complete within three days of receiving the enquiry. This was a straightforward case, but it needed an unconventional level of service.

Asset-based lending isn’t just about unusual assets, it’s about the flexibility to deliver creative solutions for your unusual cases.