S & U PLC (LON:SUS) chairman Anthony Coombs tells Proactive that business is starting to pick up again as lockdown restrictions are eased. New loans had dropped by 15% at the Advantage second-hand car operation as people weren’t able to visit showrooms or even get a car delivered, Coombs explains, but there has been a notable recovery in recent weeks, he adds. The group has tightened its lending criteria, while the slowdown in the amount lent has also seen gearing drop to 55%. Around 20% of borrowers have taken advantage of the payment holiday imposed by UK regulator the FCA, something that Coombs thinks was unnecessary as an element of forbearance is already built into its loan packages. Even so, the group maintained its final dividend and Coombs says that it is perfectly justified as it has not asked the government for any help during the crisis.
09 Jun 20