The Intermediary – December 2025 - Flipbook - Page 52
Q&A
Recognise Bank
During times of economic
uncertainty, how does support
The Intermediary speaks
with Simon Bateman, CEO at
Recognise Bank, about the
2026 market and plans for
the bank in its next phase
from banks like Recognise differ
from the traditional high street?
At times like this, the main thing small to medium
enterprises (SMEs) want is a lender that listens,
and many business owners tell us they feel
stuck between slow processes, rigid rules and a
sense that no one is looking at their plans with
fresh eyes. I like to think this is where banks like
Recognise really show their value. Flexibility is
central to our approach, and we do not rely on
a rigid system that puts out a simple yes or no.
Instead, we take time to understand the customer,
their plans and the context behind the numbers.
There are moments when a business has a good
idea, but needs someone to listen before they can
move forward, so that is where our team steps in.
The other part is judgement. Smaller banks can
review cases on their own merit. If a good business
has a strong future but a less than perfect past, a
high street bank may not have the time or space to
look beyond the surface. We certainly will, as our
structure allows our decision-makers to stay close
to the deal and close to the customer. It is not a
production line.
The past year has brought plenty of change,
and SMEs have had to respond to it all. For us, it
means being faster on decisions, being open to a
wider range of cases and finding ways to support
businesses in a way that feels personal, not
remote. In short, we look for solutions rather than
reasons to step back.
How do you see bridging finance
growing, and what opportunities
are available?
The BDLA Q3 figures were definitely encouraging,
but the obvious question now is how long that
momentum will last. A lot depends on the wider
economic climate, and in particular, the Budget.
The freeze on Income Tax thresholds means more
people will be pulled into higher tax bands over
time, and many small business owners draw pay
through PAYE, so it will affect personal bills, and
for some, their confidence to push ahead with
plans. The cut to capital gains relief on sales to
Employee Ownership Trusts may also influence
how a few owners think about exits and timing.
