UK-based Shawbrook Group has signed an agreement to acquire ThinCats Group, a specialist lender offering bespoke funding to growth-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
Shawbrook said the acquisition aims to accelerate its growth in the specialist SME lending market.
With its established market standing and technology-driven business model, ThinCats aligns well with Shawbrook’s existing operations.
Post-acquisition, ThinCats will continue to function under its brand within Shawbrook’s portfolio, maintaining its focus on supporting owner-managed and sponsor-backed businesses with funding for specific events.
The integration will see ThinCats’ streamlined technology stack complement Shawbrook’s technological infrastructure.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe company also benefits from an “established” distribution network and origination capabilities, delivered by a team with expertise in its target SME segments.
Shawbrook CEO Marcelino Castrillo said: “This acquisition will serve to further scale up and deepen our presence in the very large and growing SME market.
“As part of the Shawbrook Group, the ThinCats proposition will benefit from our platform, including distribution channels, investment and funding structure, which will allow us to scale the brand more efficiently and serve even more UK SMEs with highly tailored funding solutions.”
As of 30 June 2025, the SME segment accounted for approximately 21% of Shawbrook’s total loan book, with increased levels of activity and new lending exceeding those in the first half of 2024.
The acquisition will include a projected loan book of around £0.7bn ($0.94bn) with corresponding risk-weighted assets of approximately £0.6bn.
The transaction is expected to be earnings per share accretive in the first full financial year post-completion, delivering a return on invested capital.
Completion of the acquisition is anticipated later this year.
ThinCats CEO Amany Attia said: “Becoming part of Shawbrook represents an exciting step for ThinCats and a strong endorsement of our model, supporting established and growth-focused SMEs.
“Underpinned by the significant technology, data and capital resources of the wider Shawbrook Group, ThinCats will continue to offer the high levels of coverage, innovation, service, and ongoing borrower relationships that business owners, professional advisers and financial sponsors have come to expect.”
Notably, Shawbrook Bank recently updated its Unsecured Business Loan product to better serve the SME sector by increasing the maximum loan amount from £100,000 to £150,000 and extending the maximum repayment term from three to five years.
