finance made easy for independent retailers Tailor made finance exclusive to bira members 0121 446 6688 Ăž www.birafinance.co.uk
Vehicle loans
Personal loans
Equipment loans
Working capital loans
Deposit accounts
Cash ISA
finance made easy
Welcome to
New name, same great service! BHF Finance is now bira finance and is available to all members of the British Independent Retailers Association
www.birafinance.co.uk bira finance • 225 Bristol Road • Edgbaston • Birmingham • B5 7UB Tel: 0121 446 6688 • Fax: 0121 446 5215 • Email: info@birafinance.co.uk bira finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. OFT Licence No. 0001983 Data Protection No. Z5691960 Company No. 555071
The bank you can trust As the only trade association owned bank in the UK, bira finance understands the needs of independent retailers. We make it easier for you to access the funds you need, when you need them. The financial crisis has left many high street banks with little or no appetite for risk and as a result they are failing to support SMEs.
Many members already value our service, as demonstrated by a 13.7% turnover increase in 2010, our third successive year of growth.
bira finance is different. Profit maximisation or the enhancement of shareholder value are not our goals; we simply want to support as many independent retailers as we can, whether it’s for savings or borrowing.
We believe in making competitive finance easily accessible for independents. We have no loan transaction charges, hidden or otherwise, no penalties for early settlement, and the monthly repayment agreed is exactly what you will pay.
We have been supporting independent retailers since 1955 and are funded from members’ own deposits, so trust and transparency are at the heart of our business.
Moreover, speaking to a member of the finance team is easy and you will benefit from a friendly and personal service. We are confident that, once you use our services, you won’t want to go anywhere else.
finance made easy Every bira member can enjoy all of these benefits across our entire product range: 9 Competitive interest rates 9 Fixed rates on loans 9 No fees or penalties 9 No hidden extras 9 Quick & easy application 9 Safe & secure banking 9 Personal & friendly service
call us on 0121 446 6688 John Collins Joint Managing Director Vehicle loans
Equipment loans
Personal loans
email us at info@birafinance.co.uk
Þ visit us at www.birafinance.co.uk Working capital loans
Deposit accounts
Cash ISA
finance made easy
Vehicle Loans
If you’re thinking of replacing your business vehicle or upgrading your own car, we provide competitive fixed rate loans on all types of new and used vehicles.
Key benefits • • • • • •
Available on new or used, private or commercial vehicles Low deposit from 10% Flexible repayment periods from 1 to 5 years Available to you and to your staff members Monthly repayments by standing order Fixed competitive rates
0121 446 6688 Þ www.birafinance.co.uk/loans/vehicle-loans
“When my business needed a new van, I did my research and no-one could match the fantastic interest rate I received from bira finance.” Richard Burdett, Brutons Hardware
Key benefits • • • •
Available on a wide variety of capital purchases Monthly repayments by standing order Flexible repayment periods from 1 to 5 years Competitive fixed rates
0121 446 6688 Þ www.birafinance.co.uk/loans/equipment-loans
“I regularly use bira finance for my business needs as not only are their rates very competitive but the service I receive is convenient and hassle free.” Bob Chapman, Bavenhill Mechanics
Equipment Loans
If you need to upgrade your equipment or expand your current operation, we provide competitive fixed rate equipment loans for many items of a capital nature including computers, forklift trucks etc.
finance made easy
Personal Loans
Whether you’re looking to make home improvements, fund a wedding or just need a holiday, we’re sure we can help you. We provide competitive fixed rate personal loans for almost any purpose.
Key benefits • • • •
Monthly repayments by standing order Flexible repayment periods from 1 to 5 years Top up your loan annually Competitive fixed rates
0121 446 6688 Þ www.birafinance.co.uk/loans/personal-loans
“Whilst my long standing high street bank were dragging their heels when I needed some finance, bira finance came up trumps, I had a confirmed answer within a few days and money in place soon after. Truly a no hassle experience.” Christine Lynn Thomas, Kooks Unlimited
Key benefits • • • •
Borrow up to £30,000 unsecured Flexible repayment periods from 1 to 5 years Top up your loan annually Competitive fixed rates
0121 446 6688 Þ www.birafinance.co.uk/loans/working-capital-loans
“bira finance always provide a first-rate efficient service. We talk to real people (not a call centre!) who actually return calls, sort out the loan and do exactly what they say they will do. We cannot recommend them highly enough.” David Way, Present Days
Working Capital
You may need a cashflow boost to take advantage of early settlement discounts, buy stock or simply improve your business cashflow for a short time, we provide competitive fixed rate working capital loans for this purpose.
finance made easy
Deposit Accounts
Our deposit accounts with competitive variable rates of interest are a secure place for your savings to grow, giving you reassurance and peace of mind.
Key benefits • • • • •
£10 deposit to open an account 1 month and 3 month notice accounts available Pay money in by bank transfer or cheque (minimum £10) Safe and secure with Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection Competitive rates
0121 446 6688 Þ www.birafinance.co.uk/savings/deposit-accounts
“We have used bira finance for several years. The service we receive is excellent, the paperwork is dealt with fast and efficiently but the real benefit is there are no fees or penalties.” Matt and Geoff Fendall, Essentials
Key benefits • • • • • •
Invest up to £5,340 annually (tax year 2011/2012) £100 deposit to open an account Transfers in allowed 1 month notice for withdrawals Safe and secure with Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection Competitive rates
0121 446 6688 Þ www.birafinance.co.uk/savings/isas
“A superb service for members; competitive and speedy - the two main reasons for choosing bira finance.” Russell Johnson, Johnsons of Rainham and National President 2011-12, bira
Cash ISAs
Maximise your tax-free ISA allowance and improve the return on your savings by opening a tax-efficient bira finance cash ISA with competitive variable rates.
finance made easy
Prize Draw Winners
Independent retailers Cliff and Jenny Hippisley enjoyed an amazing and well deserved break thanks to bira finance. The owners of Thoresby Homecare Centre in North Thoresby, near Grimsby, were the lucky winners of the first bira finance vehicle loan prize draw winning a trip on the Orient Express with an overnight stay at The Ritz. Jenny is a frequent visitor to the capital but Cliff and Jenny hadn’t been to London together since the 1980s. After checking in at The Ritz, they enjoyed a sight seeing tour of London and a Champagne reception at Victoria before boarding the vintage carriages of the British Pullman. They had a sumptuous dinner in an original Pullman carriage, and sipped wine in luxury as the North Downs and Surrey countryside whizzed by outside. The next morning, keen flower arranger Jenny was delighted to see The Ritz’s florist in action. She was so impressed
“It was just amazing. The service was really great.”
she bought his book! Of their stay at The Ritz, Jenny said: “It was just amazing. The service was really great.” As Cliff normally works about 80 hours a week and doesn’t often have the opportunity to get away from the shop, Jenny said “It was just the break that Cliff needed and deserved”. They won the prize in the promotion that BHF Finance (now bira finance) ran from July to September 2009. Anyone who took out a vehicle loan during this period was entered into the prize draw. Since that date there have been several other lucky winners of a bira finance prize draw - watch out for our next promotion - you could be a winner. Visit our website to see the latest special offers www.birafinance.co.uk
making finance easier for you If you’re looking for competitive, reliable financial services, please complete the form below and return it to us FREEPOST and we will contact you. Alternatively, you can contact us in the the following ways:
call us on 0121 446 6688
email us at info@birafinance.co.uk
Þ visit us at www.birafinance.co.uk
Please contact me with further information
Contact name Business name bira membership number Contact telephone number Contact email address
Please tick the financial product(s) that you would like more information on:
Vehicle Loans Equipment Loans Personal Loans
Working Capital Loans Deposit Accounts Cash ISAs
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bira finance 225 Bristol Road Edgbaston Birmingham B5 7UB