TruFin PLC Statement re Satago (1062E)

TIDMTRU TIDMTRU

RNS Number : 1062E

TruFin PLC

09 March 2022

9 March 2021

TruFin plc

("TruFin" or the "Company")

Satago Financial Solutions Limited ("Satago") announces that its platform has been selected by Lloyds Bank plc ("Lloyds Bank" or the "Bank") as the platform of choice to support the provision of invoice factoring solutions to Lloyds Bank customers. In addition, Lloyds Banking Group ("LBG") will make a strategic investment of GBP5m in Satago.

TruFin is pleased to announce that following the conclusion of the commercial pilot first announced on 11 December 2020, and a competitive tender process, Lloyds Bank has confirmed its intention to enter into a commercial agreement to license Satago's software platform for its Single Invoice Finance and whole of book Invoice Factoring customers. Satago and Lloyds Bank have signed a letter of intent and are working towards finalising a commercial agreement in the coming months.

Satago's platform will introduce a new digitised proposition designed to help the Bank further support UK businesses. Satago expects to be paid a recurring fee for each customer of the Bank which utilises Satago's platform, as well as one-off implementation fees, with the final terms of this landmark agreement subject to commercial negotiation.

TruFin is also pleased to announce that, ahead of signing the commercial agreement, Lloyds Banking Group has today completed an investment of GBP5 million of new equity capital in Satago, at a pre-money valuation of GBP20 million. All parties believe that the commercial agreement will be transformational for Satago and has the potential to deliver significant equity value uplift for Satago.

TruFin has agreed to vary the terms of an existing GBP3 million loan to Satago so that it is convertible into equity capital in Satago at the same valuation as the LBG investment or, if a further funding round takes place, the valuation implied by the funding round. Assuming conversion based on the GBP20 million valuation (and assuming LBG does not subscribe for its pro rata entitlement to shares), TruFin would hold approximately 68% of Satago (on a fully diluted basis).

In addition, the Company is delighted to announce Ben Stephenson will be appointed to the Board of Satago. Ben is Managing Director and Head of Specialist Client Solutions at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking and is responsible for the teams who provide SMEs with Invoice Finance, Trade, Payments, Asset Finance and Merchant Services solutions. He sits on the Executive Committee of the LBG's SME and Mid Corporates Business and is a member of the UK Finance IF&ABL Product Board.

As Satago rolls out its best-in-class platform to a growing pipeline of leading finance providers, the Board believes there are multiple value accretive developments to follow.

Sinead McHale, Chief Executive Officer of Satago, commented:

"We are delighted to have been selected as the vendor of choice for the provision of Single Invoice Finance and whole of book Invoice Factoring services by Lloyds Bank. This announcement is the start of the next stage of our relationship with Lloyds Bank and is testament to the innovative and intelligent use of data and technology which makes our proposition best in class. We are reinventing invoice finance as a mainstream product - making it available to all UK businesses regardless of size or sector. We are extremely proud to have secured such a landmark partner to help with this endeavour and delighted to welcome them as an investor in the business. Satago have a significant pipeline of further opportunities allowing an ever-growing number of SMEs in the UK to benefit from its award-winning products."

Ben Stephenson, Managing Director and Head of Specialist Client Solutions, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said:

"Extending our partnership with a leading Fintech like Satago represents a truly exciting opportunity for LBG and our clients. Combining Satago's technology with LBG's reach and focus on Helping Britain Prosper has created a market leading proposition that provides clients with much needed working capital management and cash flow optimisation tools. I am delighted and proud that LBG and Satago are playing a leading role in modernising the way working capital solutions are distributed to SMEs."

Gwynne Master, Managing Director, Working Capital, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said:

"Our partnership with Satago goes beyond that of a supplier and buyer relationship. The equity stake we have taken in the business underscores our commitment to deliver best-in-class, future-focused solutions for our UK clients by partnering with a market leading provider with proven capability."

James van den Bergh, Chief Executive Officer of TruFin, said:

"We are very proud that Satago has been selected as the vendor of choice for the provision of Single Invoice Finance and whole of book Invoice Factoring services by Lloyds Bank. We welcome the Bank as a shareholder in Satago and are excited about the value that Satago will create through this landmark commercial and strategic partnership. We continue to believe there is meaningful value to be unlocked from our portfolio of companies and thank shareholders for their ongoing support."

The information contained within this Announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No.596/2014 as amended by The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. By the publication of this Announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is Annie Styler.

For further information, please contact:

 
  TruFin plc 
   James van den Bergh, Chief Executive Officer     0203 743 1340 
   Kam Bansil, Investor Relations                    07779 229508 
 Liberum Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser and 
  Corporate broker) 
  Chris Clarke 
  Edward Thomas                                    0203 100 2000

TruFin plc is the holding company for an operating group of companies that are niche lenders and early payment providers. TruFin Group combines the benefits of both the traditional relationship banking model and developments in the fintech sector. The Company was admitted to AIM in February 2018 and trades under the ticker symbol: TRU. More information is available on the Company website www.TruFin.com

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