Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025

As we approach the festive season, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the year gone by and look forward to what’s ahead. 2024 marked a significant milestone for FTA Finance, as we celebrated our 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, we’ve proudly supported nearly 3,000 clients in achieving their dreams of business ownership.

This year has been particularly busy for our team, with 256 funding proposals submitted to our panel of lenders. We’re thrilled to report that 96% of these were approved, with the majority coming from first-time buyers looking to acquire established practices or start new businesses. This success reaffirms our position as champions of the first-time buyer.

Looking ahead to 2025, the outlook is notably more stable. With the new government in place, the long-awaited budget delivered, and trends in both inflation and base rates continuing to decline, there is a sense of confidence in the market. This stability will support our clients in their decision-making process, whether they are considering buying or selling. It will also be well-received by our panel of lenders, who remain committed to evaluating new funding applications.

If you’re thinking of taking the leap into practice ownership in 2025, now is the perfect time to get in touch with the FTA Finance team. You can reach us at 0330 088 1157, via WhatsApp at 07351 565105, or by email at [email protected].

FTA Finance Achieves NACFB Assured Status!

We are thrilled to announce that following a recent audit, FTA Finance has been officially recognised once again as a NACFB Assured company!

This accreditation reflects our commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and service in the finance industry. We are dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional support and expertise, and this recognition reinforces our mission.

Thank you for your continued trust in us.

Here’s to more success together!

FTA Finance Celebrates 20 Years!

This year marks a significant milestone for FTA Finance as the company proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Since 2004, FTA Finance has grown into a trusted leader in the healthcare funding sector, known for its unwavering commitment to putting the customer first and offering outstanding levels of service every step of the way.

Over the past two decades, FTA Finance has navigated through the ever-evolving financial landscape, consistently adapting to the needs of its clients. The company’s success can be attributed to its dedicated team of professionals who work tirelessly to always deliver first class services to clients.

Founded on the principles of integrity, transparency, and client-first service, FTA Finance has earned a reputation for excellence. Testament to that is the numerous 5-star reviews and heartfelt words of thanks the company and team regularly receive from satisfied customers.

As FTA Finance commemorates this milestone, it extends heartfelt gratitude to its clients, partners, and employees who have been instrumental in its growth. With a strong foundation and an eye on the future, FTA Finance is poised to continue and succeed for many years to come.

Here’s to the next 20 years!

Catch up a recent webinar with David Brewer!

In this webinar David Brewer, Managing Director of FTA Finance and industry expert on arranging finance for a dental practice purchase, covers everything you need to know to confidently step into the world of dental practice ownership and provides you with essential insights and practical advice.

What You’ll Learn:
• Understanding the Market: Gain a clear overview of the current dental market.
• Getting Started: Key points to consider to ensure you are in the strongest position to proceed with a new purchase.
• Bank Considerations: Discover what banks look for in a prospective practice owner.
• Evaluating Practices: Key factors to consider when reviewing sales prospectuses.
• Tips for Viewing Practices: Get top tips on making a great first impression.
• Funding Options: Explore funding opportunities open to you.

WATCH NOW

Behind the Purchase!

We occasionally have clients approach us for help to secure funding having been let down by their own bank.

A recent example of this is a dentist who owned a 50% share in a dental practice and was seeking funding so he could buy out his business partner and take over full ownership of the practice.

In the first instance he approached his own bank but the request was declined with little or no explanation citing the request fell outside lending criteria.

The client then came to us for help and advice and we were able to prepare a business plan and forecast on their behalf and obtain three separate funding offers at 100% of the asking price!

The proposal has now completed with our client in full control and ownership of his business –  whereas some 3 months ago he was at his wits end and thought the only way out would be to sell the whole practice.

This is a prime example of why you should ALWAYS use a specialist independent adviser to work on your funding proposal.  By using a broker, you obtain a whole of market overview rather than the thoughts of just one lender.

If you’d like to speak to us about buying a dental practice, whatever your circumstances, please get in touch.

Professional Indemnity/Practice Insurance

In the past many dental professionals have opted to take indemnity cover with discretionary indemnity providers such as the DDU, Dental Protection and MDDUS which provide occurrence based indemnity rather than the traditional insurance markets which provide cover on a claims made basis.

The reason for dental professionals opting for the occurrence based indemnity is that as long as they had cover in place at the time when the treatment was provided then cover will always apply, irrespective of when the claim is made – which could be many years into the future!

The insurance market has until recent times provided claims made cover which means that cover is only in force whilst the policy is active. If a claim came in many years after the policy expires this could leave you without cover.

At FTA Finance we work alongside All Med Pro, a specialist insurance broker, who are challenging the status quo by providing contract certain claims occurrence indemnity insurance. The contract certainty of an insurance product ensures that you are not reliant on the discretionary nature of the likes of the DDU, Dental Protection and MDDUS. With discretionary cover there is no guarantee that a claim will be a paid and could leave you to personally cover legal costs and compensation if awarded.

What about service?
With the backing of one of the world’s leading insurers AXIS Insurance, All Med Pro have developed an indemnity solution that not only provides comprehensive cover but the support when you need it the most.  In the event of a claim you will be able to speak with another Dental Professional who fully understands your position. They will work with you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the claim quickly and efficiently.

In the event of a successful claim being made against you, All Med Pro will continue to provide support and recommendations to ensure that the same claim doesn’t arise again.

Next steps…..
If you would like an immediate quote for your indemnity insurance please request it now.

If you have any questions and to find out more about the indemnity insurance on offer, please give our office a call on 0330 088 1157.  And if you’re still undecided, have a think about the following:

  • Would you choose to cover your house or car with discretionary cover? 
  • Has your indemnity subscription increased?
  • Do you feel abandoned by your current indemnity provider?

If the answer to the above is yes, we certainly recommend you obtain a quotation.  The premium for a full time dentist starts from £1,680.00 per year and provides you with a contract certain indemnity product with a quality professional service.

60 second interview with Jim Moran

For a quick insight into the individuals that work in the FTA Finance team, here’s a 60 second interview with Jim Moran based in our Manchester office….

With over 36 years experience in banking, Jim has built an enviable reputation of providing quality service to the healthcare sector. Adept at securing flexible and competitive loan terms, Jim is known as the ‘go-to’ manager in the north of England for those looking for finance to purchase a new business or those simply looking to review existing funding arrangements.  We had the pleasure of asking Jim a few questions about his work at FTA Finance and life outside of the office…..

Q: Can you explain more about a typical day in the office?

Jim: I like to get into the office early and catch up with my emails and pick up on any phone calls with clients as quickly as possible.  Lots of our clients are busy working in practices so it’s generally more convenient to speak to them outside of the usual 9-5 time slot, something we’re more than happy to do here at FTA Finance.

And it’s not just clients that I spend time talking to.  My job role entails liaising with all parties involved in a transaction from the bank financing a loan to the accountants and even the lawyers handing the legal work.  The main goal is to keep any deal on track and get it across the finish line!

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Jim: I genuinely enjoy helping our clients reach their goal of practice ownership, particularly the young associates who come to us for help and then a few months later find themselves proud practice owners.

Q: How long does it take you to drive to work?

Jim: On a good day, 15-20 minutes.  But on a bad day, up to an hour or more!

Q: What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

Jim: That’s simple….I actually like and enjoy my job.

Q: Describe yourself in a few words.

Jim: Honest, reliable, focused, tenacious, and trustworthy.

Q: When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

Jim: Spending time with my wife and family, watching TV, going to the gym or swimming.

Q: What was the last book you read?

Jim: That would be ‘The Girl on a Train’ by Paula Hawkins. A good book and far better than the film.

Q: If you could choose any holiday destination in the world, where would you go?

Jim: Has to be the Maldives.  I’ve been twice before and I’m determined to go back again. It really is paradise and is as good as it looks in the photos.

Q: What’s the best thing about living and working in the Manchester area?

Jim: I’m probably biased as I was born and bred here, but in my opinion there’s nowhere better with great restaurants and social life in this vibrant city. I’m an avid Manchester United fan (and from Manchester) – what more could you want?

Q: Where would you recommend tourists visit if they were in the area?

Jim: That would have to be Lyme Park – a National Trust property.  It’s lovely for a stroll on a Sunday afternoon.

Q: Tell us something about yourself that others might not know?

Jim: I have run a marathon and finished in 3.5 hours!  I was running to raise money for the RNLI and successfully raised over £500 for them.  And before you ask if I’d ever do it again….never! I’ve done it once and that’s enough for me!

If you’d like to speak to Jim, he can be contacted on 0161 393 7107.