Contrarian: The alternative asset class creating a quiet revolution

How can we fund Britain's 'gazelles'?

Here is one hot topic you will not find any of our competing politicians debating: how do we get investors to take a risk and help fund British business?

There is a quiet revolution going on that might result in the emergence of a whole new 'alternative credit' asset class, with the potential to help fund a huge new range of world-beating SMEs here in the UK.  Credit lines really matter to businesses, whether helping to fill the working capital gap or proper growth capital to expand output. The risk of company failure – or just an unwillingness to pay back the borrower on time – is also ever present and fairly easily quantifiable. The regulators want to make sure this risk is properly addressed within boring, utility-orientated bank ba...