Our history | Lombard

Bought out by the National Provincial Bank in 1958, the company expanded quickly. By the time we celebrated our centenary in 1961, we became the oldest surviving hire purchase company in the world.

In 1968, we became a subsidiary of the new National Westminster Bank. The company pioneered the leasing of machinery and assets to businesses, enabling companies to modernise and expand. Three years later, Lombard North Central was formed and we launched our first logo: a diamond-shaped lump of coal and the letter L.

In the 1980s, asset-based financing for business grew dramatically. We started to specialise in tailoring and negotiating facilities for major companies, providing combined leasing of industrial buildings, plant and machinery. The 80s also saw our motor financing develop as links were built with major manufacturers and dealers.

Always ahead of the game, we began leasing new technology to companies as early as 1986, a venture which is now known as Lombard Technology Services. The company came out of the recession in the early 90s making record profits, and was described by the Financial Times as 'an outstanding bright spot in the banking industry'.

In 1995 we changed our corporate identity, adopting the simple title of Lombard. Lombard Corporate Finance was created, developing new leasing products for sectors such as films, aviation, maritime, technology and private finance. We later secured our biggest deal to date, winning a bid to finance the purchase of trains for Virgin Rail worth over £395 million.