BOQ acquires SME funding business

Centrepoint Alliance Premium Funding originates around 30,000 new loans each year, predominantly to SMEs. In the 12 months ended June 30, 2016, the business funded $377 million in gross written premiums distributed through more than 420 commercial insurance broker relationships.

BOQ's managing director and CEO Jon Sutton said the bolt-on acquisition was a natural extension to the BOQ Finance business and aligned to BOQ’s strategy to target profitable niche business segments.

“BOQ Finance has developed expertise in offering specialised financing solutions for the SME sector through proprietary and third-party distribution channels,” he said.

“Premium funding complements BOQ Finance’s existing product offering, providing customers with a valuable cash flow management tool for addressing their critical insurance needs.”

“Under BOQ’s ownership, the business will benefit from funding cost synergies, whilst also providing opportunities for product expansion.”

“This transaction demonstrates that we are delivering on our strategy to grow specialist niches.”

In an trading update, BOQ said that although immaterial to FY17 earnings, the acquisition will be immediately earnings accretive for the group.

The acquired business will be rebranded and form a new division within BOQ Finance.

Completion of the transaction is expected to occur on December 30, 2016.

[Related: Centrepoint Alliance on broker growth path]