February 26th 2019 Cheshire
We started our crowdfunding journey with a bold and disruptive idea in Feb 2014. At the time we had no FCA regulation, laws or rules for our Peer to Peer loans and savings platform.
Our team have helped shape the crowdfunding regulations via multiple regulatory consultations. This volume of work and loyal investment has finally culminated in the FCA proposing the introduction of Regulated Crowdfunded Mortgages later this year.
Our early visionary investors are currently sitting on a 10.7 X paper gain. We are now opening up the current EIS qualifying round at a £26.2 Million valuation - £16.28 per share.
Proceeds raised will enable us to dramatically scale the business and realise our plans to repeat a further 10 X + multiple within the next 3-5 years.
Any future profits realised from the sale of existing and new shares will be free from any Capital Gains Tax (CGT) after holding for a minimum of 3 years, thanks to the fantastic HMRC EIS tax breaks granted to investors when they decide to invest in innovative businesses such as JustUs. You will also qualify for 30% Income Tax Relief on your investment.
As the JustUs platform and business model is highly cash generative, this is likely to be the last opportunity to purchase equity.
The equity offering is now open to our current investors and our trusted professional network.
A full Investor Pack is available via registration at the JustUs Equity Platform.
"Fintech Unicorn?"
A personal video message to the JustUs family.
If you have any questions, please feel fee to contact me directly.
Ends
For more information contact
Lee Birkett at JustUs on 01625 750034 or lee@justus.co
Notes to Editors
Interviews with the JustUs team are available to view here.
The JustUs Journey to Date is available here.
April 6th 2018 Cheshire/London UK
Using P2P lending platform, JustUs, savers can now place their cash with a leading property developer to help house the UK's most vulnerable whilst seeing returns of up to 6.5%
More and more people are looking at ethical ways to invest their cash and make it work for them and others. Last year, investors placed more than £1bn into ethical investment funds. Now P2P lender, JustUs, is offering savers the opportunity to help build homes for some of the UK's most vulnerable people.
JustUs has partnered with property developer, Mersten, to launch the Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) investment.
Initial funds will be used to renovate and develop a property in south-west London, which will help house residents with learning disabilities and those that require 24/7 care.
The IFISA aims to raise £367,500 and will offer a return up to of 6.5 percent to investors, whilst providing a bridging loan to Mersten for up to 50% of the property's value to fund the renovation.
Mersten provides an integrated and human approach to property development. With extensive experience in property and social care, it has become a leading provider of bespoke homes for vulnerable people.
Founder and Chief Executive of JustUs, Lee Birkett, said:
"We're delighted to be working alongside Mersten to offer this unique investment opportunity. It will make a real difference to those people who require bespoke homes and 24-hour care."
"This project is an extremely attractive proposition for those savers who are looking for ethical projects where their money can work for them and others. Our aim is to fund 100 properties over the next two years, so it's extremely exciting to launch the first of these projects."
The IFISA opportunity will pay monthly interest and there are no fees attached. Loans are covered by a first legal charge over the security of the properties. All JustUs cash is held within the new ring-fenced Barclays Bank UK PLC.
JustUs is one of the few peer-to-peer lending platforms that has maintained full transparency with investors since its inception in 2016.
Ends
For more information contact
Anna Thomas at Big Brand Ideas on 07955 882578 or anna@bigbrandideas.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Interviews with the JustUs team are available to view here.
The JustUs Journey to Date is available here.
March 19th 2018 Cheshire/London UK
The new Innovative Finance ISAs have been four years in the making and will bring fresh competition to the likes of Rate Setter and Zopa.
Ethical peer-to-peer lending platform JustUs has launched an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) investing in projects to build individual homes for some of the UK's most vulnerable.
Funds in the ISA will be used to renovate and develop new houses for residents with learning disabilities or those that require 24/7 care.
The IFISA will pay interest of 6.5% to investors whilst providing a bridging loan to accredited developers for up to 70% of the open market value or purchase price, whichever is lower.
Accredited developers bring the property up to the required specification in conjunction with occupational therapists. The council or housing association will agree long term 20 to 30 year leases for individual long term care needs. Property acquisition will then be completed by long term financial institutions and JustUs lenders will be repaid in full.
Founder and Chief Executive of JustUs, Lee Birkett, said:
"We are excited to be able to offer UK consumers the chance to enjoy saving and investing in an ISA that will make a real difference to people's lives."
"At JustUs we have always been passionate about delivering positive outcomes for people from all walks of life. In the UK, there is a housing crisis and this is even more critical for those in a vulnerable position - requiring round the clock care or specially adapted homes."
"Over the next 24 months we're aiming to fund 100 properties on the platform. Local government institutions have already been contracted to lease these properties once they are developed in conjunction with occupational therapists and the families involved. This project will transform the lives of many and we're incredibly proud to be involved"
The new IFISA will pay monthly interest, with no fees, and the loans are covered by a first legal charge over the security of the properties. All JustUs cash is held within the new ring-fenced Barclays Bank UK PLC.
All earnings in the JustUs IFISAs are tax-free, up to the standard £20,000 annual ISA allowance. Existing ISAs can be transferred to the JustUs IFISA quickly and simply.
When it comes to risk and protections for clients' money, JustUs is one of the few peer-to-peer lenders that has maintained full transparency since its inception in 2016.
Birkett and his backers, who include advertising agency boss turned angel investor Sir John Hegarty via his business incubator The Garage, Soho, believe that with interest rates still at a record low, new products for savers are urgently required.
Ends
For more information contact
Anna Thomas at Big Brand Ideas on 07955 882578 or anna@bigbrandideas.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Interviews with the JustUs team are available to view here.
The JustUs Journey to Date is available here.
March 19th 2018 Cheshire/London UK
The new Innovative Finance ISAs have been four years in the making and will bring fresh competition to the likes of Rate Setter and Zopa.
Ethical peer-to-peer lending platform JustUs has launched an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) investing in projects to build individual homes for some of the UK's most vulnerable.
Funds in the ISA will be used to renovate and develop new houses for residents with learning disabilities or those that require 24/7 care.
The IFISA will pay interest of 6.5% to investors whilst providing a bridging loan to accredited developers for up to 70% of the open market value or purchase price, whichever is lower.
Accredited developers bring the property up to the required specification in conjunction with occupational therapists. The council or housing association will agree long term 20 to 30 year leases for individual long term care needs. Property acquisition will then be completed by long term financial institutions and JustUs lenders will be repaid in full.
Founder and Chief Executive of JustUs, Lee Birkett, said:
"We are excited to be able to offer UK consumers the chance to enjoy saving and investing in an ISA that will make a real difference to people's lives."
"At JustUs we have always been passionate about delivering positive outcomes for people from all walks of life. In the UK, there is a housing crisis and this is even more critical for those in a vulnerable position - requiring round the clock care or specially adapted homes."
"Over the next 24 months we're aiming to fund 100 properties on the platform. Local government institutions have already been contracted to lease these properties once they are developed in conjunction with occupational therapists and the families involved. This project will transform the lives of many and we're incredibly proud to be involved"
The new IFISA will pay monthly interest, with no fees, and the loans are covered by a first legal charge over the security of the properties. All JustUs cash is held within the new ring-fenced Barclays Bank UK PLC.
All earnings in the JustUs IFISAs are tax-free, up to the standard £20,000 annual ISA allowance. Existing ISAs can be transferred to the JustUs IFISA quickly and simply.
When it comes to risk and protections for clients' money, JustUs is one of the few peer-to-peer lenders that has maintained full transparency since its inception in 2016.
Birkett and his backers, who include advertising agency boss turned angel investor Sir John Hegarty via his business incubator The Garage, Soho, believe that with interest rates still at a record low, new products for savers are urgently required.
Ends
For more information contact
Anna Thomas at Big Brand Ideas on 07955 882578 or anna@bigbrandideas.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Interviews with the JustUs team are available to view here.
The JustUs Journey to Date is available here.
March 9th 2018 Cheshire/London UK
The new Innovative Finance ISAs have been four years in the making and will bring fresh competition to the likes of Rate Setter and Zopa.
Three new Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs) paying a tax-free return of up to 9.61% have been launched by ethical peer-to-peer lending platform JustUs.
JustUs is the brainchild of financier, Lee Birkett and is chaired by Derek Zissman, former vice chairman of KPMG UK, co-founder of KPMG's Corporate Finance and Private equity practices and ex-Barclays Wealth and Investment Management board director.
Unlike other peer-to-peer lending platforms, JustUs is completely transparent and fully regulated. Its website allows people to choose exactly where they want to invest their money, along with pictures and detailed plans of the property or development that their money will support.
The new IFISAs are aimed at savers who are uninspired by poor returns but do not wish to invest in the stock market.
Founder and Cheif Executive of JustUs, Lee Birkett said:
"Individuals and investors will for the first time know exactly what they are investing in. Lots of the other peer-to-peer platforms started out like this but somewhere along the way reverted to a 'black box' system, with no visibility for people to know where their money is going. Our customers are mostly high net worth individuals and high earners, who want a better return on their savings and investments."
"Those using JustUs can lend to borrowers with great credit histories, secured against property, and also to consumers with a less-than-perfect credit history, but who have friends or family members, with great credit histories, willing to stand as guarantor. There are three risk options people can choose from, starting with Prudent that will return 4.32% through to Adventurous returning up to 9.61% p.a."
All three IFISAs pay monthly interest, with no fees, and have security in property. All JustUs cash is held within the new ring-fenced Barclays Bank UK PLC.
All earnings in the JustUs IFISAs are tax-free, up to the standard £20,000 annual ISA allowance. Investors can withdraw funds when they need them and replace them when they want to. Existing ISAs can be transferred to the JustUs IFISA quickly and simply.
When it comes to risk and protections for clients' money, JustUs is one of the few peer-to-peer lenders that has maintained full transparency since its inception in 2016.
Birkett and his backers, who include advertising agency boss turned angel investor Sir John Hegarty via his business incubator The Garage, Soho, believe that with interest rates still at a record low, new products for savers are urgently required.
"JustUs is for everyone, it's an exciting evolution for the sector, which can only become more relevant as savers become increasingly fed up with humdrum returns."
Ends
For more information contact
Anna Thomas at Big Brand Ideas on 07955 882578 or anna@bigbrandideas.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Interviews with the JustUs team are available to view here.
September 21st 2017 Cheshire/London UK
Disruptive peer-to-peer lender JustUs has now been approved as an ISA Manager by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
The pioneering fin-tech company, backed by some of the UK's leading entrepreneurs including Sir John Hegarty and Thomas Teichman, is now just weeks away from formally launching its flagship Innovative Finance ISA.
Founder and CEO Lee Birkett said:
"We are really gathering momentum. Ahead of the launch of the ISA in October there has been a really great level of interest with nearly 150 lenders pre-registering to open an account, which is all the more pleasing given we've done no marketing!"
HMRC has approved the ISA Manager status to Emoney Hub Ltd, JustUs' long-established parent company.
Ends
For more information contact
Chris Barry at Influential on 07464 547297 or barry@thisisinfluential.com
Notes to Editors
The Innovative Finance ISA was launched by HM Treasury on April 6 2016 and it enables lenders to earn their interest free of income tax for the first time. Investors will be able to put in up to £20,000 from April 2017.
September 12th 2017 Cheshire/London UK
DISRUPTIVE peer-to-peer lending platform JustUs is set to revolutionise the personal finance market after passing a major regulatory milestone.
The Cheshire-based business, which launched in 2016, has been granted full authorisation by the Financial Conduct Authority for peer-to-peer lending.
Full authorisation is a pre-requisite to offer the JustUs Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) and registration forms have been submitted to HMRC with a planned launch of the ISA in October.
Founder and Chief Executive Lee Birkett CEO said:
"I am thrilled we have secured this authorisation. It has been a long process and we understand the need for the FCA to be thorough and rigorous. It means we can now push on and raise significant funds to establish JustUs as a true market leader."
Birkett, who has 27 years experience in financial services, added:
"A number of our larger competitors have been unable to satisfy the regulatory requirements to operate a peer-to-peer lending platform, and have withdrawn from the application process. We wholeheartedly believe in the spirit of peer-to-peer and as a team have all invested a huge amount of the time, money and effort to deliver a unique proposition to UK borrowers and savers."
Birkett and his backers, who include veteran advertising agency boss turned angel investor Sir John Hegarty via his business incubator The Garage, Soho, said that with interest rates at a record low of 0.25%, new products for savers are urgently required.
"The ISA brand is of huge significance to the UK savings and Investment market, currently worth approximately £500bn. The ability to deliver a better return for savers' cash is something that we relish and have been testing since formation in 2013."
Reflecting the company's values of transparency and fairness and inclusivity, JustUs will be inclusive in its reach.
Birkett explains:
"Our lenders can lend to borrowers with great credit histories and also to consumers with a less-than-perfect credit history, but who have friends or family members willing to stand as guarantor."
JustUs plans to launch a number of market-leading products including offering; bridging loan rates from 7% p.a. compared to a market average of 10%; unsecured loans from 10% compared to a credit card average of 18%; guarantor loans of 28% compared to a market average of 42% and buy-to-let mortgages offering up to 3.5% interest payable to lenders and fixed rate borrower interest rates for up to 15 Years from 4.5% fixed.
Sir John Hegarty added:
"Gaining full regulatory approval shows our belief in the business model Lee and his team presented to us was justified. That is why we at The Garage are so pleased to be part of JustUs."
Ends
For more information contact
Chris Barry at Influential on 07464 547297 or barry@thisisinfluential.com
Notes to Editors
The Innovative Finance ISA was launched by HM Treasury on April 6 2016 and it enables lenders to earn their interest free of income tax for the first time. Investors will be able to put in up to £20,000 from April 2017.
June 30th 2016 Cheshire/London UK
JustUs, www.justus.co a financial community, built on transparency, fairness and inclusivity, has launched, looking to raise £5m. The brainchild of financial services entrepreneur Lee Birkett, who is backed by veteran ad agency boss Sir John Hegarty and start-up specialist Thomas Teichman. JustUs intends to positively alter the lending landscape.
JustUs plans to become the provider of the broadest range of Peer-to-Peer consumer loans and secured lending, offering best in class rates, simplicity and inclusivity to an extensive range of borrowers. The crowd and institutional fundraising, will value the business at £25m. The bulk of the proceeds will be used for high profile advertising campaign to drive public awareness and membership of the community. It is expected the business will create up to 130 jobs in the North West over the next three years.
Joining the business is Thomas Adalbert, who has left a role as a Global Principal in fintech at Google to invest in and join JustUs as Chief Marketing Officer. Sir John Hegarty, a founding partner of Saatchi & Saatchi, has also invested in the business and leads the brand team for JustUs, which will devise a multi-million pound advertising campaign for the platform in the coming months.
JustUs is reinforced through its P2P platform being designed specifically with the UK P2P legislation at the core of its offering. JustUs' robust underwriting process ensures that an appropriate risk rating is applied to the potential borrower and where necessary further security is sought from the borrower or an appropriate personal guarantor. Borrowers must be in a position to make the payments on the loan and provide supporting evidence. They must be in full time employment, self-employment or be in receipt of a private pension.
JustUs is the evolution of Birkett's established and FCA-regulated peer-to-peer lending platform eMoneyUnion.com. Around £2m has already been invested in the platform since inception. Birkett, who has 26 years' experience in the financial services sector, and is a passionate advocate for alternative finance, says: "JustUs is for everyone, it's an exciting evolution for the sector, which I believe can only become more relevant as consumers see that despite the worst financial crisis in a generation, banks and bankers' behaviour hasn't really changed.
"I believe we are completely disrupting the status quo with a range of accessible products for borrowers from a comprehensive range of backgrounds and credit history."
"JustUs is democratic, by the people, for the people. Savers are uninspired by their humdrum returns. We can give them access to the higher returns by bringing them together with a broad mix of consumer, guarantor and secured loans.
Thomas Teichman, serial investor and founder of Spark Ventures said: "Secured lending backed by property is a much more secure place for investors combined with a much better return than cash."
"I'm using it myself to raise my yields on a part of my assets. JustUs has a very deep experience base in this area. "
New Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Adalbert added: "Going back to the very beginning of the lending marketplace, people would come together and help others out by lending money to them. I think we lost our way and the whole banking fraternity just got too greedy.
"This, on the other hand is going back to the roots, allowing you to help out other people through lending money. The alternative finance sector is evolving and growing and that is why I have given up my job with Google to invest my time and my money in to JustUs."
JustUs is expecting to deliver a loan book of around £254m by year 4 of the plan - during Beta testing of the site it attracted £130m of borrower applications from a marketing spend of £150,000. The company has received legal advice from Field Fisher in Manchester (led by partner Matt Fleetwood).
Investments of this nature carry risks to your capital and you may lose all of your investment.
For more information contact
Chris Barry at Influential on 07464 547297 or barry@thisisinfluential.com
Notes to Editors
The Innovative Finance ISA was launched by HM Treasury on April 6 2016 and it enables lenders to earn their interest free of income tax for the first time. Investors will be able to put in up to £15,240 in the 2016/17 tax year, and £20,000 from April 2017.
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED AGAINST IT. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF CONSOLIDATING EXISTING BORROWING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BE EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE DEBT AND INCREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU WILL REPAY.