SEISMIC OPPORTUNITIES FUND

Alba “SME focused challenger bank" Series A Investment

• Seeded by some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs including Industrialist Jim McColl
• Looking to replicate the success of Aldermore, Shawbrook, OakNorth and Revolut (Revolut has so far delivered an indicative return of >100x to some early investors)
• A ‘Reach Out’ bank with relationship and human contact  High Touch–High Tech

• Bringing the next stage of Fintech – enabling Fintech combined with dependable banking

• The only challenger bank taking a North to South geographic approach with a focus on the regions

About the investment

• A rare opportunity to invest at a valuation consistent with founder investors
• Investors to own almost half of the business
• Minimum investment size of £1,000
• This 'Series A' round of £5m to be invested in:
• £2.5m of regulatory capital (held on balance sheet)
• £2.5m for technology and to scale the team

The investment managers, Seismic Venture Partners, have negotiated an opportunity for investors to own almost half of the business as part of the current raise of £5 million. This is a fraction of the valuation of other challenger banks at the same stage of their evolution.

Alba through its high-touch, high-tech offering is looking to revolutionise banking for SMEs in the same way that Monzo and Revolut are for consumers.

Launching now and in partnership through the Seismic Opportunities Fund, this Series A round is being offered directly to smaller investors with a minimum investment size of £1,000 (subject to self-certification as a sophisticated or high net worth investor).

This is a rare opportunity to invest alongside some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Finally it looks like there is a challenger bank on the horizon which is blending together the best of the old (personalised, supportive and local customer service) with the new (a flexible and fit for purpose technology platform) to provide local business with local banking relationships and support.

Alba's Chief Executive Rod Ashley, former head of Airdrie Savings Bank, said

“We are really excited by the opportunity to broaden our investor base to local people in the local areas we are looking to develop and grow into.  Our existing investors have been fantastic in their support to date and it is an important part of our journey to open up this investment to a broader range of investors using our planned pod network in cities across the UK including Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.”

“The investment opportunity is just the type of business we are excited to be associated with and looking to support. Having run one of the UK’s oldest engineering companies I experienced first hand just what type of banking relationship is needed to support a mid-sized business.  I share Alba’s passion in looking to support great UK based companies and belief in business as a force for good.”

Ewan Lloyd-Baker, Principal, Seismic

Seismic / Alba Bank – CoInvestor pitch event

Proactiveinvestors United Kingdom

UK Manufacturing Media / Zenoot TV

RISK WARNING

Investing in off-market companies involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Seismic's offerings are targeted exclusively at investors who are sufficiently sophisticated to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions.

View the full Risk warning here.

Seismic Venture Partners Ltd is an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM), specialising in growth capital and venture investing and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 784448.

Seismic Venture Partners Ltd is Registered in England & Wales No.09249524.
The Registered Office address is at No.17 Cosway Street, London NW1 5NR.