A group of astute investors see the business possibilities in leasing wagons to local railway companies, collieries and quarries.

Prudential remained a major shareholder for the next thirty years and Guthrie, an entrepreneur knighted in 1936, transformed the business through acquisition and organic growth.

During the beginning of the 1950s, the North Central Wagon and Finance Co diversified by partnering with merchant bankers Seligman Brothers.

From its origins in 1946, Lombard Banking had developed hire purchase activities and become one of the largest finance houses in the United Kingdom.

A Corporate Finance department began to specialise in tailoring and negotiating facilities for major companies, pioneering combined leasing of industrial buildings, plant and machinery.

At the end of 1998, Lombard secured its biggest deal to date, winning a bid to finance the purchase of 78 trains for Virgin Rail Group worth over £395 million.

At this time, the company head office was now located at 3 Princess Way in Redhill, Surrey, just adjacent to the Warwick Quadrant.

Lombard Direct provided loans within the limit of £800 to £15,000, and became known for their advertising featuring an animated anthropomorphic talking blue telephone (voiced by Enn Reitel).

[3] Lombard have sponsored various sporting events and athletes, including rowing champions Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent, who represented the United Kingdom and won the country's only gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and also at the Sydney Summer Olympics of 2000.