"VPC SPECIALTY Lending bolstered its exposure to balance sheet lending in January as it continues to shift its focus from marketplace loans.nnThe investment trustu2019s latest monthly report for January 2017 revealed balance sheet loans made up 58 per cent of its net asset value, compared with 24 per cent in marketplace lending.nnNew balance sheet investments for the month included Cognical, owner of American lease-to-own finance provider Zibby, and Mexican online lender Kueski. There are more in the pipeline, the report said.nnIts cash position reduced from 13 per cent to eight per cent after the proceeds of a sale of a Funding Circle UK loan portfolio were used to fund balance sheet investments.nnThe investment trust, which invests mainly in the US, now has holdings in 24 platforms, 19 of which were balance sheet investments, and has equity stakes in 18 platforms."