Top performers at FirstPlus Financial Group go the extra mile in style. The person who wins employee of the month gets the use of a Mercedes convertible with free petrol for a month. This is just one of a range of rewards within what the company calls its "high-performance culture" in which staff are "committed to overachieving". Established in 1997, the Cardiff-based firm provides secured personal loans to property owners, letting them borrow up to 25% more than the value of their house, less their outstanding mortgage balance, to enable them to consolidate whatever high interest credit they owe into one monthly payment which can significantly reduce their outgoings. FirstPlus is proud to be a good employer and has received a range of national and international accolades to mark its good practice. Last year it finished 22nd in our 100 Best Small Companies To Work For list. Increased staff numbers have lifted it into this list and even greater success. As well as the opportunity to speed off in a Merc, hard work also earns points as part of an incentives programme, with 100 points equal to £10. Points are banked and used for items from an online catalogue, travel or high-street vouchers, or "red letter days". These rewards go down well; employees think good performance is appropriately awarded, the 82% positive score topped by just seven firms. Training is provided to all levels of staff and employees can expect 21 to 30 days off-the-job training in their first year. The company maintains a proactive approach to making sure everyone is receiving all the support they need to do their job well. Team relationships are strong and there is a healthy budget to fund social activities to help with bonding. Events, open to families, include an annual children's Christmas party, a regatta in Cardiff Bay and a family fun day. While staff say their team is fun to work with (87%), the camaraderie is not just about having a laugh; they also have confidence in their colleagues' professional abilities (82%). Jeremy Masding, FirstPlus's chief executive of two years, scores highly with his employees who think he is doing a great job (83%) and who are excited about where the organisation is going, the 81% positive score ranking the company 10th on this measure.