Every industry has unique financial demands, which is why we create custom asset finance packages tailored to specific business needs. At Active Business Finance, we serve a wide range of sectors, from construction and logistics to technology and manufacturing. Our bespoke funding solutions are designed to provide maximum flexibility while supporting business growth.

After all, every business faces unique challenges when it comes to securing essential assets, which is why we take the time to understand your operational goals. By tailoring our asset finance packages to your industry’s specific requirements, we ensure funding solutions that drive efficiency, profitability and long-term success.

At Active Business Finance, we provide expert asset finance solutions designed to help businesses grow while maintaining cash flow. Our personal approach ensures that every client receives tailored funding that supports both short-term needs and long-term goals. With decades of experience in commercial finance, we deliver competitive funding packages backed by in-depth market knowledge.

We pride ourselves on providing fast, transparent service. From application to approval, our streamlined process ensures businesses access the funding they need without unnecessary delays. Each client benefits from dedicated account management, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

Unlike standard lenders, we assess a wide range of business assets, offering flexible finance options like hire purchase, leasing and asset refinancing. We focus on creating financial partnerships built on trust, efficiency and results, helping businesses invest in essential equipment, expand operations and stay competitive in today’s ever-changing marketplace.

Invest in your business’s future with asset finance for small businesses from Active Business Finance. Contact us today for a tailored bespoke funding solution designed to help your business thrive.

Asset finance is finance secured against an asset that is tangible and based in the UK. It is less risky for lenders because if you fail to repay the loan, they can repossess the asset to recover their loan. Because of this it can be easier to get asset finance compared to an unsecured business loan, especially for smaller businesses and poor credit situations. Most asset finance agreements still typically require a personal guarantee.

Using asset finance allows you to spread the cost of the asset over several years, rather than paying for the whole asset upfront. This means you can grow quicker as you keep more cash in the business. There is also the option to lease an asset which is great for startups as this keeps the monthly costs to a minimum to utilise the asset.

Different Types of Asset Finance

Hire Purchase

Hire purchase is the most common form of asset finance where you pay an initial deposit (typically 20% of the asset) and then repay the remainder of the balance over a term of up to 6 years. Some lenders give you the option to have a balloon payment at the end to keep monthly costs lower. At the end of the agreement, you have to pay the balloon payment to own the asset.

For businesses, this is particularly advantageous as the asset will appear on your balance sheet, strengthening the value and credit of the business. You will also benefit from depreciation on the asset which lenders add back into your EBITDA when assessing affordability.

The advantages to hire purchase are:

• You spread the cost of the asset over a longer period of time
• The asset shows on your balance sheet
• You will eventually own the asset

Leasing

Leasing is effectively renting the assets or equipment that you require. You pay a monthly fee for the use of the asset and at the end of the contract, you can either hand the asset back, extend the lease or transfer into a hire purchase agreement to eventually own the asset.

This can be particularly useful if you need some specialist equipment for a one-off contract where it is unlikely that you will need it regularly in the future.

There are a lot of advantages to leasing, including:

• Lower monthly repayments
• You do not require an initial deposit
• You don’t have to worry about maintenance
• You are not tied to the equipment. Next time you need the specialist equipment you could lease a newer model instead.

Which is the best for you? Call us and we can help you decide.

Asset finance is generally a cheaper option than an unsecured business loan as the lenders have the asset as security. The cost depends on a range of factors – the type of asset, make, model, age, condition, resale value as well as the credit worthiness of the business and directors.

Asset finance is usually quoted by yield rather than interest rate which is why we suggest you always look at the actual cost figures as there are lots of different ways the agreements can be structured. This is where we can advise you to ensure that you get the best deal that suits you.

Asset:

the asset can literally be anything, as long as it is a tangible fixed asset based in the UK and ideally not more than 5 years old unless it’s very specialised.

Having said that we can get arrange funding for an overseas-based asset – contact us to find out more.

Trading history:

with asset finance, trading history is not so important as the finance lender’s risk is offset by them being able to repossess the asset in the event you are unable to make the repayments. As a result, asset finance is a popular option for startups, as long as you can justify how you will make the initial repayments such as proof of upcoming work/ contracts.

To get finance for a specific asset, the lender will need to know the specific details of the asset including:

• What the asset is
• Make and exact model of the asset
• Mileage (if applicable or similar)
• Formal quote from a UK supplier
• Exact cost of the asset

From this information, the lender will evaluate the asset and provide an initial assessment and indicative offer. We can look to tailor this indicative offer for you in multiple ways and once you are happy with this, then they will require:

• Last 3 months’ business bank statements
• Latest full filed accounts

They will then make a formal offer and if you accept this, you then simply sign the finance agreement and the lender will pay the supplier for the asset and have it delivered to you. If using hire purchase, you will be required to pay the VAT on the full value of the asset upfront.

• Accessible:

  asset finance can be easier to get as the finance is secured against the asset however the key is to structure the right deal. This means there are low minimum requirements to get a loan, even for startups who can use asset finance to get the assets they require to start their business.

• Flexible:

  there are many ways to structure an asset finance agreement and so we can ensure we tailor the best deal for your requirements, whether that’s to have the lowest possible cost, lowest monthly repayments, option to upgrade/ change the asset during the finance term etc.

• Cost:

  as the assets are secured by the lender until the final repayment is made, there is less risk for the lender and so they can typically offer the finance at a cheaper rate compared to an unsecured loan.

• Speed:

  as long as the asset is fairly generic and there is no need for the lender to inspect it, then asset finance can typically be done in a few days. However, if the asset is very specialised or high value, then the lender may want to inspect it and get an independent valuation which may make the process slightly longer.

• Complicated

  as there are many ways that asset finance can be structured (size of initial deposit, term, balloon payment, monthly repayment etc.) it can be quite confusing to understand the best available deal. Ultimately, it comes down to your affordability, requirements of the asset and how long you think you will need it. On top of this, most lenders will quote the cost by yield rather than interest rate and so we recommend that you look at the actual figures to understand the total cost of the loan.

• Upfront cost

  hire purchase agreements will require an initial deposit on the asset that you’re looking to purchase which is typically the cost of the VAT (20% of the value of the asset). If you are a startup and do not have the cash for the initial deposit, this could prevent you from getting asset finance, however we may be able to get you an unsecured loan to cover this.

• Exit

  if you no longer need the asset for whatever reason, it can be difficult to get out of asset finance agreements as there is usually a penalty to pay. This is why it is very important to ensure you get the right deal structured for your requirements at the beginning in order to prevent this from happening.

Get in Touch

020 4525 2521
info@activebusinessfinance.com

14 Turnham Green Terrace,
Chiswick,
London W4 1QU