Asset Finance for UK SMEs | Fast Business Loans
Summary: Fast Business Loans helps UK businesses access asset finance of £10,000+ by matching you—quickly and free—with specialist lenders and brokers. Submitting an enquiry is not a loan application; it’s a no-obligation way to find quotes and eligibility options with no initial credit impact. Complete our short form and receive matched options within hours so you can compare and decide.
Need Asset Finance Fast?
Fast Business Loans connects UK SMEs with lenders and brokers who specialise in asset finance for equipment, vehicles, machinery, IT and sustainability projects. Our service is free, quick and no obligation — the enquiry is only used to match you with providers. There’s no initial credit search and typical responses come within hours during business days.
- Free eligibility check — no obligation
- Match with lenders/brokers who understand your sector
- Minimum finance: £10,000 upwards
- Fast responses — often within hours
Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
At a Glance
- Uses: vehicles, plant, machinery, IT, renewable tech, healthcare equipment
- Typical ticket sizes: £10,000 to several million (subject to lender)
- Funding speed: from days to a few weeks depending on asset and documentation
- No obligation to proceed after receiving quotes
Get My Asset Finance Options Now
What is Asset Finance?
Asset finance helps businesses acquire or release value from physical assets. Rather than paying the full purchase price upfront, finance can cover new or used equipment through structured options such as hire purchase, finance leases, operating leases or asset refinance. Asset finance preserves working capital and spreads the cost, allowing you to invest in growth without exhausting cash reserves.
Each finance type has different tax and ownership implications; final terms depend on the lender’s assessment of your business and the asset. For deeper technical guidance on these structures, see our pillar resource on asset finance.
Why Choose Fast Business Loans for Asset Finance?
Specialist Matching
We match your enquiry to lenders and brokers experienced in your industry and with your asset type — increasing the chance of a competitive quote.
Speed & Simplicity
Our short enquiry takes under two minutes. Once submitted, you’re usually contacted quickly with indicative options so you can compare without delay.
Transparent & Free
Our introduction service is free for businesses and there’s no obligation to accept any offer. The enquiry is not a formal application — it helps us pair you with the best providers.
Trust & Proven Outcomes
We’ve helped UK companies fund plant, vehicle fleets, production lines, IT systems and green upgrades. You complete one form, and we do the sourcing.
Types of Asset Finance We Can Introduce
Hire Purchase
Typical for businesses that want to own the asset at the end. You pay a deposit (if required) then fixed repayments. Ownership transfers once the final payment is made.
Finance Lease
Payments cover the asset’s use; the lender retains ownership. Often used where ownership isn’t essential and monthly cost is prioritised over ownership.
Operating Lease / Contract Hire
Similar to renting: lower monthly costs, predictable budgeting and end-of-term options such as renewal or return. Common for fleets and IT.
Asset Refinance (Refinancing)
Release cash tied up in existing assets while continuing to use them—helpful for liquidity or redeployment of capital.
Sale & Leaseback
Sell an owned asset to a funder and lease it back to access capital while retaining continued use.
Final product availability, terms and pricing are set by lenders or brokers after assessment.
Assets We Commonly Help Fund
- Plant & heavy machinery (construction, civils)
- Agricultural equipment
- Commercial vehicles & fleets including EVs
- Manufacturing & production lines
- IT, telecoms and server equipment
- Medical and healthcare equipment
- Renewable energy and sustainability assets (solar, EV chargers, heat pumps)
Used and new assets are often acceptable — lenders assess condition and resale value when forming terms.
Who Can Qualify for Asset Finance?
Typical criteria lenders consider:
- UK-registered limited companies, partnerships and LLPs (we do not list sole traders as a target here)
- Minimum trading periods vary by lender — some accept newer businesses, others prefer established trading history
- Turnover and profitability influence options for larger facilities
- Asset type, expected lifespan and residual value
- Director credit history — adverse credit may be considered case-by-case
Tip: have recent accounts, management accounts and an asset supplier quote to hand to speed up responses.
Understanding Asset Finance Costs
Costs depend on the type of finance, lender and your business profile. Expect to see:
- Deposit or initial rental in some deals
- Interest or rental charges — lenders will quote APRs and full terms once a formal application is made
- Fees (documentation, early settlement, option-to-purchase)
Tax treatment varies by finance type (e.g., hire purchase vs lease). Consider independent tax advice for your circumstances.
How Our Free Matching Service Works
- Complete a short enquiry (under two minutes).
- We match you to lenders/brokers suited to your sector and asset.
- You receive contact and indicative options — usually within hours on business days.
- Compare quotes and proceed directly with the provider that suits you.
Remember: submitting an enquiry is not a formal application and does not impact your credit file.
Preparation Checklist for Faster Responses
- Latest signed accounts or management accounts
- Supplier quote or pro-forma invoice for the asset
- Brief summary of the business plan or growth use of funds
- Details of existing finance and any security in place
- Director ID and proof of address (if requested later)
Asset Finance in Action: Sector Use Cases
Construction Company — Plant Hire Purchase
A regional contractor replaces ageing excavators using hire purchase to spread costs while owning assets at term end — maintaining cashflow for materials and labour.
Logistics Fleet — EV Contract Hire
A courier operator upgrades to electric vans via contract hire, benefiting from predictable monthly costs and fleet management options while improving sustainability.
Healthcare Practice — Equipment Refinance
A clinic refinances diagnostic equipment to release capital for expansion without interrupting patient services.
Is Asset Finance Right for You?
Compared with bank loans, asset finance is typically secured against the asset and can be easier to obtain for lower-margin assets with good resale value. It often offers tax and cashflow benefits but may include restrictions (e.g., maintenance obligations). If asset finance isn’t the best fit, our network can introduce alternative options such as invoice finance or working capital loans.
Clear, Fair and Not Misleading
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We do not lend or give regulated financial advice — providers you’re introduced to will supply full terms, APRs and affordability checks where required. We only use the information you provide to match you with relevant partners and will share your enquiry with those partners so they can respond with quotes.
For details on how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy and Terms pages.
Asset Finance FAQs
How quickly can I secure asset finance through Fast Business Loans?
After you submit the enquiry, we typically match you within hours. Final approval and funding depend on the chosen lender and how quickly paperwork and supplier quotes are provided; timelines range from a few days to a few weeks.
Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No. Completing our initial enquiry does not impact your credit file. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you apply formally, and they will discuss this with you first.
Do I need to provide a deposit?
Some products require a deposit or initial rental; others may offer 0% up-front for certain customers. Deposit requirements vary by lender and asset.
Can I finance used equipment?
Yes. Many lenders accept used assets, subject to condition, age and residual value. Provide an honest supplier description or inspection report where possible.
What happens if I miss a repayment?
Speak to your lender immediately. Each provider has its own arrears and forbearance policies. Missed payments can affect your credit profile and may lead to repossession if not resolved.
Can I refinance existing assets to release cash?
Yes — asset refinance or sale-and-leaseback solutions are commonly used to free up working capital while retaining asset use.
Are directors’ guarantees always required?
Not always, but some lenders may request personal guarantees for certain deals, especially for smaller businesses or where company accounts are limited.
Is there a minimum or maximum finance amount?
We work with providers who can help from around £10,000 upwards to multi-million-pound facilities. Exact limits depend on the lender and asset.
Ready to Unlock Asset Finance?
Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match you with specialist lenders and brokers for free. There’s no obligation and no initial credit impact — just faster access to quotes tailored to your business needs.
Get Your Asset Finance Quote Now
Your enquiry is shared only with relevant finance partners and used solely to find suitable quotes for your business.
– Q: What is asset finance and how does it work for UK SMEs?
A: Asset finance lets your business acquire or release value from equipment, vehicles, machinery or IT by spreading costs via hire purchase, leases or refinance while preserving cash flow.
– Q: How fast can I get asset finance through Fast Business Loans?
A: After you submit the free enquiry, we typically match you with suitable lenders or brokers within hours, and funding can complete in a few days to a few weeks depending on the asset and paperwork.
– Q: Does submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
A: No—our initial enquiry triggers no credit search, and any checks only occur later if you choose to proceed with a provider.
– Q: What finance amounts are available?
A: We can introduce facilities from around £10,000 up to multi‑million amounts, subject to lender assessment and the asset.
– Q: Which assets can I fund, and can they be used equipment?
A: You can finance new or used assets such as vehicles, plant, machinery, IT, medical and renewable tech, subject to condition, age and residual value.
– Q: Are you a lender, and is your service free and no-obligation?
A: Fast Business Loans is not a lender; we’re a free, no‑obligation introducer connecting UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers.
– Q: What types of asset finance can you match me with?
A: We can introduce hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease/contract hire, asset refinance and sale‑and‑leaseback, with ownership and tax treatment varying by product.
– Q: Who can qualify for asset finance?
A: UK‑registered limited companies, partnerships and LLPs may qualify, with criteria based on trading history, turnover, asset quality and director credit—newer firms and some adverse credit can be considered case‑by‑case.
– Q: Do I need a deposit or a director’s guarantee?
A: Some deals require a deposit or initial rental and certain lenders may request director guarantees depending on your profile and the facility size.
– Q: What costs should I expect and when will I see an APR?
A: Rates, fees and repayments are set by the lender after assessment—expect interest or rental charges plus any documentation or option‑to‑purchase fees, with APRs provided at formal offer stage and tax treatment varying by product.
