Asset Finance for UK Businesses | Fast Business Loans

Summary: Asset finance lets businesses buy or refinance tangible assets — from plant and machinery to vehicles and IT — while spreading the cost and protecting working capital. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend; we match limited companies and established SMEs (loans and deals from £10,000+) with the lenders and brokers best suited to their sector, asset type and credit profile. Use our free, no-obligation enquiry to get matched quickly — the enquiry is not an application and will not affect your credit score.

What is asset finance?

Asset finance is a way for businesses to acquire, upgrade or release cash from physical assets by using them as the basis of the funding. Rather than paying the full cost up front, you spread payments over an agreed term while putting the equipment to work in the business.

A quick definition tailored to SMEs

In practical terms, asset finance covers arrangements such as hire purchase, finance leases and refinancing of existing company assets. The asset itself often acts as security for the finance, which can make approvals quicker and more cost-efficient for asset-heavy businesses.

Typical items funded

• Construction plant, cranes, diggers and specialist machinery
• Commercial vehicles and entire fleets
• Manufacturing and production equipment
• Medical and dental equipment
• IT hardware, servers and telecoms systems
• Hospitality and catering equipment

Why businesses choose asset finance

• Preserves working capital — pay monthly instead of one large capital outlay
• Match the life of the asset to the finance term
• Possible tax and balance-sheet advantages (seek accountant advice)
• Finance for new or used assets — flexibility to suit your needs
• Fast access to equipment that helps you grow or deliver contracts

How Fast Business Loans helps you secure asset finance

We’re an introducer, not a lender

Fast Business Loans connects your limited company or SME to brokers and lenders experienced in asset finance. Completing our enquiry is free and not an application — it gives us the information needed to match you with the best partners.

Our four-step matching process

1. Complete a short enquiry: tell us about your business, the asset, and how much you need.
2. We match you: we select lenders or brokers from our panel who specialise in your asset type and sector.
3. Rapid response: matched partners typically contact you within hours to discuss options and next steps.
4. Compare and decide: review quotes and terms directly with the provider; you choose whether to proceed.

Asset finance products we can help you access

Hire Purchase (HP)

Hire Purchase allows you to pay for an asset over time. You typically pay a deposit followed by fixed monthly payments. Ownership transfers to you at the end of the term after the final payment.

Finance Leasing

With a finance lease, the lender retains ownership while you get use of the asset for an agreed period. At the end you may have options to buy, extend or return the asset. Operating leases (shorter-term) are also available for some assets.

Asset Refinance / Sale and HP Back

If assets are already owned by the business, asset refinance unlocks cash tied up in those assets — useful for working capital or reinvestment.

Structured deals (balloon payments, seasonal structures)

Flexible structures (eg. balloon payments, stepped payments or seasonal schedules) help match repayments to your cash flow cycles. Our partners can advise on suitable structures for your business.

Unsure which structure is right? We’ll match you with a broker who can explain the pros and cons of each option for your circumstances.

Learn more about specific asset types and typical deals on our dedicated asset finance pillar: asset finance.

Which businesses use asset finance?

Asset finance is popular with businesses that rely on tangible equipment or fleets. Common sectors include:

• Construction and civil engineering
• Manufacturing and engineering
• Transport, logistics and couriers
• Agriculture and farming
• Healthcare and dental practices (equipment)
• Hospitality, catering and leisure

Use cases include replacing ageing machinery, upgrading fleets to meet contracts, investing in green technology, or bridging gaps during busy seasons.

Eligibility & what lenders look at

Typical criteria

• Business trading history and legal status (limited companies and incorporated SMEs)
• Turnover and ability to service repayments
• Credit profile of the business and directors
• Type, age and residual value of the asset
• Deposit or equity you can contribute

Documents you may need

• Recent company accounts and management accounts
• Business bank statements (usually 3–6 months)
• Asset quotes or invoices
• ID and proof of address for company directors

Start-ups, limited trading history and adverse credit

Some lenders specialise in new businesses or cases with imperfect credit; others require longer trading histories. We’ll match you to the right panel member so you get realistic options quickly.

Costs, terms & considerations

Typical terms and deposits

Terms vary by asset and lender — from 12 months up to 5–7 years for some equipment and longer for vehicles. Initial deposits may be required (often from 0–30% depending on deal type and asset).

Interest, fees and total cost

Rates depend on credit profile, asset, term and structure. Always compare the APR, documentation fees, early repayment terms and maintenance responsibilities. Fast Business Loans does not provide financial advice — matched brokers or lenders will give indicative rates and examples before you commit.

Asset finance vs other funding solutions

• Unsecured business loans: No asset security but often higher rates; suitable when you don’t want the asset tied to finance.
• Invoice finance: Best to unlock working capital from unpaid invoices rather than funding fixed assets.
• Asset finance: Optimal when your purchase is asset-heavy — typically lower cost than unsecured lending and closely matched to the asset’s life.

Sometimes a blended approach (asset finance + short term working capital) is the most sensible option; we can match you to partners who offer multi-product advice.

Why use Fast Business Loans for asset finance?

• Speed — submit one short form and get matched in minutes.
• Sector fit — we select lenders and brokers with proven experience in your industry.
• No upfront cost — our introduction service is free to business owners.
• Secure — data is handled with strong safeguards and only shared with relevant partners.
• Transparent — enquiries are not applications; you decide which offers to pursue.

Asset finance FAQs

1. Is Fast Business Loans a lender?

No. We introduce limited companies and SMEs to finance brokers and lenders. Any finance agreement is arranged directly between you and the lender/broker after you’re matched.

2. Will an enquiry affect my credit score?

No — simply submitting our enquiry will not show as a credit application. Matched lenders may perform credit checks later if you apply.

3. Can I finance used machinery or second-hand vehicles?

Yes. Many lenders provide finance for used equipment, though age, condition and residual value affect pricing and terms.

4. How quickly can I access funding?

Once you accept a lender’s offer and complete their checks, funding for standard asset finance deals can be available within days to a few weeks depending on asset delivery and valuation.

5. What’s the minimum deal size?

We typically handle asset finance enquiries from £10,000 upwards. If your requirement is smaller, other funding types may be more suitable.

6. Do you charge fees to businesses?

No — submitting an enquiry via Fast Business Loans is free. Any fees associated with a finance arrangement are disclosed by the lender or broker before you sign.

Ready to explore your asset finance options?

Get matched quickly with specialist lenders and brokers who understand your industry and asset type. Complete our short enquiry (it’s free and not an application) and we’ll introduce you to providers who can give tailored quotes and next steps.

Start Your Free Asset Finance Enquiry

Important: Fast Business Loans is an introducer, not a lender. Completing our enquiry form is not an application for credit — it helps us match your business to lenders or brokers who may contact you with offers. Any finance contract will be between you and the lender/broker; seek independent professional advice where needed.

Data handling: we treat your information securely and only share it with partners who can help with your request. Typical response times from matched lenders/brokers are within a few hours during business days; some responses may take longer depending on complexity.

– Is Fast Business Loans a lender?
No—Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK limited companies and SMEs with specialist lenders and brokers for asset finance.

– Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the quick enquiry is not a credit application and won’t impact your credit score; checks only occur if you choose to proceed with a provider.

– What assets can I finance?
You can finance vehicles, plant and machinery, manufacturing equipment, medical/dental equipment, IT hardware and other tangible business assets, subject to lender criteria.

– What asset finance products can you help me access?
We connect you with providers offering hire purchase, finance leases (including operating leases) and asset refinance or sale-and-HP-back agreements.

– What’s the minimum deal size you handle?
We typically support asset finance requirements from £10,000 upwards.

– Can I finance used equipment or refinance existing assets?
Yes—many lenders fund used assets and can release cash via asset refinance, depending on age, condition and residual value.

– How quickly can I get funding?
Matched lenders or brokers usually contact you within hours, and once approved funding can complete in days to a few weeks depending on the asset and checks.

– What eligibility criteria and documents do lenders look for?
Lenders assess trading history, affordability and credit profile alongside the asset’s value, and typically request accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, quotes/invoices and director ID/address.

– Do I need a deposit and what terms are typical?
Deposits vary by deal (often 0–30%) and terms commonly range from 12 to 84 months, sometimes longer for vehicles and certain equipment.

– How much does asset finance cost and do you charge fees?
Rates and fees depend on your credit, asset type, term and structure—compare APR and any charges with the lender—while using Fast Business Loans is free and carries no obligation.