Demystifying asset finance

It is taken for granted that everyone knows what Asset Finance it is; yet, in the Close Brothers Business Barometer, a survey of 1,000 UK SMEs – the percentage of ‘yes’ responses to the question ‘have you heard of asset finance’, has remained at around 40% – since 2013

What is asset finance?

Asset Finance is an alternative form of funding used by businesses to obtain the equipment, vehicles, or machinery they need to grow.

Common examples of asset finance products are:

• Hire Purchase (HP) allows the customer to buy the equipment on credit. The finance company purchases the asset on behalf of the customer and owns the asset until the final instalment is paid
• Refinancing (Capital Release): The finance company purchases the asset from your business and finances it back to you, releasing the equity raised into your cash flow. Repayments are calculated in line with the income stream that will be generated by the asset; at the end of the refinance term, you own the asset
• Finance Lease: The full value of the equipment is repaid to the finance company, plus interest, over the lease period. At the end of the term, the company can choose to:
  • • Continue to use the asset by entering a secondary rental period
    • Sell the asset and keep a portion of the income from the sale
    • Return it
• Operating Lease: Similar to a Finance Lease, an Operating Lease allows you to rent the asset from us while you need it. The key difference between the two is that an Operating Lease is only for part of the asset’s useful life. This means you pay a reduced rental because the cost is based on the difference between the asset’s original purchase price and its residual value at the end of the agreement.

Asset Finance makes the otherwise unaffordable, affordable because it gives businesses access to the equipment they need without incurring the cash flow disadvantage of an outright purchase.

Agreements can also be customised to the business’s needs, with flexibility on both the term and repayment schedule.

Why Close Brothers Asset Finance?

We are the largest, most successful and longest-established asset finance funder in the UK with over 30 years’ experience working with SMEs through all economic cycles – the fact is, there’s very little we haven’t seen or experienced.

Our team of transport finance specialists – many of who have transport industry background themselves – work with businesses across the UK to provide funding for both new and used transport vehicles and equipment. As sector experts, they understand how vital it is that you have the right tools at your disposal, so whether you are looking to expand your range of equipment or replace it, we can help.

For more information, please visit: https://www.closeassetfinance.co.uk/asset-finance

Close Brothers Asset Finance