What is Asset Finance?

Date: 6 November, 2019

Businesses come in all shapes and sizes – so does funding when you want to grow and invest. Not everyone can get a standard business loan against intangible assets (such as software, services, and office refurbishments) However Asset Finance will help you get hold of those weird and wonderful assets you need to run your business.

Asset Finance is a type of lending that gives you access to hard assets such as machinery, vehicles and equipment, and soft business assets such as software, office fittings and training. It can also enable you to release cash from the value in assets you already own.

Paying cash upfront for business assets can be expensive and potentially risky for cash flow. This is where asset finance can help by spreading the cost of the asset over a number of years in fixed monthly payments. This also leaves your cash reserves untouched and available for other areas of your business, enabling you to plan ahead financially.

Take a look at our Business Guide To Asset Finance for more information.

Your funding options

Hire purchase

This is legally an agreement to hire with the option to purchase at the end of the agreement. Spread the cost of a purchase over time by paying in instalments. The item appears on your company balance sheet and you are immediately responsible for maintenance and insurance costs. At the end of the purchase agreement your business owns the asset.
Finance lease

Spread the cost of the full value of the asset over time, giving you full use of the item without technically owning it.
Operating lease

A sophisticated arrangement that affords your business the benefits of using the equipment whilst the lender takes the burden of ownership and the risk in its resale value.

Sale and leaseback

A simple answer for asset rich, cash poor businesses; unlock capital ties in existing assets by effectively selling equipment, whilst remaining its sole user, freeing up cash for other areas of your business.
Contract hire

Enjoy full use of the asset over the hire agreement without the responsibility of ownership. Simply return the asset at the end of the agreement.
Total project payment plan

Spread the cost of IT and consultancy services rather than paying an annual fee or up-front cost. Acquire vital services for your business today and pay for them over fixed affordable payments.

Unsecured business loan

A quick and simple service with decisions typically made within 24 hours of application. Repay in fixed monthly payments over 6 months to 5 years.

Reality finance can fund assets of all shapes and sizes, from potato chippers to cloud based software. Take a look at the weird and wonderful assets we have previously funded.