Asset Finance
Helping you to "sweat" your assets
Asset finance is a type of lending that enables you to access business assets such as equipment, machinery and vehicles without having to buy them upfront. It can also allow you to release cash from the value in assets you already own or use your existing assets as security against a business loan from an asset finance lender.
Business asset finance is typically attractive to businesses who want to put their growth plans into action but don’t necessarily have the ready cash, or business owners who would rather spread large costs over a longer period.
Short-term asset finance also enables businesses to remain competitive by making it easier for them to access the latest technology. Asset finance is a broad category that relates to valuable items in your business.
However, there are a few restrictions: usually the asset has to be critical to your operations, and it must also be removable so it can be taken as security for the loan
Different types of Asset Finance
Hire purchase is a simple way to purchase an asset and spread the cost over time. You pay in instalments, which means the item appears on your balance sheet, and because you own the asset you’ll be responsible for maintenance and insurance costs — but you’ll also have full ownership of the item after the term ends
The lender buys the asset you need, and rents it to you on a lease. That means you have it straight away, and only need a fraction of the total amount up front. Generally, you have to pay the first month’s rent, spreading the VAT over the whole period. At the end of the lease, you can either continue leasing the item, buy it outright at an agreed price (factoring in money already spent), upgrade to a new piece of equipment on a new lease, or simply return it.
Many businesses find leasing a good arrangement because as well as spreading the cost over time, you can adapt to your company’s situation. For example, say a delivery company leases a van, and at the end of the term business is booming — they could get a larger vehicle on a new lease, or a package deal for multiple vehicles.
A finance lease, or capital lease, falls somewhere between hire purchase and equipment leasing. It’s a longer-term lease designed for most of the asset’s life.
You get full use of the asset and pay for the full value over time, but don’t technically own it — so it does not appear on your balance sheet. That means it’s possible to offset rental costs against profit and claim VAT — which could be tax-efficient depending on your situation.
Operating leases, or contract hires, are a more familiar form of equipment leasing. An operating lease is basically a rental agreement with a set term, and maintenance will normally be handled by the lease company (or ‘lessor’). Like finance leases, an operating lease won’t appear on your balance sheet (which might confer some tax benefits), but operating leases can be cheaper because you don’t pay for the full value of the item.
Asset refinancing is the process of securing a loan against valuable items that your business owns, like buildings, vehicles or equipment. It’s a simple idea — if you can’t keep up payments on the loan, the lender takes the asset to recoup what’s owed.
Because you’re effectively ‘unlocking’ cash, the amount you can borrow depends on the value of the assets involved. Asset-backed lending is sometimes used for debt consolidation.
What are the benefits of Asset based finance
Asset finance is designed to reduce the costs involved with purchasing an asset upfront. The finance provider purchases the asset for the business before leasing it to them.
Assets like industrial machinery and IT equipment can depreciate over the short-term, which reduces the asset’s value. Asset finance lessens the risks associated with depreciation because the business doesn’t bear the brunt of the asset’s loss in value.
By spreading the cost of the asset over time, you can use spare capital for other growth purposes or keep it aside for security, while gaining access to the equipment your business needs to compete and get to the next level.
Because in many cases the asset lender takes care of the management and maintenance of the asset, you’re protected from costs associated with making sure the asset is working well.
In the majority of cases, the asset itself is deemed suitable security for the loan. Occasionally, a deposit is required. Asset finance can help those who are unable to access more traditional forms of business finance.
In the majority of cases, you’ll be expected to make regular set payments for the required term. As you’re spreading the cost, your cash flow and amount of working capital could improve. Fixed interest rates can also be agreed to make repayments more predictable.