Asset finance allows companies to collect funds for the purchase of assets they might need to make their businesses run successfully. At times, paying a huge amount of cash at one time for buying assets can be really hard to manage. Moreover it would significantly affect the company’s working capital. With asset finance one can raise the capital to buy assets and the money can be returned to the finance company through regular payments over an agreed period of time.

Asset finance can be used for purchasing new and used cars, coaches, light and heavy commercial vehicles, plant machinery and office equipment. With the help of asset finance solutions, you can buy equipment for your business without spending a large sum in one go.

In other words, it saves you from the trouble of arranging a large amount of capital for buying much needed assets.

Major Types of Asset Finance Available in the UK

Hire Purchase

This typical credit facility is readily available where the financier allows the hirer the right to possess and use an asset in return for regular payments. Here, the hirer first finds the asset he wants and negotiates the purchase price with the supplier.

After the hirer pays a deposit of 10-20% to the finance company, he can take the asset directly from the supplier. After a balloon payment is made at the end of the term, the title of the goods is transferred to the hirer.

Lease Purchase

Lease Purchase is often confused as a regular lease. It is similar to a hire purchase agreement with the only difference being that in a Lease Purchase the hirer needs to pay a deposit of 10-15% as a multiple of the repayments. The payment for the remaining balance and interest is done in instalments.

Moreover, a Lease Purchase agreement is based on either a fixed or variable rate. The monthly instalment can be reduced by the inclusion of a balloon.

By Claire David White

Claire White: Claire, a consumer psychologist, offers unique insights into consumer behavior and market research in her blog.