18 independent guides on UK business banking, asset finance and equipment lending. FCA-verified. No commission.
18 primary-source guides on UK business banking, asset finance and equipment lending. Every guide is cited to the FCA, HMRC, Companies House or the relevant UK regulator.
This is an independent editorial reference, not a comparison site and not a lead-generation platform. The guides do not recommend specific lenders, do not contain affiliate links, and do not refer businesses to brokers on commission. Every source cited is a primary regulatory, legislative or industry body publication.
How to use this hub: the sections below are organised by product type. Each guide stands alone but includes cross-references where relevant.
Business bank accounts, lending routes and credit for UK businesses. Each guide reviewed monthly against current primary-source guidance.
How to finance plant, machinery, equipment and vehicles. Hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and refinance explained with FCA regulation and HMRC tax treatment.
Independent reviews of the eight largest UK asset finance lenders by market profile. FCA FRN verified. Companies House confirmed. No commission earned from any lender.
Recently published and updated guides on UK business banking and asset finance.
business-finance
Calculate UK asset finance payments. £50K at 8% APR over 5 years is approximately £912 per month. Compare Total Cost of Finance, not just monthly payment.
business-finance
Offering finance to UK customers requires FCA authorisation or appointed representative status. BNPL is regulated from 15 July 2026.
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Plant depreciation differs for accounts and tax. AIA gives 100% first-year relief up to £1m. WDA applies at 18% main pool or 6% special rate.
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Used plant saves 40-70% versus new and still qualifies for AIA. Finance available for machines up to 15 years old. Same tax rules as new plant.
business-finance
Commercial vehicle loans cover HGVs, trucks and specialist vehicles. AIA up to £1m available. FLA reports 15% fall in HGV finance in Jan 2026.
business-finance
Vans qualify for AIA up to £1m, unlike cars. No 15% contract hire disallowance. Electric vans have a £0 BiK rate for 2026/27.
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Business car finance options include contract hire, finance lease and HP. EVs qualify for 100% first-year allowance. Cars cannot claim AIA.
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Finance an excavator from £15,000 to £500,000+ on hire purchase or finance lease. High approval rates for construction plant. Rates from 5% APR.
business-finance
Business equipment finance lets UK companies acquire machinery without upfront payment. 96% FLA approval rate. AIA up to £1m under hire purchase.
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Asset finance lets businesses acquire equipment without upfront cost. Lender buys the asset, business makes monthly payments. 96% FLA approval rate.
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UK asset finance rates range from 4.5% to 25% APR depending on asset type and credit. BoE base rate is 4.25% (June 2026). Compare on APR.
business-finance
Asset finance is available with bad credit because the asset acts as security. FLA reports 96% approval rate. Specialist lenders consider CCJs.
business-finance
Hire purchase transfers ownership at end of term; finance lease keeps it with the lender. HP gives AIA and capital allowances up to £1m.
Independent comparison of 8 UK asset finance lenders in 2026. Loan ranges, eligibility, products and decision speed compared. FCA FRN verified. No commission.
business-finance
Asset finance for Scottish businesses in 2026. How to fund plant, machinery and vehicles across Scotland. FCA lenders compared independently. No commission.
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Business vehicle finance for UK companies in 2026. Fund cars, vans, HGVs and commercial vehicles via hire purchase, finance lease or contract hire. FCA lenders compared. No commission.
business-finance
How agricultural machinery finance works for UK farmers in 2026. Fund tractors, combines, sprayers and farm equipment via hire purchase or finance lease. FCA lenders compared independently.
business-finance
How forklift finance works for UK businesses in 2026. Fund new and used forklift trucks via hire purchase, finance lease or operating lease. FCA lenders compared independently.
business-finance
How tractor finance works for UK farmers in 2026. Fund new and used tractors via hire purchase or finance lease. FCA-regulated lenders compared. No commission.
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How asset refinance works for UK businesses in 2026. Release capital from plant, machinery and vehicles you already own via refinance or sale and leaseback. FCA lenders compared.
business-finance
Equipment finance for UK businesses in 2026. Fund IT, machinery, vehicles and business equipment via hire purchase or finance lease. FCA-regulated lenders compared independently.
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What asset finance is and how it works for UK businesses in 2026. Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease explained with FCA regulation and lender options.
business-finance
Construction asset finance for UK businesses in 2026. Fund excavators, cranes and plant equipment via hire purchase or finance lease. FCA-regulated lenders compared independently.
How machinery finance works for UK businesses in 2026. Hire purchase, finance lease and refinance for plant, agricultural and industrial equipment explained.
How asset finance works for UK businesses in 2026. Hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease and refinance explained with FCA regulation and lender comparison.
Fleximize (FCA FRN 669275) publishes rate examples and a loan calculator before you apply, and offers revolving credit and unsecured loans without a personal guarantee on qualifying facilities. Independent review for UK SMEs.
Nucleus Commercial Finance (FCA FRN 722830) serves micro-SMEs and businesses with adverse credit from £3,000, including revenue-based finance and merchant cash advance. Independent review of eligibility, products and total cost of credit.
Time Finance plc (FCA FRN 724367, AIM: TIME) offers asset finance, invoice finance and business loans under one lending relationship for UK SMEs. Independent review of products, eligibility, decision speed and published accounts.
Hitachi Capital UK rebranded as Novuna Business Finance in 2022 (FCA FRN 704348). The loan book, products and FCA authorisation are unchanged. Independent review of asset coverage, eligibility and how Novuna compares to direct lenders.
Aldermore Bank (FCA FRN 204503, FirstRand Group) offers asset finance from £5,000 with published indicative rates, making it one of the more transparent bank lenders. Independent review of eligibility, asset coverage and alternatives.
Close Brothers Asset Finance (FCA FRN 124750, LSE: CBG) operates dedicated divisions for agriculture, transport, print and construction. Independent review of its sector coverage, loan range £10,000 to £10,000,000 and how it compares.
Portman Asset Finance (FCA FRN 614061) specialises in hard assets including yellow plant, agricultural machinery and commercial vehicles from £5,000. Independent review of eligibility, products, decision speed and how it compares.
Shawbrook Bank (FCA FRN 204596) offers asset finance from £25,000 to £5,000,000 for UK SMEs. This independent review covers eligible assets, eligibility criteria, products and how Shawbrook compares to specialist lenders.
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