Time Finance Review 2026: The Only AIM-Listed Independent Asset Finance Lender

About Time Finance plc

Time Finance plc (FCA FRN 724367) is an AIM-listed independent UK specialist lender that offers asset finance alongside invoice finance and business loans. It is one of a small number of publicly listed independent alternatives to the bank-owned asset finance divisions, and its AIM listing means annual reports, audited accounts and loan book quality data are publicly available, providing a level of transparency not available from private lenders.

The multi-product offering is a meaningful differentiator. While most specialist asset finance lenders focus exclusively on asset-backed products, Time Finance can provide a single borrower with asset finance, invoice finance and an unsecured business loan under one lending relationship. For SMEs that need multiple forms of finance simultaneously, this consolidation can reduce administrative burden and the number of personal guarantees required.

Asset finance products cover hire purchase, finance lease and refinance. Eligible assets include vehicles, plant, machinery, technology and business fit-out. The asset class range is narrower than Novuna or Close Brothers but covers the core hard assets relevant to most UK SME borrowers. Sale and leaseback is also available on qualifying assets.

Speed of decision is a competitive strength. Same-day credit decisions are available for applications under £50,000 with complete documentation. For larger facilities up to £1,000,000 the turnaround is typically 24 to 48 hours. This speed, combined with the multi-product capability and accessible minimum loan of £5,000, makes Time Finance competitive across a wide range of SME borrowing scenarios.

Published annual reports provide disclosure on loan book size, arrears rates and impairments that private lenders do not make available. Time Finance has maintained positive adjusted EBITDA and growing loan book figures in recent published accounts.

FOS complaint volumes are low, consistent with a specialist B2B lender operating primarily with commercial borrowers rather than retail customers.

Eligibility criteria

• UK-registered business
• Trading minimum 12 months
• Minimum loan £5,000, maximum £1,000,000
• Asset finance, invoice finance and business loans from same lender
• Same-day decisions for sub-£50,000 facilities
• Director personal guarantee standard

Who is Time Finance plc best suited to?

Time Finance is best suited to UK SMEs that need fast asset finance decisions from £5,000 to £1,000,000 and may also benefit from invoice finance or business loans from the same lender. It is competitive for businesses that value the transparency of a publicly listed lender and need same-day decisions on smaller facilities.

Who should look elsewhere?

Time Finance is not suited to businesses requiring facilities above £1,000,000, sector-specialist underwriting for complex assets, or access to operating lease and business contract hire products. Businesses in agriculture or print with complex specialist assets should consider Close Brothers.

How Time Finance plc compares to alternatives

Time Finance is the only AIM-listed lender in this review, giving it a transparency advantage from public reporting. Against Aldermore it matches on minimum loan and is faster for small facilities, but Aldermore has bank-level regulation and published rate information. Versus Portman, Time Finance offers the multi-product lending advantage but Portman is more focused on hard plant and vehicle assets. Against Nucleus it has a much higher maximum loan but a less flexible eligibility approach.

Frequently asked questions

Is Time Finance plc FCA authorised?

Yes. Time Finance plc holds FCA authorisation under FRN 724367. The company is also listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: TIME) and publishes audited annual accounts and interim reports. FCA authorisation status can be verified on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk.

What products does Time Finance offer?

Time Finance offers asset finance (hire purchase, finance lease, refinance), invoice finance and unsecured business loans. This multi-product capability allows SMEs to consolidate multiple borrowing needs with a single lender. Asset finance covers vehicles, plant and machinery, technology and business fit-out from £5,000 to £1,000,000.

How fast is a Time Finance credit decision?

Same-day credit decisions are available for asset finance applications under £50,000 with complete documentation. For facilities between £50,000 and £1,000,000 the turnaround is typically 24 to 48 hours. This is among the fastest decision timelines of any lender in the UK asset finance market for SME facilities.

Can Time Finance provide invoice finance and asset finance together?

Yes. Time Finance can provide both asset finance and invoice finance to the same borrower. This means a business can finance equipment through hire purchase or finance lease and also access funding against its invoice book through the same lender. Combining facilities may simplify the lending relationship and reduce the number of separate security arrangements required.

Where can I view Time Finance annual accounts?

Time Finance plc is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and publishes annual reports, interim results and regulatory news announcements on the London Stock Exchange website and on its own investor relations pages at time-finance.com. Audited accounts are also filed at Companies House (No. 05131397).