Asset finance for vehicles, machinery and technology

Asset finance can help a business acquire vehicles, machinery or technology by spreading the cost over time, without tying up working capital. This page explains hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease, and how each structure can be considered for a business asset requirement.

Download product sheet (PDF)Arrange a Conversation

What asset finance is

Asset finance lets a business acquire vehicles, machinery or technology by spreading the cost over time. It is a way of financing an acquisition without tying up working capital. The requirement starts with the asset your business wants to acquire and the structure that fits that requirement.

Oku Financial arranges asset finance through hire purchase, finance lease or operating lease. We match the requirement to the right lender without unnecessary structure or cost. We are a broker, not a lender, and the facility is subject to status.

Who it suits

Asset requirement: businesses acquiring vehicles, plant, machinery or technology, or exploring capital tied up in equipment they already own.

Business profile: asset-focused businesses and SMEs, including businesses with identifiable assets to offer as security. A business may want repayments to align with income generated by the asset.

These are factors to discuss, not a guarantee of eligibility. All finance is subject to status and provider criteria.

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease

Hire purchase typically leads to ownership after the final payment and completion of any purchase conditions in the agreement.

A finance lease gives a business use of an asset while the lessor usually retains ownership. End-of-agreement arrangements vary and should be checked.

An operating lease usually provides use of an asset for an agreed period rather than ownership. These are general industry descriptions; availability and agreement terms depend on the provider, and finance is subject to status.

What you can finance

Vehicles, plant and machinery, technology and equipment are examples of assets widely financed in the industry. The asset type, provider and business requirement affect the arrangement; these examples are not a promise of availability from Oku Financial.

Why an independent broker, not your bank

Independent

We have no balance sheet to protect and no product to push. We work independently, matching the requirement to the right lender rather than starting with a product to sell. The conversation starts with what your business needs, not with an existing lending product.

An independent approach means the finance requirement comes first. Trade finance, business lending and capital & liquidity are different funding disciplines, and we tell you which fits before approaching a lender. We present the options clearly and without bias, so the choice remains with your business.

Fast

We take your opportunity to the right lenders simultaneously, creating genuine competition and compressing timelines. This describes how we approach the market, not a promise about an approval or drawdown date. The facility is structured before the opportunity is put to the right lenders.

The purpose of approaching lenders simultaneously is to bring back options that can be reviewed together. We negotiate on your behalf and present those options clearly. Rather than negotiating blind, you can review the offers in the context of the requirement we have already discussed and structured.

Precise

We design the deal before we approach a lender: size, tenor, security and covenants. The structure comes first, so the opportunity we take to market reflects what your business needs. We then match the requirement to the right lender without unnecessary structure or cost.

The starting point is a conversation about your business and what you want to achieve. The product name is only part of that conversation. We identify the right structure and prepare the opportunity properly before going to market, then explain the options clearly before you choose.

How it works

Tell us what you need
Tell us about your business and what you are looking to achieve. The starting point is the requirement rather than a finance product. We take the time to understand your business properly and tell you which funding discipline fits before approaching a lender.
This conversation gives us the context for structuring the facility. We work across trade finance, business lending and capital & liquidity, so the discussion can start with the business need rather than assuming that a particular product is the answer.
We structure your facility
We identify the right structure and prepare your opportunity before approaching lenders. The deal is designed first: size, tenor, security and covenants. We match the requirement to the right lender without unnecessary structure or cost, keeping the business need at the centre of the process.
Once the opportunity has been prepared, we approach the right lenders simultaneously. That creates genuine competition and compresses timelines. We negotiate on your behalf, with the structure of the facility established before the opportunity is taken to market.
Review your offers
We bring back competitive options from lenders, presented clearly and without bias. You choose. The offers are reviewed against the requirement and the structure of the facility, rather than treating every offer as the same product. We tell you which fits before approaching a lender.
Our role is to present the options clearly so you do not negotiate blind. We are an independent broker, not a lender. The choice remains with your business, and the facility remains subject to status and the requirements of the finance provider.
We close it
We manage the process through to drawdown, coordinating lenders, lawyers and paperwork. This is the final step in the same process that began with understanding the business need. Our role continues through the placement of the facility, rather than ending when offers are presented.
Tell us what you need, let us structure the facility, review the offers and choose the option that fits. We then manage the steps through to drawdown. All finance remains subject to status; guarantees and indemnities may be required.

Download product sheet (PDF)

Frequently asked questions

What is asset finance?

Asset finance lets you acquire vehicles, machinery or technology by spreading the cost over time, without tying up working capital.

What types of asset finance do you arrange?

Hire purchase, finance lease and operating lease.

What assets can be financed?

General industry examples include vehicles, plant and machinery, technology and equipment. Availability depends on the asset, provider and business requirement, and finance is subject to status.

Is asset finance different from asset-based lending?

Yes. Asset finance funds the acquisition of a specific asset. Asset-based lending is a revolving facility secured against a combined pool of debtors, stock, plant and property.

Is Oku Financial a lender?

No. Oku Financial is a commercial finance broker. We work with a panel of lenders to find funding for UK businesses.

How is Oku Financial paid?

We typically receive a commission from the finance provider (either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage of the amount you receive) upon successful placement. Different providers pay different rates.

How much of an asset's value can be financed?

For new assets, asset finance may cover up to 100% of asset value. All figures are indicative and subject to status.

What costs or deposit may apply to asset finance?

Asset finance interest is 3–15% per annum (asset and profile dependent), and some lenders require a deposit of 10–20%. All figures are indicative and subject to status.

Related finance pages

Want to discuss your requirements?

Tell us about your business and what you are looking to achieve.

Contact Oku Financial