Asset Finance

Established in 1995, we are an independent finance provider authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. With decades of experience, we offer the reassurance of working with a trusted and knowledgeable team.

We lend our own capital, are not part of a large corporate group, and do not operate through call centres. Instead, you deal directly with real people who are committed to helping your business grow.

Asset Finance

For Your Business

Asset finance allows you to acquire the equipment your business needs without tying up valuable working capital. Rather than paying the full cost upfront, you can spread payments into manageable monthly instalments over an agreed term. This gives you the flexibility to invest in machinery when you need it—helping you grow your operations without waiting for cash reserves to build. With the right equipment in place, your business can increase both capacity and productivity.

One of the key advantages of asset finance is its flexibility. Asset Finance Providers are often more adaptable than traditional lenders, such as banks, making it easier to tailor agreements to suit your needs. If you’d like to own the asset at the end of the term, hire purchase is a great option. Alternatively, if you prefer to upgrade equipment regularly without ownership, leasing can be the ideal solution. Either way, you benefit from working with a finance partner who understands your industry and supports your long-term growth.

Asset finance can also offer tax advantages, such as capital allowances, allowing you to recover part of your investment through deductions.

At County, we’re passionate about equipment—whether it’s plant machinery, engineering tools, forestry equipment, printing presses, or vehicles of all kinds. From new purchases to refinancing existing assets, we’re here to support UK SMEs in growing and strengthening their businesses.

We offer simple clear competitive Lease and Hire Purchase terms on a very wide variety of equipment from all industries:

Hire Purchase

Advantages

Ownership of the asset transfers to your business upon completion of the agreement.
Potential tax benefits through capital allowances.
Suitable for businesses with strong and predictable cash flow.
Fixed monthly repayments make budgeting straightforward.
VAT on the asset cost can typically be reclaimed, subject to eligibility.

Disadvantages

Legal title to the asset remains with the finance provider until all repayments have been made.
VAT on the asset cost is usually payable upfront, which may impact cash flow.
Fixed-rate, fixed-term agreements offer limited flexibility if business circumstances change.

Leasing Financing

Advantages

The customer (lessee) selects the asset and rents it from the finance provider (lessor).
VAT is charged on the monthly rental payments rather than the full asset value.
No usage restrictions, such as mileage or operating hours.
The asset is recognised on the balance sheet as a Right-of-Use Asset, (where applicable)
Helps preserve working capital by spreading costs over the term of the agreement.
Rental payments are generally tax-deductible, subject to prevailing tax regulations.

Disadvantages

Ownership of the asset remains with the lessor throughout the agreement.
Fixed-rate, fixed-term agreements offer limited flexibility if business circumstances change.
Maintenance, servicing and insurance responsibilities typically remain with the lessee.

Re-Financing

Advantages

Unlocks equity tied up in existing assets and releases working capital back into the business.
Provides fast and efficient access to funding.
May help reduce monthly outgoings through restructuring of existing finance.
Allows continued use of the refinanced assets.
Can provide funds for deposits on new equipment or for purchases that may be more difficult to finance directly, such as software or IT systems.

Disadvantages

The refinanced asset becomes subject to a finance agreement and is no longer unencumbered.
Fixed-rate, fixed-term agreements offer limited flexibility if business circumstances change.
If the assets have been written down to a low value in your accounts, the amount raised through refinancing may exceed their book value, potentially resulting in a taxable gain.

Frequently-Asked Questions

What is asset finance?

Asset finance is a way for businesses to access the equipment or assets they need without paying the full cost upfront. Instead, the cost is spread over an agreed period through regular instalments, helping to preserve working capital and maintain cash flow.

There are several types of asset finance available, and the most suitable option will depend on factors such as the asset, budget, and business needs. The two most common forms are hire purchase and finance leasing, each offering different benefits in terms of ownership, flexibility, and tax treatment.

What is hire purchase?

In the case of hire purchase (HP), the title of ownership passes to you once the end of the contract has been reached. The full vat element is normally paid as part of the deposit, but is reclaimed as input tax on your vat return. Has potential tax benefits for purchases under annual investment allowances.

What is leasing?

With Leasing, title of the goods does not transfer to you and always remains the property of the leasing company. However, there are no restrictions on usage of goods. VAT is paid on the monthly rental charge, and rentals are normally tax deductible.

What is re-financing?

Re-financing is where an asset is already owned by you, but is then financed to allow capital back into the company. This can often be a quick and easy option.

How long does it take you to make a decision?

We pride ourselves on our fast response, and most decisions can be made within a few hours if you are already known to us. For new customers, this may take longer as we would need to complete our onboarding process for due diligence.

What businesses do you lend to?

We lend to a variety of businesses within the UK, both in terms of size and industry and amount of finance required. We most commonly provide asset finance on industrial equipment and machinery. As an independent finance house, we pride ourselves on our flexible and creative approach to finding finance that is suitable.

What information will you require before you approve finance?

We’ll need key details about your business, along with permission to carry out a credit check to better understand your financial position and history. This process may also include reviewing information about the business owners.

We recognise that not everyone has a perfect credit history, and we take a balanced, case-by-case approach—assessing each application on its individual merits rather than applying a one-size-fits-all standard.

Who will be my key point of contact?

We take a personal approach to every client relationship. From the outset, you’ll work directly with the person responsible for making decisions about your finance. If we go on to provide funding, you’ll typically continue dealing with that same individual throughout the life of the agreement.

We find this consistency makes the process simpler, more transparent, and helps build stronger, more effective working relationships.

When you contact us, you’ll speak promptly with a member of our small team—no automated menus or long wait times. Just direct, straightforward support when you need it.

Why is this different to a bank loan?

Banks generally have stricter lending conditions, and it is still proving difficult for many businesses to acquire financing through a bank. Banks will often lack flexibility if you do not meet their criteria and this is where We, as an independent lender, can be much more flexible in our approach.

How do I apply for finance?

You can contact us either by calling us on 01455 200 150 or emailing us at sales@countyfinancegroup.co.uk or by completing our online form, where one of our dedicated and experienced staff will be happy to assist you.