Cash Machine Finance

Q: Who actually finances a cash machine, the shop owner or the ATM operator?

It depends on the arrangement, and this matters because the two are financed quite differently. Some retailers buy and finance their own machine and keep all the transaction income; more often, an independent ATM operator supplies, installs, and finances the machine themselves and pays the retailer a fee or a share of income for the site. If you are the retailer rather than the ATM operator, check carefully which of these arrangements you are actually entering into before assuming the finance question applies to you at all.

Q: Can I get finance for an ATM if I don't own the building it goes in?

Yes, this is normal, since most cash machine operators are running the machine under an agreement with a retailer or landlord rather than owning the premises themselves. Lenders financing ATMs are used to this structure and will typically want to see the site agreement alongside the equipment purchase, including its length and what happens to the machine if the agreement ends before the finance is repaid, since that affects how the lender views their security.

Q: What happens to the finance if the site agreement with the retailer ends early?

This is one of the most important things to check before financing a through-wall or in-store machine, since the equipment is installed into someone else's premises rather than your own. Most finance agreements continue regardless of what happens to the site arrangement, meaning you would still owe the remaining balance even if the machine has to be removed, so it is worth understanding your obligations under both the finance agreement and the site agreement before signing either.

Q: Does cash machine finance cover cash handling and security costs?

No, the finance agreement covers the machine itself, not the cash held inside it or the security arrangements around it. Cash-in-transit services, specialist cash-handling insurance, and any physical security upgrades to the fascia or surrounding area are separate costs that sit outside the equipment finance and need to be budgeted and insured for independently, since a standard business insurance policy will not usually cover cash losses at the level an ATM needs.

Q: Is a through-wall ATM harder to finance than a free-standing lobby machine?

Slightly, in the sense that a through-wall machine is fitted into the building itself and can be more complicated to remove or relocate if the finance falls into difficulty, whereas a free-standing lobby machine can simply be moved. Lenders will generally still finance either type, but expect closer questions about the site agreement and installation for a through-wall machine, and confirm with your accountant how the fixture is treated for tax purposes, since that can differ from a free-standing unit.

Q: Can a new independent ATM deployer with one or two sites get finance?

Yes, though expect a personal guarantee and closer scrutiny of the site agreements than an established deployer with a larger estate of machines would face. Lenders will want to understand footfall at the site, the terms of your agreement with the retailer, and how you plan to manage cash replenishment and security, since these operational details affect how reliably the machine will generate the income the finance depends on.

Spread the cost of a cash machine from £3,000 to £18,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance; compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a cash machine?

Yes, cash machines are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £3,000 to £18,000, and most deals are written over 24–60 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£3k – £18k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £10k

Rates From

9.0% APR

What would a cash machine cost per month?

Cash Machine price (ex VAT) £8,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical cash machine price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 9.5% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Cash Machine buyers wanting to own it outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 9.0% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient; claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 9.8% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: 1–3 rentals in advance
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Upgrade cash machine regularly. Off balance sheet.

Representative example

On a purchase price of £8,000: a 10% deposit of £800, then 48 monthly payments of £169 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £8,912, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Compact cash dispenser for small retail	£3,000 – £6,000	Compact Cash Dispenser
Free-standing lobby ATM	£5,000 – £9,000	Lobby ATM
Through-wall ATM	£8,000 – £18,000	Through-Wall ATM

Tax benefits

A free-standing or lobby cash machine is moveable equipment and generally qualifies for Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), letting you deduct the full cost from taxable profits in year one, up to £1,000,000. HP allows capital allowances. Lease payments are fully deductible against profit. A through-wall ATM built into the fabric of a building is more likely to be treated as a fixture, and where the operator is not the freeholder, it is worth confirming with your accountant who is actually entitled to claim the allowance before assuming it applies to you.

Bad credit?

Several of our 200+ lenders specialise in businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options exist. Checking your options here does not affect your credit score, because we do not run a credit search to match you. A lender will run their own checks only if you decide to apply.

Frequently asked questions

Who actually finances a cash machine, the shop owner or the ATM operator?

It depends on the arrangement, and this matters because the two are financed quite differently. Some retailers buy and finance their own machine and keep all the transaction income; more often, an independent ATM operator supplies, installs, and finances the machine themselves and pays the retailer a fee or a share of income for the site. If you are the retailer rather than the ATM operator, check carefully which of these arrangements you are actually entering into before assuming the finance question applies to you at all.

Can I get finance for an ATM if I don't own the building it goes in?

Yes, this is normal, since most cash machine operators are running the machine under an agreement with a retailer or landlord rather than owning the premises themselves. Lenders financing ATMs are used to this structure and will typically want to see the site agreement alongside the equipment purchase, including its length and what happens to the machine if the agreement ends before the finance is repaid, since that affects how the lender views their security.

What happens to the finance if the site agreement with the retailer ends early?

This is one of the most important things to check before financing a through-wall or in-store machine, since the equipment is installed into someone else's premises rather than your own. Most finance agreements continue regardless of what happens to the site arrangement, meaning you would still owe the remaining balance even if the machine has to be removed, so it is worth understanding your obligations under both the finance agreement and the site agreement before signing either.

Does cash machine finance cover cash handling and security costs?

No, the finance agreement covers the machine itself, not the cash held inside it or the security arrangements around it. Cash-in-transit services, specialist cash-handling insurance, and any physical security upgrades to the fascia or surrounding area are separate costs that sit outside the equipment finance and need to be budgeted and insured for independently, since a standard business insurance policy will not usually cover cash losses at the level an ATM needs.

Is a through-wall ATM harder to finance than a free-standing lobby machine?

Slightly, in the sense that a through-wall machine is fitted into the building itself and can be more complicated to remove or relocate if the finance falls into difficulty, whereas a free-standing lobby machine can simply be moved. Lenders will generally still finance either type, but expect closer questions about the site agreement and installation for a through-wall machine, and confirm with your accountant how the fixture is treated for tax purposes, since that can differ from a free-standing unit.

Can a new independent ATM deployer with one or two sites get finance?

Yes, though expect a personal guarantee and closer scrutiny of the site agreements than an established deployer with a larger estate of machines would face. Lenders will want to understand footfall at the site, the terms of your agreement with the retailer, and how you plan to manage cash replenishment and security, since these operational details affect how reliably the machine will generate the income the finance depends on.

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Guides and resources

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