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Best Asset Finance Companies UK 2026

Our picks for the best UK asset finance companies in 2026, covering hire purchase, finance lease, and operating lease for vehicles, machinery, and equipment.

Last updated: April 2026. Written by the Lendus editorial team.

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Asset finance lets UK businesses acquire vehicles, machinery, and equipment without tying up working capital — paying for assets over time as they generate revenue. The UK asset finance market lends over £35bn per year, and competition among providers means businesses of all sizes can access competitive, tax-efficient funding.

Our top picks

Top Pick Best for large deals and hard assets

Close Brothers Asset Finance

Close Brothers Asset Finance is one of the UK's leading specialist lenders for hard assets including industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, and commercial vehicles. It operates a sector-specialist model, meaning your application is handled by an underwriter who genuinely understands your industry. Deal sizes from £10k to several million are handled through its regional broker and direct teams.

Rates
From 4.9% p.a.
Amount
£10,000 – £5,000,000+
Speed
2–5 business days
Rating
4/5
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Best for vehicles and fleets

Lombard (NatWest Group)

Lombard is the UK's largest asset finance lender by volume and is the go-to for businesses financing commercial vehicles, company cars, and light plant. Backed by NatWest Group, it offers competitive rates and a wide product range including hire purchase, finance lease, and contract hire. Existing NatWest business customers benefit from streamlined credit decisions.

Rates
From 5.5% p.a.
Amount
£5,000 – £10,000,000+
Speed
1–3 business days
Rating
3.8/5
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Best for SMEs with complex structures

Aldermore Bank

Aldermore takes a common-sense, manual underwriting approach that works well for owner-managed businesses, LLPs, and special purpose vehicles that automated systems often decline. It funds a wide range of assets from printing equipment to renewable energy installations. Strong relationships with the broker community mean turnaround times are reliably fast.

Rates
From 5.9% p.a.
Amount
£5,000 – £2,000,000
Speed
2–4 business days
Rating
4.1/5
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Full comparison

Lender Best For Rates Amount Speed Rating
Close Brothers Asset Finance Best for large deals and hard assets From 4.9% p.a. £10,000 – £5,000,000+ 2–5 business days 4/5
Lombard (NatWest Group) Best for vehicles and fleets From 5.5% p.a. £5,000 – £10,000,000+ 1–3 business days 3.8/5
Aldermore Bank Best for SMEs with complex structures From 5.9% p.a. £5,000 – £2,000,000 2–4 business days 4.1/5
Hitachi Capital Business Finance Best for technology and IT assets From 5.2% p.a. £3,000 – £1,000,000 1–3 business days 3.9/5
Shire Leasing Best for small-ticket and independent businesses From 6.5% p.a. £1,000 – £250,000 Same day – 48 hours 4.3/5

How we chose these lenders

We evaluated asset finance companies on the breadth of asset classes accepted, typical rates and fee transparency, speed from application to asset delivery, minimum and maximum deal sizes, flexibility of products (hire purchase, finance lease, operating lease, refinance), and FCA or FLA membership. Customer service quality and online account management capabilities were also considered.

Frequently asked questions

How did we choose these asset finance companies?
We assessed each provider on product range, asset acceptance criteria, rates, minimum and maximum deal sizes, speed of decision, FCA authorisation or FLA membership, and customer service quality. We also considered broker feedback and each provider's track record with UK SMEs specifically.
What's the difference between hire purchase and finance lease?
With hire purchase, you own the asset outright at the end of the agreement after paying a nominal fee. With a finance lease, the finance company retains ownership but you use the asset for the lease period — at the end, you can extend the lease, return the asset, or sell it and receive a share of the proceeds. Hire purchase suits assets you want to own; finance lease suits those you plan to upgrade.
Can I apply through Lendus?
Yes. Lendus works with asset finance specialists who can match your specific asset type and business profile to the most suitable lender. Asset finance is often arranged through brokers who have established relationships with multiple funders, which can result in better rates than approaching a single lender directly.
How often is this list updated?
We review asset finance providers quarterly, checking for rate changes, new product launches, and shifts in lending appetite. This list was last reviewed in April 2026. The UK asset finance market is active and lender appetite can shift, particularly for newer asset classes like EV fleets and renewable energy.
Can startups and young businesses access asset finance?
Yes, although terms may be more restricted. Lenders like Shire Leasing and Aldermore will consider businesses from 12 months old, and some providers will lend to startups where the director provides a personal guarantee. The key advantage of asset finance over unsecured lending is that the asset itself provides security, which makes lenders more willing to consider younger businesses.

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