Rivers Leasing plc, established in 2010 and part of Rivers Finance Group PLC, is an independent UK lender specialising in asset finance, unsecured business loans, and vendor/broker funding solutions tailored for SMEs. The lender operates with FCA authorisation and uses its own capital along with institutional funding to provide flexible borrowing options. Rivers Leasing suits small and medium-sized businesses seeking funding for equipment acquisition or working capital, and vendors or brokers looking for finance partnerships. For broader context, see our Rivers Leasing Reviews and asset finance overview.
Key Features of Rivers Leasing
The lender offers a range of practical features to meet SME funding needs, emphasising manual underwriting and partnership support to enhance flexibility and decision speed.
- Manual underwriting enables consideration of proposals declined by other lenders. See alternative finance options.
- Same-day credit decisions on most proposals up to £250,000 support quick access to funds. Refer to quick business finance.
- Wide asset acceptance including hard, soft, and specialist equipment. More on asset finance.
- Provides both secured asset finance and truly unsecured term loans, offering choice. Details at unsecured business loans.
- Partnership programmes help vendors and brokers to enhance sales potential, linked to introducer partnerships.
Funding Eligibility
You may qualify for funding from Rivers Leasing if your business typically has at least one to two years of trading history and meets turnover thresholds—usually around £100,000 for asset finance and £150,000 for unsecured loans. The lender serves UK-registered companies operating within England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Certain sectors are excluded, such as speculative property development, gambling, and adult entertainment. Detailed eligibility criteria and sector exclusions are available in our business loan qualification guide and eligibility requirements.
Loan Options
Rivers Leasing offers a variety of loan types to meet different business needs, including asset finance, unsecured loans, and vendor programmes. Each product varies in amount, term, and pricing structures to suit specific circumstances.
- Unsecured Business Loan: £10,000 to £250,000, terms between 12 and 60 months, representative flat rate from 9% per annum (typical APR 16%–25%). See unsecured business loans.
- Asset Finance – Hire Purchase: £2,000 to £500,000, terms 12 to 60 months, fixed rates priced case-by-case. Asset ownership passes to the customer at term end. More details at asset finance.
- Asset Finance – Finance Lease (Lease Rental): £2,000 to £500,000, terms 12 to 60 months. Asset remains owned by the lessor with flexible end-of-term options. Rates quoted as flat rates. Information at asset finance lease options.
- Asset Refinance / Sale & Leaseback: £10,000 to £350,000 dependent on asset value, terms 12 to 48 months. Releases working capital tied in owned assets. See business loan refinancing.
- Vendor Finance Programme: £1,000 to £250,000 per end-customer transaction, 12 to 60 months. Supports embedded finance for vendors at point of sale. Details at partner programmes.
- Broker Block Discounting / Wholesale Funding Line: £500,000 to £10,000,000 revolving, 3 to 5 year facility. Enhances broker liquidity for funding receivables. Information at wholesale funding.
How to Apply
The application process involves document submission, underwriting, and a credit decision that usually takes between 2 and 24 hours for amounts up to £250,000. Larger or more complex proposals may require up to five working days. Funding can occur the same day after documentation and conditions are finalised.
- Submit your proposal online via vendor or broker portals, or by emailing the proposal pack. More on application forms.
- Provide required documents including signed application, bank statements, accounts, asset invoices, and director identification. See document checklists.
- Rivers Leasing manually underwrites proposals, allowing discussion with credit teams. Learn about manual underwriting.
- Upon approval, sign and return documents electronically or by courier, enabling same-day payout where possible. Check expected timelines at funding timelines.
Funding Agent’s view on Rivers Leasing
Rivers Leasing occupies a specialised niche for UK SMEs by offering a blend of traditional asset finance and unsecured lending alongside wholesale facilities for brokers. Its manual underwriting and partnership focus grant flexibility for smaller businesses and introducers. Nonetheless, modest maximum loan sizes, the routine request for personal guarantees, and generally higher interest rates compared to bank facilities may limit appeal for larger or lower-risk borrowers. For further research, use our business loan comparison tools and check your eligibility online.
