Top 10 Plant Finance Lenders for £550,000 in 2026
.png)
Top 10 Plant Finance Lenders for £550,000
| Rank | Lender | Best for | Published loan range | Loan rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reward Funding | Established firms financing heavy plant assets over £100,000 | £100,000 to £5,000,000 | interest 0.99% to 3% monthly |
| 2 | Liberty Leasing | Mid-market plant acquisitions with transparent annual rate pricing | £10,000 to £2,000,000 | interest 11% to 16% annually |
| 3 | Lombard | Flexible plant finance from a long-established asset lender | Up to £5,000,000 | interest 4% to 11.5% monthly |
| 4 | Time Finance | Large-ticket plant and machinery with annual-rate clarity | Up to £5,000,000 | interest 5.5% to 13.5% annually |
| 5 | Admiral leasing | Mixed plant fleets and equipment across diverse asset types | From £1,000 | interest 5.5% to 13.5% annually |
| 6 | Barclays | High-street bank plant finance with a wide lending range | £1,000 to £25,000,000 | interest 8.5% to 14.9% annually |
| 7 | Acorn Business Finance | Bespoke plant finance for mid-to-large machinery acquisitions | £15,000 to £5,000,000 | interest 8% to 15% annually |
| 8 | Propel Finance | Flexible plant funding from compact kit to large-scale machinery | From £500 | interest 5% to 20% annually |
| 9 | Aldermore Asset finance | Plant finance across a broad range up to £10 million | £1,000 to £10,000,000 | interest 5% to 15% annually |
| 10 | Close Brothers | Heavy plant for established operators with strong trading history | £25,000 to £100,000,000 | bespoke 3.5% to 10% monthly |
Plant finance is a form of asset finance that uses the machinery or equipment itself as security, letting businesses spread the cost of essential kit over its working life. For established UK firms, it is a practical way to acquire high-value plant without draining cash reserves. A £550,000 facility can fund heavy construction excavators, agricultural harvesters, advanced manufacturing lines, or commercial vehicle fleets.
Comparison goes beyond the advertised rate. For £550,000 of plant finance, weigh whether the lender quotes monthly or annual interest, their appetite for large-ticket machinery, the types of plant they will fund, and how they handle deposits and terms. Lender experience in your sector can shape the speed and smoothness of the deal. Checking whether a lender specialises in construction, agricultural, or manufacturing plant will help narrow the field.
Important note:
Funding Agent
Published loan rangeFrom £10,000 to up to £1,000,000
Rate typeInterest from 6.8% annually
Why it is included:It is included because many business owners need to compare several finance routes before choosing where to apply.
Funding Agent can help businesses compare suitable options across a lender panel, especially when eligibility depends on turnover, sector, trading history, credit strength and available documents.
Best use case: When the borrower wants to avoid applying to one lender at a time.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Why it stands out
- Useful when a business wants to compare lender fit rather than guess which lender to apply to first.
- Can help position the application around the funding purpose, trading profile and available documents.
- Works well as a conversion route for readers who are unsure whether a direct lender will approve a larger unsecured facility.
Need to know
- Funding Agent is a broker, not a lender.
- The lender, not Funding Agent, sets the final rate, term, fees and approval decision.
- The best match may be unsecured, secured, revolving credit, invoice finance or another product depending on the case.
Expert take
Funding Agent is a useful honourable mention for business owners who want to compare lender options before submitting a full application. A larger unsecured loan is not always approved by the first lender a business finds, so understanding lender fit early can reduce wasted time and avoid unnecessary declines.
Reward Funding
Published loan range£100,000 to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 0.99% to 3% monthly
Overview: Monthly rates start at 0.99% for hard-asset plant finance, which keeps the cost of larger facilities manageable for established businesses. Reward Funding structures repayments around the asset's working life. Be ready for valuation checks and possible upfront costs on the equipment being funded.
Best next step: Compare plant finance rates and terms
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Competitive monthly rates from 0.99%
- Funding up to £5 million available
- Flexible drawdown for repeat needs
Need to know
- Asset valuation required before funding
- Legal costs may apply to the facility
- Limits can be reviewed or withdrawn
Expert take
A direct funder comfortable with mid-to-large ticket asset deals. For £550,000 of plant, the low-end monthly rate works in your favour if the equipment holds strong residual value.
Source:https://rewardfunding.co.uk/
Liberty Leasing
Published loan range£10,000 to £2,000,000
Rate typeinterest 11% to 16% annually
Overview: Funding decisions on plant machinery come through within 24 hours, which helps when a supplier needs clearance to release equipment. Liberty Leasing secures the finance against the asset itself, preserving working capital. Annual rates from 11% mean the total cost needs careful modelling against the asset's earning potential.
Best next step: Get a plant finance decision within 24 hours
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Decisions typically within 24 hours
- Finance secured against the plant asset
- Borrow from £10,000 to £2 million
Need to know
- Deposit may be required on larger assets
- Asset eligibility checks apply before funding
- Annual rates start from 11 per cent
Expert take
An asset finance broker with quick turnaround on straightforward plant deals. For £550,000 of machinery, the 24-hour decision speed is the standout feature and the asset itself provides the security.
Lombard
Published loan rangeUp to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4% to 11.5% monthly
Overview: Lombard funds plant acquisitions up to £5 million, so a single machine purchase or a wider fleet upgrade both fall within its mandate. As one of the UK's longest-running asset finance providers, underwriting is thorough. Decisions typically land within 24 hours for standard plant deals.
Best next step: Explore Lombard plant finance up to £5 million
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Funding available up to £5 million
- Decisions often within 24 hours
- Long-established asset finance provider
Need to know
- Thorough underwriting process applies
- Asset must meet eligibility criteria
- Monthly interest rate structure applies
Expert take
A NatWest-owned asset funder with deep experience in plant and machinery deals. For a £550,000 requirement, Lombard brings institutional backing and predictable terms to the table.
Source:https://www.lombard.co.uk/
Time Finance
Published loan rangeUp to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5.5% to 13.5% annually
Overview: Time Finance structures plant funding with flexible drawdown, so funds can be released in stages as machinery is delivered or commissioned. Annual rates from 5.5% keep costs predictable. The facility can also support working capital alongside hard-asset funding under one arrangement.
Best next step: Check flexible plant finance with staged drawdown
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Staged drawdown as machinery is delivered
- Annual rates from 5.5 per cent
- Combined asset and working capital option
Need to know
- Facility limits can be reviewed over time
- Costs may rise with increased usage
- Asset and business assessment required
Expert take
A specialist lender blending asset finance with working capital facilities. For £550,000 of plant equipment, the staged drawdown structure helps match funding to delivery milestones.
Source:https://www.timefinance.com/
Admiral leasing
Published loan rangeFrom £1,000
Rate typeinterest 5.5% to 13.5% annually
Overview: Equipment leasing is Admiral's core product, making it a natural fit for plant machinery that businesses prefer to treat as an operating expense rather than a capital outlay. Annual rates from 5.5% apply. Funding can be arranged in as little as 4 hours on straightforward deals.
Best next step: Check equipment leasing rates for plant machinery
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Core focus on equipment leasing
- Annual rates from 5.5 per cent
- Funding possible within 4 hours
Need to know
- Leasing terms depend on asset type
- Off-balance-sheet treatment may apply
- Business trading history will be assessed
Expert take
A leasing specialist that prioritises equipment over other asset classes. For £550,000 of plant, the leasing model preserves capital and the 4-hour turnaround keeps the purchase moving.
Barclays
Published loan range£1,000 to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 8.5% to 14.9% annually
Overview: Barclays brings bank-grade asset finance to plant and machinery purchases, with a lending appetite stretching to £25 million for larger capital programmes. Existing Barclays business customers often find the process smoother, as the bank already holds financial history. Annual rates from 8.5% reflect mainstream pricing.
Best next step: Apply for Barclays plant finance online
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Lending capacity up to £25 million
- Mainstream bank-grade asset finance
- Streamlined for existing Barclays customers
Need to know
- Bank underwriting can take longer
- Strong trading history typically required
- Personal guarantee may be needed
Expert take
A high-street bank with substantial asset finance firepower. For £550,000 of plant, Barclays suits established businesses that value a banking relationship and predictable annual pricing.
Acorn Business Finance
Published loan range£15,000 to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 8% to 15% annually
Overview: Annual rates from 8% keep the cost of plant finance predictable across a fixed term, which matters when budgeting for machinery that will generate revenue over several years. Acorn Business Finance handles facilities from £15,000 to £5 million. The lender covers multiple asset classes beyond plant.
Best next step: Compare Acorn plant finance rates and terms
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Fixed annual rates from 8 per cent
- Facilities from £15,000 to £5 million
- Covers plant, vehicles and specialist kit
Need to know
- Minimum facility size is £15,000
- Asset valuation likely to be required
- Legal costs may be added to facility
Expert take
A broker-led asset funder covering a broad spread of equipment types. For £550,000 of plant machinery, the fixed-rate structure gives clarity on repayment costs over the full term.
Propel Finance
Published loan rangeFrom £500
Rate typeinterest 5% to 20% annually
Overview: Propel Finance starts lending from just £500 on asset finance, so a business testing the relationship with smaller equipment before committing to larger plant spending has a clear path. Annual rates span 5% to 20%, with pricing tightening for lower-risk assets. Funding takes 2 to 5 days.
Best next step: Check Propel plant finance from £500 upwards
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Facilities available from £500
- Annual rates start at 5 per cent
- Covers diverse plant and equipment
Need to know
- Funding takes 2 to 5 days to complete
- Rate depends on asset risk profile
- Full asset details needed for underwriting
Expert take
An asset finance provider with an unusually low entry point. For £550,000 of plant, Propel scales from small-ticket to large facilities, with pricing that sharpens for lower-risk machinery.
Aldermore Asset finance
Published loan range£1,000 to £10,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5% to 15% annually
Overview: Aldermore funds plant from £1,000 to £10 million, covering single machines and full production-line upgrades alike. Annual rates run 5% to 15%, shaped by asset type and business profile. Funding completes within 48 hours, which suits planned rather than urgent purchases.
Best next step: Explore Aldermore plant finance up to £10 million
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Broad range from £1,000 to £10 million
- Annual rates from 5 per cent
- Established challenger bank backing
Need to know
- Funding typically takes 48 hours
- Asset profile influences final rate
- Business assessment required before offer
Expert take
A challenger bank with a wide asset finance mandate. For £550,000 of plant machinery, Aldermore offers institutional stability and competitive annual rates on well-maintained equipment.
Source:https://www.aldermore.co.uk/business/business-finance/asset-finance/
Close Brothers
Published loan range£25,000 to £100,000,000
Rate typebespoke 3.5% to 10% monthly
Overview: Close Brothers has a long track record funding plant and machinery for mid-market manufacturing, construction and transport businesses. Bespoke monthly rates from 3.5% apply, structured around the asset and the borrower's profile. Lending capacity stretches to £100 million for larger capital programmes.
Best next step: Apply for Close Brothers plant finance
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Deep sector experience in plant-heavy industries
- Lending capacity up to £100 million
- Bespoke pricing for mid-market businesses
Need to know
- £500,000 minimum turnover typically needed
- Bespoke monthly rate structure applies
- Full financial assessment required
Expert take
A merchant banking group with genuine plant finance heritage across manufacturing and construction. For £550,000 of machinery, Close Brothers brings sector-aware underwriting and substantial follow-on capacity.
Asset Finance Calculator
What plant finance means for a £550,000 machinery purchase
Plant finance is a type of asset finance designed specifically for heavy machinery and industrial equipment. It differs from general asset finance in that it targets high-value, long-life assets used in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics.
At £550,000, you are firmly in large-ticket territory. Most lenders structure this as either a hire purchase agreement or a finance lease. With hire purchase, your business spreads the cost over a fixed term and owns the asset at the end. With a finance lease, you pay to use the equipment and may return it, extend the lease, or sell it at term end.
The plant itself acts as security for the lender, which usually means you do not need to offer additional property or business assets. This keeps the arrangement simpler than a secured business loan while still giving the lender recourse if payments stop.
Typical rates and terms for £550,000 plant finance
Rates and terms vary by lender, asset type, and your business profile. For plant finance at this level, you will see both monthly and annual rate structures.
Lenders quoting monthly rates include Reward Funding at 0.99% to 3% per month, Lombard at 4% to 11.5% per month, and Close Brothers at 3.5% to 10% per month. Annual-rate lenders include Liberty Leasing at 11% to 16% annually, Time Finance at 5.5% to 13.5% annually, and Aldermore Asset Finance at 5% to 15% annually.
Term lengths range from as short as three months with Reward Funding and Acorn Business Finance to as long as seven years with Aldermore and Close Brothers. Barclays stands out with terms up to 25 years for qualifying assets.
Most lenders on this list can accommodate £550,000 comfortably. Reward Funding, Lombard, Time Finance, Acorn, and Aldermore all publish maximum facilities at or above £5,000,000. Close Brothers goes as high as £100,000,000.
Security and guarantees for £550,000 plant finance agreements
The primary security in any plant finance agreement is the machinery itself. If your business defaults, the lender can repossess and sell the asset to recover its costs. This is standard across all lenders on this page.
Lenders set a maximum loan-to-value ratio to limit their exposure. Reward Funding caps LTV at 85%, meaning you may need to contribute a 15% deposit or part-exchange existing equipment. Close Brothers sets its LTV at 90%. Propel Finance and Aldermore both offer up to 100% LTV, which can reduce or eliminate the upfront deposit requirement, though expect stricter underwriting at that level.
Most lenders also ask for a personal guarantee from directors. Reward Funding, Liberty Leasing, Time Finance, Aldermore, and Close Brothers all list this as a requirement. A personal guarantee means you are personally liable if the business cannot pay, so you should understand the risk before signing.
Types of plant and machinery eligible for £550,000 finance
Plant finance covers a broad range of heavy machinery and industrial assets. At the £550,000 level, typical purchases include excavators, bulldozers, and telehandlers for construction firms; combine harvesters, tractors, and sprayers for agricultural businesses; CNC machines, injection moulding presses, and production lines for manufacturers; and forklifts, HGVs, and warehouse automation systems for logistics operators.
Lenders assess each asset on its resale value, expected lifespan, and condition. New machinery attracts better rates and higher LTV ratios than used equipment. Specialist or bespoke machinery may require a larger deposit because it is harder to resell.
The asset must be identifiable and movable in most cases. Fixed installations like industrial boilers or permanent processing plants may need a different type of finance. If you are unsure whether your equipment qualifies, a broker can help you match the asset to the right lender.
