Top 10 Lenders for £700,000 Asset Finance in 2026
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Top 10 Lenders for £700,000 Asset Finance Compared
| Rank | Lender | Best for | Published loan range | Loan rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reward Funding | Manufacturers funding large-scale production equipment or plant upgrades | £100,000 to £5,000,000 | interest 0.99% to 3% monthly |
| 2 | Liberty Leasing | Established manufacturers seeking fixed annual-rate asset finance agreements | £10,000 to £2,000,000 | interest 11% to 16% annually |
| 3 | Lombard | Manufacturing firms needing flexible asset finance with high lending caps | Up to £5,000,000 | interest 4% to 11.5% monthly |
| 4 | One Stop Business Finance | Mid-sized manufacturers requiring bespoke asset finance from £100,000 | £100,000 to £3,000,000 | interest 1.6% to 3% monthly |
| 5 | Fleximize | Included for comparison; suited to smaller asset purchases below £500,000 | £10,000 to £500,000 | interest 0.9% to 3.6% monthly |
| 6 | NatWest Bank | Manufacturers with £300k-plus turnover seeking bank-backed asset finance | £500 to £10,000,000 | interest 4.5% to 10.5% annually |
| 7 | Barclays | Large-scale manufacturers comparing high-street bank asset finance options | £1,000 to £25,000,000 | interest 8.5% to 14.9% annually |
| 8 | Metro Bank | Manufacturers seeking straightforward single-rate asset finance from a bank | £2,000 to £25,000,000 | interest 9.6% to 9.6% annually |
| 9 | Novuna | Experienced manufacturers comparing specialist asset finance outside bank routes | £10,000 to £5,000,000 | interest 4.5% to 12.5% monthly |
| 10 | Virgin Money | Established manufacturers evaluating fixed-rate bank asset finance for large outlays | £30,000 to £10,000,000 | interest 4.5% to 10.5% annually |
Asset finance lets businesses spread the cost of high-value equipment, vehicles or machinery over time while using the asset itself as security for the borrowing. For UK manufacturers upgrading production lines, investing in CNC machinery or expanding fleet capacity, this structure preserves working capital and aligns repayments with the income the asset generates. At the £700,000 level, manufacturing firms typically secure funding for industrial plant, specialist fabrication equipment or production automation systems.
Comparing lenders at this level means looking past advertised rates to assess how each provider underwrites larger deals. Asset specialisation matters: some funders understand manufacturing equipment better than others, and that expertise can shape the terms offered. Repayment structure flexibility, early settlement penalties and the lender's appetite for your specific asset class all influence the total cost. Established businesses with strong trading histories should also weigh whether a lender offers fixed-rate agreements that protect margins over the full term.
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: Lending up to £5 million against productive assets, Reward Funding suits manufacturers acquiring heavy plant, production lines, or specialist machinery. Rates from 0.99% monthly keep larger repayments predictable. Funding moves quickly once asset valuations are agreed. Expect legal and valuation costs as part of a secured facility.
Best next step: Compare rates for manufacturing equipment finance.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Covers high-value production machinery
- Monthly rates from 0.99%
- Funding released within 24 hours
Need to know
- Secured against the asset itself
- Valuation costs may apply
- Asset eligibility checks required
Expert take
A flexible secured lender with a deep appetite for larger asset-backed deals. Manufacturers funding £700,000 in plant or machinery benefit from high caps and competitive monthly pricing, provided the assets hold strong resale value.
Source:https://rewardfunding.co.uk/
Liberty Leasing
Published loan range£10,000 to £2,000,000
Rate typeinterest 11% to 16% annually
Overview: Annual interest rates between 11% and 16% give manufacturers clear cost visibility when funding equipment up to £2 million. Liberty Leasing structures hire purchase and lease agreements around the asset's working life, which suits production environments where machinery depreciation is predictable. Funding can complete in as little as 24 hours after underwriting.
Best next step: Get annual-rate quotes for production equipment.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Annual rates for easy budgeting
- Funding up to £2 million
- Same-day decisions possible
Need to know
- Deposits may be needed
- Asset must meet eligibility criteria
- Valuation required for large deals
Expert take
A straightforward asset finance provider with annual pricing that appeals to manufacturing finance directors. Well-suited to CNC machinery, packaging lines or commercial vehicle fleets where asset life and depreciation are well understood.
Lombard
Published loan rangeUp to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4% to 11.5% monthly
Overview: Part of the NatWest Group, Lombard has decades of experience underwriting asset finance for UK manufacturers. Facilities reach £5 million, covering everything from injection moulding machines to assembly robotics. Monthly rates start at 4%, with hire purchase and leasing structures available to match how the equipment earns revenue. Funding decisions typically come within 24 hours.
Best next step: Explore Lombard's manufacturer finance options.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Backed by NatWest Group
- Up to £5 million facility size
- Multiple finance structures available
Need to know
- Monthly interest structure applies
- Asset valuation required
- Deposits may be requested
Expert take
A long-established asset finance house with institutional backing and deep manufacturing experience. Lombard structures deals around how production equipment generates income, suiting manufacturers funding major capital expenditure at the £700,000 level.
Source:https://www.lombard.co.uk/
One Stop Business Finance
Published loan range£100,000 to £3,000,000
Rate typeinterest 1.6% to 3% monthly
Overview: One Stop Business Finance offers secured facilities from £100,000 to £3 million with monthly rates between 1.6% and 3%. The revolving credit structure lets manufacturers draw and repay as production cycles demand, which suits businesses with seasonal order books or fluctuating working capital needs. Funding typically completes within five working days after approval.
Best next step: Check flexible facility terms for manufacturers.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Revolving credit structure available
- Draw and repay as needed
- Facilities up to £3 million
Need to know
- Security and valuations needed
- Legal costs typically apply
- Five-day funding timeline
Expert take
A flexible secured lender whose revolving facilities suit manufacturers with uneven cash flow tied to contract cycles. The drawdown structure works well for businesses funding multiple assets over time, making it practical for phased equipment investment.
Source:https://www.osbf.co.uk/
Fleximize
Published loan range£10,000 to £500,000
Rate typeinterest 0.9% to 3.6% monthly
Overview: Fleximize funds secured term loans from £10,000 to £500,000, with decisions often reached within 24 hours. Monthly rates range from 0.9% to 3.6%, keeping costs manageable for well-established businesses. The lender prefers borrowers with property or tangible assets as security, which suits manufacturers with existing premises and equipment portfolios.
Best next step: Check Fleximize terms for smaller asset purchases.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Rates from 0.9% monthly
- Decisions within 24 hours
- Secured term loan structure
Need to know
- Maximum facility is £500,000
- Property security often needed
- Strong trading history expected
Expert take
A fast-moving secured lender suited to smaller-ticket manufacturing equipment. For a £700,000 requirement, Fleximize works best as a top-up alongside another facility, with its speed and rate range remaining competitive throughout.
Source:https://fleximize.com/
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NatWest Bank
Published loan range£500 to £10,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4.5% to 10.5% annually
Overview: NatWest's asset finance division lends from £500 to £10 million, making it a viable route for manufacturers funding production line upgrades or fleet replacements. Annual rates between 4.5% and 10.5% offer predictable cost modelling over multi-year terms. As a high-street bank, underwriting tends to be thorough, so established businesses with strong accounts are best positioned to secure approval.
Best next step: Speak to NatWest about manufacturing asset finance.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Annual rates from 4.5%
- Lends up to £10 million
- High-street bank backing
Need to know
- Bank underwriting is thorough
- Strong accounts typically needed
- Approval may take longer
Expert take
A mainstream bank lender with competitive annual pricing for manufacturers holding established banking relationships. Thorough underwriting rewards businesses with clean accounts and strong trading history, suiting well-documented £700,000 asset purchases.
Source:https://www.natwest.com/business/loans-and-finance.html
Barclays
Published loan range£1,000 to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 8.5% to 14.9% annually
Overview: With asset finance facilities reaching £25 million, Barclays comfortably accommodates manufacturers making substantial capital investments. Annual rates range from 8.5% to 14.9%, and the bank's broad product set means businesses can often combine asset finance with other facilities. Expect detailed underwriting and a preference for established firms with at least two years of trading history.
Best next step: Explore Barclays' manufacturing funding solutions.
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Facilities up to £25 million
- Multiple finance products available
- Established high-street lender
Need to know
- Annual rates start at 8.5%
- Detailed underwriting process
- Two years' trading expected
Expert take
A high-street bank with enormous lending capacity that easily handles £700,000 manufacturing equipment deals. Barclays suits businesses planning phased capital investment, where combining asset finance with broader banking facilities under one relationship simplifies treasury management.
Metro Bank
Published loan range£2,000 to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 9.6% to 9.6% annually
Overview: Metro Bank quotes a single annual rate around 9.6% for asset finance, which removes the guesswork from cost modelling. Facilities extend to £25 million, covering major manufacturing investments from CNC cells to automated warehousing. The bank's relationship-led approach means face-to-face underwriting is common, suiting manufacturers who value direct access to their lending team.
Best next step: Discuss fixed-rate manufacturing finance with Metro Bank.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Single transparent annual rate
- Lends up to £25 million
- Relationship-led banking model
Need to know
- Face-to-face meetings typical
- Detailed business review expected
- Asset must meet lending criteria
Expert take
A relationship-focused bank with uncommon rate transparency for asset finance. Metro Bank's single-rate approach simplifies cost planning for manufacturers. Businesses should budget time for in-person discussions given the hands-on underwriting style.
Source:https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/business/borrowing/
Novuna
Published loan range£10,000 to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4.5% to 12.5% monthly
Overview: Novuna, formerly Hitachi Capital, brings decades of asset finance expertise to manufacturing businesses. Facilities range from £10,000 to £5 million with monthly rates between 4.5% and 12.5%. The lender's heritage in equipment and vehicle funding means underwriting teams understand manufacturing asset lifecycles, which can smooth the approval process for production-critical machinery.
Best next step: Compare Novuna's manufacturing asset finance terms.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Heritage in equipment funding
- Up to £5 million facility size
- Understands manufacturing assets
Need to know
- Monthly interest structure
- Asset valuation required
- Not all sectors eligible
Expert take
A specialist asset finance provider with a track record in manufacturing and engineering equipment. Novuna's underwriters typically grasp the commercial value of production machinery, which can translate to smoother approvals for established manufacturers funding £700,000 in capital equipment.
Virgin Money
Published loan range£30,000 to £10,000,000
Rate typeinterest 4.5% to 10.5% annually
Overview: Manufacturers seeking asset finance up to £10 million will find Virgin Money's annual rates of 4.5% to 10.5% competitive against other high-street lenders. Hire purchase, leasing and refinancing structures are all available, alongside invoice finance and revolving credit facilities that can support working capital needs during equipment upgrades.
Best next step: Review Virgin Money's manufacturing finance products.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Annual rates from 4.5%
- Lends up to £10 million
- Multiple finance products available
Need to know
- Bank-level underwriting standards
- Strong trading history needed
- Asset eligibility criteria apply
Expert take
A versatile high-street lender whose combined asset finance and working capital products suit manufacturers funding both equipment and operational cash flow. Virgin Money's annual-rate structure keeps cost modelling straightforward for finance teams planning £700,000 capital expenditure.
Source:https://uk.virginmoney.com/business/business-borrowing/
Asset Finance Calculator
How lenders underwrite £700,000 asset finance for manufacturers
At £700,000, asset finance underwriting moves beyond automated scoring. Lenders assess both the business and the asset in detail.
Most lenders on this list expect at least one year of trading. Lombard, Novuna and Virgin Money all set a minimum business age of 12 months. Turnover requirements also come into play. NatWest Bank typically looks for at least £300,000 in annual revenue, while Novuna sets its threshold at £50,000.
The asset itself is central to the decision. For manufacturing equipment, lenders review the asset's expected useful life, its resale value if repossessed, and whether it is standard or highly bespoke. A CNC machine with broad market demand is easier to fund than custom-built tooling with limited secondary buyers.
Expect to provide two years of filed accounts, management information, and an asset specification from the supplier. Personal guarantees are standard at this level.
Manufacturing assets commonly financed at £700,000
A £700,000 facility opens up serious capital equipment for UK manufacturers. The most commonly funded assets at this level include CNC machining centres, automated production lines, industrial robots, injection moulding machinery, and metal fabrication equipment such as laser cutters and press brakes.
Commercial vehicles used in manufacturing logistics also fit this bracket. A fleet of forklifts, heavy goods vehicles, or specialist delivery trucks can fall within the £700,000 range.
Lenders listed here can accommodate these assets. Lombard funds up to £5,000,000, making it suitable for large single purchases or multi-asset packages. NatWest and Barclays also extend well beyond £700,000, with Barclays topping out at £25,000,000. Novuna reaches £5,000,000.
What matters to lenders is the asset's depreciation profile. Manufacturing equipment with a 10 to 15-year useful life aligns well with standard asset finance terms, which commonly run between three and seven years for machinery of this value.
Strengthening your application for £700,000 manufacturing asset finance
A £700,000 application needs more than standard paperwork. Lenders want evidence the asset will generate returns that comfortably cover repayments.
Start with a clear business case. Show how the equipment increases production capacity, reduces unit costs, or enables new contracts. If you have confirmed purchase orders that depend on the asset, include them.
Cash flow projections are essential. Build a 12-month forecast showing the impact of the new asset on revenue and costs. Include the finance repayments as a line item so the lender sees affordability at a glance. If your business already services other asset finance agreements, disclose them.
Your trading history matters. While Lombard and Novuna accept businesses with one year behind them, longer trading strengthens your position. Two to three years of filed accounts with consistent or growing turnover give underwriters more confidence. Supplier quotes, asset specifications, and any independent valuation all help speed the decision.
Comparing lease and hire purchase for £700,000 manufacturing equipment
Choosing between a finance lease and hire purchase at £700,000 affects tax, cash flow, and balance sheet treatment for your manufacturing business.
With a finance lease, you rent the equipment for an agreed term. VAT on each rental payment is reclaimable for VAT-registered manufacturers, which improves cash flow. The asset does not appear on your balance sheet, and at the end of the term you may have the option to sell the asset on the lender's behalf and retain a share of the proceeds, or continue renting at a reduced rate.
Hire purchase gives you ownership after the final payment. You claim capital allowances on the asset, which can be significant for £700,000 of plant and machinery under the Annual Investment Allowance. VAT is paid upfront and reclaimed on your next return, so cash flow takes a short-term hit.
For manufacturing equipment held for ten years or more, hire purchase often makes sense. For technology that may need upgrading within five years, a lease preserves flexibility. Several lenders on this list offer both structures, so you can match the product to your equipment strategy.
