Finance and Investment

"The key to the right finance is the right plan."

The Right Plan

In the case of Equity Finance, grants and soft loans you are asking people to give you money. To convince them this is a good idea, you must have the right plan.

Even with Asset finance,including bank lending the same is true. The old banking adage is that "security is there to provide comfort and is not a basis for lending". The basis of lending is the ability to repay the loan.

The business plan you need is different in each case, and different again to any plan you might have internally. To take a simple example, most providers of grants do so on the basis to encourage something new, that has risk, and would not happen if a grant was not provided. On the other hand an application to the bank should generally convince that what is happening in the business is standard, well tried and 'safe as houses'.

If you need finance and do not have experience of producing a plan for the type of investment you are seeking then get help! It will be worth it.

Asset Finance

Banks

Because there is quite a lot to say about bank borrowing, we have given it a page all to itself, click here.

Capital Equipment

There is a wide range of sources for funding capital equipment. This applies to used as well as new equipment and can apply to refinancing equipment bought for cash, already settled or the subject of a current finance agreement. In government defined assisted areas grants may also be available towards the cost of certain capital equipment (see the Grants section).

Manufacturers funding schemes are usually offered. The good news is that these usually offer a low rate of interest, sometimes even zero percent, and the credit worthiness standard is sometimes lower. The rule of TANSTAAFL applies : There Aint No Such Thing as a Free Lunch. Sometimes the Manufacturer will offer a special cash price if pressed precisely because they don't have to subsidise the special finance deal. So it is worth checking the alternatives.

In recent years a new generation of specialist finance companies have emerged. They will finance a wide range of equipment both new and used. Call us for details.

Vehicle Finance and Leasing

Many different approaches are possible in this area including the issue of whether you should use contract hire or outsource the aspect of your operation that requires the vehicles. Increasingly large companies are ending or reducing radically the issue of company cars. Interestingly smaller companies are slower in following this trend.

If you need competitive quotes for purchase, contract hire, or would like a review of your fleet then let us know. If you need a competitive fleet insurance quote then see "Sig Biz Insurance", our commercial insurance arm.

Equity Finance

Sig Biz Advisors have numerous connections and relationships which are used to source Equity Finance. The successful raising of Equity Finance requires careful preparation. A convincing business plan is crucial. The plan has to be more than theory with actions taken to address any weaknesses identified.

Anyone considering an investment in a business will want to be sure the management team is up to the job. It may be necessary to strengthen the management team before seeking Equity Finance. Alternatively it may be something that will form part of the negotiation with any investor. If the source for equity finance is a Business Angel then on some occasions the Business Angel may bring some of that skill. This is particularly true if the skill lacking is in the financial area.

For a chat about the different sources and types of equity finance then give us a call. We can help whether it is a few tens of thousands of pounds or a few million you need.