Overlooked? You tell us, but we’re never more amazed at why leasing equipment is such an often overlooked source of business financing in Canada. Here’s why we think the ‘ unconverted’ need to reassess this popular method of financing their businesses when it comes to asset acquisition.

Hopefully you’ve got your short term working capital and cash flow needs sorted out. They might include bank lines, receivable finance, working capital facilities, asset based lines of credit, etc.

But what about long term capital when it comes to financing your needed asset acquisitions? It’s an entirely different form of financing and you just need to know some solid basics when it comes to eliminating any surprises. Let’s cover some basics.

In general Canadian business owners and financial managers need to only know there are basically two types of leases – operating and capital. But the difference between the two of them is huge! When you engage an operating lease scenario you essentially have no ownership or acquisition rights – think if it as leasing your landline phone.

A capital lease on the other hand is a non-cacheable commitment to make a series of payments over time for the purchase of the asset; it’s as simple as that. The usual (but not always’ end result of a capital lease is the transfer of ownership of the asset from the lessor to your company.

Strictly speaking, leases are a form of long term debt, but depending on the type of lease you structure, and how it’s structured it doesnt necessarily have to show on your balance sheet.

Why then do we think that many businesses in Canada overlook some solid advantages in leasing equipment? And what are those advantages?

First of all leasing as a source of business finance frees up working capital that you quite frankly could use in a more productive matter. A quick example is that if your lease rate is, say 7% and you can generate returns on profit in equity of 10%, as an example… well… enough said!.

Other methods of business finance as a source of financing often require hefty down payments – leasing more often than not is 100% financing or pretty close it depending on your firms overall credit quality .

Naturally if you utilize a business leasing equipment firm you are therefore not disturbing any other credit facilities you might have in place, such as short term revolving lines of credit. And again, with decent credit you don’t have to pledge other collateral and solid credits can often negotiate a limited or no personal guarantee.

Have we made out point? We hope so. Don’t overlook lease financing as a valuable source of business funding. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on solving your asset finance need today.