Lot’s to Gain & Nothing to Lose. Four Tips on Best Leasing Companies for Asset Business Financing

Since when is some good information that helps you save money and get a good deal in business not a good thing? That's our feeling, so when you are looking for leasing equipment companies in Canada for the financing of business assets here's 4 tips on just that!

Many Canadian business owners and financial managers often consider equipment financing a relatively simple process. It is, if you know who to deal with, what to ask, and what some of the pitfalls might be.

That simplicity is often masked by some key tips and strategies you can employ to save you thousands of dollars, both now, and later. It's frankly all about business decisions that you need to make both now, and later at the end of your equipment lease. In general terms these considerations can be lumped into several categories - financial, risk, tax, accounting and legal.

All of a sudden that lease for the new computer system might not seem so simple, right? At the end of the day you want to ensure you have made the right decision, so as to warrant that financing your assets was better than purchasing or borrowing for them . Until you understand our 4 key tips you can't make that decision! So let's dig in!

First of all, exactly what are you looking for? We can see the puzzled look on our clients face already. 'Haven't we already told you, a lease!)? But what we mean is that there are different types of leases in Canada , in some cases you want to spend a decent bit of time investigating operating leases, which have different consequences before, during and at the end of the term of the lease. In many cases these payments will be lower, but you will be faced with 3 different options at the end of the term of the lease, for returning, purchasing, or extending the transaction.

If you want a simple finance ' lease to own' that becomes a much more straightforward transaction.

Tips # 2- Who do you actually deal with? In Canada leasing equipment companies are thriving - there is solid, healthy competition and business is quite frankly booming. Your choices on who to deal with are several - independent financial firms who are non bank in nature. Banks in Canada have again embraced leasing so you are in a position to talk to a bank leasing entity also. Their rates and terms are excellent of course, except for one caveat which we will discuss shortly. Suffice to say the ' credit approval' bar is a bit higher in bank leasing in Canada .

You can also deal with captive or vendor finance firms, who typically are aligned with the manufacturer of the equipment. They are clearly incented to finance you, because they also make the product!

One very solid solution is to also deal with a lease finance intermediary. Good ones (yes, there are not so good ones) can ensure you have access to great rates, terms, and structures, also saving you a lot of time. Respected intermediaries will bring a tremendous amount of value to your transaction, so check their ethics and reputation and experience. Ask for examples of transactions completed.

TIP# 3 - Lets talk about who to deal with for business financing of your lease transactions if in fact you choose the independent lease company route. Naturally you want to be aligned with firms that have a good reputation, can provide competitive rates and funding, and if they in fact have the capital to complete your transactions. (They borrow money too don't forget!) Documentation is key in good leasing equipment companies, look for straightforward doc's.!

Tip # 4- If you do in fact choose a bank leasing firm find out how the lease transaction fits into your general borrowing agreement . By financing with a bank have you restricted your ability to borrow more in the future for operating needs?

Got a lot to worry about these days in business, and business financing. Who doesn't?! Consider talking to a trusted, experienced and credible Canadian business financing advisor.