Cash flow finance
Asset-based lending Ireland: one facility, several assets
Asset-based lending gives a larger company one facility secured on its invoices, stock, plant and sometimes property, with the limit moving as those assets change.
- How much
- €1m to €75m
- Typical range; depends on your business
- How long
- Ongoing facility
- Depends on the lender and the deal
- How fast
- Around 6+ weeks
- Typical; never guaranteed
- Our fee
- €0 to you
- The lender pays us commission
Quick eligibility check
Looking at asset-based lending? Tell us what your company needs
Step 1 of 3 · about 60 seconds
About 60 seconds · no credit search · not recorded on the Central Credit Register
Prefer to talk? +353 1 536 9910- How much
- €1m to €75m
- Typical range; depends on your business
- How long
- Ongoing facility
- Depends on the lender and the deal
- How fast
- Around 6+ weeks
- Typical; never guaranteed
- Our fee
- €0 to you
- The lender pays us commission
- Irish limited companies
- Several lenders, one request
- No fees for your company
- No obligation
At a glance
Asset-based lending at a glance
Typical terms: Ongoing facility
around 6+ weeks
- Irish limited companies
- Often 36+ months trading
- Business assets
- 1
Tell us what you need
Three taps: purpose, amount, business type. About 60 seconds, no credit search and not recorded on the Central Credit Register.
- 2
We match you to lenders
We check your profile against lender criteria and approach only those likely to consider it. One request, only to lenders likely to consider it.
- 3
Compare any offers
See the rate, fees, security and any personal guarantee side by side before you decide anything.
Lenders we work with
We are a broker, not a lender. Lender names and logos are trademarks of their owners and are shown with permission. Their inclusion does not mean the lender endorses Welcome Finance. Finance is subject to each lender’s own approval, which is not guaranteed.
About asset-based lending
Asset-based lending, or ABL, is a working capital facility built on your company's balance sheet. It starts with invoice finance and adds funding against other assets: stock, plant and machinery and, sometimes, commercial property the company owns. Each asset class gets its own advance rate, and together they set a borrowing base that rises and falls as your debtors and stock change. In Ireland, Close Brothers Commercial Finance offers ABL to companies with turnover above €6 million that want to raise about €1 million to €75 million, with up to 90% advanced on receivables. It is used for growth, management buy-outs, acquisitions, refinancing and contingency working capital. Close Brothers states that this service does not require licensing, registration or authorisation by the Central Bank of Ireland.
For smaller companies, the building blocks are usually arranged one at a time: invoice finance from banks such as AIB, which advances up to 90% of invoices for companies with a debtor ledger of at least €250,000, or Bank of Ireland, which advances up to 85% of approved debts; stock finance for goods bought for resale; and asset refinance to release cash from machinery. Our panel may help with stock finance and working capital loans. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether our panel can help, or where to look instead.
What it’s used for
- Working capital that grows with sales
- Management buy-outs and acquisitions
- Refinancing existing facilities
- Seasonal stock builds
Who it’s for
- Companies with turnover of several million euro
- Manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors with large debtor books and stock
- Companies funding a buy-out, acquisition or refinance
- Companies whose bank overdraft no longer matches their size
No credit search · not recorded on the Central Credit Register · about 60 seconds
How asset-based lending works
- 1
Asset review
The provider audits debtors and stock and values plant or property.
- 2
Borrowing base set
Each asset class gets an advance rate, which together form your limit.
- 3
Draw as needed
Your company draws against the available limit.
- 4
Regular reporting
Debtor and stock reports keep the limit up to date.
Types of asset-based lending
Receivables line
An advance against unpaid business invoices, usually the core of the facility.
Inventory line
An advance against raw materials or finished stock, typically at a lower percentage.
Plant and machinery loan
A term loan against the value of equipment the company owns.
Commercial property loan
A term loan against non-residential property the company owns.
Typical eligibility
Every lender sets its own criteria. These are common starting points. We’ll tell you which lenders are likely to consider your business.
- Irish limited company, usually with turnover of several million euro (over €6m at Close Brothers)
- Business-to-business invoices and saleable stock
- Reliable financial reporting and stock records
- Assets free of other charges, or agreement from existing lenders
What you’ll usually need
- Aged debtors and creditors lists
- Stock reports
- Asset register and plant or property valuations
- Audited and management accounts
- Cash flow forecasts
Advantages
- The limit can grow with your sales and stock
- Uses more of the balance sheet than invoice finance alone
- Can fund buy-outs and refinancing as well as working capital
Things to consider
- Mainly for larger companies
- Audits, valuations and reporting take management time
- Security over most company assets limits other borrowing
Rates, fees and costs
ABL is priced case by case. Expect charges on the amount drawn, service or facility fees, and the cost of audits and valuations; some agreements also charge for ending early. Close Brothers does not publish rates or fees and describes its funding as bespoke. Ask each provider to set out every charge in euro, based on how much you expect to draw, before you compare offers.
We are paid commission by the lender when finance completes. We do not charge your company a fee and never ask for payment upfront.
Example (for illustration only): a company has €2,000,000 of approved invoices and stock valued at €1,000,000. If a lender’s offer advanced 85% against the invoices and 50% against the stock, the company could draw up to €2,200,000 (€1,700,000 plus €500,000), and that limit would rise and fall as its debtors and stock change. Charges apply to the amount drawn, with the service, audit and valuation fees set out in the offer. The real cost depends on the lender’s offer, and finance is subject to status and lender approval.
The provider usually takes charges over most of your company's assets and can enforce them if the company defaults. Your limit can also shrink quickly if debtors pay late or stock values fall, just when you need the cash.
Finance is subject to status and the lender’s approval. Welcome Finance is a commercial finance broker, not a lender. We arrange finance for limited companies for business purposes only; this is not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Compare asset-based lending with alternatives
Not sure this is the right fit? Here’s how it compares with the options businesses most often weigh it against.
Asset-based lending
This page- Amount
- €1m to €75m
- Term
- Ongoing facility
- Typical speed
- Usually several weeks, for asset reviews; not guaranteed
- Security
- Business assets
- Typical min. trading
- 36 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Usually up to 5 years
- Typical speed
- Usually 1 to 3 weeks
- Security
- The asset
- Typical min. trading
- 24 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Ongoing facility
- Typical speed
- Some providers fund within 24 hours once set up
- Security
- Invoices
- Typical min. trading
- 6 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Usually 1 to 5 months per purchase
- Typical speed
- Usually 1 to 3 weeks to set up
- Security
- Stock / orders
- Typical min. trading
- 12 months
| Detail | This page Asset-based lending | Asset refinance | Invoice finance | Stock finance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | €1m to €75m | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Term | Ongoing facility | Usually up to 5 years | Ongoing facility | Usually 1 to 5 months per purchase |
| Typical speed | Usually several weeks, for asset reviews; not guaranteed | Usually 1 to 3 weeks | Some providers fund within 24 hours once set up | Usually 1 to 3 weeks to set up |
| Security | Business assets | The asset | Invoices | Stock / orders |
| Typical min. trading | 36 months | 24 months | 6 months | 12 months |
How we work
Asset-based lending: frequently asked questions
What is asset-based lending?
Asset-based lending is a facility secured on several of your company's assets at once: unpaid invoices, stock, plant and machinery and sometimes commercial property. The provider sets an advance rate for each, and the total forms a borrowing base that moves as the assets change. It suits larger companies with significant debtors and stock, and is often used for growth, buy-outs and refinancing.
How is asset-based lending different from invoice finance?
Invoice finance advances money against unpaid invoices only. Asset-based lending starts with invoices and adds funding against stock, plant and property, so your company can usually raise more from the same balance sheet. It also involves more reporting and asset reviews, and it is mainly offered to larger companies. Many smaller companies start with invoice finance and move to ABL as they grow.
Who offers asset-based lending in Ireland?
Close Brothers Commercial Finance offers asset-based lending in Ireland for companies with turnover above €6 million, raising about €1 million to €75 million. Irish banks such as AIB and Bank of Ireland publish invoice finance, which is the core part of most ABL facilities, and offer asset finance separately. Providers change, so check each one's current terms and status.
How big does my company need to be for ABL?
Usually several million euro in turnover. Close Brothers, for example, says its asset-based lending is mainly for companies with turnover over €6 million raising at least about €1 million. Smaller companies are usually better served by invoice finance, stock finance or asset refinance on their own, which have lower entry points and less reporting.
How much can I borrow against each asset?
Each provider sets its own advance rates. Close Brothers says it can advance up to 90% against accounts receivable, with stock and property funded on a flexible basis. Stock and machinery usually attract lower percentages than invoices, because they are harder to sell quickly. The provider values the assets and agrees the rates with you before the facility starts.
Is asset-based lending regulated by the Central Bank?
Generally not, when it is provided to a company for business purposes. Close Brothers Commercial Finance states that its service does not require licensing, registration or authorisation by the Central Bank of Ireland, so Central Bank consumer protection rules and compensation schemes do not cover it. Welcome Finance is not regulated by the Central Bank either. Check each provider's status and terms.
Can asset-based lending fund a management buy-out?
Yes, it often does. Because the facility is based on the target company's invoices, stock and other assets, it can provide part of the money to buy a business, sometimes alongside a cash flow loan. Close Brothers lists buy-outs, buy-ins, mergers and acquisitions among its ABL uses. Our guide to finance to buy a business explains the other parts of a deal.
Can Welcome Finance arrange asset-based lending?
Asset-based lending is usually offered to larger companies by specialist providers. Our panel may be able to help with stock finance, supplier-payment finance and working capital loans, which some companies use alongside or instead of ABL. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether our panel can help, or where to look instead.
Check in 60 seconds
Looking at asset-based lending? Tell us what your company needs
Our panel may help with stock finance, supplier payments or working capital. Tell us what your company needs and we'll tell you honestly whether our panel can help, or where to look instead.
- No credit search, not recorded on the Central Credit Register
- One request, several lenders: we’re a broker, not a lender
- For limited companies registered in Ireland
- No fees for your company: we’re paid commission by the lender
Step 1 of 3 · about 60 seconds
Sources: Asset Based Lending, Close Brothers Commercial Finance Ireland (checked 23 Oct 2026); Invoice finance (AIB Commercial Finance), AIB (checked 23 Oct 2026); Invoice Finance, Bank of Ireland (checked 23 Oct 2026); Mortgages and Charges, Companies Registration Office (checked 23 Oct 2026).