Asset finance
Asset refinance Ireland: release cash from equipment
Asset refinance lets your Irish limited company release cash tied up in equipment, vehicles or machinery it already owns.
- How long
- Usually up to 5 years
- Depends on the lender and the deal
- How fast
- Around 2 to 3 weeks
- Typical; never guaranteed
- Our fee
- €0 to you
- The lender pays us commission
Quick eligibility check
See what your company could borrow
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 long
- Usually up to 5 years
- Depends on the lender and the deal
- How fast
- Around 2 to 3 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 refinance at a glance
around 2 to 3 weeks
- Irish limited companies
- Often 24+ months trading
- The asset
- 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 refinance
Asset refinance raises money against equipment your company already owns. In a sale and leaseback, the lender buys the asset and leases it back to you; in a sale and HP back, you buy it back in instalments. You keep using the asset throughout, so asset refinancing is a way to release cash from equipment without selling it.
Some lenders also refinance equipment still on finance, settling the existing agreement and releasing any spare value. A valuation is usually needed and the asset must be in good condition. A capital raise against assets adds new debt, so check the cost and tax effect first. Government-backed SBCI loans cannot be used to refinance existing assets.
What it’s used for
- Funding growth or working capital
- Settling higher-cost borrowing
- Releasing cash after paying down an agreement
Who it’s for
- Companies with valuable equipment owned outright
- Firms needing working capital without new unsecured debt
- Companies restructuring existing asset finance
No credit search · not recorded on the Central Credit Register · about 60 seconds
Asset refinance calculator
Estimated monthly payment
€1,647.87
- Deposit
- €7,500
- Amount financed
- €67,500
- Total interest
- €11,598
Illustrative only. Actual rates, fees and terms depend on your circumstances and the lender. This is not an offer of finance.
How asset refinance works
- 1
List the assets
Make, model, age and any finance outstanding.
- 2
Valuation
The lender values the assets.
- 3
Compare offers
Amount released, rate, term and fees side by side.
- 4
Release funds
Existing finance is settled and the balance paid to your company.
Types of asset refinance
Sale and leaseback
The lender buys the asset and leases it back.
Sale and HP back
You buy the asset back in instalments.
Refinance of existing agreement
Settling an agreement and releasing spare value.
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
- Assets with clear title and resale value
- Accounts and bank statements that support repayments
What you’ll usually need
- Asset list with purchase invoices or valuations
- Details of any existing finance
- Latest accounts
- 6 months of business bank statements
Advantages
- Releases cash without new unsecured debt
- Keep using the assets
- Can replace costlier borrowing
Things to consider
- Adds a new finance cost to assets you own
- The amount is limited by the asset's value
- Tax effects need checking
Rates, fees and costs
The amount you can raise depends on the asset's valuation and condition, and the lender advances a proportion of that value. Costs include the finance charge and documentation or valuation fees, which each lender should set out in its offer.
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 owns machinery valued at €80,000. If a lender’s offer advanced 70% of that value, the company would release €56,000 and keep using the machinery. If the offer showed a total repayable of €64,800 over 4 years, the repayments would be 48 monthly payments of €1,350. The real cost depends on the lender’s offer, and finance is subject to status and lender approval.
The asset becomes the lender's security again and can be repossessed if payments are missed. Directors may be asked for a personal guarantee and should take independent legal advice before signing one. Selling an asset and taking it back on finance can have tax consequences, including on capital allowances; check with your accountant first.
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 refinance with alternatives
Not sure this is the right fit? Here’s how it compares with the options businesses most often weigh it against.
Asset refinance
This page- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Usually up to 5 years
- Typical speed
- Usually 1 to 3 weeks
- Security
- The asset
- Typical min. trading
- 24 months
- Amount
- €5k to €1m
- Term
- 3 to 36 months
- Typical speed
- Usually within days; not guaranteed
- Security
- Depends on the lender
- Typical min. trading
- 12 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Up to 10 years with some banks
- Typical speed
- Usually 2 to 6 weeks
- Security
- Depends on the lender
- Typical min. trading
- 24 months
- Amount
- Varies
- Term
- Up to about 7 years or the asset’s life
- Typical speed
- Usually within days; not guaranteed
- Security
- The asset
- Typical min. trading
- 12 months
| Detail | This page Asset refinance | Working capital finance | Business refinance | Plant and machinery finance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | Varies | €5k to €1m | Varies | Varies |
| Term | Usually up to 5 years | 3 to 36 months | Up to 10 years with some banks | Up to about 7 years or the asset’s life |
| Typical speed | Usually 1 to 3 weeks | Usually within days; not guaranteed | Usually 2 to 6 weeks | Usually within days; not guaranteed |
| Security | The asset | Depends on the lender | Depends on the lender | The asset |
| Typical min. trading | 24 months | 12 months | 24 months | 12 months |
How we work
Asset refinance: frequently asked questions
What is asset refinance?
A way to raise cash against equipment, vehicles or machinery your company already owns. In a sale and leaseback, the lender buys the asset and leases it back to you; in a sale and hire purchase back, your company buys it back in instalments. You keep using the asset throughout, and the cash can fund growth or working capital.
What is sale and leaseback?
A way to release cash from an asset your company owns by selling it to a lender, which then leases it back to you. You keep using the asset and pay rentals over an agreed term, and the sale price is paid to your company. In Ireland it is used for machinery, vehicles and equipment. Selling an asset can have tax effects, so check with your accountant first.
Can I raise money against equipment I own?
Often, yes, if it has clear title and resale value. Lenders advance a proportion of the asset's valuation, set case by case, and deduct anything still owed on existing finance. Machinery with a strong second-hand market usually supports a higher advance than specialised or older equipment. Your company also needs to show it can afford the new repayments.
Can I refinance an asset that is still on finance?
Often, yes. A new lender can settle the existing agreement and release any spare value, meaning the difference between the asset's value and what is still owed. This can lower repayments or release cash, but check the existing agreement's early-settlement charges first, as they reduce what your company gains.
Is a valuation needed for asset refinance?
Usually. The lender values the asset, often through an independent valuer or an inspection, and the asset must be in good condition with clear title in your company's name. Purchase invoices, service records and details of any existing finance help the valuation go smoothly.
Can I use an SBCI loan to refinance equipment?
No. The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme cannot be used to refinance existing debt or assets your company already owns; it only funds new projects through new loans, applied for directly with a participating lender. Our SBCI page explains what the scheme does cover.
Are there tax implications of sale and leaseback?
Possibly. Selling an asset to a lender and taking it back on finance can affect capital allowances already claimed, including a possible balancing charge, and change how future payments are treated. VAT may also arise on the sale. Speak to your accountant before you proceed, so the cash released is not reduced by an unexpected tax bill.
Is asset refinance a good idea?
It can be, if the cash funds something that earns more than the finance costs, or replaces dearer borrowing. It is riskier if the company is losing money, because it adds a new cost to assets you already own and they become security again. Speak to your accountant and existing lenders first; processes such as SCARP exist for viable small companies in difficulty.
Check in 60 seconds
Check your asset refinance eligibility
Three quick taps. No credit search, not recorded on the Central Credit Register. No obligation.
- 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: Close Brothers Commercial Finance refinancing page, checked October 2026; PTSB asset finance FAQs, checked October 2026; SBCI / AIB GSLS eligibility criteria.