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Equipment Leasing Works : We Told You So!
Information on the Canadian equipment leasing and financing industry .How to utilize the services of experts in this area to save thousands of dollars
Lease rates in Canada have finally normalized somewhat after the global economic tensions of late 2008 and 2009. Liquidity has come back into the markets and even the government in Canada has stepped in to assist the actual companies that were doing the financing.
We never fully disagree with a client when a firm tells us that the overall interest rate is the most important thing they consider in a lease vs. purchase decision. However, at the same time there are a number of other, we would actually call them ‘critical ‘factors in evaluating and getting approved for lease financing.
Customers often weight the lease decision against two other key issues, their ability to purchase the equipment outright and secondly consideration of a financing alternative such as a bank loan. Naturally all three strategies – leasing, purchasing outright, and financing via a bank loan still get you the equipment.
Lease firms in Canada tout the benefits of leasing and line them up directly against your other two alternatives. Bank financing has always been difficult to get for any small to medium business (in the last year or two large business had challenges also!) and when you choose to finance your equipment through a bank loan a number of key factors come into play. They include usually a down payment, plus the fact that your new equipment loan gets bundled into your overall banking relationship, loan and ratio covenants, plus your overall credit facility limit.
If you are comfortable with that naturally the bank rates are very attractive. In general for a decent quality credit in Canada you can expect to pay two to three per cent more for a financial lease from an independent finance firm. However that additional premium may be well worth it when you consider some of the factors we noted above.
In Canada credit quality drives a large part of the final rate. The good news here is that companies with decent to good to very good credit will always achieve some of the best rates. But more importantly we point out that if your firm has challenges, little or no funds for a down payment, or a higher dollar acquisition you can still get lease financing consideration.
The Canadian leasing market is very fragmented so we strongly recommend to clients that you utilize the services of a trusted, credible and most importantly , ‘ experienced ‘ lease and business financing advisor who can help you navigate the maze of Canadian lease firms . Their relationship with the best financiers in your industry can save you many thousands of dollars.
Let’s prove our point with a quick example. Your firm doesn’t have the contacts or necessary technical knowledge to navigate the Canadian lease environment. You note the industry has a trade association called the CANADIAN FINANCE AND LEASING ASSOCIATION. That website shows hundreds of small and larger firms. You could of course contact each firm, explain your needs, provide them your financial information and then spend hours, days, etc on negotiations and knowledge assimilation relative to your particular needs for equipment acquisition.
However, utilizing a lease finance expert will give you instant access to probably one or two of the best lessors suited to your asset, your industry, and your firms overall credit quality.
If your advisor delivers only a little on overall rate, terms and structure you will save thousands of dollars, plus gain invaluable advice along the way on which lease option to choose ( there are two, capital and operating ) .
7 Park Avenue Financial :
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Direct Line = 416 319 5769
Office = 905 829 2653
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations .
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.
Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.
Stan Prokop
