London Low Emission Zone

The Low Emission Zone changes on 3 January 2012

The London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was introduced in 2008 to encourage the most polluting diesel vehicles driving in our Capital to become cleaner. Anyone wanting to driving a lorry, bus, coach or other specialist heavy diesel vehicle in the LEZ without paying a charge must meet the current Euro III emission standard. 

However from 3 January 2012, these standards are changing to Euro IV, regardless of whether the vehicle is used for commercial or private purposes. And the penalties are high if a vehicle does not comply, at up to £1000.

We provide a range of finance options to help businesses ensure their vehicles are certified Euro IV. These include funding conversions, financing new 'cleaner' vehicles, or creating solutions where we can release capital from existing vehicles to help finance new vehicles or conversions.

Our team, based out of our Wisbech office have helped numerous operators comply with the upcoming legislation. Ensure you comply, please contact:
Ray Hyam on 01945 588 655
Email: ray.hyam@singersaf.co.uk

Related links

• Transport for London Low Emission Zone webpage
• Postcode checker to see if a location is within the Low Emission Zone
• Finance to comply with the Euro IV Emissions Standard
• Singers Corporate Asset Finance Wisbech Office

Continued Growth in Business use of Asset Finance

UK businesses are increasingly turning to asset finance when investing in new equipment. A new quarterly confidence survey, published by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), shows that finance company chiefs expect this trend to continue. 78% of respondents expect broker-introduced asset finance to grow over the next three months, and 75% expect equipment dealer and distributor finance to do the same.

The asset finance industry plays a vital role in the UK economy, by providing £20 billion of finance to UK businesses each year to support investment and help businesses grow. The new quarterly survey asks senior finance industry executives for their views on the prospects for the UK economy and the asset finance industry.

The FLA's findings mirror the increased demand we see at Singers for finance solutions outside of traditional funding. Whether fresh credit, sale and leaseback or a tailored solution, asset finance provides the flexibility UK Businesses need to succeed, especially in what continues to be a testing business climate.

Related links

• Finance & Leasing Association Website
• Corporate Asset Finance

Commercial Vehicle Finance on the increase

Latest figures from the Finance & Leasing Association show a marked increase in asset finance provided for commercial vehicles. In the first quarter of the year commercial vehicle finance to small and medium sized businesses increased 32% compared with Q1 2010. 

The FLA continued to add that more than £1 billion was provided by finance companies for leasing or hire purchase of around 20,000 new vans, trucks and lorries in Q1 2011. There was also growth in finance provided for business equipment, plant and machinery and IT equipment. Total asset finance provided was up by 8% over the quarter.

In addition, with legislation constantly changing in a bid to clean up the environment, the need for greener more fuel efficient vehicles is clearly visable. As the market place moves a notch up the Carbon foot print ladder to comply with EU Emissions the needs of hauliers & commercial vehicle operators to upgrade to newer or modified vehicles becomes more of a necessity.

With traditional Bank lending facilities still proving difficult and often expensive to obtain, asset finance can help businesses obtain the equipment they need to grow, whilst making best use of their existing cash flow. We have specialists across the country to help explain in person your options and tailor individual finance solutions.

Please contact your regional office to arrange a meeting:
North of England and Scotland on 0141 354 4990
South of England on 01945 588 655
or use our Sales Team Map to contact your local asset finance specialist directly.

Related links

•   UK Sales Team Map
• Finance to comply with Euro Emissions standards
• Finance & Leasing Association Website

1000 SMEs use Asset Finance each day

The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) of which Singers Corporate Asset Finance is a member, is the industry body for the asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance sectors.

According to new figures published by the FLA, over 1000 SMEs obtain new assets on finance every day. With 750,000 SMEs funding their equipment by leasing or hire purchase, this represents the majority of debt-financed business investment. There are around 250,000 new agreements each year, and one in every three small businesses with any external borrowing uses asset finance.

Related links

• Finance & Leasing Association Website
• FLA Membership