Equipment financing helps a business acquire the machines, vehicles, and technology it needs to operate and grow — without paying the full cost up front. BNC Finance works with business owners across the United States to arrange financing for new and used equipment, from a single piece of machinery to a full fleet. This page explains how equipment financing works, what lenders look at, and the equipment types and programs available, so you can decide what fits your business.
Financing is available for qualified businesses, on approved credit. Use the links throughout this page to go straight to the equipment or program that matches your needs.
Table of Contents
How equipment financing works
Equipment financing is funding used specifically to purchase business equipment. In most cases the equipment itself serves as the collateral for the loan, which is part of why it is often more accessible than unsecured financing: the asset reduces the lender’s risk. You take possession of the equipment and repay the amount financed over an agreed term, typically structured to match the equipment’s useful life.
Most programs are built for essential-use equipment — the things a business relies on day to day. For a construction company that might be an excavator or a skid steer; for an event-rental company it could be tables, staging, or a box truck. If the equipment is central to how the business earns revenue, there is usually a financing path for it.
How to qualify
You need a business entity or DBA to apply. Beyond that, programs vary, but most lenders weigh a similar set of factors:
- Owner/shareholder credit. One of the most influential factors, especially for newer businesses. Stronger personal credit opens up more options.
- Time in business. Businesses operating two or more years generally have more paths available. Under two years is workable but is treated as higher risk, so other factors (credit, down payment, collateral) carry more weight.
- Business credit. An established business credit profile strengthens an application.
- Collateral. Hard assets such as titled vehicles and heavy “yellow iron” construction equipment tend to allow more flexibility than soft assets.
- Revenue. Becomes more important as the size of the transaction grows; for smaller transactions it carries less weight.
Not every factor needs to be strong. Programs exist for a range of profiles, and the right structure often depends on which of these is your strongest. The best way to know your options is to answer a few quick questions and see what financing may be available for your business — subject to lender approval.
Financing terms
Equipment financing terms generally range from roughly one to seven years. The term is usually matched to the useful life of the asset: heavy equipment such as construction machinery tends to support the longest terms, while shorter-life assets like hardware and software are typically financed over shorter periods. The right term balances a manageable payment with the working life of the equipment.
Financing vs. leasing
Both let you put equipment to work without paying the full price up front, but they suit different goals:
- Financing (equipment loan) is built around ownership. You are working toward owning the asset outright, building equity in it, and keeping it for its full useful life — a strong fit for durable equipment you intend to run for years.
- Leasing is built around flexibility. It can mean a lower upfront commitment and the ability to upgrade or return equipment at the end of the term — a good fit for technology and other assets you expect to replace on a cycle.
Many businesses use both across different assets. If you are weighing the two for a specific purchase, BNC can help you compare the structures for your situation.
Section 179 and your equipment purchase
Under Section 179 of the IRS tax code, businesses may be able to deduct the cost of qualifying new or used equipment placed into service during the tax year, rather than depreciating it over time. Financed equipment can still qualify, which is one reason many owners time purchases around their tax planning. Rules and limits change year to year, so confirm the current details with your tax advisor. BNC Finance is not a tax advisor; this is general information, not tax advice.
Equipment we finance
BNC arranges financing across a wide range of industries. Browse the category that fits your business — each links to a dedicated page with the details for that equipment type.
Construction equipment
Our most developed category, covering machines purchased from dealers, manufacturers, and private sellers. See Construction Equipment Financing, or go straight to a specific machine: excavators, cranes, dump trucks, backhoes, concrete pumps, loaders, graders, paving machines, and rock crushers. Buying from an individual? We also handle private-seller construction equipment financing.
Trucks & commercial vehicles
Financing for the vehicles that move a business — delivery, freight, contracting, and mobile service. Explore Transportation financing, including semi truck financing, box truck financing, and dump truck financing.
Commercial drones & UAV
A specialized program for commercial UAV operators. See Commercial Drone Financing & Leasing, plus focused options for agriculture drones, drone LiDAR, and power-wash drones.
Medical & healthcare equipment
Financing for practices and facilities acquiring clinical and diagnostic equipment. See Healthcare financing.
Restaurant, catering & events
From kitchens to event operations: restaurant equipment financing, food truck financing, catering equipment financing, music & DJ equipment financing, and party & event rental financing.
Software, hardware & technology
Up to 100% financing for software, hardware, and technology infrastructure. See Software Financing and Hardware & Software Financing.
More industries
We also finance manufacturing, landscaping, automotive repair, dental, chiropractic, and agricultural equipment, among others — including forklift financing. If you don’t see your equipment type, contact us — chances are there is a program for it.
Financing programs
Different situations call for different structures. These are some of the programs available; availability and structure depend on your business profile, the equipment, and lender approval.
- Application-Only financing. A streamlined option for many equipment purchases, requiring only a short application and an equipment quote or invoice — no full financial statements for qualifying transactions. Designed for a fast, simple turnaround.
- Asset-backed financing. Secured by collateral, available across industry types, and useful for both equipment purchases and working capital where a strong collateral position is available.
- Corp-only financing. For established businesses (generally three or more years in operation) with sufficient business credit depth, structured without a personal guarantee in qualifying cases — including programs suited to non-profits.
- Private-party financing. For equipment purchased from an individual rather than a dealer. Most hard assets — trucks, trailers, construction, and manufacturing equipment — qualify.
- Commercial financing. For larger transactions and stronger credit profiles, with full financial disclosure, covering equipment and technology.
- Used & older equipment. Programs that accommodate used equipment, including hard assets like titled vehicles and heavy iron, often without a strict age limit.
- Deferred payment schedules. Options such as 30-, 60-, or 90-day deferred starts on qualifying transactions, to align payments with when the equipment starts earning.
You can also refinance equipment you already own to free up capital, or pair equipment financing with a business line of credit for ongoing needs.
Turned down by a bank? That isn’t the same as bad credit
Plenty of strong, creditworthy businesses get declined by a traditional bank — not because of poor credit, but because the deal doesn’t fit the bank’s rigid box. Banks often pass on a business for reasons that have nothing to do with how it pays its bills: too few years in operation, an industry they avoid, a deal size that’s too small or too large, used or private-party equipment, or simply a checklist the business doesn’t tick. A bank “no” is a common starting point, not a verdict on your credit. Equipment financing is frequently a better fit for these situations precisely because it is built around the equipment and the health of the business, not a single rigid template — so a solid business that a bank turned away often has real options here, on approved credit.
Financing with challenged credit
Separately, if your credit is genuinely poor, there may still be a path. BNC maintains dedicated programs for these situations — see our equipment leasing options for challenged credit and truck & trailer financing programs. Approvals depend on the full picture of your business and are subject to lender approval.
Equipment financing FAQ
What types of equipment can I finance?
Most essential-use business equipment qualifies — construction machinery, trucks and commercial vehicles, medical and dental equipment, restaurant and catering equipment, commercial drones, manufacturing, and software and hardware, among others. If it is central to how your business operates, there is usually a financing path for it, subject to lender approval.
Can I finance used equipment?
Yes. Financing is available for both new and used equipment, including hard assets such as titled vehicles and heavy construction equipment. Some programs accommodate older equipment; availability depends on the asset and the lender.
Can I get financing if my business is new?
It is possible. Businesses operating two or more years generally have more options, but newer businesses can qualify too — especially with strong owner credit or additional collateral. Options vary by profile and are subject to lender approval.
Does a bank turning me down mean I have bad credit?
No. Banks often decline deals for reasons that have nothing to do with credit — time in business, industry, deal size, or the type of equipment. A bank “no” is a common starting point, not a verdict on your credit, and equipment financing is frequently a better fit for these situations.
Can I finance equipment bought from a private seller?
Yes. Our private-party program covers most hard assets — trucks, trailers, construction, and manufacturing equipment — purchased from an individual rather than a dealer, with title verification support.
How long does the application take?
Many equipment purchases qualify for a streamlined application-only process that requires just a short application and an equipment quote, with a quick turnaround. Larger transactions may require additional documentation.
Ready to apply?
Tell us a little about your business and the equipment you need, and we’ll help you find the financing that fits. Start your pre-qualification — it takes only a couple of minutes.
Are you a vendor or dealer? Offer your customers financing at the point of sale through our vendor financing program.
All financing is subject to credit approval and offered at the lender’s discretion. Terms and availability vary. BNC Finance serves businesses nationwide across the United States.