COLOSSAL FINANCE ─── CAPABILITIES / ASSET & EQUIPMENT FINANCE
─── ASSET & EQUIPMENT FINANCE · TYPICALLY BLUE · TYPICALLY BLUE
The equipment is the asset.The structure is the difference.
Most operators think asset finance is a commodity. It isn't. The right structure protects cashflow, preserves balance sheet flexibility, and positions the business for the next acquisition — not just the next purchase.
─── WHEN THIS MATTERS
You might be here because…
You're replacing or expanding a fleet.
Vehicles, trucks, plant, and machinery — your operational backbone. The wrong facility type forces you to choose between cashflow and the equipment you actually need. We structure for both.
You're scaling and your current asset base can't keep pace.
Growing businesses outpace their equipment faster than their bookkeepers. We structure rolling facilities that anticipate growth, not just react to it.
You're considering whether to buy or lease.
The right answer depends on tax position, balance sheet appetite, and what you're trying to do over five years — not what looks cheapest this month. We model it before we recommend it.
─── HOW WE STRUCTURE IT
Asset finance isn't one product. It's six.
Equipment finance, chattel mortgage, finance lease, operating lease, hire purchase, novated arrangements — each has different cashflow, tax, and balance sheet implications. The right structure depends on what the asset does for the business, not what the salesperson is incentivised to sell.
Chattel mortgage vs lease
For most operators retaining ownership at end-of-term, chattel mortgage is the default. But where balance sheet flexibility matters — particularly for businesses approaching covenant ratios — operating lease structures preserve gearing and may be preferable.
Term structuring
Asset finance terms typically run 3-7 years. Matching the term to the asset's productive life — not just the lender's preference — protects cashflow over the working life of the equipment.
Balloon and residual structuring
Where cashflow is seasonal or asset utilisation will improve over time, balloon structures can dramatically improve facility affordability. We model the trade-off between monthly impact and end-of-term obligation.
─── THE LENDER LANDSCAPE
Specialist asset financiers compete on more than rate.
Asset finance is a sector where specialist non-bank lenders often outperform the majors on speed, structure, and approval certainty. The right lender for your situation depends on the asset class, the operator profile, and the deal urgency.
Major Bank Asset Finance Divisions
Best for: Established businesses with strong cashflow profiles. Competitive pricing on standard structures. Slower approval cycles.
Specialist Asset Finance Companies
Best for: Sector-specific appetite, faster turnaround, non-standard structures. Pricing varies but flexibility often justifies the premium.
Equipment Manufacturer Finance
Best for: New equipment purchases where the manufacturer offers vendor finance. Often the most competitive pricing but limited to single-asset purchases.
Private Asset Finance Funds
Best for: Large fleet transactions, specialised or used equipment, time-pressured deals. Higher cost of capital, broader appetite.
─── CASE STUDY
Facility size
$2.8M
Purpose
Equipment refresh
Sector
Civil contracting · Victoria
Timeline
Structured in 14 days
Engagement
Blue engagement
Victorian civil contractor fleet refresh.
A Melbourne-based civil contracting business with strong cashflow needed to refresh its earthmoving fleet ahead of a major infrastructure project. Existing equipment was approaching end-of-economic-life and the new project required additional capacity.
We structured a $2.8M equipment finance facility across seven major assets using a chattel mortgage structure to retain ownership for the operating life of the equipment. We negotiated a 6-year term aligned with the asset productive life, with balloon payments calibrated to the project cashflow profile.
The facility was approved in 14 days and the equipment was on-site for the project start date. The structure preserved working capital for the project execution and the client returned to us six months later to structure their working capital facility.
─── WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WITH US
What it looks like with us.
Asset and operator review
Understanding the asset class, the operator's existing structure, and the cashflow profile. No commitment, no fee.
Lender shortlist and structure design
We identify the 3-5 most appropriate lenders based on asset class and operator profile. We design the facility structure before approaching the market.
Application and approval
Curated lender engagement, prepared documentation, negotiated terms. Most facilities approved within this window.
Settlement and ongoing relationship
Facility settlement coordinated with equipment delivery. Annual reviews to optimise as the business evolves.
Discuss an asset finance facility.
Whether you need one asset or a full fleet, the structure matters. Start a conversation.