Which bank statements and accounts do I need for a quick asset finance quote?
Summary: For a fast asset finance quote you’ll normally need clear business current account statements (typically 3–6 months, preferably 6), plus any director personal accounts if a guarantee is likely, and merchant/processor statements (PayPal, Stripe, card terminals) where relevant. Provide invoices or a supplier pro‑forma for the asset, recent management or filed accounts if available, and details of any existing finance. Preparing these documents as PDFs before you enquire speeds up matching and improves quote accuracy. Ready to get matched? Get Quote Now.
What lenders want from bank statements — quick overview
Most asset finance lenders and brokers look first for evidence of trading and the business’s ability to service repayments. That usually means current account statements showing consistent income, outgoing costs and overall cashflow. Typical expectations are:
- Business current account statements — minimum 3 months, commonly 6 months preferred.
- Director or personal account statements — where personal guarantees are likely or directors’ drawings need verifying.
- Merchant/processor statements (PayPal, Stripe, card terminals) — for e‑commerce or retail turnover proof.
Other supporting documents (asset quote/invoice, management accounts, VAT returns) are often requested alongside bank statements to produce a reliable, quick quote. If you want an indicative match in minutes, gather these items before you start — then Get Quote Now.
Detailed checklist: bank statements & accounts required
Below is a practical, lender-focused checklist that you can use when preparing your enquiry. Keep statements as unedited, exported PDFs (or official exports) — lenders value accuracy and traceability.
- Business current account statements
What: 3–6 months of statements (preferably 6). Include cleared transactions, account name, sort code and account number.
Why lenders ask: Shows turnover, regularity of receipts, outgoing costs and debt servicing capacity.
- Director / personal current account statements
What: 3–6 months if a director’s guarantee or personal affordability check is expected.
Why lenders ask: Confirms directors’ income, drawings, and personal liabilities that influence underwriting.
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- Company accounts & management accounts
What: Most recent filed accounts and year‑to‑date management accounts where available.
Why lenders ask: To verify balance sheet position, profitability and existing liabilities for larger deals.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
- Merchant account / payment processor statements (PayPal, Stripe, GoCardless)
What: 3–6 months of reports or exported CSV/PDF summaries.
Why lenders ask: Online sales and card turnover often bypass business account; processors validate real trading income.
- Card terminal / POS summaries
What: Monthly merchant summaries, chargeback history, terminal receipts for retail/hospitality businesses.
Why lenders ask: For seasonal or cash‑heavy businesses these show trading patterns and risk (refunds/chargebacks).
- Loan, HP and overdraft statements
What: Statements for existing credit facilities showing balances and repayment history.
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Why lenders ask: To assess total indebtedness and affordability when adding new asset finance.
- Savings / deposit / secondary accounts
What: Any accounts where business funds are held, especially multi‑currency or separate trading accounts.
Why lenders ask: To form a complete picture of liquidity and cash reserves.
- VAT returns / HMRC evidence
What: Recent VAT returns or HMRC payment summaries (if relevant).
Why lenders ask: Confirms turnover and tax position; helpful where bank statements alone don’t show full sales picture.
Minimum vs ideal: Many lenders will quote from 3 months’ statements as a minimum, but 6 months is the common expectation. For higher value deals or if your credit history is complex, expect to provide 12 months and filed accounts.
What different asset finance products mean for statements
Different asset finance types require slightly different documentation. Below are typical needs so you can prepare the right paperwork.
Hire purchase / conditional sale
- 3–6 months business statements.
- Supplier invoice or pro‑forma showing asset cost and VAT.
- Proof of deposit or trade‑in if applicable.
Finance lease
- As above, plus recent management accounts or balance sheet for larger transactions.
- Lenders may probe cashflow more deeply for multi‑year lease commitments.
Operating lease / contract hire
- Often stricter on trading history and seasonal volatility — merchant statements or VAT returns can be decisive.
Asset refinance / refinance of existing hire
- Statements that show payments on the existing asset, any arrears and how the asset is maintained in accounts.
Who needs personal vs business statements?
The requirement depends on company structure and underwriting policies:
- Limited companies: Start with the business current account statements. Lenders will only ask for directors’ personal accounts if a personal guarantee is required or where there are significant director transactions (salary/dividends) evident in the business accounts.
- Start-ups / limited trading history: If you have limited trading history, provide management accounts, sales projections and directors’ personal bank statements to support affordability. Some specialist lenders can quote from projected cashflow plus supplier invoice for new‑equipment purchases.
Example: a small construction business typically supplies 6 months of business statements, plant hire invoices and equipment quotes; an e‑commerce retailer should add Stripe/PayPal exports plus monthly reconciliation to show sustainable turnover.
Supporting documents that speed up a quote
Including the following with your enquiry will help brokers produce faster, more accurate quotes:
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
- Supplier invoice or pro‑forma invoice for the asset (price, VAT, delivery date).
- Proof of identity and address for company officers (scanned passport/driving licence and a recent utility bill) — some lenders ask early.
- Latest filed company accounts and management accounts (if available).
- VAT returns and HMRC UTR where applicable.
- Asset details: make, model, age, mileage / hours (vehicles and plant), service history and warranties.
- Evidence of deposit, trade‑in value or part exchange paperwork if used.
Upload these with your enquiry for a faster response. Free Eligibility Check
How UK Business Loans uses your bank statements
When you submit an enquiry, UK Business Loans acts as an introducer: we securely share the information you provide with our matched brokers and lenders so they can perform an eligibility assessment and prepare quotes. The enquiry form is an information‑gathering tool — it is not a loan application or a credit search.
Security & privacy: we recommend you provide official PDF statement exports or processor reports. Your documents are transmitted via encrypted channels to selected partners only. Submitting an enquiry does not trigger a credit search — lenders will only perform formal credit checks later with your consent.
Practical tips to speed up a quick asset finance quote
- Provide PDFs exported directly from online banking where possible — include account header with account name, sort code and number.
- Do not edit or redact transactions; if privacy is a concern highlight (not remove) sensitive items and explain in a short note — do not falsify or alter statements.
- If trading is seasonal, include 12 months or highlight the typical peak months so brokers can assess seasonality.
- Supply merchant exports (CSV/PDF) for online sales rather than screenshots.
- Include a clear supplier invoice/pro‑forma for the asset showing total cost and expected delivery date — many quotes are built around that document.
- Be ready to confirm the exact asset use (e.g. commercial vehicle, plant, production equipment) and the amount you want to finance — UK Business Loans typically places enquiries for asset finance from £10,000 and upwards.
Have everything ready? Get Quote Now.
Quick FAQs
How many months of bank statements do I need for asset finance?
Most lenders request a minimum of 3 months; 6 months is preferred. For larger values or borderline credit histories lenders may request 12 months and filed accounts.
Do I need to share personal bank statements?
Personal statements are requested only where a director’s guarantee is likely or if the lender needs to assess director affordability. Limited companies often start with business statements only.
Can I use online banking screenshots?
PDF exports from online banking or official bank‑provided statements are preferred. Screenshots are sometimes accepted but can slow the process and raise verification queries.
Will providing statements affect my credit score?
No — sharing bank statements for an eligibility check does not affect your credit file. Formal credit checks are performed by lenders later and only with your permission.
What if my business uses PayPal/Stripe or takes lots of cash?
Provide merchant reports and POS summaries. If you have significant cash sales, explain typical daily receipts and supply till reports or merchant summaries so brokers can match you to lenders who accept mixed cashflow models.
Get a quick, no‑obligation asset finance quote
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For more detail on product types and how asset finance can work for your business see our asset finance page.
Note: UK Business Loans introduces businesses to lenders and brokers and does not provide loans. Submitting an enquiry is free and does not commit you to proceed. All lending is subject to status and lender terms.
1. What documents do I need for a quick asset finance quote?
3–6 months of business bank statements (six preferred), merchant/processor exports (PayPal, Stripe, POS) if relevant, a supplier invoice/pro‑forma for the asset, recent management/filed accounts where available, and details of any existing finance or deposits.
2. How many months of bank statements do lenders usually require for a business loan?
Most lenders request a minimum of 3 months, commonly prefer 6 months, and may ask for 12 months plus filed accounts for larger or more complex deals.
3. Will submitting an enquiry or sharing bank statements affect my credit score?
No — sharing bank statements for an eligibility check via UK Business Loans does not affect your credit file; formal credit checks are only carried out later by lenders with your consent.
4. Do I need to provide personal bank statements for an asset finance application?
Personal statements are only requested when a director’s personal guarantee is likely or to verify directors’ drawings and affordability.
5. Can I use PayPal, Stripe or card terminal reports instead of bank statements?
Yes — merchant processor exports and monthly POS summaries are accepted and often essential for e‑commerce or cash‑heavy businesses to demonstrate real trading turnover.
6. How quickly will I get matched quotes after I submit my enquiry?
You can often receive matched responses from brokers and lenders within hours if you supply complete documentation, though formal offers may take longer.
7. Is UK Business Loans a lender and does the service cost anything?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects you to FCA-regulated brokers and lenders, and the service is free and no‑obligation.
8. What loan or asset finance amounts can I apply for through UK Business Loans?
UK Business Loans typically places asset finance enquiries from £10,000 upwards, with partner lenders offering funding from £10,000 to multi‑million amounts.
9. Can start‑ups or businesses with limited trading history get asset finance?
Yes — specialist lenders often consider start‑ups using management accounts, projected cashflows, director statements and supplier pro‑formas to assess affordability.
10. How does UK Business Loans protect and use the bank statements and documents I upload?
Your documents are transmitted securely and encrypted to selected brokers and lenders for eligibility assessment only, and will not trigger credit searches without your explicit consent.