Lombard, the asset finance division of NatWest Group, is one of the UK's largest and longest-established equipment lenders. For major construction contractors, civil engineering firms and large housebuilders needing to finance reach stackers, heavy material handlers or significant forklift fleets, Lombard sits toward the top of the list.
Their rates for strong-credit businesses are among the lowest in the market, starting around 4% APR. The flip side is a minimum deal size of £25,000 and a preference for established businesses with robust financials. Lombard is not the right fit for everyone - but for those who qualify, the pricing is hard to beat.
Lombard Material Handling Finance Rates - October 2026
| Finance Type | Rate Range (APR) | Term | Min. Amount | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hire Purchase (HP) | 4% – 8.5% | 24–72 months | £25,000 | Strong-credit contractors, ownership |
| Finance Lease | 4.5% – 9% | 24–72 months | £25,000 | VAT-registered, off-balance sheet |
| Operating Lease | 5% – 11.5% | 12–60 months | £30,000 | Equipment with residual value |
| Heavy Equipment / Reach Stackers | 4% – 9% | 36–84 months | £50,000 | High-value assets, major contractors |
| Fleet / Multi-unit | 4% – 7.5% | 36–72 months | £50,000 | 5+ units, large housebuilders |
Heavy Material Handling Equipment Lombard Finance
Lombard's capacity for larger deals makes them particularly suited to heavy material handling operations on major construction sites:
- Reach stackers for container and pre-cast concrete handling on large developments
- Heavy lift telehandlers (25-tonne+) for major groundworks and civil engineering
- Crane grabs and demolition grab equipment for clearance and materials removal
- Hook loaders and multi-lift systems for housebuilding site logistics
- Grab lorries and associated site support vehicles
- Large fleet packages - 5 to 20+ rough terrain forklifts for volume housebuilders
- High-capacity Manitou MHT and Merlo high-lift handlers for modular construction
Strengths and Limitations
Lowest headline rates in the market
For qualifying businesses, Lombard can offer HP from 4% APR - genuinely among the sharpest pricing available for construction material handling equipment.
Capacity for very large deals
Lombard can structure deals well above £500,000 - reach stacker fleets, multi-site heavy lifter packages and large fleet facilities are all within scope.
Long-term relationships with major contractors
As part of NatWest Group, Lombard often already has an existing banking relationship with larger contractors, which can streamline the asset finance process.
Wide product range
HP, finance lease, operating lease and structured sale-and-leaseback arrangements are all available, giving flexibility in how you fund heavy material handling assets.
£25,000 minimum - not for SMEs or small purchases
Smaller contractors, sub-£25k equipment purchases and businesses needing single used forklifts will need to look elsewhere.
Strict credit criteria
Lombard applies conservative underwriting standards. CCJs, late filings or weaker financials will result in a decline or a rate significantly above their headline figures.
Slower for complex applications
Complex deals with multiple units or unusual structures can take 3–5 days to underwrite. If speed is critical, other lenders may be faster.
Lombard may offer the best rate - but only if you qualify
We'll tell you honestly whether Lombard is the right lender for your deal, and if not, who is. No commitment, no obligation.
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