Full Lender Comparison Table - October 2026
| Lender | Rate range | Term | Deposit | Speed | Speed rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyds Bank | 5.5–8.5% | 3–7 yrs | 10% | 5–10 days | |
| HSBC | 5.0–8.0% | 3–7 yrs | 10% | 5–10 days | |
| Barclays | 5.5–9.0% | 3–7 yrs | 10% | 5–10 days | |
| Close Brothers | 6.5–11.0% | 2–7 yrs | 0–10% | 2–4 days | |
| Aldermore | 6.0–10.5% | 2–7 yrs | 0–10% | 2–5 days | |
| Shawbrook | 6.5–11.0% | 2–7 yrs | 0–10% | 2–4 days | |
| Nucleus CF | 7.0–13.0% | 1–5 yrs | 0% | 24–48 hrs | |
| Bibby FS | 7.5–12.0% | 2–5 yrs | 0–10% | 2–4 days |
Rates are indicative and subject to credit assessment. Speed rating reflects decision-to-funds speed for typical qualifying transactions.
5 Tips to Secure the Best Rate
Prepare your financials upfront
Two years' filed accounts and 6 months' bank statements are required by most lenders. Having these ready removes the biggest delay in the process.
Consider a deposit if you can
Even a 10% deposit can significantly reduce the rate offered, particularly from high-street lenders. Compare the deposit cost against the interest saving over the full term.
Use a broker to run the full panel
Approaching lenders one by one is slow and leaves footprints on your credit file. A broker like Doulton Bridging Finance makes a single application and compares 130+ lenders simultaneously.
Match the term to the asset life
A 1-year-old MIG welder and a new CNC press brake have very different economic lives. Match the finance term to the asset - over-long terms increase total cost unnecessarily.
Ask about early repayment options
If your business generates a surplus, early repayment of an HP agreement can save significant interest. Check the lender's early settlement terms before signing.
Rates and criteria by lender
How each lender and manufacturer finance scheme on our panel prices this asset in October 2026, and where it fits. Rates are indicative; we compare them all for your case.
Aldermore Fabrication Equipment Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 4 yrs | ~6.0–10.5% | ~£74/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 4 yrs | ~6.0–10.5% | ~£491/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 4 yrs | ~6.0–10.5% | ~£1,962/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 4 yrs | ~6.0–10.5% | ~£6,133/mo |
Barclays Metalworking Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 5 yrs | ~5.5–9.0% | ~£60/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 5 yrs | ~5.5–9.0% | ~£398/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 5 yrs | ~5.5–9.0% | ~£1,594/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 5 yrs | ~5.5–9.0% | ~£4,980/mo |
Bibby Financial Services Metalworking Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 3 yrs | ~7.5–12.0% | ~£96/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 3 yrs | ~7.5–12.0% | ~£643/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 3 yrs | ~7.5–12.0% | ~£2,572/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 3 yrs | ~7.5–12.0% | ~£8,037/mo |
Close Brothers Welding Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£74/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£495/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£1,981/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£6,192/mo |
HSBC Fabrication Equipment Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 5 yrs | ~5.0–8.0% | ~£59/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 5 yrs | ~5.0–8.0% | ~£391/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 5 yrs | ~5.0–8.0% | ~£1,565/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 5 yrs | ~5.0–8.0% | ~£4,892/mo |
Lloyds Bank Welding Equipment Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 5 yrs | ~5.5–8.5% | ~£59/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 5 yrs | ~5.5–8.5% | ~£396/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 5 yrs | ~5.5–8.5% | ~£1,584/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 5 yrs | ~5.5–8.5% | ~£4,950/mo |
Nucleus Commercial Finance Welding Equipment Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 3 yrs | ~7.0–13.0% | ~£97/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 3 yrs | ~7.0–13.0% | ~£645/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 3 yrs | ~7.0–13.0% | ~£2,581/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 3 yrs | ~7.0–13.0% | ~£8,067/mo |
Shawbrook Metalworking Finance Rates
| Loan amount | Asset type | Term | Indicative rate | Est. monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | Small MIG/TIG welder | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£74/mo |
| £20,000 | Mid-range plasma cutter or press brake | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£495/mo |
| £80,000 | CNC press brake or automated welder | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£1,981/mo |
| £250,000 | Robotic welding cell / large fabrication line | 4 yrs | ~6.5–11.0% | ~£6,192/mo |
Lincoln Electric Finance vs Independent Broker for Welding Equipment
Lincoln Electric is one of the world's leading welding equipment manufacturers, offering a range of MIG, TIG, stick and plasma equipment. Where Lincoln Electric offers finance - typically through a partner lender - it can be a convenient one-stop solution. However, the rate is set by the lender partnership and is not independently benchmarked.
| Factor | Lincoln Electric Finance (OEM) | Independent Broker (Doulton) |
|---|---|---|
| Asset coverage | Lincoln Electric equipment only | Any brand - Lincoln, Miller, ESAB, Hypertherm, Fronius |
| Number of lenders | 1 (captive or partner lender) | 130+ lenders compared simultaneously |
| Rate competitiveness | Fixed product rate - not always market-leading | Panel competition drives best available rate |
| Decision speed | 3–7 days typical | 24 hrs–5 days depending on lender |
| Deposit required | Often 10–20% on OEM schemes | 0% available via specialist lenders |
| Used equipment | Typically new equipment only | New and used - lender dependent |
| Refinance / sale & leaseback | Not available | Available via panel lenders |
| Broker fee | None (built into product) | Typically commission from lender (disclosed) |
| Advice & guidance | Limited to OEM finance team | Independent, whole-of-market broker advice |