Asset-based lending, matched to the right facility provider
We forward your details to ABL specialists across the UK and US who structure facilities against your full asset base - receivables, inventory, plant, and property. Bigger than invoice finance alone; sized to grow as you grow.
- Introduction in 48 hours
- Free for borrowers
- No credit checks from us
At a glance
- Facility size
- £250k - £75M / $300k - $90M
- Borrowing base
- Dynamic across asset classes
- Typical term
- 3 - 5 years, renewable
- Security
- Receivables + inventory + plant + property
- Funding speed
- First draw in 4 - 8 weeks
Asset-based lending: Revolving credit secured against receivables, inventory, equipment, and real estate.
What is asset-based lending?
Asset-based lending (ABL) is a multi-asset revolving facility secured against a basket of your business assets - typically receivables, inventory, plant and machinery, and sometimes real estate. The lender sets a borrowing base as a percentage of each asset class, and you can draw against the combined value. Unlike a fixed term loan, the available borrowing base flexes with your asset position. ABL is the workhorse facility for asset-rich operators who've outgrown pure invoice finance.
Common uses, and who it's right for
Common uses
- Working capital for asset-heavy operators
- Refinance of multiple existing facilities into one structure
- Funding acquisitions where the target is asset-rich
- Restructuring or turnaround capital
- Seasonal businesses with swing inventory positions
Best for
- Manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers with significant receivables and inventory
- Asset-rich operators with £5M+ revenue
- Businesses needing larger facilities than invoice finance can support alone
- Sponsor-backed companies refinancing or recapitalising
Not the right fit
- Pure services businesses with no inventory or tangible assets
- Early-stage businesses without an established asset base
- Businesses needing a fixed-term loan rather than revolving credit
Where it usually goes wrong - and how Tenttfinance fixes it
Four typical pain points borrowers hit when shopping for asset-based lending - and the way our introducer model is built to remove them.
Where it usually breaks
- ABL deals fall over because the broker didn't understand the underwriting nuances
- Months of due diligence before you know if a lender will commit
- Existing facility is fragmented across multiple lenders
- Borrower-lender mismatch on borrowing-base advance rates
How Tenttfinance fixes it
- We match to lenders who actively underwrite your asset mix and sector
- We forward to a lender with active appetite for your size and structure - so the conversation starts at terms, not eligibility
- We forward to ABL specialists who can consolidate your facilities into one revolving structure
- We pre-match on advance-rate appetite by asset class before the introduction
How to get matched to a asset-based lending specialist
Three steps. Most introductions go out within 48 hours of a complete request.
Tell us about your business
Share the basics - business type, the asset-based lending amount you need, use of funds, and timeline. Three minutes. No credit check.
We match and forward your details
We identify the asset-based lending specialist most likely to fund your situation and forward your details directly to them - matched to your sector, size, and market (UK or US).
The lender contacts you
The specialist reaches out to you directly with their terms, documentation, and next steps. You take the conversation from there.
Asset-based lending - frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most from borrowers exploring asset-based lending. If yours isn't covered, start an application and we'll route you to a specialist who can answer it directly.
How does the borrowing base work?
Each eligible asset class is advanced at a different rate. Typical examples: 85% on eligible receivables, 50-65% on inventory, 70-80% on plant and machinery, and a percentage of property. The lender adds these up to a combined borrowing base, and you can draw up to that limit. As your assets move, so does the available amount.
Can ABL replace my existing invoice finance facility?
Yes - and it often does. ABL can fold your receivables into a multi-asset facility and give you a larger combined borrowing base than invoice finance alone. The transition is typically managed as part of the new facility's drawdown.
How does ABL compare to a cash-flow loan?
ABL is secured against assets, with the size of the facility flexing as the asset base changes. A cash-flow loan is secured against earnings (EBITDA), typically fixed-term, and sits in covenant territory. ABL tends to be more flexible and lower-cost for asset-rich businesses; cash-flow is more flexible for asset-light operators with strong recurring earnings.
Do you cover ABL in both the UK and US?
Yes. Our partner network includes UK ABL specialists and US ABL providers (where Reg ABL and Article 9 structures dominate). We match to providers with the right jurisdictional licences for where your collateral sits.
What size of business does ABL suit?
Most ABL programmes start at £250,000 / $300,000 facility size, with no upper limit - the largest UK and US programmes are in the hundreds of millions. The structure favours businesses with at least £5M revenue and a meaningful asset base.
Related loan types
Not sure if this is the right fit? Here are other loan types we cover that often come up in the same conversations.
Get matched to the right asset-based lending specialist
Tell us what you need. We'll forward your details to the specialist most likely to fund - and they'll reach out to you directly.