Equipment Leasing

The First Amendment Lease Structure

The first amendment lease structure is often a good option if you are purchasing heavy equipment as it allows you to have the option to purchase the equipment outright at various points during the contract.

No option is available to return the equipment during the lease period. If the purchase option is not utilized (at a fair market value or a specified price), the lessee must renew the lease at the end of the term.

It may make sense to consider this lease structure in many circumstances, and AFG can assist you with making a determination on it or our many other lease structures.

There are many advantages to choosing this type of lease structure, including the following:

Are you leasing expensive equipment that will increase your revenue?

When leasing expensive equipment, there can be many advantages to first choosing to lease the equipment rather than buying it outright upfront, and then making a purchase once the lease term has come to an end, or at another point during the lease.

For example, you will be able to utilize the equipment to generate revenue with a lower upfront cost when you choose the first amendment lease structure. Once the equipment has helped your company reach higher revenue levels, then you get to purchase the equipment at a fair market price.

Not sure whether to lease or buy?

It can be challenging to determine whether or not you want to lease or buy. A first amendment lease allows you to make a decision so that you can get the equipment you need and still have the option to buy it down the road.

When the lease term expires, you are able to exercise the right to purchase the equipment at a fair market price. At that point you may have to take on the added responsibility of maintenance and other costs of ownership, but you may be in a better position at that point to take on those costs.

There are a variety of other situations in which a first amendment lease may make sense for your business. Meet with one of the experts at Alliance Funding Group today to determine your specific needs. We will find the appropriate lease structure for your current situation, whether it is a first amendment lease, capital lease, operating lease, tax lease, or any other option we have.

Call us today at 1-800-978-8817 with your questions about first amendment leases or other lease structures.

Comparing a Capital and Operating Lease

Deciding to lease equipment for your business is a common option, but there are many lease structures to choose from, including the capital lease and operating lease.

Below is a quick overview of what they are and some key differences between them:

Capital Lease

A capital lease allows you to lease equipment in a way that reflects ownership of the equipment on your balance sheet, so that the equipment is treated as an asset.

It is treated as a purchase both for the lessee and lessor for accounting purposes. The lessee gets both the benefits and downsides of ownership of the equipment.

Capital leases are usually long term leases and are good options for certain types of equipment that do not become technologically obsolete very easily, like machinery.

The title is transferred to the lessee once the purchase has been completed, either prior to the end of the lease term or at the end of the term.

One of the following conditions that must be met in order for the lease to be considered a true capital lease by the FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board):

• The title passes automatically by the end of the lease term.
• The lease contains a bargain option to purchase the equipment.
• The lease term is greater than 75% of the useful equipment life.
• The current value of the lease payments is greater than 90% of the FMV (fair market value) of the equipment.

Operating Lease

Operating leases are a lease structure that does not come with a title transfer at the end of the lease.

They are often a short-term lease and are good for certain types of equipment that become technologically obsolete very quickly, like servers, printers or office equipment.

One of the following conditions must be met for the lease to be considered a true operating lease by the FASB:

• The lessor holds onto the title before, during and after the lease term.
• The lease cannot have a bargain option to purchase the equipment.
• The lease term should be less than 75% of the useful equipment life.
• The current value of the lease payments should be less than 90% of the FMV (fair market value of the equipment)

Whether a capital lease and operating lease; It can be challenging to determine which type of lease structure will work best for your business.  Alliance Funding Group is available to meet with you to help you make that determination, along with answering your questions about other leasing options.

Call Alliance Funding Group today at 1-800-978-8817 to learn more.

4 Things to Consider When Leasing Equipment

The choice of leasing equipment or buying equipment for your business is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Both options come with distinct pros and cons.

Below are some important things to consider when deciding on leasing compared to buying equipment for your business:

Do you need equipment that becomes technologically obsolete quickly?

Leasing is a great option for businesses that rely on equipment that goes obsolete quickly, such as printers, computers, vehicles, tablets, smartphones, etc.

An operating lease allows you to acquire the latest equipment at a small upfront cost, use it to grow your business, and then have no obligation to purchase or maintain it at any point during the contract.

Is the equipment the type that does not become obsolete very quickly?

In this case, you should consider a lease option that will allow you to purchase the equipment at some point, particularly a capital lease. In that way, you can keep your upfront costs low while still exercising an option to buy so you can obtain the title to the equipment at a fair price.

Do you want minimal responsibility for maintenance as well as flexibility?

Leasing business equipment allows for the utmost in flexibility. Although you cannot typically terminate a lease agreement without a fee, you are usually not obligated to maintain the equipment, as it is usually new and warrantied.

You can keep your equipment new and fresh every few years and avoid the hassle of having to sell it, often at a major discount unless you want to spend the time to haggle and market the equipment.

Do you want to keep your costs low?

It’s hard to keep your costs low when purchasing equipment, there’s the down payment cost, monthly payment, maintenance and more.

Most of those costs are avoided with a lease. With a minimal to no down payment, a low monthly payment, and no need to have a maintenance staff or budget, leasing is often preferred.

Of course, leasing has aspects which can be seen as disadvantages, such as the requirement to fulfill the full lease term, a lack of an ownership option for some types of leases, and what can sometimes amount to higher long-term costs.

The decision to lease or buy equipment really depends on your situation. Leasing is an attractive option for many businesses, but it’s best to meet with an expert to determine what will work best for you.

Contact Alliance Funding Group today at 1 800-978-8817 to discuss leasing versus financing equipment for your business.