Searches for asset based lending have increased by 85% year-on-year, according to data shared by Time Finance.
The independent SME lender said analysis of Semrush data showed average monthly searches for asset based lending rose from 390 in February 2025 to 720 in February 2026.
Time Finance said the increase suggested growing awareness of asset based lending as businesses look for more flexible finance options to support cashflow, investment and growth.
Asset based lending allows businesses to access funding secured against assets such as invoices, plant and machinery or property. It can combine several funding lines into a single facility, giving firms access to capital that can grow alongside their operations.
The lender said the rise in search activity pointed to a broader shift in how SMEs are researching finance, with more business owners looking at multi-product facilities rather than separate short-term loans.
Ed Rimmer, chief executive of Time Finance, says: “We’ve seen a clear increase in searches and enquiries for Asset Based Lending in recent months, which points to a growing awareness of ABL as a flexible and scalable funding solution for businesses underserved by traditional lending.
“Importantly, it also signals a shift away from quick-fix finance and business owners taking out multiple loans to plug immediate cashflow gaps. Instead, more business owners appear to be exploring finance that can support them over the longer term and evolve alongside their growth.”
Time Finance cited Midlands-based engineering subcontractor Speedflex Engineering as an example of how the funding can be used. In 2025, the business agreed a £650,000 multi-product deal with the lender, comprising a £250,000 invoice finance facility and a £400,000 asset finance facility.
The facility has supported cashflow and helped fund investment in new machinery and recruitment, according to Time Finance.
Rimmer adds: “The benefit of ABL is that it can ease cashflow pressure and allow businesses to focus on the long-term. When SMEs engage with funding that is built around their assets and designed to scale with their operations, it creates a stronger foundation for sustainable growth and more confident decision-making.”
