What’s the Difference Between an Asset Finance Broker and a Business Finance Broker?
Published: May 29, 2025
By Michael Pajar | Business Finance Broker | Casey Asset Finance | 0450 622 115 | michael@caseyassetfinance.com.au | Instagram: @casey_asset_finance
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
As a business owner, securing finance is often a turning point — it can unlock growth, relieve pressure, or bring your next big idea to life. But how that funding is arranged — and who arranges it — makes all the difference.
Most business owners assume all finance brokers are the same. But the truth is, there’s a big difference between working with an asset finance broker and a business finance broker.
And choosing the wrong one could cost you time, money, and the right structure.
In this article, I’ll break down exactly what sets them apart — so you’re not just approved, but set up to win long after the funds land in your account.
What Is an Asset Finance Broker?
An asset finance broker typically helps customers fund physical items — and they predominantly write consumer finance.
That includes:
Car loans and personal loans
Boat, caravan, and recreational finance
Occasionally, business vehicle or equipment finance
Sometimes unsecured business loans
They’re effective when you need to purchase an asset — a new ute, excavator, or fitout — and want a simple, fast solution.
But here’s the key thing to understand:
While asset finance brokers can write business loans, they typically don’t specialise in the more complex side of business finance. Their core day-to-day is consumer lending, not strategic business structuring. Their exposure to deeper business scenarios, lender policy shifts, and refinance strategies is often limited — and that limitation can show in the options you’re given.
It’s one thing to get approved. It’s another to have it structured right.
What Is a Business Finance Broker?
A business finance broker is completely different. They operate exclusively in the business space and do not write any consumer loans.
They don’t touch:
Personal loans
Car loans
Boat or lifestyle finance
Commercial property loans
Instead, they spend 100% of their time working with business owners to secure the most strategic finance for:
Working capital
Unsecured business loans
Business overdrafts or lines of credit
Equipment finance for commercial use
Business acquisitions and franchises
Capital raises against existing assets
Debt refinancing or restructuring
Invoice financing and trade finance
This isn’t just about finding a lender. It’s about understanding your business, identifying the right product for your situation, and structuring it so that it doesn’t bite you in 6 months’ time.
Business finance brokers live and breathe this space. They stay across every lender’s changing appetite, know what documents will make or break a deal, and workshop scenarios behind the scenes before a single application is submitted — all to protect your credit file and give you leverage.
The Hidden Danger: Poor Loan Structuring
One of the biggest risks for business owners is falling into high-cost, short-term loans with daily repayments — often pushed by brokers who prioritise speed over sustainability.
These “cap loans” can seem attractive at first:
Quick turnaround
Minimal paperwork
Easy to access
But what many business owners find is that within weeks, those daily repayments start to choke cash flow — especially if the funds weren’t structured to serve a clear, strategic purpose.
Have you considered how your current loan structure impacts your cash flow?
It’s a simple question — but one that most brokers never ask. And without the right structure, even a “good loan” can put your business under pressure.
Business finance brokers understand this risk deeply. If your current loan structure is already putting pressure on your business, the right broker won’t just point it out — they’ll help fix it.
That means refinancing high-impact, daily repayment loans into more manageable facilities that protect cash flow and give you room to breathe again.
This requires:
Working closely with you to plan a better financial story
Preparing the right supporting documents
Writing a credit recommendation that clearly explains to lenders how the business has turned the corner
Presenting the application in a way that reflects lower risk and future stability
This isn’t just paperwork. This is where the real value of a business finance broker shows up.
Why This Difference Matters to You
Some asset finance brokers may offer business loans — but that doesn’t mean they should.
If your broker writes mostly car loans, does the odd business deal, and isn’t across complex commercial lending policy, they might unintentionally recommend a product that solves today’s need… but creates tomorrow’s problem.
Business finance brokers focus entirely on business. That means:
Deeper understanding of lender risk profiles
Better guidance on what to apply for — and when
More options from a broader range of business-only lenders
Stronger structuring to avoid overextension
No guesswork — every move is backed by experience
Here’s a simple test:
Ask your current broker, “Will this enquiry impact my credit score?”
If they hesitate or give a vague answer, that’s a red flag. A business finance broker will always workshop your deal behind the scenes first — with zero impact to your credit profile — and only move forward once it’s clear which lender is the best fit.
That’s how you protect your position and stay in control of your funding journey.
Final Thoughts
Business finance isn’t about getting fast money. It’s about getting the right money.
While asset finance brokers have their place — particularly when it comes to cars, personal loans, or simple asset purchases — they’re rarely equipped for the layered complexity of various types of business lending.
Business finance brokers are.
At Casey Asset Finance, we don’t deal in personal loans, car finance, or commercial property. We specialise purely in business funding — and everything we do is designed to get you the right result with the right structure, every time.
Whether you’re taking out your first business loan, refinancing out of something painful, or planning for growth — we’ll guide you through it with clarity, care, and confidence.
Want to Work with a Broker Who Sees the Bigger Picture?
✅ Over 40 business lenders
✅ No impact to your credit score while we workshop
✅ Strategic advice, structured properly
✅ Clear guidance even after the loan settles
Let’s talk about what’s next — and get you a solution that supports your business, not drains it.
