We do most of our financing through our own bank. If not our own bank we generally use Geneva Capital >> troy [insert_at_symbol_here] gogc.com
We have found that our own bank will generally give us the best rates, but will want 10-20% down. Geneva is a specialized equipment financer, so they will often do 0% down.
TIP: Make sure there is no early repayment penalty. Just ask them to drop it off their contract if there is one.
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Something else to keep in mind. If you purchase it with a loan, you will be responsible for the property tax. If you lease it, the financial institution will most likely bill you for the property tax, then pay it. The only significant difference between a lease and a loan is the buyout at the end. On the last payment, a loan will end and you will own your equipment. On a lease, after your last payment you might still owe $1, Fair Market Value (FMV), 10%, 20% or something different. This will be specified in your lease terms and should be very clear in the beginning. In other words, don't let the term "Lease" or "Loan" sway your opinion too much. In most cases they are about the same.
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There are a lot of companies that handle equipment financing + just about every Bank on the planet. Even though it may seem like you are at their mercy, you are not. You are the customer. You can negotiate for better terms. They only get paid if you take a loan/lease from them.
