To rework a popular saying: what a difference a few years makes. Since the 2020 pandemic, UK SMEs have become far more selective about the finance providers they work with. This has been compounded by inflationary pressures and ongoing economic uncertainty. All of which has led to finance providers having to offer more added value to remain competitive and appeal to SMEs who may have negative notions of traditional finance.

Finance and leasing are no longer transactional. Businesses, especially SMEs that may not have access to a large amount of in-house talent, want a real-world understanding of their industry from the company they lease assets from. Here, we’ll look at the key traits SMEs want from finance providers in 2025 and how  Shire Leasing meets these needs to adapt and grow with their clients.

To learn more about our finance solutions, get in touch with our team  today.

The Four Key Traits SMEs Are Looking for from Their Finance Partner

SMEs come in all shapes and sizes, and from  a variety of industries. From cutting-edge tech start-ups to on-trend manufacturers, there are so many out there. This variety comes with different needs and expectations from any sort of leasing agreement, meaning firms, such as Shire, need to better understand the specific needs of businesses. And yet, despite all that, there are a few broad traits that SMEs are looking for from their finance provider in 2025.

1. Flexibility

Rigid terms and long-term contracts are no longer wanted by SMEs that are used to operating in a nimble, more responsive way. In 2025, SMEs increasingly expect tailored payment structures and terms that reflect the ups and downs which come with growing SMEs, such as cash flow fluctuations and hiring increases. There is a far greater appetite for equipment finance solutions which align with a particular business’s growth cycle.

2. Responsiveness

SME decision-makers now expect the same smooth journey they get as consumers. Small to medium businesses want more from their leasing provider because that is what they get when they make personal purchases. There needs to be a greater speed around decision-making so businesses can move to acquire assets faster. Long approval times for finance just put SMEs off. These emerging enterprises also value more personable, human communication, which is becoming a key differentiator, especially given the level of choice on offer.

3. Trust

SMEs growing at scale need to work with business partners they can trust and feel are with them for the ups, the downs, and the future. With trust comes clarity and the desire for more transparent terms that do away with hidden fees, which do nothing to improve the relationship between vendor and business.

4. Sector Expertise

New businesses are looking for insights and advice wherever they can get it. In 2025, the value of a service or leasing agreement is more important than ever. SMEs are looking for providers who understand the nuances of specific industries and can offer highly relevant agreements and access to assets which give them the competitive edge. Leasing agreements are no longer ‘one size fits all’; tailored funding options must be provided to reflect sector-specific opportunities and challenges.

Where Some Providers Fall Short

These are reasonable expectations for modern businesses, yet some providers still fall short. Unfortunately, there are still providers which fail to offer that flexibility, level of responsiveness, displays of trust, and expertise that new SMEs need so urgently. Typically, providers are still hampered by rigid lending criteria that fail to serve viable but unconventional businesses.

Couple that with long approval times, generic cookie-cutter products that simply aren’t fit to serve the operational realities of SMEs, and outdated platforms that feel more like a barrier than a benefit, and it's easy to see why asset finance can be seen as old-fashioned.

How Shire Aligns with Evolving SME Expectations

For over 30 years,  Shire has developed a proven track record of working with businesses, particularly SMEs, not just lending to them. As we’ve evolved and changed since the 1990s, so has leasing and asset finance, and we’re proud to have kept up with the demands of ever-more innovative small to medium-sized enterprises. We offer bespoke finance solutions that meet SME expectations.

These solutions are developed through real conversations and time taken to truly understand what your business needs from asset finance and leasing. Businesses that enquire with Shire receive fast, clear responses from our UK-based team. A team that understands local businesses because it is one.

Our head office has been in Tamworth since we began over 30 years ago, and we remain proud to be rooted in the local community. Beyond that  initial enquiry, we aim to build lasting relations with SMEs and be the key to their growth, providing them with the assets they need to truly maximise their talent.

Technology That Supports, Not Replaces

Shire was one of the first leasing companies to introduce automated underwriting back in 2001. We’ve always embraced technology as a way of making it easier for our customers to access the equipment and assets they need to grow.

In addition to that, we have online portals for current customers, tech-centric onboarding, and automated finance technology which can offer decisions in less than six seconds. At Shire, technology doesn’t replace human service, it enhances it. Every customer can enjoy personal account management, which ensures they always have a direct point of contact.

It’s Time for Finance Providers to Evolve or Be Left Behind

SMEs won’t return to outdated finance models, those days are over. The themes mentioned here are only going to intensify and increase in variety. SMEs want providers who understand their world and can respond to it accordingly.

At Shire, we combine that understanding with empathy, efficiency, and expertise to stay relevant, 30+ years after we were founded. Our people-first, tech-enabled approach, combined with our decades of experience, makes us a natural partner for modern SMEs.

To learn more, get in touch with us today.