What Is a Vendor Finance Programme?
A vendor finance programme is a strategic partnership where a supplier works with a finance provider like Oaklease to offer customers rental, leasing, or hire purchase options directly at the point of sale. Instead of a one-off equipment sale, you help your customers acquire the assets they need, with payments matched to their cash flow and budget cycles. The result: faster decision cycles, stronger client relationships, and increased repeat business.
How Oak Helped a Supplier Win More Business with Leasing
“As a global leader in precision CNC manufacturing, ANCA provides our customers with vital production equipment and technology. Our clients need fast, flexible decisions to optimize their operations, and Oak has been a crucial partner in this process. Their professionalism and extensive funding network make them the ideal financing partner across Europe.”
Martin Winterstein. Managing Director, ANCA Europe GmbH
Why do Vendor leasing programmes work?
Sales Positioning (Customer-Facing)
If a potential buyer were on the other side of the desk, they would likely prefer and be more inclined to accept the sales positioning framed as:
“From €4,958.00 per month over 5 years, with upgrade options at 36 months,”rather than the straightforward quote: “Machine price €250,000.”
Here is why Affordability and Psychological Impact: Monthly payment framing reduces sticker shock, a €250,000 upfront cost feels like a large, intimidating lump sum that requires significant capital or financing approval. Breaking it down into manageable monthly payments makes it psychologically easier to digest, as it fits into typical budgeting cycles more naturally.
Lower barrier to entry: €4,958 per month sounds more affordable because it’s comparable to other ongoing expenses in a business. It’s easier to imagine fitting this into operational cash flow than to justify a large capital expenditure.
Cash Flow and Budgeting Perspective: Aligns with operational budgeting. Many companies plan expenses monthly or quarterly, not just in large capital blocks. Presenting pricing on a monthly basis better aligns with how budgets are planned and approved internally.
Predictability and Manageability: Monthly payments can be more easily accounted for, reducing friction in financial approval. It also allows the buyer to consider financing options or leasing without immediately worrying about the full cost liabilities.
Value Perception and Flexibility: Upgrade options at 36 months, offering upgrades mid-contract adds a layer of attractiveness as it shows that the product or service evolves with customer needs, reducing the risk of obsolescence. This introduces flexibility, which is valuable for decision-makers wary of locking into outdated technology.
Focus on the benefits and ROI over price: Monthly cost framing shifts the conversation from “how much does this cost?” to “how much does this cost me in the context of its value every month?” It emphasises affordability and ongoing service rather than a one-time expense.
Leverage Behavioral Economics: Putting is simply, smaller numbers feel safer. People tend to underestimate or feel more comfortable with smaller, recurring costs than with large one-time payments, even if the total amount is the same or more.
Anchoring effect: The “€250,000” anchor is very high and can make the buyer hesitant. Starting with a monthly number sets a more reasonable anchor and frame for the products.
Demonstrates Customer-Centric Thinking: Empathy, by presenting a tailored financing option upfront, the salesperson demonstrates understanding of the customer’s budgeting pain points. This builds trust and shows the company’s willingness to partner rather than just sell.
In Summary: Positioning pricing as a manageable monthly payment with upgrade options reduces buyer hesitation, aligns with typical budgeting processes, enhances perceived value, and encourages forward-thinking investment decisions. This approach is far more effective in customer-facing sales conversations than quoting a large lump-sum price which can shut down dialogue early due to sticker shock or budget constraints.
Why Choose Oaklease for Vendor Financing in Europe?
• Pan-European Reach: Consistent solutions and support across 30+ countries, making cross-border expansion seamless.
• Bespoke Programmes: Custom frameworks to fit your sales model and customer profile. We adapt where traditional lenders cannot.
• Accelerated Sales: Lease and rental options at the point of sale reduce friction, letting clients benefit immediately while preserving cash.
• Regulatory Compliance: All lease agreements are fully IFRS 16 compliant across relevant countries, giving peace of mind and alignment with global accounting standards.
Oaklease European Vendor Finance: How It Works
Assess Your Market Needs: Oaklease reviews your sales cycle, customer challenges, and industry-specific requirements.
Design Your Programme: We build a co-branded, standardised structure that integrates seamlessly with your sales process by offering options from finance leasing to operating leases and asset refinance.
Train Your Team: Oaklease empowers your sales force with the training and tools to lead with finance, helping customers navigate approval and compliance.
Support to Scale: Our funding network covers 40+ regional and international lenders, guaranteeing capacity, flexibility, and local expertise as your programme grows.
Ongoing Partnership: Oaklease provides support in multiple languages and localises solutions to fit each unique European market.
The Oaklease Advantage: Results That Matter
• Preserve Working Capital: Customers avoid upfront costs, aligning payments to revenue and gaining vital tax advantages. It protects the customers existing bank credit lines for running the day to day business operations.
• Speed and Simplicity: Fast approval processes remove obstacles, making decision cycles dramatically shorter.
• Capex-Friendly: Leasing addresses rising concerns about capital outlays, helping vendors close deals that might otherwise stall in the budget committee.
• Upgrade Pathways: Customers benefit from ongoing options to upgrade equipment, ensuring a continuous sales pipeline.
Customer Quotes.
“Our clients need fast, flexible decisions to optimise operations. Oaklease’s professionalism and extensive funding network make them the ideal partner across Europe.”
Start Your Vendor Finance Journey with Oaklease
Ready to unlock new sales and expand your reach across Europe? Let Oaklease design a vendor finance solution that fits your business and your customers. Contact us to discover how our expertise can help you scale.
Cross-border vendor finance programmes, simplified. 30+ countries, 40+ funding partners, one trusted specialist.
Who We Work With.
Manufacturers, Suppliers and Franchisors. Increase sales with embedded finance options tailored to your product range.
Distributors & Resellers. Offer leasing at point-of-sale to increase conversion and customer retention.
Franchisors. Scalable multi country lease solutions for equipment manufactures selling into your estate, ensuring that every outlet conforms, updated, and uniform
What We Finance. From industrial robotics to heavy machinery, manufacturing lines, retail and hospitality, medical imaging, renewable energy systems, as a rule, if it’s business critical, we can lease it.
First Steps.
How It Works Assess Your Market Needs: Oaklease reviews your sales cycle, customer challenges, and industry-specific requirements.
Design Your Programme: We build a co branded, standardised with one of our funding partners and set up a structure that integrates seamlessly with your sales process, by offering options from finance leasing to operating leases and asset refinance.
Train Your Team: Any vendor programmes will only succeed if your sales force will lead with a lease figure at point of sale. Oak and our funding partners will provide the training and tools to lead with finance, helping customers navigate approval and compliance.
Support to Scale: Our funding network covers 40+ regional and international lenders, guaranteeing capacity, flexibility, and local language and expertise as your programme grows.
Ongoing Partnership: Oaklease provides support in multiple languages and localises solutions to fit each unique European market.
European Vendor Leasing FAQ’s
Almost 79% of lessees in Europe use vendor or manufacturer channels for their leasing requirements. This is notably more popular than seeking financing separately from banks or direct finance companies
European vendor leasing is crucial when businesses are cautious about Capex. By offering leasing directly at the point of sale, vendors and manufacturers can address customer concerns about Capex and accelerate their sales process.
Can you set up Vendor programme in Europe? Yes, we have successfully launched many vendor lease programmes for suppliers and manufacturers in Europe.
Is a white label finance option available in Europe? Yes, in certain countries, this is an available option.
How to offer leasing to our customers? Very simple, it is down to two main factors, a good vendor programme coupled with sales training for your relevant staff. This is not just your front end staff , but down to basics, by offering a lease option on every quote.
That is where our experience and knowledge can make a huge difference to your sales.
Is a Master lease option available? Yes, again it is subject to a country by country basis.
Is SaaS available across Europe? Only is certain countries, and depends on both the supplier and the equipment.
Can you provide leasing for franchisors? We have huge experience is arranging programmes for various suppliers to the major franchisors to enable them to keeps their estates fresh and up to date and fully compliant.
Can you offer a finance lease and an operating lease solution? Yes we can, again some countries might differ slightly in their interpretations.
