By the numbers
Equipment finance is about a $1.3 trillion industry, and cash flow is the top challenge for 55% of business owners, according to published 2026 research.
This 1West page collects the most useful published statistics on equipment financing and small business finance, each stated as its source published it and linked to that source. None of these figures are 1West results. They are here to help owners judge why spreading an equipment purchase over time can protect working cash.
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Demand for equipment is growing, while owners remain focused on cash flow and rising costs. That combination is the core case for financing equipment rather than draining reserves to buy it outright.
Reading the numbers
Market averages describe many businesses, not yours. The LendingTree figure of nearly $38,000 is an average of approved amounts in one team's 2025 applications, so your own request should come from your vendor invoice, not the average. For comparison, 1West lists equipment financing amounts from $10K to $5M on its equipment financing page, as of November 2026.
Lender requirements also vary widely. CNBC Select lists one equipment financing option that requires at least six months in operation and at least $250,000 in annual sales, and LendingTree notes minimums such as $100,000 at Ameris Bank and $250,000 at Bank of America. 1West's general minimum is monthly revenue of $20,000.
Short answers here. Every question has a fuller home in the equipment financing FAQ.
1West lists equipment financing amounts from $10K to $5M. What you are offered depends on the equipment price and value, your revenue and credit, and each lender's limits. For context, LendingTree reports the average approved amount of a business loan used for equipment was nearly $38,000, based on applications its team processed in 2025.
Read this answer in the FAQEquipment loans are often easier to get than unsecured loans because the equipment secures them, as 1West explains. Difficulty still depends on credit, revenue and time in business. Fora Financial notes that online lenders may approve in hours with three months of bank statements, while SBA loans take weeks and require two years of documentation.
Read this answer in the FAQ1West generally asks applicants to have at least six months in business, four months of business bank statements, monthly revenue of $20,000 or more and a FICO score of 600 or higher. Individual lenders may ask for more, especially for large amounts, and meeting the general requirements does not guarantee approval.
Read this answer in the FAQNot always. SBA loans often have favorable terms, but Fora Financial notes they take weeks and require two years of documentation. Equipment financing is narrower but usually faster, and 1West lists 1 week to fund. If speed matters most, equipment financing often fits; if long-term cost matters most and you can wait, ask about SBA.
Read this answer in the FAQThe 1West general requirement is monthly revenue of at least $20,000. Lenders use revenue to judge whether your cash flow can cover a new payment alongside existing bills. If your revenue is seasonal, submit statements that show the full pattern and be ready to explain slower months to your advisor.
Read this answer in the FAQBack to the full guide to equipment financing for small business
Apply once through ABLE, the 1West Automated Business Lending Engine, any time of day, and compare the offers that come back. Eligibility, rates and final terms depend on the lender.
