Agricultural Industry Discover Financial Benefits

COSTA MESA, Calif.–Thousands of agricultural specialists have discovered the financially smart way to provide for their farms, ranches and other agricultural facilities by leasing agricultural equipment instead of buying. When farmers and ranchers purchase equipment, in order to insure prime results, they tend to buy top of the line equipment. But there is a problem in this process, with the rapid advancement in technology, no one professional or specialist can ever own all the most up to date technology.

The agricultural industry requires the use of numerous and wide varying equipment. Today’s advancements are tomorrow’s grandfather technologies. So how does a business or specialist assure they have a fast turn-over rate when it comes to equipment? The answer is clear: equipment leasing. Equipment leasing allows specialists and companies to lease equipment without the subconscious thought that they are now stuck with a certain product. Leasing gives the lessee the flexibility to upgrade, add-on, or trade in old equipment.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, eight out of 10 American companies lease all or some of their productivity equipment. Opting to lease agricultural equipment reduces the cost for equipment maintenance, installation and equipment training, because most leasing companies provide the leasor with both. Some leasing companies also provide programs that allow you to return, buy at a discount, or even upgrade your equipment at the end of your lease. Tax breaks are also available when professionals decide to lease. Leasing allows companies to see dollar for dollar write off on leasing payments, which has a higher profitability when compared to owning equipment. When equipment is devalued due to new technology, along with wear and tear, a loan borrower bears all the risk. Since a lessee has no obligations to own equipment at the end of a lease, all risk of obsolescence is transferred to the leasors.

So that leaves the question: Once you have decided to lease instead of buy, how are you going to attain funding for the lease? Using iBank.com’s Finance Center, companies and professionals can apply and within minutes be connected to eager lenders. iBank.com’s advanced filtering system allows medical professionals to apply for different types of leases that are targeted to fit their needs.

“The agricultural industry depends on machines and technology and they need to keep their options open when it comes to equipment and leasing is a win-win decision.” said Tom Markel CEO of iBank.com “iBank.com wants to make sure that agricultural specialists don’t get stuck with obsolete machinery simply because they cannot find funding.”

There is also a high benefit for equipment manufacturers, distributors, vendors and value-added resellers that use iBank.com’s Finance Center. The Finance Center's application process helps stimulate sales by providing equipment financing for their products. In offering their customers a total equipment acquisition solution, vendors are able to differentiate themselves from their competition, increase sales, reduce outstanding receivables, and decrease the sales cycle by eliminating the need for the customer to search for additional financing.

“The timely leads supplied by iBank.com, has led to a big increase in our potential client base in equipment leasing,” said Kreg Pierce of Westland Capital.

Equipment leasing is a clear, smart choice for the agricultural industry. The leasing industry is a major source of funds for capital investment. In 1998, more than $207 billion worth of equipment was leased nationwide, this trend is increasing. Leasing has gained in popularity due to key factors that differentiate a lease from a loan. Every year a growing number of companies choose to procure new productive equipment through leases rather than loans.

About iBank.com
iBank.com is an online small business lending network that provides small businesses with solutions to meet their financial needs. iBank.com’s Finance Center enables businesses to create targeted loan packages and store all business related material in a secured online vault accessible to them worldwide. Examples of business information stored in the Vault include, business plans, management overviews, financial statement, tax returns and credit reports. Then when the user wants to fill out an application, the information is automatically populated by the information already in the database directly into the application. This process reduces paper, faxing and postage charges, speeds up the process and eliminates the hassles of looking for financing.
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