Latest figures from the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew in May by 16% compared with the same month last year.

The plant and machinery finance and business equipment finance sectors reported new business up in May by 28% and 31% respectively, compared with the same month in 2016, while new finance for commercial vehicles was up by 3% over the same period.

Geraldine Kilkelly, head of research and chief economist at the FLA, said: “Asset finance new business grew by 9% in the first five months of 2017, as the industry continued to help businesses invest.

“The growth in plant and machinery finance new business so far in 2017 has been broad-based, with increases in new finance provided for construction equipment, agricultural equipment, forklift trucks, and production and process plant over that period.”