Crest Capital Review 2026 — Equipment Financing & Leasing for Small Business

Last reviewed: May 2026 — Rates and terms verified via Crest Capital published terms and third-party lender databases. FundingCompass has no current affiliate arrangement with Crest Capital. This review reflects our independent assessment.

Crest Capital

Equipment Financing

Loan Amount

$5,000–$500,000

Rates From

~5.99% APR

Min. Credit Score

650+

Credit Decision

2 hours

35+ year equipment financing specialist that publishes rates from ~5.99% APR — more transparent than most online lenders. Best for businesses with 2+ years in operation and 650+ credit needing fast equipment decisions.

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Key Terms

APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

Crest Capital publishes starting rates from approximately 5.99% APR for equipment loans, based on lender-published rates as of May 2026. Your actual rate depends on credit score, time in business, equipment type and age, and loan term — stronger profiles receive lower rates.

Equipment Loan

A Crest Capital equipment loan funds the full purchase of business equipment (up to $500,000), secured by the equipment itself. You own the equipment from day one. Terms run 24–72 months with fixed monthly payments and no prepayment penalty in many cases.

Operating Lease

Crest Capital’s true operating lease lets you use equipment for a set term and return, purchase, or renew at end of term. Unlike a loan or $1 buyout lease, operating leases may keep the asset off your balance sheet — consult your accountant about the impact on your financial statements.

Section 179

Equipment loans and $1 buyout leases through Crest Capital typically qualify for the IRS Section 179 deduction, allowing the full equipment cost to be deducted in the year of purchase. The 2026 Section 179 limit is $1,220,000. Consult a tax adviser to confirm eligibility for your specific situation.

Summary Verdict

Crest Capital is an Atlanta-based equipment financing and leasing company serving small and mid-sized businesses across virtually all industries since 1989. It offers equipment loans and leases from $5,000 to $500,000, with credit decisions in as little as 2 hours for transactions under $250,000. Crest Capital is notable for publishing rate guidance upfront, offering both loan and lease structures, and working with a wide variety of equipment types. It is a strong option for businesses that need equipment financing without navigating a bank’s full commercial lending process.

Best for: Businesses with 2+ years in operation, 650+ credit, and $100,000+/year in revenue that need $5,000–$500,000 in equipment financing with 2-hour credit decisions (for amounts under $250,000) and the flexibility to choose between loan and lease structures.

Not ideal for: Start-ups under 2 years old (who face more scrutiny and should consider Balboa Capital’s 1-year minimum), businesses needing operating capital rather than equipment-specific financing, or businesses seeking manufacturer-sponsored financing programs which may offer lower promotional rates.

At a Glance

Rates verified May 2026 via Crest Capital published rate schedules. Your actual rate depends on credit profile, equipment type, and term.

What Crest Capital Offers

Crest Capital operates as a direct lender for equipment lending and leasing. It is not a marketplace — it funds from its own capital, which means credit decisions are faster and there are fewer intermediary fees.

Equipment Loans: Crest Capital funds the purchase of equipment, which you own from day one. Monthly payments are fixed, and the loan is secured by the equipment itself. At payoff, the equipment is free and clear. Loans work well for equipment you expect to use long-term or that holds resale value.

Equipment Leases: Crest Capital offers true leases and $1 buyout leases. With a true lease, you return or purchase the equipment at lease end. With a $1 buyout lease, you own the equipment for $1 at the end of the term — functionally similar to a loan but with different accounting treatment. Leases work well for equipment that becomes obsolete quickly (technology, medical devices) or when you want to preserve working capital.

Soft-Cost Financing: Crest Capital can roll installation, delivery, training, and software costs into the financing. This is a meaningful advantage for equipment with significant soft costs.

Crest Capital finances a wide range of equipment categories: commercial vehicles, manufacturing machinery, medical and dental equipment, restaurant equipment, technology hardware, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and more.

Crest Capital funds equipment loans from approximately 5.99% APR with 2-hour credit decisions on applications under $250,000 — a $75,000 loan at 7.5% APR over 48 months costs $12,216 in total interest, with no prepayment penalty in many cases.

FundingCompass research, May 2026

Cost Transparency

Crest Capital publishes starting rates on its website (from approximately 5.99% APR), which is more transparent than many alternative equipment lenders. Your actual rate depends on:

• Personal and business credit score
• Time in business
• Equipment type and age
• Loan or lease term
• Industry risk profile

Cost example (equipment loan):

• Equipment cost: $75,000
• Down payment: $0
• Term: 48 months
• Rate: 7.5% APR
• Monthly payment: approximately $1,817
• Total payments: $87,216
• Total interest: $12,216

Use the Equipment Financing Calculator to model your specific equipment purchase.

Section 179 tax deduction: Equipment loans and certain lease structures qualify for the IRS Section 179 deduction, allowing you to deduct the full equipment cost in the year of purchase (subject to annual limits). For 2026, the Section 179 deduction limit is $1,220,000. Consult your tax advisor to confirm eligibility.

Who Qualifies

Crest Capital’s eligibility requirements are more conservative than many online lenders:

• Time in business: 2+ years (preferred; start-ups may qualify with strong credit and down payment)
• Personal credit score: 650+
• No recent bankruptcies
• Equipment must be for business use
• Equipment must be new or used (age limits apply for certain categories)

Crest Capital serves most industries except cannabis, adult entertainment, and highly speculative businesses. It is particularly active in healthcare, transportation, construction, and manufacturing.

Application Process

1. Online application at crestcapital.com — approximately 10 minutes
2. Submit equipment invoice or quote
3. Credit decision within 2 hours (for transactions under $250,000)
4. Larger transactions ($250K+) may require financial statements and take 1–3 business days
5. Loan or lease documents signed electronically
6. Funding to vendor within 24–48 hours of executed documents

For transactions under $250,000, Crest Capital’s application requires only the standard application — no tax returns or financial statements. This is a significant speed advantage for routine equipment purchases.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Founded 1989 — 35+ years of equipment financing experience
• Rates published from ~5.99% APR — more transparent than most online lenders
• 2-hour credit decisions for transactions under $250,000
• Both loan and lease structures available
• Soft-cost financing (installation, training, software) can be rolled in
• Wide equipment category coverage
• No prepayment penalty in many cases (confirm at application)

Cons:

• 2-year time-in-business preferred — newer businesses face higher scrutiny
• 650 credit score minimum is higher than some competitors
• $500,000 maximum may be insufficient for heavy equipment (construction, manufacturing)
• Not manufacturer-sponsored — may not match promotional rate offers from OEM financing arms

Crest Capital vs. Balboa Capital vs. National Funding

Crest Capital’s rate transparency and 35-year track record are its core advantages. Balboa Capital’s 1-year time-in-business requirement makes it more accessible for newer businesses. National Funding has a lower maximum than both but is accessible for businesses with 600 credit.

Alternatives to Evaluate First

• Manufacturer financing: If purchasing equipment from a major OEM (Caterpillar, John Deere, etc.), check their captive financing programs first — promotional rates can be lower than any third-party lender.
• SBA 504 loan: For equipment over $250,000, SBA (Small Business Administration) 504 offers rates comparable to conventional bank loans with a lower down payment (10% vs. 20–30%). See the SBA Loans Guide.
• Bank equipment loan: If your business banks with a commercial bank and has a strong relationship, ask about equipment loans — bank rates can be 2–4% lower than online lenders for well-qualified borrowers.