National Business Capital (often shortened to NBC) is a U.S.-based business finance marketplace known for arranging multiple types of commercial funding. Among its offerings is equipment financing, a solution designed to help businesses acquire vehicles, machinery, technology, and other essential equipment without paying the full cost upfront. This review focuses specifically on National Business Capital’s equipment financing and equipment leasing options, how the program works, what to expect in the application process, and the practical pros/cons for business owners.
Before we proceed, I recommend you check out our rankings of the Best Equipment Financing Companies in the US.
The list will help you avoid confusions and find the appropriate company for your financing needs.
What National Business Capital Offers for Equipment Financing
National Business Capital positions its equipment financing as a way to fund large purchases while preserving working capital. On its own equipment financing page, NBC highlights funding amounts from $250,000 to $15 million, with lease or loan options and an estimated time to fund of 2 to 8 weeks. This is a notable range because many equipment lenders focus on smaller tickets; NBC appears to market heavily toward established companies with meaningful equipment budgets rather than micro-purchases.
NBC also promotes equipment leasing as a related option and states it can finance “almost every type of equipment for any industry,” emphasizing leasing and equipment loans with “affordable monthly payments through customized terms.” In practice, this suggests NBC is functioning as a facilitator that matches borrowers to financing structures—loan vs. lease—based on business profile, equipment type, and lender requirements.
Is National Business Capital a Direct Lender or a Marketplace?
A key point for borrowers: National Business Capital generally operates as a funding marketplace / advisory-style connector rather than a single-bank lender. Reviews of NBC often note that final loan terms can depend on partner lenders, not necessarily NBC itself.
For equipment financing customers, this can be both a benefit and a trade-off:
- Benefit: Access to more than one lender or financing source may increase approval odds or help find a structure that fits your cash flow.
- Trade-off: Rates, fees, and terms may vary widely depending on which financing partner ultimately funds the deal—so you’ll want to compare offers carefully.
Typical use cases: what equipment can be financed?
NBC describes equipment financing broadly—covering tools, machinery, and vehicles—and frames it as a way to acquire what you need without draining cash reserves. It also markets equipment leasing and financing as relevant to many industries, including equipment-heavy operations such as manufacturing and specialized professional services.
In general, equipment financing is commonly used for:
- Construction machinery and heavy equipment
- Commercial vehicles (trucks, vans, fleets)
- Manufacturing machinery and production equipment
- Medical and dental equipment
- IT hardware and business technology upgrades
- Restaurant equipment and large kitchen appliances
Whether a specific item qualifies depends on the underlying lender’s policies, the resale value of the equipment, and documentation such as invoices or purchase orders.
How the financing works: loan vs. lease
NBC specifically highlights that customers can pursue either a lease or a loan. The difference matters:
- Equipment loan: You typically own the equipment (often from day one), and the equipment serves as collateral. Loans may be a good fit when you expect the equipment to remain useful well beyond the term.
- Equipment lease: You may pay for the use of the equipment over time, with options that vary by structure (for example, fair market value buyout vs. $1 buyout). Leasing can help manage cash flow and may work well for equipment that becomes obsolete faster.
NBC’s messaging suggests it helps you choose between these structures depending on your financial profile and the equipment itself, though the precise terms ultimately depend on the financing provider.
Application and funding timeline: what to expect
NBC advertises an estimated 2 to 8 weeks to fund for equipment financing. That’s an important expectation to set. While some equipment lenders can close quickly for smaller deals, larger-ticket transactions and more complex credit profiles often require additional documentation, underwriting, and sometimes appraisals or verification steps.
If the project is time-sensitive—say, replacing a broken machine that stops production—it’s worth discussing timeline up front and asking what could speed up or delay closing.
Eligibility and business profile considerations
NBC’s public materials for equipment financing emphasize the large funding range and flexible structure, but third-party summaries of NBC’s broader lending criteria often point to an emphasis on established businesses (for example, some reviews mention higher revenue minimums for certain products). While equipment financing can sometimes be easier to approve than unsecured working capital—because the equipment itself helps secure the deal—borrowers with stronger revenue, time in business, and credit generally receive better rates and terms.
Pricing, rates, and fees: the biggest “it depends”
NBC’s own equipment financing page focuses on the funding range, structure, and timeline, rather than quoting APR ranges. For a marketplace model, this is typical: pricing is usually shaped by the lender and the risk profile.
A third-party review (not equipment-specific, but relevant to NBC’s financing ecosystem) lists a wide range of potential APRs for NBC-arranged products overall. That doesn’t mean your equipment financing will fall at the high end, but it does reinforce the key reality: you should treat the offer sheet as the source of truth and compare total costs across lenders.
When comparing equipment financing offers, focus on:
- Total cost over the term (not only monthly payment)
- Any origination or broker fees
- Whether payments are monthly vs. weekly (some products use frequent payments)
- Prepayment terms and potential penalties
- End-of-lease buyout conditions (if leasing)
Customer Sentiment Analysis
Public reviews for National Business Capital are mixed-to-positive overall, depending on the platform and the product type. On Trustpilot, NBC has many highly positive comments praising responsiveness and the process. ConsumerAffairs also contains customer comments highlighting communication and speed, though reviews on these sites can skew toward users motivated to leave feedback.
On the other hand, BBB profiles can include negative experiences—sometimes tied to services beyond straightforward lending—so it’s important to read complaints carefully to understand what the customer purchased and whether it relates directly to equipment financing.
The most useful takeaway is not that any one platform “proves” the experience, but that your experience will likely depend on the specific funding partner, deal complexity, and how clearly terms are communicated.
Pros
1) High funding range for large equipment needs
NBC markets equipment financing from $250K up to $15M, which can suit scaling firms, contractors, manufacturers, or multi-location operators.
2) Lease or loan options
Having both structures available improves flexibility for tax planning and cash-flow design.
3) Marketplace approach can create options
For businesses that don’t want to approach multiple lenders independently, NBC’s model may save time and provide alternatives if one lender says no.
Cons
1) Pricing can vary widely
Because terms may come from partner lenders, your cost depends heavily on underwriting outcomes.
2) Funding can take weeks
NBC’s own timeline is 2–8 weeks, which may not work for urgent equipment replacements.
3) Compare “total deal terms,” not just the pitch
Some borrowers report aggressive sales tactics in certain broker-style environments; the best protection is careful review of documents and comparing offers.
National Business Capital Equipment Financing: Customer Reviews
There are numerous customer reviews posted on Trustpilot.
#1. For those of us in the South, a winter storm can bring everything to a standstill—sometimes for weeks. As an outdoor business, we rely heavily on good weather and warm temperatures to generate revenue, so being forced to close for two weeks was a major setback. Josh truly understood our situation and took the time to guide us through every single step of the process. He made sure our needs were fully addressed and that we were comfortable with the outcome. From the initial application to identifying the right solution and ultimately securing funding, Josh exceeded our expectations at every turn. His dedication, communication, and follow-through were outstanding.
#2. A very straightforward company to work with. I’ve dealt with others who make promises about rates just to get you in the door, only to change things later. That wasn’t the case here. They were honest, transparent, and upfront from the start, which made the entire process smooth and trustworthy.
#3. The representative I worked with was very knowledgeable and informative throughout the process. Although I ultimately decided not to move forward with the offer, I truly appreciate the time, effort, and professionalism they demonstrated.
#4. The process of getting the loan was simple. However, the interest costs were high, and the daily payment structure combined with a short repayment term can be challenging for a business. While it’s a quick and accessible way to secure funding, the repayment terms may not be ideal for long-term cash flow management.
Final Verdict
National Business Capital’s equipment financing stands out for its large funding capacity and flexible structures (lease or loan), making it a potentially strong match for established businesses planning significant equipment investments. The biggest considerations are the realities of a marketplace model: terms can vary by funding partner, and businesses should carefully compare full costs, timelines, and contract details before signing.
