Artificial intelligence is the business priority of 2025. But for most small and mid-sized companies, the path to implementation isn’t about algorithms or data models—it’s about affordability.
The rise of AI tools for operations, customer service, logistics, and quality control has outpaced most companies’ ability to invest. According to a March 2025 Secured Research report, more than 60% of SMBs said they “plan to adopt AI-related technologies in the next 18 months,” but just 22% have the capital or financing lined up to do so.
The issue isn’t lack of will—it’s infrastructure. AI systems often require upgrades across hardware, software, integrations, and installation support. That’s where brokers come in.
A CFO at a mid-sized Midwest manufacturer said, “We didn’t need a robot—we needed a robot, the controls, the retraining, the integration with our ERP, and a maintenance package. No one would finance the whole picture—until a broker showed us how to structure the total solution.”
That broker packaged the full scope of needs—hardware, software licenses, systems integration, and service contracts—into a single monthly payment under a master lease. Not only did the project get approved, it got approved faster because it reduced procurement complexity.
This is a fast-growing specialty in 2025. Bundled solutions allow brokers to:
– Position themselves as strategic enablers, not just financiers
– Help vendors and VARs close larger deals with less resistance
– Tie financing to outcomes (ROI) instead of just products
Secured Research data also suggests that AI bundling deals have 35% higher approval rates when structured through non-bank leasing partners compared to traditional loans. Why? The flexibility of asset classification, term tailoring, and usage-based pricing makes it easier to fund mixed solution sets.
What’s more, some brokers are offering clients “refreshable” finance lines for AI tech—a forward-committed lease that gives the borrower budget predictability while allowing mid-term upgrades. This is especially relevant in fast-moving verticals like logistics, healthcare, and professional services.
A technology consultant working with brokers noted: “There’s a huge opportunity to create AI-as-a-service through financing. Companies don’t want to own the tools forever—they want access and outcomes.”
Brokers who want to thrive in this space must get fluent in:
– Working with solution integrators and VARs
– Building financing structures that support intangibles (consulting, services)
– Using payments as a sales tool for high-ticket AI upgrades
The old equipment finance model—vendor hardware and a 5-year term—isn’t dead, but it won’t win in AI. The new model is about enabling business transformation, and brokers who can structure complete, bundled financing options are turning hesitant buyers into empowered adopters.
In 2025, those who know how to finance the full picture are writing the biggest tickets—and building the deepest relationships.
