Based in the capital’s New Town, the firm has reported steady growth in the number of clients who have never previously used its asset finance facility, as well as significant strategic positioning by its large portfolio of existing customers.

And while the pandemic emergency lasts, the finance house is also extending its discreet and preferential alternative service to employers who are facing short-term liquidity problems while they deal with the immediate costs of shutdowns.

Edinburgh Asset Finance believes its offering is more relevant now than ever before, particularly in assisting the cash-flow of employers who are keeping workers on the books through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, thus “doing the right thing” by their staff.

It is immediately able to help employers, many of whom are paying staff wages out of their own pockets, to bridge the gap until funding becomes available through the emergency schemes announced last month by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Neil Mitchinson, director of Edinburgh Asset Finance, said: “By week three of the crisis, we were seeing a definite increase in contact from individuals who have never previously used our services. In these times, our product is extremely viable for the challenges faced by many individuals and business owners, so we are expecting things to get steadily busier.

“As far as employers are concerned, it is clear that many people whose businesses have been affected through no fault of their own are facing serious cashflow headaches.

“While the Government’s intervention is very welcome, it is anticipated that the online service which allows employers to claim will not be available until at least the end of this month, leaving a significant period for them to fund.

“While we all hope to get through this, it would be hard if businesses with a viable long-term future were irretrievably harmed by a temporary funding shortfall, and we are keen to help them meet the challenges they are currently facing.”

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