While the major banks are adjusting to low demand for business finance, some specialist groups are experiencing strong trading conditions. The equipment finance company, Silver Chef, yesterday reported a 29 per cent increase in rental assets under management; a 28 per cent increase in net profit, and a 21.5 per cent return on equity for the year to June.Silver Chef, which operates a rent-try-buy business model, reported a 27.8 per cent increase in rental income, which rose from $49.1 million to $62.7 million. Net profit was up from $5.2 million to $6.7 million. Earnings per share rose by 11.7 per cent. The relatively low EPS growth was due to several one-off expense items, including the write-off of unamortised funding costs from an old debt facility, revaluation of a derivative instrument, and impairments on property holdings. Another factor was the watering down effect of a significant increase in the number of ordinary shares on issue, via a dividend reinvestment plan.The company's core business is servicing the hospitality industry. The value of rental assets under management in the hospitality division rose 20.2 per cent to $108 million. In the general commercial division, GoGetta, rental assets under management rose 71 per cent to $32.6 million.Strong asset growth came on the back of a new $74.7 million funding facility established with Commonwealth Bank, which was put in place in August last year. Borrowing costs rose from $2.9 million in 2009/10 to $4.2 million in the year to June.Bad and doubtful debts were $1.6 million - unchanged from the previous year. The impairment loss on rental equipment rose from $518,000 to $964,000 (assessments are made on the recoverable amount of idle rental assets).