South Canterbury Finance Ltd was incorporated as South Canterbury Loan & Finance Company Ltd on 10th February 1926 with a Nominal Capital of £15,000 ($30,000) and a Paid Up Capital of £3,750 ($7,500). The shareholders were a group of South Canterbury investors, amongst them James D. Todd, of the well-known Todd family who, at that time, ran a garage and vehicle assembly plant in Timaru.

At the same time, the company took over the unincorporated operations of Thomas Patrick Crowe (known appropriately as Time Payment Crowe) who became an early director and subsequently Chairman of Directors until 1950.

The Company's first loan on 26 March 1926 was for £30 ($60) repayable over 3 years and earned interest of £5 ($10). Early loans involved personal inspection of the security by a director, who received a fee for the task of 10/6 ($1.05).

In the mid 1950's a business relationship evolved with Mr H.S. Fanning of General Finance Ltd which culminated in that company taking up a 55% interest in two of South Canterbury Finance Ltd's competitors - South Canterbury Acceptances Ltd and South Canterbury Credit Corporation Ltd.

This led to a successful take-over bid for South Canterbury Finance Ltd with General Finance Ltd holding a 60% share. After a relatively short period, General Finance Ltd sold out to the present owners with Mr H.S. Fanning retaining a minor holding which he held until his death early in 2000.