For many UK businesses, the gap between raising an invoice and receiving payment is where cash flow pressure is felt most acutely. Invoice finance addresses that gap directly – releasing the value tied up in unpaid invoices without waiting for customers to settle on their own terms.
The range of providers has expanded considerably in recent years, spanning large independent specialists, bank-backed platforms, and mutual-backed operators with distinctive product structures. Below are five providers worth exploring.
Who Are the Top Invoice Finance Providers to Consider in 2026?
1. Novuna Business Cash Flow
Part of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, one of the UK’s largest leasing and finance groups, Novuna Business Cash Flow brings significant financial depth to its invoice finance proposition.
Its product range covers invoice factoring, invoice discounting, and selective invoice finance, the latter allowing businesses to finance individual invoices rather than committing their entire debtor book.
Its invoice finance for small business offering reflects the realities of smaller ledgers, with selective finance options that allow companies to dip in and out of the facility as cash flow needs dictate.
Novuna Business Cash Flow also has a dedicated business loans arm, meaning clients can explore a broader range of solutions within the same relationship.
Who it works for:
- Established SMEs looking for a relationship-led facility backed by a major financial group
- Businesses that want selective invoice finance rather than a whole ledger commitment
- Companies that may also need asset finance or business loans under a single provider relationship
- Sectors including manufacturing, logistics, recruitment, and professional services
2. Bibby Financial Services
Bibby Financial Services was established in 1982 as part of the Bibby Line Group, a family-owned business founded in 1807, and is today the UK’s largest independent invoice finance provider.
It manages more than £6 billion in client turnover annually, supporting over 8,500 businesses across 9 countries from 18 UK offices.
Sector expertise is a core part of Bibby’s proposition. Dedicated teams cover transport and logistics, recruitment, construction, and professional services, with its construction finance capability bolstered by the acquisition of the Aldermore Working Capital Finance division in 2023.
Bibby offers factoring, invoice discounting, and confidential factoring, with advance rates of up to 85% of invoice value usually available within 24 hours of setting up a facility.
Who it works for:
- Small businesses in transport, logistics, recruitment, construction, or professional services
- Businesses that want to outsource credit control, including via confidential factoring
- Those who prefer a regional, relationship-managed service with a long track record
- Companies needing a provider with genuine construction finance expertise
3. Close Brothers Invoice Finance
Close Brothers Invoice Finance is part of Close Brothers Group, a FTSE 250-listed merchant banking group founded in 1878.
Its product range covers invoice factoring, confidential invoice discounting, asset-based lending, and bad debt protection, the latter available as an add-on covering up to 100% of what is owed if a customer defaults.
The IDeal platform transfers the cash value of new invoices to clients’ accounts the moment an invoice is raised. In August 2025, Close Brothers launched a dedicated Scale Up team handling facilities up to £350,000 for start-ups and smaller SMEs, with the main commercial team supporting facilities from £350,000 to £3 million.
The business has particular experience in manufacturing, transport, and recruitment.
Who it works for:
- Growing businesses looking for a dedicated invoice finance specialist backed by a FTSE 250-listed merchant banking group
- Start-ups and smaller SMEs seeking facilities up to £350,000 via the dedicated Scale Up team
- Businesses in manufacturing, transport, or recruitment that want sector-specific expertise
- Those that want bad debt protection built into or alongside their invoice finance facility
4. Kriya (formerly MarketFinance)
Kriya has operated as part of Allica Bank since October 2025, with the two businesses announcing an aim to deploy £1 billion in working capital finance over the next three years.
Its selective invoice finance product allows businesses to upload individual invoices for funding without committing to a whole-ledger facility.
To be eligible, businesses need to be a UK-registered limited company or LLP with a minimum annual turnover of £100,000. Kriya can advance up to 90% of invoice value and aims to do so within 24 hours of invoice verification.
Confidential invoice discounting is also available, requiring higher turnover thresholds and integration with Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage.
Who it works for:
- Businesses with £100,000+ turnover wanting to fund individual invoices without a whole-ledger commitment
- Companies using Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage that want a fully integrated, digital-first process
- Those that need fast access to funds – typically within 24 hours of invoice verification
- Limited companies and LLPs looking for a pay-as-you-go facility with no long-term commitment
5. Skipton Business Finance
Skipton Business Finance is backed by Skipton Building Society, one of the UK’s largest mutuals, and has been operating for nearly 25 years.
As a mutual-backed provider, it operates without external shareholder obligations, with a stated emphasis on long-term client relationships. The business reported record profit and lending growth in 2025 and self-reports a 98% client satisfaction rate.
Two products stand apart from standard market offerings. Skipton Select is an interest-free invoice factoring facility with a flat service charge of between 2% and 3.5% of factored turnover, no discount rate is charged on drawn funds.
LedgerLite provides access to up to 50% of a monthly sales ledger with a simpler structure, aimed at businesses looking for a more flexible entry point into invoice finance. Each client is assigned a dedicated relationship manager across five UK offices.
Who it works for:
- Businesses wanting a transparent, predictable fee structure with no daily interest (Skipton Select)
- Those looking for a more flexible entry point into invoice finance (LedgerLite)
- Companies that value mutual backing and a long-established, independently run provider
- Those who want a dedicated relationship manager and regional service
Key Questions to Ask Any Provider
- Is the facility whole-ledger or selective? Whole-ledger facilities require all invoices to be financed; selective facilities allow individual invoice funding, and not all providers offer both.
- What is the total cost? Ask for a worked example based on your average invoice value and payment terms, not just the headline rate.
- Who manages credit control? Under factoring, the provider contacts your customers. Under discounting, you retain control.
- What is the minimum turnover required? Some providers require £100,000–£250,000 in annual invoicing before they will consider a facility.
- What are the exit terms? Check for minimum notice periods or early termination charges before committing.
Conclusion
The five providers above reflect the breadth of what the UK invoice finance market now offers, from large independents with decades of sector experience and billions under management, to bank-backed digital platforms and mutual-backed operators with interest-free fee structures.
Facility size, sector fit, and the level of credit control support required are all worth weighing before approaching a provider. Most will produce a cost illustration without obligation, making direct comparison straightforward.
