ABN AMRO Commercial Finance
Part of ABN AMRO Group — one of the largest banks in the Netherlands
BankEuropean reach
Major European commercial finance provider specialising in invoice finance and asset-based lending. Strong risk management capabilities backed by a large banking group, with an international network for cross-border businesses.
Up to 95% advanceConfidential & disclosedBad debt protection24/7 client portalAsset-based lending
Strengths
- International presence for cross-border businesses
- Up to 95% advance rate
- Strong institutional backing
- Dedicated relationship management
Considerations
- Typically suits larger, established businesses
- Less flexible than independent providers
eCapital Commercial Finance
Formerly Advantedge — backed by North American eCapital Corp. £140m+ facilities in place.
IndependentChallenger
Broad-appetite lender willing to fund businesses with challenging histories. Regional offices with local staff make them genuinely accessible. Funds new starts and SMEs up to £3m.
Up to 90% advanceFactoring & discountingSelective invoice financeBad debt protectionFunds new startsUp to £3m
Strengths
- Will fund where others won't
- Regional offices — local staff
- Strong credit control option
- Funds challenging histories
Considerations
- Broader appetite can mean higher cost
Aldermore Business Finance
Part of Aldermore Group — specialist bank established 2009
Bank
Specialist bank serving a broad range of business sectors. Previously had a construction specialism — that book was sold to Bibby in late 2023. Full suite of SME banking products alongside invoice finance.
Invoice discounting & factoringAsset-based lendingUp to 90% advanceUp to £3mBad debt protection
Strengths
- Full-service specialist bank
- Broad sector coverage
- Strong digital platform
Considerations
- Construction clients now at Bibby following 2023 sale
Lloyds Commercial Finance
Division of Lloyds Banking Group
High Street BankLarge facilities
One of the UK's largest commercial finance providers, with the full suite of products plus trade finance. Broad sector coverage including construction. Large facility sizes available up to £10m.
Invoice discounting & factoringAsset-based lendingTrade financeUp to 90% advanceUp to £10m
Strengths
- Well-known, trusted brand
- Very broad product range
- Covers construction & most sectors
- Large facility sizes
Considerations
- Lower customer satisfaction scores
- Can be slow to react
Bibby Financial Services
Independent specialist — global presence, long-established. Acquired Aldermore's construction book 2023.
IndependentConstruction
One of the UK's most established independent invoice finance providers. Now one of the most active construction sector lenders following the 2023 acquisition. Up to 100% advances available. International trade and recruitment finance also available.
Invoice discounting & factoringConstruction financeRecruitment financeInternational tradeUp to 100% advanceUp to £10m
Strengths
- Construction sector specialism
- Broad product range
- International presence
- Up to 100% advance
Considerations
- Some negative reviews in the market
Close Brothers Invoice Finance
Division of Close Brothers Group plc — LSE-listed merchant bank, founded 1878
Merchant BankReal-time
Long-established merchant bank with real-time transaction processing and a Liquidity Plus product offering up to 100% funding — unusual in the market. Strong and stable backing.
Invoice discounting & factoringLiquidity Plus (100%)Asset-based lendingReal-time transactionsUp to £10m
Strengths
- Real-time transaction processing
- Up to 100% with Liquidity Plus
- Well-established and stable
Considerations
- Limited appetite for smaller businesses
- Reports of high staff turnover
Paragon Bank
Full-service specialist bank — new starts, MBOs/MBIs and turnarounds welcome
BankNew starts welcome
Known for strong client service and knowledgeable staff. Welcomes new starts, MBOs/MBIs and turnaround transactions. Fast, efficient service with no hidden fees. Up to 95% advance rate. Also offers asset finance, trade finance and commercial mortgages.
Invoice discounting & factoringCHOCCsBad debt protectionUp to 95% advanceNew starts welcomeShort-notice contracts
Strengths
- Reputation for strong client service
- Welcomes new starts and turnarounds
- No hidden fees
Considerations
- Criteria excludes some businesses and sectors
- Can be more expensive than alternatives
Metro Bank Commercial Finance
Division of Metro Bank — UK's first new high street bank in over a century
BankNo exit penalty
Stands out for transparent pricing and no cancellation penalty — exit with just 28 days' notice. Relationship-based approach with access to Metro Bank's broader banking services.
Up to 85% advance28-day exit noticeTransparent pricingNo cancellation penalty24/7 client portal
Strengths
- Transparent pricing
- No cancellation penalty
- High street bank backing
Considerations
- Can be slow to react
- More standardised product
Kriya (formerly MarketFinance)
Fintech — backed by Barclays, founded 2011. £20bn+ B2B payments processed.
Fintech
Well-funded fintech with a slick online portal and fast processes. Also offers B2B embedded credit. Min facility £250k, minimum 12 months trading and one set of filed accounts required.
Selective invoice financeMin facility £250kFast online process12 months trading req.
Strengths
- Very slick technology platform
- Fast digital-first processes
- Well-funded and established
Considerations
- History of changing risk appetite
- Can be expensive vs alternatives
- £250k minimum facility
Muse Finance
App-based — founded 2018 by Ann Marie Juliano. Funds new businesses.
FintechNew businesses
App-based platform using Open Banking and open accounting for fast underwriting. Funds new businesses. Bad debt protection included in the facility. Single invoice through to whole book.
80–95% advanceFunds new businessesBad debt protection includedSingle invoice to whole bookOpen Banking underwriting
Strengths
- App-based — access from anywhere
- Fast Open Banking underwriting
- Funds new businesses
Considerations
- Funding limits tied to BDP availability
- Fewer local relationship managers
Peak Cashflow
Independently owned SME specialist — established 2007. From £50k turnover.
IndependentSME specialist
Independently owned — not bound by another lender's guidelines. Genuinely bespoke solutions for SMEs from £50k turnover. Serves Ltd companies, partnerships and sole traders. Broader risk appetite than most banks.
From £50k turnoverLtd Co, Partnership & Sole TraderFactoring & discountingBad debt protectionTrade finance (existing clients)
Strengths
- Genuine flexibility — independently owned
- Serves very small businesses (£50k+)
- Broader risk appetite
Considerations
- May outgrow quickly
- Higher cost than competitors
Pulse Cashflow Finance
Part of Cubitt Trade Holdings — founded 2008 by Toni Dare. Specialist recruitment offering.
IndependentRecruitment
Experienced independent with a historically broad risk appetite. Part of Cubitt Trade Holdings alongside Calverton and Regency Factors. Specialist recruitment offering via Pulse Outsource. Simple 2-fee structure.
Up to 90% advanceFactoring & discountingTrade financeBack office supportUp to £5mStart-ups from £350k projected
Strengths
- Broad risk appetite
- Flexible products
- Specialist recruitment offering
Considerations
- Higher cost
- Usually requires comprehensive security
Satago
Fintech — founded 2014. Invoice finance, credit control and risk management platform.
FintechNo lock-in
Technology-first platform for invoice finance and credit control automation. Fund without long-term commitment. Includes financial education tools. Best for businesses that value flexibility and a strong platform over lowest cost.
Up to 90% advanceNo long-term commitmentAutomated credit controlTransparent fees
Strengths
- Easy-to-use platform
- Flexible — no lock-in
- Fast implementation
Considerations
- Higher cost vs traditional lenders
- Narrower risk appetite
Skipton Business Finance
Subsidiary of Skipton Building Society — established 2001. Exceptional relationship service.
Building Society
Known above all for the quality of its ongoing client relationships — consistently cited by existing clients. Transparent fee structure and complementary products including ABL, trade finance and business loans.
Invoice factoring & discountingLedgerLiteUp to 90% advanceBad debt protectionUp to £5m
Strengths
- Outstanding relationship support
- Transparent fee structure
- Complementary product range
Considerations
- Limited international coverage
- Subject to parent society's policies
Sonovate
Recruitment sector specialist — founded 2012. No sign-up fees, no PGs.
FintechRecruitment only
A dedicated platform for recruitment agencies and contractors — invoice funding, PAYE, timesheets and back office in one place. No sign-up fees, no hidden charges, no personal guarantees. Rolling monthly contract.
Invoice fundingFunding & back officePAYE servicesTimesheetsNo PGsRolling monthly contract
Strengths
- Purpose-built for recruitment
- Excellent tech platform
- No personal guarantees
- Fast service delivery
Considerations
- Recruitment sector only
- More expensive than traditional alternatives
Team Factors
Independent with local relationship manager model. Broad risk appetite.
Independent
Local relationship manager model with a personal, hands-on approach. Known for broad risk appetite and willingness to lend where others won't. Specialist recruitment offering available. Invests in technology to improve client experience.
Up to 90% advanceDisclosed facilitiesInvoice integrationPayroll supportDebtor protectionRecruitment specialism
Strengths
- Local relationship managers
- Broad risk appetite
- Personalised approach
Considerations
- Higher cost
- Swift to react to incorrectly operated facilities
Ultimate Finance
Multi-product lender — construction and contractual sectors supported
IndependentConstruction
Multi-product lender with strong relationship management. Broad range includes asset finance, bridging loans and trade finance alongside invoice finance. Supports construction and contractual industries.
Invoice finance (disclosed & confidential)Asset financeBridging loansTrade financeBusiness loans
Strengths
- Broad product range
- Quality relationship management
- Construction sector supported
Considerations
- Limited for heavy international trade
- Rarely lowest priced
White Oak
FCA authorised European lending platform — founded 1986. 170 professionals, 20,000+ SME clients.
IndependentEuropean
Large European lending platform with a full suite of SME and mid-corporate products. Invoice finance from £100k to £5m at up to 95% advance. Also offers asset finance, business loans and supply chain finance.
£100k–£5mUp to 95% advanceAsset financeBusiness loansSupply chain finance
Strengths
- Very broad product range
- Tailored funding solutions
- Large, established platform
Considerations
- Poor online reviews of customer experience
CastleBridge Invoice Finance
Specialist independent — also offers standalone credit control without funding
Independent
Broad risk appetite and flexible relationship management. Uniquely offers standalone credit control — no requirement to fund. Small team means genuine, hands-on understanding of your business.
Factoring & CHOCCsSelective factoringExport financeCredit control only (no funding req.)
Strengths
- Broad risk appetite
- Credit control without funding
- Small team — know your business
Considerations
- Broader appetite = higher cost
- Receivables-focused only
4Syte
Mid-tier independent — established 2016. NatWest-backed. Award-winning client focus.
IndependentConstruction
Fast-growing mid-tier funder with a broad range of SME solutions. Named 'Most Client-Focused SME Finance Provider 2022'. NatWest-backed facility. Construction finance available alongside invoice finance.
Invoice financeConstruction financeTrade financeSecured lendingAsset-based lending
Strengths
- Award-winning client focus
- Broad product range
- Construction sector covered
Considerations
- Newer than some established lenders
Giant Finance+
Part of Giant Group PLC — 15+ years' recruitment finance and back office
Recruitment only
Over 15 years of experience funding start-up and SME recruitment agencies. Combines invoice finance with fully integrated back office software and PAYE support. Giant Go supports brand new agencies from day one.
Invoice financeBill & PayBack office supportStart-up support (Giant Go)Up to 100% temp funding
Strengths
- Purpose-built for recruitment
- Integrated software and support
- Start-up friendly
Also on our panel
We also work with Novuna Business Cash Flow, Danske Bank, HSBC, Time Finance, Praetura, Investec, Accelerated Payments, Penny, IGF and Arbuthnot Latham — plus further specialist providers. Contact us to discuss which best fits your situation.
Speak to a Specialist →