Invoice Finance: Match with Trusted UK Lenders in Minutes
Summary: Invoice finance converts unpaid B2B invoices into near-immediate cash so your business can cover wages, buy stock or seize growth opportunities. Fast Business Loans doesn’t lend — we quickly match limited companies and incorporated businesses (from around £10,000 funding upwards) with vetted lenders and brokers who specialise in invoice factoring, discounting and selective invoice funding. Complete a quick enquiry for a free eligibility check and tailored introductions — no obligation, no credit hit.
Get Started – Free Eligibility Check
Is Invoice Finance Right for Your Business?
Invoice finance helps businesses convert unpaid B2B invoices into immediate working capital. It’s commonly used by fast-growing SMEs, seasonal businesses and companies with long payment terms from customers. Typical reasons to choose invoice finance include bridging cashflow gaps, supporting rapid growth, or outsourcing credit control so your team can focus on operations.
Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer: tell us about your business and we’ll match you with lenders or brokers experienced in your sector. Start with a Free Eligibility Check — it takes under two minutes and creates no credit footprint.
How Invoice Finance Works
At a basic level you sell unpaid invoices to a funder (or use them as security) and receive an advance against their value. Providers typically advance between 70% and 90% of an invoice’s value, releasing the remainder (less fees) once the debtor pays.
Invoice Factoring vs Invoice Discounting
- Invoice Factoring: The factor manages collections and credit control. Debtors are usually informed. Good for businesses that prefer outsourcing credit control.
- Invoice Discounting: Confidential. You retain responsibility for collections and customer relationships. Best when you want to keep funding private.
Eligibility Snapshot
- B2B invoices issued to creditworthy commercial customers
- Established trading history (requirements vary by provider)
- Minimum funding typically from around £10,000
- Standard documents: company accounts, debtor ledger and recent invoices
Exact advance rates, fees and whether your arrangement is recourse or non-recourse depend on the lender. For an overview of typical product types and to compare options see our guide to invoice finance.
Invoice Finance: Advantages and What to Consider
Benefits
- Rapid access to cash tied up in unpaid invoices
- Improved cashflow stability to pay suppliers, staff or invest
- Scalable funding that grows with your sales
- Option to outsource credit control (factoring)
Considerations
- Fees and discount rates vary by provider and debtor risk
- Factoring can change how you communicate with customers
- Some providers require minimum contract terms
- Not all invoices or debtors may be eligible
Free Eligibility Check – Connect with a Specialist Today
Tailored Options from Our UK Invoice Finance Panel
Our panel covers a range of solutions — we match based on your sector, debtor profile and cashflow needs.
Invoice Factoring
Full ledger factoring where the funder advances most of the invoice value and often manages collections. Ideal for firms that want support with credit control.
Confidential Invoice Discounting
Funding without notifying your customers; you keep collections in-house. Suits businesses that value customer relationships and confidentiality.
Selective / Spot Invoice Finance
Finance for individual invoices or specific debtors only — pay-as-you-go. Good when you need occasional or one-off funding.
Construction & Contract Finance
Solutions adapted to retentions, staged payments and different chain structures within construction projects.
Export Invoice Finance
Funding that supports overseas sales, including cover for longer payment terms and foreign debtor risk.
How Fast Business Loans Matches You with the Right Provider
- Complete a short enquiry form (under 2 minutes).
- Our matching engine identifies suitable lenders and brokers from our panel.
- A vetted provider will contact you to discuss terms and next steps.
- Compare quotes and decide — there’s no obligation to proceed.
Small print: Fast Business Loans introduces you to selected partners; you choose whether to proceed with any offer.
Understanding Fees and Contracts
Invoice finance providers typically charge:
- Discount / interest rate: a percentage of each invoice value for the period outstanding.
- Service fees: setup, administration and monthly facility fees where applicable.
- Bad debt / reserve: a retention withheld until debtor payment; non-recourse cover costs extra.
Costs depend on invoice volume, debtor credit quality and sector risk. When you request introductions through us, partners will be asked to provide clear, itemised quotes so you can compare like-for-like. Always read the contract and ask questions before signing.
What Lenders Look For
Minimum Criteria
- Limited company or incorporated business with B2B invoices
- Minimum turnover and trading history (varies by provider)
- Debtors must be creditworthy commercial customers
- Typical facility sizes start from around £10,000 upwards
Documents to Have Ready
- Recent company accounts and management accounts
- Debtor ledger and copies of invoices to be financed
- Bank statements and proof of business registration
- Director ID and proof of address if requested by provider
Enquire now for a free eligibility check — it won’t affect your credit score: Check if you qualify in minutes.
Popular Sectors Using Invoice Finance via Fast Business Loans
- Construction: smooth cashflow through staged payments and retentions.
- Manufacturing & Wholesale: fund stock and ramp up production while waiting for payment.
- Recruitment & Professional Services: cover payroll while waiting on client invoices.
- Transport & Logistics: maintain fleets and cover fuel or driver costs between invoices.
- Retail & Distribution: finance large B2B orders and seasonal peaks.
We also support niche sectors including agriculture, printing and hospitality by matching you with providers that understand sector cashflow cycles.
Real-World Outcomes from Invoice Finance
Case 1 — Manufacturing: Problem: long supplier lead times and 60-day customer terms. Solution: full ledger factoring. Result: improved cashflow, could buy bulk raw material to grow sales by 25%.
Case 2 — Recruitment: Problem: weekly payroll while clients paid monthly. Solution: confidential discounting. Result: consistent payroll cover and reduced admin overheads.
Speed of match: many businesses receive an initial response within hours of submitting an enquiry via our platform.
Invoice Finance vs Other Working Capital Options
| Option | Funding Speed | Security | Cost Transparency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice Finance | Fast (24-72 hrs) | Invoices as security | Generally transparent | Businesses with strong B2B invoices |
| Business Overdraft | Fast | Often unsecured or personal guarantees | Variable interest | Short-term, variable cash needs |
| Short-term Loan | Fast–moderate | May require security/PG | Fixed repayments | Specific one-off costs |
| Asset Finance | Moderate | Asset secured | Structured repayments | Equipment purchases |
Conclusion: Invoice finance is often the preferred solution when cash is tied up in receivables and you want speed with scalability.
Tips for a Smooth Application
- Keep your debtor ledger accurate and up-to-date.
- Prioritise a diverse customer base to lower single-debtor risk.
- Provide clear, organised documentation to speed underwriting.
- Respond promptly to provider queries — speed often shortens funding times.
Speak with a specialist broker – enquire today
Why UK Businesses Trust Fast Business Loans
- Fast matching to lenders and brokers who specialise in invoice finance.
- Free, no-obligation enquiry process with no initial credit footprint.
- Transparent introductions — providers asked to supply clear, comparable quotes.
- Secure handling of your details and a practical, supportive approach.
Important Information
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with finance brokers and lenders; we do not provide loans or give regulated financial advice. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Terms, eligibility and costs vary by provider — always review agreements and consider seeking independent advice if you are unsure.
Invoice Finance FAQs
How quickly can I release funds against invoices?
Timescales vary but many providers can release funds within 24–72 hours of approval and invoice submission. Larger or more complex facilities may take longer to underwrite.
Will my customers know I’m using invoice finance?
It depends. Factoring usually involves notifying debtors because the factor collects payments. Confidential invoice discounting lets you retain collections and typically keeps the arrangement private.
What happens if a client doesn’t pay?
If your arrangement is recourse you remain responsible for unpaid invoices. Non-recourse cover transfers some bad-debt risk to the funder but comes with higher fees and eligibility checks.
Can start-ups get invoice finance?
Some providers will consider younger businesses if you invoice creditworthy B2B customers. Requirements for minimum turnover and trading history vary between lenders.
How much does invoice finance cost compared with a loan?
Invoice finance costs are typically a combination of a discount/interest rate and service fees and are priced against debtor risk and facility structure. Loans often have fixed interest and repayment schedules. Compare total costs against your cashflow needs to decide.
Does invoice finance affect my credit score?
Enquiring via Fast Business Loans does not impact your credit file. Lenders or brokers may run checks if you move to a formal application which could leave a footprint depending on the type of check.
Can I finance selected invoices only?
Yes — selective or spot finance lets you choose which invoices to fund. This is helpful for occasional short-term needs or to avoid changing your whole customer ledger structure.
How do I end an invoice finance agreement?
Check your contract for notice periods, termination fees and outstanding liabilities. Talk to your provider and read the agreement with care before signing to understand exit terms.
Ready to Unlock Cash from Your Invoices?
If unpaid invoices are limiting your growth, Fast Business Loans can match your business with lenders or brokers who specialise in the right type of invoice funding for you. Complete our short, secure form to receive a free eligibility check and tailored introductions — you’ll usually hear from a provider quickly and there’s no obligation to proceed.
Complete our 2-minute form to be matched with lenders and brokers who can provide quotes by email or phone.
– Q: What is invoice finance and how does it work?
A: Invoice finance lets UK businesses unlock 70–90% of the value of unpaid B2B invoices upfront, with the remaining balance (minus fees) released when the customer pays.
– Q: What’s the difference between invoice factoring and invoice discounting?
A: Invoice factoring includes the funder managing credit control and notifying debtors, while confidential invoice discounting keeps collections in‑house and the facility hidden from customers.
– Q: How quickly can I get funding against my invoices?
A: Many providers release funds within 24–72 hours of approval and invoice submission, subject to debtor checks and setup.
– Q: How much can I advance and what’s the minimum facility size?
A: Facilities typically start from around £10,000 and advance 70–90% of each invoice, depending on your sector and debtor quality.
– Q: Will my customers know I’m using invoice finance?
A: Under factoring customers are usually notified, whereas confidential invoice discounting normally keeps the arrangement private.
– Q: What happens if a client doesn’t pay the invoice?
A: With recourse facilities you remain liable for non‑payment, while non‑recourse options can transfer bad‑debt risk to the funder for an additional cost and stricter criteria.
– Q: Can I finance selected invoices or debtors only?
A: Yes—selective or spot invoice finance lets you fund individual invoices or chosen debtors on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis.
– Q: What are the typical costs and fees of invoice finance?
A: Costs usually include a discount/interest rate plus service fees and any bad‑debt or reserve charges, tailored to invoice volume, sector risk and debtor creditworthiness.
– Q: Am I eligible and what documents will I need?
A: UK limited or incorporated businesses invoicing creditworthy B2B customers are commonly eligible, and you’ll typically need recent accounts, a debtor ledger, sample invoices, bank statements and director ID/address.
– Q: Does enquiring with Fast Business Loans affect my credit score, and are you a lender?
A: Submitting a free eligibility check/enquiry is quick, leaves no credit footprint and carries no obligation; Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with vetted UK lenders and brokers, not a lender.
