Invoice Finance: Unlock Cash Flow From Unpaid Invoices
Summary: Invoice finance (factoring and discounting) lets UK businesses convert unpaid customer invoices into immediate cash, easing working capital strain. Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches companies with specialist lenders and brokers — from selective spot factoring to full-ledger facilities — for amounts from around £10,000 upwards. Complete a Free Eligibility Check to see which partners are a fit: Free Eligibility Check.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
What is invoice finance?
Invoice finance is a form of working capital that turns money tied up in unpaid customer invoices into cash you can use today. Instead of waiting 30–120+ days for customers to pay, a finance provider advances a percentage of the invoice value against fees and interest. This helps businesses meet payroll, buy materials, invest in growth, or smooth seasonal dips.
Fast Business Loans does not provide funding directly. We introduce your business to invoice finance lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and debtor profile. Use our Free Eligibility Check to get matched quickly.
How it works — a quick overview
- Submit a short enquiry (takes about 2 minutes).
- We match you with lenders/brokers suited to your ledger and sector.
- Selected providers assess your debtors and offer facility terms.
- Once approved and paperwork is complete, approved invoices are advanced — often same or next working day.
Want to start now? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Factoring vs invoice discounting
There are two main models:
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
- Invoice factoring: The provider manages collections and credit control on financed invoices (useful if you want a hands-off solution).
- Invoice discounting: You keep control of customer relationships and collections; the lender provides funds against the ledger, usually confidentially.
Both can be offered as full-ledger or selective (spot) facilities; advance rates commonly range from 70%–95% depending on debtor strength and sector.
Invoice finance vs other funding options
| Feature | Invoice Finance | Overdraft | Business Loan | Asset Finance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to funds | Fast once set up; invoices often funded within 24 hours | Immediate if available, but limits small | Several days–weeks | Depends on valuation & provider |
| Security | Often secured on debtor book | Usually unsecured or secured on business | May require personal or business security | Secured on asset |
| Best for | Businesses with strong invoices but slow payers | Short-term, low-value gaps | Growth capex or refinancing | Buying vehicles or equipment |
Types of invoice finance we can introduce you to
Invoice factoring
Full-ledger or selective. Provider often takes credit control duties. Suits businesses wanting to outsource debtor management.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Invoice discounting
Confidential finance where you retain customer contact. Good for businesses that want to protect client relationships.
Selective / spot factoring
Finance individual invoices as needed — ideal for one-off large invoices or occasional cash-flow pressure.
Construction & project invoice finance
Specialist facilities for construction businesses and contractors with staged payments or retentions.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Supply chain / debtor book finance
Designed for wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors with large ledgers.
For practical examples and specialist guidance see our detailed guide to invoice finance.
Quick facts: Typical advance rates 70%–95%. Facility sizes commonly start at around £10,000 and extend to several million. Selective options allow partial ledger funding.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Get Your Invoice Finance Quote — takes under 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
Eligibility & what lenders look for
Lenders assess both your business and your customers (debtors). Key criteria include:
- Trading history and company structure (limited companies typically preferred).
- Turnover and size of your sales ledger.
- Quality of debtors — large, well-known customers increase chances and improve rates.
- Concentration risk — reliance on a single debtor can be flagged.
- Sector risk — some industries carry higher charges or limits.
- Adverse credit or previous insolvency — not always a barrier if debtors are strong.
Complete a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you with partners aligned to your circumstances.
How much does invoice finance cost?
Costs typically include a service fee and a discount charge (interest-style fee) applied to the value of invoices funded. There can also be set-up fees, document fees and minimum monthly charges.
| Example facility | Facility size | Advance (example 85%) | Service fee | Discount charge (annualised) | Net available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example | £100,000 | £85,000 | 0.5%–1.5% per month | 6%–18% pa (depends on provider) | £85,000 less fees on funded invoices |
Rates vary widely by lender and debtor profile. Fast Business Loans does not set or quote rates — we introduce you to lenders and brokers so you can compare. Get Quote Now to see indicative offers tailored to your ledger.
Step-by-step: from enquiry to funds in your account
- Enquiry: Complete our short online form — takes about 2 minutes (Free Eligibility Check).
- Match: We connect you with 1–3 lenders or brokers who specialise in your sector and debtor mix.
- Assessment: Providers review sample invoices, debtor credit status and basic company documents.
- Offer & paperwork: If an offer is made, sign documentation (often completed electronically).
- Onboarding: Lender completes onboarding checks; facilities can be live within days to 2 weeks depending on complexity.
- Funding: Approved invoices are advanced, typically next working day after submission.
Documents commonly required: recent management accounts, aged debtor ledger, sample invoices, VAT returns and bank statements. Your matched broker will guide you precisely.
Industries we commonly support with invoice finance
We work with lenders experienced in funding:
- Manufacturing & wholesale
- Construction & trades
- Recruitment & employment agencies
- Logistics & transport
- Professional services with corporate debtors
- Retail & e-commerce (B2B sales)
- Creative & marketing agencies
If your business faces long payment terms, seasonality or supplier payment pressure, invoice finance can be a practical solution. Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
Why choose Fast Business Loans for invoice finance introductions?
- Speed: submit once and get matched to relevant lenders/brokers fast.
- Curated panel: we work with partners experienced across sectors and facility types.
- No cost to you: our introducer service is free and without obligation.
- Confidential: you control who you speak to and whether you proceed.
- Simple process: less form-filling, expert partners to streamline onboarding.
Free Eligibility Check — takes under 2 minutes and does not affect your credit score.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply if my company credit history isn’t perfect?
Possibly. Many lenders focus more on the quality of your debtors than on the business credit score. We’ll match you to partners who consider a range of credit profiles.
Will invoice finance affect my customer relationships?
Not necessarily. With discounting, your customers may not know you use finance. With factoring, the provider often handles collections — some businesses prefer this, others prefer to retain contact.
How quickly can funds be released?
Once a facility is live, approved invoices are often funded within 24 hours. New facilities typically take days to a few weeks to set up depending on checks and complexity.
Do I have to finance my entire ledger?
No. Selective or spot financing allows you to fund individual invoices or selected debtors rather than the whole ledger.
Will completing the enquiry impact my credit score?
No. Submitting our enquiry is a matching step and does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform checks later if you proceed.
Helpful resources & next steps
Ready to explore options and receive tailored quotes? Get a free eligibility check and we’ll introduce you to lenders and brokers best suited to your business and debtor book.
Compliance & disclaimer
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with finance brokers and lenders. We do not lend money or give regulated financial advice. Any offers, approvals, pricing and contract terms are made by the lender or broker. Completing our enquiry is free, confidential and non-binding. We aim to be fair, clear and not misleading in all communications.
Minimum typical facility sizes start from around £10,000. No guarantees of outcome or approval are made.
– What is invoice finance and how does it work?
Invoice finance lets UK businesses unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices by advancing 70–95% of the value now and paying the balance (less fees) when customers settle.
– What’s the difference between invoice factoring and invoice discounting?
Invoice factoring includes the provider managing collections and notifying customers, while invoice discounting is typically confidential and you retain credit control.
– How fast can I receive funds from my invoices?
Once your facility is live, approved invoices are often funded the same or next working day, with setup usually taking a few days to two weeks.
– How much can I access and what’s the minimum facility size?
Advance rates typically range from 70% to 95%, with facilities commonly starting around £10,000 and scaling to several million depending on debtor quality and sector.
– Will invoice finance impact my customer relationships?
Invoice discounting is usually confidential so customers may not know you’re using finance, whereas factoring notifies them because the provider handles credit control.
– Do I have to finance my entire sales ledger?
No, selective or spot invoice finance lets you fund individual invoices or chosen debtors rather than your whole ledger.
– What does invoice finance cost in the UK?
Costs usually comprise a service fee plus a discount charge (interest-style), with possible setup and minimum fees that vary by lender, sector, and debtor strength.
– Am I eligible if my business or directors have imperfect credit?
Many lenders focus more on the strength, spread, and payment history of your debtors than your company credit score, so imperfect credit can still be acceptable.
– Will submitting your enquiry affect my credit score or count as an application?
No, our quick enquiry is a Free Eligibility Check (not a loan application) and won’t affect your credit score, though lenders may run checks if you proceed.
– Is Fast Business Loans a lender and what does your service cost?
Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches you with trusted UK lenders and brokers, and our service is free and without obligation.