Bibby vs Ultimate Finance

Bibby Financial Services and Ultimate Finance are both UK independents, and neither publishes a service charge. Bibby publishes no minimum turnover; Ultimate Finance asks for at least £600,000. Bibby (formed 1982, and describing itself as one of Europe's largest independent invoice finance providers) advances up to 95% and has a specialist export finance product. Ultimate Finance advances up to 95% and says it can set up a facility within one week.

What this page covers

This page covers:

Bibby vs Ultimate Finance head-to-head comparison including rates, advance, setup speed, export, sectors.

Not covered here:

Bank-backed providers, other independents, detailed sector guides.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Head-to-Head Comparison
FeatureBibbyUltimate Finance
Service charge fromNot publishedNot published
Advance rateUp to 95%Up to 95%
Setup speedNot publishedWithin one week
Export factoringSpecialist export productNot a stated specialism
Back-office supportFull serviceAvailable
Minimum turnoverNot published£600,000 (Ultimate Finance)
TypeIndependent (Bibby Line Group)Independent

Choose Bibby If...

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AP

Adam Parker

Founder & Managing Director, Muswell Rose, founder and PSC of Best Business Loans Ltd

Adam was managing director of Penny, a UK invoice finance business, from July 2020 to November 2023. His career runs through insurance, mortgages, commercial finance and fintech lending. He writes the Market Invoice library. Career record.

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Bibby vs Ultimate Finance FAQ

Which gives a higher advance rate, Bibby or Ultimate Finance?

They are the same on paper. Both say they advance up to 95% of the invoice value (Ultimate Finance and Bibby, read 8 Nov 2026). The advance you are actually offered depends on your debtor book.

Which is better for export businesses?

Bibby offers a specialist export finance product for businesses with overseas customers (Bibby, read 8 Nov 2026). Ultimate Finance lists trade finance among its products. Ask both how they treat overseas customers before choosing.

Can startups use either provider?

Neither publishes a minimum trading history, so each decides case by case. Ask both before you apply.

Bibby or Ultimate Finance: which is faster to set up?

Ultimate Finance says a facility is set up within one week, and funds are then paid within 24 hours of it receiving invoices (Ultimate Finance, read 8 Nov 2026). Bibby does not publish a setup time. It says funds usually arrive within 24 hours once the facility is set up (Bibby, read 8 Nov 2026), so the unknown is the setup. If you need cash inside a week, ask Bibby for a timetable before you choose.

Bibby or Ultimate Finance: which is cheaper?

Neither publishes a service charge, so both quote per facility. Bibby publishes no minimum turnover; Ultimate Finance asks for at least £600,000. The price you are offered depends on turnover, debtor quality, sector and whether the facility is confidential. The only reliable way to compare them is side-by-side quotes for the same ledger.

Which provider is better for construction?

Both offer a construction finance product. Bibby says it has provided specialist finance for construction for over twenty years (Bibby, read 8 Nov 2026). Ultimate Finance lists Construction Finance among its working capital products (Ultimate Finance, read 8 Nov 2026). Ask each how it handles stage payments, retentions and pay-when-paid terms in your contracts.

Which provider is better for smaller businesses?

Bibby publishes no minimum turnover and looks at smaller businesses case by case. Ultimate Finance says annual turnover should be at least £600,000. If you only want to fund some invoices rather than your whole sales ledger, also compare selective invoice finance providers.