Invoice finance awards and trade associations in the UK
The main trade body for UK invoice finance providers is UK Finance, which took in the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) in 2017 (Leasing Life). The 2026 Business Moneyfacts awards, announced on 16 April 2026, named Bibby Financial Services best factoring and invoice discounting provider and Close Brothers Invoice Finance best asset based lender.
This page is a neutral explainer. It does not say that MarketInvoice holds, has applied for or has won any award or membership listed here.
Trade bodies and public bodies
| Body | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UK Finance | A membership body for the banking and finance industry. It describes itself as representing 300 firms, with a commercial finance section that covers invoice finance and asset-based lending. | UK Finance, about us |
| Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) | The former trade association for factoring, invoice discounting and asset-based lending providers. It joined UK Finance in 2017 as one of six trade associations merged into it, and kept a product board inside UK Finance. Its own website address no longer shows association content, so we do not link to it. | Leasing Life, 25 September 2017 |
| Small Business Commissioner | Not a trade body. An independent public body set up under the Enterprise Act 2016 to deal with late payment and unfair payment practices. It helps self-employed people, micro businesses and SMEs with unresolved payment disputes against larger customers. | Small Business Commissioner |
Business Moneyfacts Awards 2026: invoice finance and asset-based lending
Announced on 16 April 2026 at Evolution London. Categories relevant to invoice finance and related lending are listed as published by Moneyfacts.
| Category | Winner | Highly commended | Commended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best factoring and invoice discounting provider | Bibby Financial Services | Novuna Business Cash Flow | Metro Bank |
| Best service from an invoice finance provider | Close Brothers Invoice Finance | Bibby Financial Services | Sallyport Commercial Finance |
| Best asset based lender | Close Brothers Invoice Finance | Shawbrook Bank | Paragon Bank |
| Best service from an asset based finance provider | Novuna Business Finance | Investec Asset Finance | Simply Asset Finance |
| Invoice finance broker of the year | Compare Factoring | Hilton-Baird Financial Solutions | Open InVoice Finance Limited |
How much weight to give an award or membership
- An award reflects the judging method of the organiser and one year's entries. It is not a measure of how a provider will price or serve your business.
- Membership of a trade body usually means the firm has signed up to that body's code of conduct. Check what the code requires on the body's own site.
- Compare providers on the terms that affect you: advance rate, fees, contract length and notice. Our provider directory and costs guide cover those.
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