Flex ABL Invoice Finance
Flex ABL is an independent provider specialising in asset-based lending, with invoice finance facilities starting from around £250,000. Their ABL focus means they can lend against a combination of receivables, stock, plant, and property, unlocking more funding than invoice-only providers for asset-rich businesses.
Flex ABL is an independent asset-based lending specialist with invoice finance facilities from around £250,000. It lends against receivables (up to 85%), stock (up to 50%) and plant (up to 60%) combined.
More detail + scope
Summary
Flex ABL is an independent provider specialising in asset-based lending, with invoice finance facilities from around £250,000. Its ABL focus lets it lend against receivables (up to 85%), eligible stock (up to 50%) and plant (up to 60%) combined, unlocking more funding than invoice-only providers for asset-rich businesses. Discount charges run at base rate plus 3.5%.
This page covers
Flex ABL asset-based lending structure, advance rates against receivables, stock and plant, and minimum facility
Not covered here
Pure invoice-only finance (see /providers/), general invoice finance education (see /guides/), sector pages (see /industries/)
Key Facts
When Flex ABL Invoice Finance Fits
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Manufacturing or distribution businesses with £2m+ turnover and significant stock, plant or property
Flex ABL's asset-based lending structure means they can lend against multiple asset classes simultaneously, typically releasing 60-80% more working capital than pure invoice finance providers who only look at debtor books.
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MBO/MBI situations requiring £500k+ facilities backed by tangible assets
Their ABL specialism allows them to structure lending around a wider collateral base than traditional invoice finance, making them suitable for leveraged buyouts where the target has strong fixed assets but limited debtor history.
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Companies in turnaround or restructuring with £250k-£5m facility needs
As an independent with ABL expertise, Flex ABL can often work with businesses whose covenant performance or recent trading difficulties would exclude them from high-street bank invoice finance, provided asset security is adequate.
When to Look Elsewhere
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Service businesses under £1m turnover needing fast access to £50k-£150k against invoices only
Better fit: Sonovate. Flex ABL's £250k minimum and ABL due diligence timescales suit larger, asset-heavy businesses, not light-asset contractors or consultancies needing speed.
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Professional services or recruitment firms with clean debtor books wanting confidential facilities under £200k
Better fit: Kriya. Invoice discounting from Kriya offers online decisioning and no stock/asset audits, whereas Flex ABL's ABL approach involves field examinations and is typically disclosed.
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High-volume, low-value B2C invoicing (e.g. trade counters, retail) under £500k turnover
Better fit: Ultimate Finance. Ultimate Finance specialises in construction and trade sectors with flexible payment term tolerance, while Flex ABL focuses on larger facilities against commercial B2B assets.
How Flex ABL Invoice Finance Compares
| Provider | Type | Min facility | Fee from | Advance to | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Brothers Invoice Finance | both | £100k | 0.3% | 90% | 10 days |
| Bibby Financial Services | both | £50k | 0.35% | 90% | 7 days |
| Secure Trust Bank | both | £250k | 0.4% | 85% | 14 days |
vs Close Brothers Invoice Finance: Close Brothers offers standalone invoice finance from lower minimums; Flex ABL's ABL structure typically includes stock and fixed assets, making it a fuller working capital solution for asset-rich businesses.
vs Bibby Financial Services: Bibby operates at scale across SME and mid-market with faster onboarding for pure invoice deals; Flex ABL is an independent specialist focusing on complex ABL structures where collateral extends beyond receivables.
vs Secure Trust Bank: Secure Trust Bank offers both invoice finance and standalone asset finance; Flex ABL integrates multiple asset classes into a single revolving facility, often releasing higher total funding percentages for manufacturers and distributors.
Worked Example
A West Midlands metal fabrication company with £3.2m turnover, £400k debtor book, £250k finished stock, and £180k in owned plant/machinery
Setting Up With Flex ABL Invoice Finance
- 1
Initial enquiry and asset review
Flex ABL assesses your debtor book, stock levels, plant register and property if applicable. They'll request recent management accounts, aged debtor reports, stock reports and asset lists to scope the facility structure and advance rates.
- 2
Field examination and valuation
An ABL examiner visits your premises to verify stock (often with independent valuation for higher-value inventory), inspect plant/machinery, and review debtor verification processes. This due diligence typically takes 2-3 weeks for facilities above £500k.
- 3
Legal documentation and fund release
Solicitors draft a debenture covering all charged assets (receivables, stock, fixed assets). Once security is registered at Companies House and bank accounts are redirected (if factoring), the facility goes live and initial advances release within 48 hours.
FAQs
Can Flex ABL fund against work-in-progress as well as finished stock?
Flex ABL can include work-in-progress in the borrowing base for manufacturers, typically advancing 30-50% against eligible WIP depending on stage of completion, contractual certainty, and how quickly it converts to finished goods or invoiced sales. This is a key advantage over invoice-only lenders who cannot lend against pre-invoiced production.
What happens if my debtor book shrinks but stock levels rise seasonally?
ABL facilities flex with your total eligible asset base, not just invoices. If debtors fall but stock increases (common in manufacturing build-up phases), Flex ABL recalculates availability across all collateral, meaning you maintain liquidity through seasonal swings that would constrain a pure invoice finance line.
Does Flex ABL require personal guarantees from directors?
Personal guarantees are standard for ABL facilities, particularly where the company has limited tangible net worth or recent trading losses. The guarantee amount is often capped at 25-50% of the facility for established profitable businesses, but may be unlimited for turnarounds or new management buyouts until trading stabilises.
How often does Flex ABL revalue stock and plant for borrowing base purposes?
Debtor eligibility is reviewed monthly via aged debtor reports. Stock is typically re-examined quarterly with full physical counts, and plant/machinery revalued annually unless there are significant disposals or capital additions. Field examiners may increase visit frequency if availability utilisation exceeds 90% or if dilution trends worsen.
Our Verdict
Flex ABL is a strong choice for businesses that have significant assets beyond just receivables. If you need to borrow against stock, machinery, or property in addition to invoices, their ABL specialism means they can structure a larger facility than a pure invoice finance provider. The £250k minimum targets mid-sized businesses with meaningful asset bases.
Director, Market Invoice
Oliver leads Market Invoice's editorial and comparison research. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees provider analysis, rate verification, and industry reporting across all verticals.
Last reviewed: 8 April 2026