Sallyport Commercial Finance Review
Sallyport Commercial Finance is a Glasgow-based independent invoice finance provider founded in 2023. Despite being a newer entrant, they have already funded over £22 million. They bring a fresh approach to the Scottish and UK market, built by experienced industry professionals who wanted to offer a more personal and flexible service than the established providers.
Sallyport Commercial Finance is a Glasgow-based independent founded in 2023 that has funded over £22 million, with advance rates around 85% and service charges from 0.6%.
More detail + scope
Summary
Sallyport Commercial Finance is a Glasgow-based independent invoice finance provider founded in 2023. Despite being a newer entrant, it has already funded over £22 million. Advance rates run around 85% with service charges from 0.6% and discount charges at base rate plus 3.5%. Built by experienced industry professionals, it offers a more personal and flexible service to the Scottish and UK market.
This page covers
Sallyport Commercial Finance invoice finance, total funded, advance rate, pricing and Scottish base
Not covered here
General invoice finance education (see /guides/), sector pages (see /industries/), the full provider directory (see /providers/)
Key Facts
When Sallyport Commercial Finance Fits
-
Scottish SMEs (£300k-£3m turnover) seeking local relationship-based invoice finance
Glasgow-based team with deep knowledge of Scottish market conditions and business culture. Being independent and newer means faster decisions without legacy bureaucracy.
-
Businesses frustrated with slow responses or rigid processes from larger banks
Sallyport was founded by experienced professionals specifically to address the service gaps in traditional providers. Since 2023, their model prioritises direct access to decision-makers and flexibility.
-
Growing companies needing £50k-£500k facilities who value personal service
Independent status means they can tailor terms without corporate approval chains. Over £22m funded since launch demonstrates appetite for this turnover band.
When to Look Elsewhere
-
Multi-million pound international operations requiring global debtor ledger management
Better fit: HSBC Invoice Finance. HSBC's international network and scale better suited to complex cross-border factoring.
-
High-volume construction subcontractors needing specialist sector expertise
Better fit: Ultimate Finance. Ultimate Finance has dedicated construction and subcontractor facilities with sector-specific credit management teams.
-
Businesses requiring facilities below £30k or very short-term spot factoring
Better fit: Kriya. Kriya's digital platform handles smaller, flexible facilities more efficiently than traditional relationship-based providers.
How Sallyport Commercial Finance Compares
| Provider | Type | Min facility | Fee from | Advance to | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Brothers | both | £100k | 0.5% | 90% | 5-7 days |
| IGF Invoice Finance | both | £50k | 0.4% | 85% | 3-5 days |
| Bibby Financial Services | both | £250k | 0.6% | 90% | 7-10 days |
vs Close Brothers: Close Brothers is a £3bn+ established lender with deeper reserves but less flexibility on non-standard sectors compared to Sallyport's bespoke approach.
vs IGF Invoice Finance: IGF (part of Investec) offers faster digital onboarding, whereas Sallyport emphasises personal relationship management from a dedicated Glasgow team.
vs Bibby Financial Services: Bibby is a 135-year-old international group with broader sector coverage, but Sallyport's independence allows quicker credit decisions for Scottish and Northern England clients.
Worked Example
An Edinburgh engineering consultancy with £1.2m turnover
Setting Up With Sallyport Commercial Finance
- 1
Initial discussion with Glasgow team
Speak directly with Sallyport's decision-makers (no call centres). They'll review your aged debtor ledger and typical invoice cycles. Expect an indicative proposal within 48 hours for straightforward cases.
- 2
Credit assessment and facility design
Sallyport reviews your top 10-15 debtors and trading history. As an independent, they can tailor advance rates and debtor limits without rigid scorecard constraints. Usually takes 3-5 working days.
- 3
Documentation and first drawdown
Standard facility agreement plus debtor notification (for factoring) or confidential terms (for discounting). Once signed, first funds typically release within 24-48 hours. Ongoing portal access for invoice uploads and ledger visibility.
FAQs
How does Sallyport's recent founding affect reliability compared to established providers?
Sallyport was founded in 2023 by experienced invoice finance professionals with decades of combined industry experience. Having already funded over £22 million demonstrates both capability and backing. Being newer means modern systems and faster decision-making without legacy constraints. They operate under standard UK invoice finance legal frameworks, and clients retain the same debtor protections as with any provider. The trade-off is proven longevity versus agility and personal service.
Do they only work with Scottish businesses, or UK-wide?
While Glasgow-based and strong in the Scottish market, Sallyport serves UK-wide clients. Their local presence is an advantage for Scottish businesses seeking face-to-face relationships, but they assess any UK business with suitable debtor quality. Expect particularly responsive service if your customer base includes Scottish debtors they know well.
What's the typical advance rate and how quickly do they release funds?
Advance rates vary by debtor strength and sector, commonly 80-90% on approved invoices. As an independent with short approval chains, they can often make same-day or next-day credit decisions once the facility is established. First-time setup typically takes 5-7 working days from application to first drawdown for straightforward cases.
Can they handle confidential invoice discounting, or only full factoring with client notification?
Sallyport offers both confidential invoice discounting and disclosed factoring. Discounting keeps the arrangement private between you and Sallyport, with you managing collections. Factoring involves debtor notification and Sallyport handling the sales ledger. Choice depends on your customer relationships and internal admin capacity. Both structures are available.
Our Verdict
Sallyport is one to watch. The £22m+ funded in a short time shows genuine traction, and the experienced team behind it brings credibility that newer providers often lack. Particularly relevant for Scottish businesses wanting a local independent with a personal touch. The short track record is the only real consideration.
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