Ultimate Finance Review
Market Invoice is an independent UK invoice finance comparison site that ranks Ultimate Finance against 85 active UK lenders.
Ultimate Finance offers invoice factoring and discounting from 0.8% service charge with advance rates up to 95%, the highest of any UK provider. With setup in as little as 3 working days and a minimum turnover of £50,000, they are the most accessible and fastest-moving mainstream provider available, with appetite for startups, turnaround situations, and businesses declined by banks. Owned by Tavistock Group since 2013 and headquartered in Bristol.
Last updated: 5 May 2026.
Ultimate Finance is a UK independent specialist invoice finance provider, owned by Tavistock Group. They offer the UK's highest advance rate (95% of invoice value) and the fastest setup time (3 working days), starting at 0.8% service charge from £50,000 turnover.
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Summary
Ultimate Finance is the speed and accessibility leader in UK invoice finance. 95% advance rate is unmatched (most providers cap at 85-90%). 3-day setup is the fastest in the market. £50k minimum turnover plus appetite for startups, turnaround, and bank-declined cases. Slightly more expensive than Close Brothers (0.8% vs 0.5%) but trades cost for speed and flexibility. 4.5/5 rating from Market Invoice. Tavistock Group-owned since 2013.
This page covers
Ultimate Finance products, rates, eligibility, ownership, FCA status, and how Ultimate compares to alternatives like Close Brothers, Bibby, Skipton, Aldermore and Hydr
Not covered here
General invoice finance education (see /guides/), individual sector pages (see /industries/), full provider directory (see /providers/)
Key Facts
Ultimate Finance vs Alternatives
| Provider | Fee from | Advance rate | Setup | Startup-friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Finance | 0.8% | 95% (UK leader) | 3 days (UK fastest) | Yes |
| Close Brothers | 0.5% | 90% | 5 days | Limited |
| Bibby | 0.75% | 90% | 5 days | Yes |
| Skipton | 0.5% | 90% | 7 days | No (£100k+) |
| Hydr | 0.5% | 85% | Same-day (selective) | Yes |
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Highest advance rate in UK market (95%)
- Fastest setup of any mainstream provider (3 working days)
- Low minimum turnover (£50k)
- Accepts startups and businesses declined by banks
- Flexible contracts
- Tavistock Group capital backing since 2013
- Strong digital onboarding
Limitations
- Higher starting rate than Close Brothers or Skipton (0.8% vs 0.5%)
- Smaller provider, less well-known brand than banks
- Limited international/export capability
- No specialist construction or recruitment-only team
- Personal guarantee usual on most facilities
Who Is Ultimate Finance Best For?
Ultimate Finance is the right choice for UK businesses prioritising any of three things: maximum cash extraction (95% advance rate vs 85-90% from competitors), fastest possible setup (3 days vs 5-15 from alternatives), or willingness to take on harder credit cases. They are the strongest mainstream choice for startups, post-CCJ recovery, turnaround situations, businesses with concentration in a single large customer, or those declined by clearing banks.
If you prioritise the lowest cost over speed and flexibility, Close Brothers or Skipton at 0.5% are cheaper. For per-invoice spot factoring rather than whole-turnover, Hydr or Triver. For sector specialism (recruitment, construction, transport), Bibby. For international export, HSBC or Bibby.
Our Verdict
Ultimate Finance stands out for speed, advance rate, and accessibility. The 95% advance rate is genuinely market-leading and worth real money to working-capital-constrained businesses (a £100k invoice releases £95k versus £85-90k elsewhere). The 3-day setup is unmatched. Pricing is slightly above bank-owned providers but the trade-off, speed, flexibility, willingness to take on harder cases, is right for many situations. Ultimate is our top recommendation for startups, turnaround, and any business where time-to-cash matters more than absolute lowest price.
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: 5 May 2026