Allianz Trade vs Close Brothers Invoice Finance: UK Invoice Finance Comparison 2026
These are different products rather than like-for-like invoice finance rivals: Allianz Trade is trade credit insurance and bad debt protection, while Close Brothers Invoice Finance is invoice finance. UK businesses still weigh them side by side, so the real question is which job you need doing, not which is the better invoice finance line. Allianz Trade is trade credit insurance and bad debt protection, typically set up in 1 to 3 weeks (policy underwriting); Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% with setup typically in 5 working days. Allianz Trade has no turnover minimum as such; eligibility is set by policy underwriting, Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover. Read the side-by-side below, then jump to the "when X wins" sections.
Side-by-side
Full reviews: Allianz Trade · Close Brothers Invoice Finance
| Allianz Trade | Close Brothers Invoice Finance | |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Trade credit insurance and bad debt protection | Invoice finance (CID, factoring, ABL) |
| Min turnover | Set by policy underwriting | £500k |
| Advance rate | N/A (insurance, not advance against ledger) | Up to 90% |
| Typical fee | Premium as a percentage of insured turnover | From 0.5% service charge |
| Confidential available? | N/A | Yes |
| Factoring available? | N/A | Yes |
| Setup speed | 1 to 3 weeks (policy underwriting) | 5 working days |
| Last reviewed | 2026-06-24 | 2026-05-12 |
When Allianz Trade wins
- One of the world's largest trade credit insurers, with deep debtor risk data.
- Protects against customer insolvency and protracted default.
- Can be added alongside an existing invoice finance facility.
- Strengthens funding terms when a ledger is insured.
Best for
Protecting against customer non-payment, Insuring an existing IF ledger, Exporters managing debtor risk.
Watch outs
- Not invoice finance: it insures debt, it does not advance cash.
- Provides no working capital on its own.
- Premiums and underwriting add cost and lead time.
When Close Brothers Invoice Finance wins
- 0.5% headline service charge, among the lowest published by mainstream UK providers.
- Merchant banking heritage; FCA regulated under Close Brothers Group plc.
- Strong on confidential invoice discounting (no customer notification).
- Published criteria, low headline-to-offered rate gap.
Best for
£500k+ turnover Ltd companies, Confidential discounting use cases, Cost-sensitive established trading businesses.
Watch outs
- £500k+ minimum turnover excludes earlier-stage businesses.
- Setup 5 days, fine but no faster than mid-tier competitors.
- Less aggressive on construction-stage payments than the sector specialists.
FAQ
Allianz Trade or Close Brothers Invoice Finance: which fits your business in 2026?
They do different jobs: Allianz Trade is trade credit insurance and bad debt protection, Close Brothers Invoice Finance is invoice finance, so pick by the job you need doing. Allianz Trade is the stronger fit for protecting against customer non-payment; Close Brothers Invoice Finance fits £500k+ turnover Ltd companies better. The "when X wins" sections above break this down by profile, and the commercials are covered in the next question.
What are the headline commercials, Allianz Trade vs Close Brothers Invoice Finance?
Allianz Trade (trade credit insurance and bad debt protection) prices at premium as a percentage of insured turnover. Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% at from 0.5% service charge. Allianz Trade has no turnover minimum as such; eligibility is set by policy underwriting, Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover. Setup runs 1 to 3 weeks (policy underwriting) for Allianz Trade and 5 working days for Close Brothers Invoice Finance.
Can I get a confidential facility with either Allianz Trade or Close Brothers Invoice Finance?
Allianz Trade is trade credit insurance and bad debt protection, not an invoice finance facility, so confidential invoice discounting does not apply. Close Brothers Invoice Finance offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified).
Where does each one struggle?
Allianz Trade is the wrong fit for businesses that need cash now. Close Brothers Invoice Finance is the wrong fit for sub-£500k turnover. If either describes your business, browse the side-by-side or get matched against the wider UK panel via our quote form.
Can Market Invoice help me choose between Allianz Trade and Close Brothers Invoice Finance?
Yes. marketinvoice.co.uk is an independent comparison and introducer service operated by Best Business Loans Ltd (company 16833937), and is not tied to either provider. Share your turnover, sector and debtor profile and we will match you against UK invoice finance providers likely to approve, with no obligation to proceed.
Related
- Full Allianz Trade review
- Full Close Brothers Invoice Finance review
- Close Brothers Invoice Finance vs Ultimate Finance
- Aldermore Invoice Finance vs Close Brothers Invoice Finance
- Close Brothers Invoice Finance vs Novuna Business Finance
- All UK invoice finance comparisons
- Browse every reviewed UK invoice finance provider
- UK invoice finance by region
Sources
- Rates, advance percentages and product details checked against Allianz Trade's own site as of 2026-06-24.
- Rates, advance percentages and product details checked against Close Brothers Invoice Finance's own site as of 2026-05-12.
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Get quotes →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director, Best Business Loans Ltd. Last reviewed: 2026-06-24. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).
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Disclosure: marketinvoice.co.uk is an independent invoice finance comparison and introducer service operated by Best Business Loans Ltd (company number 16833937). It is a separate business and is not connected to MarketFinance / Kriya or to any provider named on this page. If you take out a facility after we introduce you to a lender or broker, we may be paid a commission or referral fee by that party; this is never added to your costs. Invoice finance for limited companies is not a regulated activity, so this comparison is general information rather than regulated financial advice. Figures are indicative; larger facilities are commonly priced bespoke, so confirm terms directly with the provider before you sign.