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 advances n/a (insurance, not advance against ledger) with setup typically in policy underwriting, typically 1 to 3 weeks; Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% with setup in 5 working days. Allianz Trade sets minimum turnover per funder, 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

As of 2026-06-24. Headline rates and advance percentages reflect each provider's published or commonly-offered position; bespoke pricing applies above ~£1m ledger so verify before signing.
Allianz Trade Close Brothers Invoice Finance
Product type Trade credit insurance and bad debt protectionInvoice finance (CID, factoring, ABL)
Min turnover Varies by policy£500k
Advance rate N/A (insurance, not advance against ledger)Up to 90%
Typical fee Premium as a percentage of insured turnoverFrom 0.5% service charge
Contract / commitment Not a direct invoice finance facilityWhole-ledger or selective
Confidential available? N/AYes
Factoring available? N/AYes
Setup speed Policy underwriting, typically 1 to 3 weeks5 working days
Best for Protecting against customer non-payment; Insuring an existing IF ledger; Exporters managing debtor risk£500k+ turnover Ltd companies; Confidential discounting use cases; Cost-sensitive established trading businesses
Last reviewed 2026-06-242026-05-12

When Allianz Trade wins

  • Global leader in trade credit insurance and 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, market-leading.
  • 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 is the better fit for UK invoice finance in 2026?

Allianz Trade is the stronger fit for protecting against customer non-payment (minimum turnover set per funder, setup policy underwriting, typically 1 to 3 weeks); Close Brothers Invoice Finance fits £500k+ turnover Ltd companies better (£500k minimum turnover, setup 5 working days). The "when X wins" sections above break this down by profile.

What are the headline commercials, Allianz Trade vs Close Brothers Invoice Finance?

Allianz Trade advances n/a (insurance, not advance against ledger) at premium as a percentage of insured turnover. Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% at from 0.5% service charge. Allianz Trade sets minimum turnover per funder, Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover. Setup runs policy underwriting, typically 1 to 3 weeks for Allianz Trade and 5 working days for Close Brothers Invoice Finance. Bespoke pricing is common above £1m ledger so verify before signing.

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.

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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 and commonly negotiated above ~£1m ledger, so confirm terms directly with the provider before you sign.

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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