Close Brothers Invoice Finance vs IGF (Independent Growth Finance): UK Invoice Finance Comparison 2026
Both operate in UK independent invoice finance, outside the high street banks. They differ on sector focus, headline pricing and the minimum turnover they will consider. Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% with setup typically in 5 working days; IGF (Independent Growth Finance) advances up to 90% receivables + stock + plant with setup in 10 working days. Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover, IGF (Independent Growth Finance) needs £500k minimum turnover. Read the side-by-side below, then jump to the "when X wins" sections.
Side-by-side
| Close Brothers Invoice Finance | IGF (Independent Growth Finance) | |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Invoice finance (CID, factoring, ABL) | Invoice finance (ABL, CID), asset-based lending |
| Min turnover | £500k | £500k |
| Advance rate | Up to 90% | Up to 90% receivables + stock + plant |
| Typical fee | From 0.5% service charge | Bespoke pricing |
| Contract / commitment | Whole-ledger or selective | Whole-ledger or selective |
| Confidential available? | Yes | Yes |
| Factoring available? | Yes | Yes |
| Setup speed | 5 working days | 10 working days |
| Best for | £500k+ turnover Ltd companies; Confidential discounting use cases; Cost-sensitive established trading businesses | Mid-market £5m-£50m turnover; Complex ABL needs (receivables + stock); Turnaround and restructure cases |
| Last reviewed | 2026-05-12 | 2026-06-24 |
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.
When IGF (Independent Growth Finance) wins
- ABL specialist: receivables + stock + plant under one facility.
- Mid-market deals to £25m, where monoline IF lenders cap out.
- Flexible covenant negotiation.
- Established mid-market ABL reputation.
Best for
Mid-market £5m-£50m turnover, Complex ABL needs (receivables + stock), Turnaround and restructure cases.
Watch outs
- Pricing bespoke, not transparent in marketing.
- Setup 10 days, slower than monoline IF.
- £500k+ minimum excludes smaller SMEs.
FAQ
Close Brothers Invoice Finance or IGF (Independent Growth Finance): which is the better fit for UK invoice finance in 2026?
Close Brothers Invoice Finance is the stronger fit for £500k+ turnover Ltd companies (£500k minimum turnover, setup 5 working days); IGF (Independent Growth Finance) fits mid-market £5m-£50m turnover better (£500k minimum turnover, setup 10 working days). The "when X wins" sections above break this down by profile.
What are the headline commercials, Close Brothers Invoice Finance vs IGF (Independent Growth Finance)?
Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% at from 0.5% service charge. IGF (Independent Growth Finance) advances up to 90% receivables + stock + plant at bespoke pricing. Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover, IGF (Independent Growth Finance) needs £500k minimum turnover. Setup runs 5 working days for Close Brothers Invoice Finance and 10 working days for IGF (Independent Growth Finance). Bespoke pricing is common above £1m ledger so verify before signing.
Can I get a confidential facility with either Close Brothers Invoice Finance or IGF (Independent Growth Finance)?
Close Brothers Invoice Finance offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified). IGF (Independent Growth Finance) offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified).
Where does each one struggle?
Close Brothers Invoice Finance is the wrong fit for sub-£500k turnover. IGF (Independent Growth 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 Close Brothers Invoice Finance and IGF (Independent Growth 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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- Browse every reviewed UK invoice finance provider
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Get quotes →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. Last reviewed: 2026-06-24. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).
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