Close Brothers Invoice Finance vs Ultimate 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; Ultimate Finance advances up to 90% with setup in 3 working days. Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover, Ultimate Finance needs £100k minimum turnover. Read the side-by-side below, then jump to the "when X wins" sections.

Side-by-side

As of 2026-05-12. Headline rates and advance percentages reflect each provider's published or commonly-offered position; bespoke pricing applies above ~£1m ledger so verify before signing.
Close Brothers Invoice Finance Ultimate Finance
Product type Invoice finance (CID, factoring, ABL)Invoice finance (factoring, CID), bridging, asset finance
Min turnover £500k£100k
Advance rate Up to 90%Up to 90%
Typical fee From 0.5% service charge1.5% to 3.5% service charge
Contract / commitment Whole-ledger or selectiveWhole-ledger or selective
Confidential available? YesYes
Factoring available? YesYes
Setup speed 5 working days3 working days
Best for £500k+ turnover Ltd companies; Confidential discounting use cases; Cost-sensitive established trading businessesSME urgent setup; Multi-product facility seekers; Hybrid IF + bridging needs
Last reviewed 2026-05-122026-05-12

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 Ultimate Finance wins

  • Setup in 3 working days, market-leading for full credit underwriting.
  • SME-friendly: £100k turnover floor.
  • Multi-product (IF + bridging + asset) under one decision team.
  • Flexible on industry, including some construction and recruitment.

Best for

SME urgent setup, Multi-product facility seekers, Hybrid IF + bridging needs.

Watch outs

  • Service charge rate higher than Close Brothers or Aldermore.
  • Smaller deal-team than the largest independents.
  • Less competitive on £5m+ facilities than mid-market specialists.

FAQ

Close Brothers Invoice Finance or Ultimate 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); Ultimate Finance fits SME urgent setup better (£100k minimum turnover, setup 3 working days). The "when X wins" sections above break this down by profile.

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

Close Brothers Invoice Finance advances up to 90% at from 0.5% service charge. Ultimate Finance advances up to 90% at 1.5% to 3.5% service charge. Close Brothers Invoice Finance needs £500k minimum turnover, Ultimate Finance needs £100k minimum turnover. Setup runs 5 working days for Close Brothers Invoice Finance and 3 working days for Ultimate 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 Ultimate Finance?

Close Brothers Invoice Finance offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified). Ultimate 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. Ultimate Finance is the wrong fit for lowest-cost facility seekers. 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 Ultimate 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. Last reviewed: 2026-05-12. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).

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