IGF (Independent Growth Finance) vs Time 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. IGF (Independent Growth Finance) advances up to 90% receivables + stock + plant with setup typically in 10 working days; Time Finance advances up to 90% with setup in 7 working days. IGF (Independent Growth Finance) needs £500k minimum turnover, Time Finance needs £250k minimum turnover. Read the side-by-side below, then jump to the "when X wins" sections.
Side-by-side
| IGF (Independent Growth Finance) | Time Finance | |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Invoice finance (ABL, CID), asset-based lending | Invoice finance, asset finance, vehicle finance |
| Min turnover | £500k | £250k |
| Advance rate | Up to 90% receivables + stock + plant | Up to 90% |
| Typical fee | Bespoke pricing | 1.5% to 3% service charge |
| Contract / commitment | Whole-ledger or selective | Whole-ledger or selective |
| Confidential available? | Yes | Yes |
| Factoring available? | Yes | Yes |
| Setup speed | 10 working days | 7 working days |
| Best for | Mid-market £5m-£50m turnover; Complex ABL needs (receivables + stock); Turnaround and restructure cases | SME service businesses; Multi-product facility seekers; £250k-£5m turnover |
| Last reviewed | 2026-06-24 | 2026-05-12 |
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.
When Time Finance wins
- AIM-listed independent, financial transparency.
- Multi-product cross-sell capability.
- SME-friendly underwriting culture.
- £150m annual funding scale.
Best for
SME service businesses, Multi-product facility seekers, £250k-£5m turnover.
Watch outs
- Not the lowest-cost mainstream choice.
- Less brand presence than the largest mainstream providers.
- Smaller team than mid-market banks.
FAQ
IGF (Independent Growth Finance) or Time Finance: which is the better fit for UK invoice finance in 2026?
IGF (Independent Growth Finance) is the stronger fit for mid-market £5m-£50m turnover (£500k minimum turnover, setup 10 working days); Time Finance fits SME service businesses better (£250k minimum turnover, setup 7 working days). The "when X wins" sections above break this down by profile.
What are the headline commercials, IGF (Independent Growth Finance) vs Time Finance?
IGF (Independent Growth Finance) advances up to 90% receivables + stock + plant at bespoke pricing. Time Finance advances up to 90% at 1.5% to 3% service charge. IGF (Independent Growth Finance) needs £500k minimum turnover, Time Finance needs £250k minimum turnover. Setup runs 10 working days for IGF (Independent Growth Finance) and 7 working days for Time Finance. Bespoke pricing is common above £1m ledger so verify before signing.
Can I get a confidential facility with either IGF (Independent Growth Finance) or Time Finance?
IGF (Independent Growth Finance) offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified). Time Finance offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified).
Where does each one struggle?
IGF (Independent Growth Finance) is the wrong fit for sub-£500k turnover. Time Finance is the wrong fit for sub-£250k 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 IGF (Independent Growth Finance) and Time 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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- Full Time Finance review
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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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