Novuna Business Finance vs Skipton Business Finance: UK Invoice Finance Comparison 2026

Novuna Business Finance and Skipton Business Finance both score 4.2 of 5 in our 2026 UK review. Both are UK independent invoice finance providers, freer than banks on covenants and faster on decisioning. The difference is sector specialism, headline rate and minimum turnover floor. Novuna Business Finance advances up to 90% with setup typically in 7 working days; Skipton Business Finance advances up to 90% with setup in 5 working days. Minimum turnover sits at £500k for Novuna Business Finance and £100k for Skipton Business Finance. The right answer depends on your sector, ledger size and how soon you need the line live. 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.
Novuna Business Finance Skipton Business Finance
Cluster independentindependent
Product type Invoice finance, asset finance, vehicle financeInvoice finance (CID, factoring, ABL)
Min turnover £500k£100k
Advance rate Up to 90%Up to 90%
Typical fee 1% to 2.5% service charge0.5% to 2.5% service charge
Contract / commitment Whole-ledger or selectiveWhole-ledger or selective
Confidential available? YesYes
Factoring available? YesYes
Setup speed 7 working days5 working days
Best for £500k-£10m turnover Ltd companies; Cross-product (IF + asset) facility seekers; Stable mid-market fundersSME manufacturing and wholesale; Cost-sensitive Yorkshire/Northern businesses; Mutual-style funder preference
Overall rating 4.2 / 54.2 / 5
Last reviewed 2026-05-122026-05-12

When Novuna Business Finance wins

  • Mitsubishi-backed balance sheet stability.
  • Multi-product cross-sell (IF + asset + vehicle).
  • Mid-market panel relationships strong.
  • Established 1981, deep UK presence.

Best for

£500k-£10m turnover Ltd companies, Cross-product (IF + asset) facility seekers, Stable mid-market funders.

Watch outs

  • Pricing not aggressively published.
  • Slower decisioning than fintech.
  • Less competitive on £100k-£500k turnover SME.

When Skipton Business Finance wins

  • 0.5% headline service charge, market-competitive.
  • Backed by Skipton Building Society, mutual-style.
  • Strong regional UK manufacturing and wholesale presence.
  • SME-friendly: £100k turnover floor.

Best for

SME manufacturing and wholesale, Cost-sensitive Yorkshire/Northern businesses, Mutual-style funder preference.

Watch outs

  • Smaller team than Bibby or Close Brothers.
  • Less aggressive on recruitment sector than specialists.
  • Less digital-led than fintech alternatives.

FAQ

Novuna Business Finance or Skipton Business Finance: which is the better UK invoice finance provider in 2026?

Novuna Business Finance scores higher overall in our 2026 review at 4.2 of 5 versus 4.2 for Skipton Business Finance. That headline does not settle the answer though. Novuna Business Finance is the stronger pick for £500k-£10m turnover ltd companies; Skipton Business Finance is the stronger pick for sme manufacturing and wholesale. If your business fits one of those use cases, ignore the rating and pick the right fit.

What are the headline commercials, Novuna Business Finance vs Skipton Business Finance?

Novuna Business Finance advances up to 90% at 1% to 2.5% service charge. Skipton Business Finance advances up to 90% at 0.5% to 2.5% service charge. Minimum turnover is £500k for Novuna Business Finance and £100k for Skipton Business Finance. Setup runs 7 working days for Novuna Business Finance and 5 working days for Skipton Business Finance. Bespoke pricing is common above £1m ledger so verify before signing.

Can I get a confidential facility with either Novuna Business Finance or Skipton Business Finance?

Novuna Business Finance offers confidential invoice discounting (your customers are not notified). Skipton Business Finance offers confidential invoice discounting. If your customer relationships make disclosure a non-starter, that determines the answer regardless of headline rate.

Where does each one struggle?

Novuna Business Finance is the wrong fit for lowest-cost seekers. Skipton Business Finance is the wrong fit for recruitment specialists. 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 Novuna Business Finance and Skipton Business Finance?

Yes. We are an independent UK invoice finance comparison operated by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937). We are not tied to either provider. Tell us monthly turnover, sector, debtor profile and whether you need the facility confidential. We match you against the UK invoice finance providers most likely to approve at a competitive rate, then stay your editorial reference for life.

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Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-12. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).