UK Finance represents the Invoice Finance and Asset-Based Lending (IF/ABL) sector in the UK. IF/ABL products are types of commercial finance that are used to unlock working capital, enable growth and support client businesses throughout the economic cycle.

At any one time, UK Finance’s IF/ABL members will be providing well over £20 billion to tens of thousands of UK client businesses. This amounts to around £150 billions of finance per annum, and in 2024 the combined annual turnover of businesses supported by invoice finance and asset-based lending products was over £315 billion.

The diverse sector comprises the large UK and international commercial and corporate banks, specialist, mid-tier and challenger banks, as well as a range of non-bank specialist finance providers. Virtually, all significant providers in the UK are members of UK Finance’s IF/ABL Product and Service area. The industry supports real economy businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to corporates.

The most widely known types of invoice finance are factoring and invoice discounting and the core asset is the debtor book, as represented by the business’s invoices (or accounts receivables, hence the alternative term receivables finance). In an asset-based lending facility, the accounts receivable will be a key asset, but lending will also be provided against a wider range of business assets.

Work for members and their clients

In addition to representing the sector through a single voice to advocate, influence and engage on behalf of members and their clients with policy-makers, politicians and stakeholders, UK Finance also supports members and stakeholders through the provision of an extensive programme of specialist Training and Education. This includes both online and face-to-face training, webinars and day courses, as well as formal qualifications. This programme is available to both members and non-members.

UK Finance also provides a range of Data and Insight about the IF/ABL sector, the finance members provide and the businesses they support, along with extensive data about other types of commercial finance.