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Get my 3 quotes →Market Invoice compares the UK providers that fit this need, and you can get 3 free quotes through eCapital, our introduction partner. UK wholesale and distribution businesses run 60-120 day stock-to-invoice-to-payment cycles with significant working-capital tied up in inventory and receivables. Ultimate Finance's published advance of up to 95% (against a common 90% maximum elsewhere) means 5 more pence of every invoiced pound available up front: on £500k of outstanding invoices, £25,000 more cash than at 90%.
What this page covers
This page covers
Ultimate Finance wholesale invoice finance, 95% advance rate, stock-cycle awareness, trade credit insurer integration, typical pricing for wholesale
Not covered here
Provider review across all sectors (see /providers/ultimate-finance/), wholesale finance via other providers, stock finance specifically (separate product)
Wholesale Working Capital Math
Wholesale and distribution economics are defined by stock-funding cycles. The wholesaler buys stock from suppliers (typically 30-60 day credit), holds it for 30-60 days, sells on credit (typically 30-90 day terms), and waits for customer payment. End-to-end: 90 to 210 days of working capital tied up between supplier purchase and customer receipt.
Invoice finance against customer receivables is the cleanest UK SMB-tier solution. Every percentage point of advance rate translates directly to weeks of working-capital relief. At 90% advance on £500k of outstanding invoices, the funding available is £450k. At 95%, it's £475k: £25,000, or about 5.6%, more to spend on stock.
Typical Ultimate Finance Wholesale Facility
| Element | Ultimate Finance Wholesale Pricing |
|---|---|
| Service charge | Not published (quoted per facility) |
| Discount charge | Not published (margin over base rate) |
| Advance rate (strong files) | Up to 95% (published maximum) |
| Funding lines | Up to £10 million |
| Setup time | Within one week |
| Min turnover | Not published |
When Ultimate Finance Wins for Wholesale
- Working-capital pressure is operationally meaningful, 5% advance gap matters
- Trade credit insurance already in place (ask how the insurer's limits are used)
- High-stock-turn wholesale (FMCG, food, fast-moving consumer goods)
- Speed of setup matters (within one week, faster than the clearing banks)
- Established wholesalers needing funding lines up to £10 million
When to Look Elsewhere
- Larger wholesale groups (£20m+ turnover), Close Brothers or HSBC for bank-tier relationship
- Slow-stock-turn wholesale over £5m turnover, IGF can lend against stock as well as debtors
- Wholesale with heavy retention or set-off, construction-finance specialists fit better
- Cross-border wholesale (UK to EU/global), Accelerated Payments
- Trade credit insurance cancelled, see FundBiz routing
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Ultimate Finance Wholesale FAQ
Why Ultimate Finance for wholesale?
Ultimate Finance publishes advances of up to 95% of invoice value, among the highest published whole-ledger rates in the UK (HSBC also publishes 95%). For wholesale and distribution businesses with long stock-to-payment cycles, 5 extra points of advance over the common 90% maximum materially eases working-capital pressure.
What wholesale sub-sectors does Ultimate Finance cover?
Builders' merchants, food and drink wholesale, electrical wholesale, plumbing and heating wholesale, automotive parts distribution, industrial supplies, IT distribution, FMCG distribution, and specialist wholesale (chemicals, lab supplies, medical). The underwriting question is the customer mix (B2B retailers vs end-user accounts), the stock-funding model, and the credit-insurance position rather than the specific sub-sector.
How does Ultimate Finance handle stock concentration?
Wholesale businesses often carry significant inventory tied to specific customer categories or seasonal patterns. Ultimate Finance underwriters review stock turn (days), gross margin, and customer mix when sizing the facility. Stronger, faster-turning ledgers get advances nearer the published 95% maximum; slower-turn or concentrated businesses should expect lower advance rates. Ask whether stock finance is available alongside.
What about trade credit insurance for wholesale?
Most established UK wholesale businesses run trade credit insurance (Atradius, Coface, Allianz Trade) covering their customer receivables against default. Where you already hold credit insurance, ask any provider (Ultimate Finance included) how the insurer's credit limits will be used in sizing the facility, and whether bad debt protection can be added through the facility if you do not have cover.
What's Ultimate Finance's typical pricing for wholesale?
Ultimate Finance does not publish its fees or a minimum turnover: the service charge and discount charge (a margin over Bank of England base rate) are quoted per facility. It publishes advances of up to 95%, funding lines up to £10 million and facility setup within one week.
How does Ultimate Finance compare to Bibby on wholesale?
Ultimate Finance publishes a higher maximum advance (up to 95% vs Bibby's 85%). Both quote setup in about a week. Bibby is the larger business and offers stock and asset finance alongside invoice finance. Neither publishes its fees, so compare quotes. For working-capital-pressure files where the 5% advance gap matters operationally, Ultimate Finance often wins; for larger established wholesale groups wanting broader relationship banking, Bibby competes hard.