Top 10 Wholesale Finance Providers in the UK 2026 | Stock, Trade & Invoice Finance
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Compare the top 10 wholesale finance providers in the UK
| Rank | Lender | Best for | Published loan range | Loan rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eCapital | Wholesalers seeking rapid invoice finance against unpaid B2B invoices | Up to £500,000 | interest 7% to 14.5% |
| 2 | Finance for enterprise | Smaller wholesale distributors needing asset-based lending from £1,000 | £1,000 to £2,000,000 | interest 6.5% to 13.5% |
| 3 | Treyd | Wholesale importers funding supplier stock purchases without upfront payment | £15,000 to £1,000,000 | interest 1.4% to 2.5% |
| 4 | WeDo Business Finance | Large wholesale operations requiring substantial facilities up to £25 million | Up to £25,000,000 | interest 3.5% to 9.5% |
| 5 | Time Finance | Mid-market wholesale businesses needing flexible finance up to £5 million | Up to £5,000,000 | interest 5.5% to 13.5% |
| 6 | PennyFreedom | Wholesale distributors needing fast working capital within two hours | Up to £500,000 | interest 7.5% to 15% |
| 7 | HSBC Bank | Established wholesale traders preferring asset-based lending from a major bank | £1,000 to £300,000 | interest 8.6% to 11.3% |
| 8 | Metro Bank | Wholesale businesses seeking invoice finance from a familiar high-street bank | £2,000 to £25,000,000 | interest 9.6% to 9.6% |
| 9 | Tide Bank | Newer wholesale ventures wanting accessible invoice factoring from £500 | £500 to £20,000,000 | interest 5% to 11.5% |
| 10 | Kriya Finance | Established wholesale traders seeking competitive invoice finance rates | Up to £500,000 | interest 5.49% to 10.59% |
Wholesale finance helps UK distributors and trading businesses bridge the gap between paying suppliers for stock and receiving payment from customers. For businesses that buy inventory in bulk to sell on to retailers or other buyers, cash flow pressure is constant. Finding the right wholesale finance provider can mean the difference between seizing a growth opportunity and turning away orders.
The top wholesale finance providers in the UK offer a range of solutions, from invoice finance and asset-based lending to dedicated stock and inventory funding. When comparing lenders, wholesale businesses should weigh funding speed, facility limits, rate structures, and how well each provider understands the wholesale supply chain. Below we compare ten leading options for 2025.
Important: Funding Agent is a commercial finance broker, not a direct lender. We compare providers to help you find the right wholesale finance solution. Some lenders listed are listed partners we can route enquiries to directly; others are included for comparison purposes only.
Funding Agent
Published loan rangeFrom £10,000 to up to £1,000,000
Rate typeInterest or factor rate
Why it is included:It is included because many business owners need to compare several finance routes before choosing where to apply.
Funding Agent can help businesses compare suitable options across a lender panel, especially when eligibility depends on turnover, sector, trading history, credit strength and available documents.
Best use case: When the borrower wants to avoid applying to one lender at a time.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Why it stands out
- Useful when a business wants to compare lender fit rather than guess which lender to apply to first.
- Can help position the application around the funding purpose, trading profile and available documents.
- Works well as a conversion route for readers who are unsure whether a direct lender will approve a larger unsecured facility.
Need to know
- Funding Agent is a broker, not a lender.
- The lender, not Funding Agent, sets the final rate, term, fees and approval decision.
- The best match may be unsecured, secured, revolving credit, invoice finance or another product depending on the case.
Expert take
Funding Agent is a useful honourable mention for business owners who want to compare lender options before submitting a full application. A larger unsecured loan is not always approved by the first lender a business finds, so understanding lender fit early can reduce wasted time and avoid unnecessary declines.
eCapital
Published loan rangeUp to £500,000
Rate typeinterest 7% to 14.5%
Overview: eCapital provides invoice finance that helps wholesale distributors unlock cash tied up in unpaid B2B invoices. Funds can then be used to purchase fresh inventory for upcoming orders.
With funding available in as little as one hour and facilities reaching £500,000, eCapital suits wholesalers who need rapid working capital to restock quickly between trade cycles.
Best next step: Compare eCapital wholesale finance offers
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Unlocks cash from unpaid invoices
- Funding available within one hour
- Facilities up to £500,000
Need to know
- Requires creditworthy business customers
- Costs vary by debtor quality
- Not a direct stock purchase facility
Expert take
eCapital's invoice finance can work well for wholesalers with reliable B2B customers. The speed of funding helps bridge the gap between paying suppliers and collecting from trade buyers.
Source:https://ecapital.com/en-gb/
Finance for enterprise
Published loan range£1,000 to £2,000,000
Rate typeinterest 6.5% to 13.5%
Overview: Finance for enterprise offers asset-based lending that can be structured against both trade receivables and existing stock. This dual-asset approach gives wholesale distributors broader borrowing capacity.
With facilities from £1,000 to £2 million and interest starting at 6.5%, it is suitable for wholesalers managing seasonal inventory builds or funding larger purchase orders from suppliers.
Best next step: Explore asset-based wholesale finance
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Borrows against stock and invoices
- Facilities from £1,000 to £2m
- Fixed interest from 6.5%
Need to know
- May require personal guarantee
- Funding typically takes three days
- Costs can rise with higher utilisation
Expert take
This lender's asset-based structure suits wholesalers sitting on significant stock. Borrowing against both inventory and receivables creates more headroom than invoice finance alone.
Treyd
Published loan range£15,000 to £1,000,000
Rate typeinterest 1.4% to 2.5%
Overview: Treyd specialises in funding supplier payments, making it a direct fit for wholesale distributors who need to pay manufacturers or overseas suppliers before goods arrive and customers pay.
With facilities between £15,000 and £1 million and rates from 1.4%, Treyd can align funding with the wholesale trade cycle, covering supplier invoices while stock is in transit or awaiting sale.
Best next step: Check Treyd stock finance terms
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Pays suppliers directly
- Rates from just 1.4%
- Facilities up to £1 million
Need to know
- Requires strong supplier relationships
- Tied to specific purchase orders
- Not suitable for all stock types
Expert take
Treyd is one of the closest fits for pure wholesale stock finance. It pays suppliers upfront and waits for the sales cycle to complete, which matches how wholesale distribution businesses actually operate.
Source:https://www.treyd.io/
WeDo Business Finance
Published loan rangeUp to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 3.5% to 9.5%
Overview: WeDo Business Finance offers invoice finance facilities reaching £25 million, making it a strong contender for established wholesale distributors with high sales volumes and substantial debtor books.
Funding is typically available within 24 hours, and interest rates start at 3.5%. This suits larger wholesalers who need dependable working capital to fund ongoing stock purchasing cycles.
Best next step: View WeDo wholesale finance options
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Facilities up to £25 million
- Funding within 24 hours
- Rates starting at 3.5%
Need to know
- Best suited to larger wholesalers
- Approval depends on debtor quality
- Minimum turnover may apply
Expert take
For high-volume wholesale distributors, WeDo's facility ceiling opens up serious headroom. The competitive starting rate makes it worth comparing against bank-backed invoice finance options.
Time Finance
Published loan rangeUp to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5.5% to 13.5%
Overview: Time Finance combines invoice finance with revolving credit facilities, giving wholesale distributors flexible access to working capital that can flex with seasonal demand and stock purchasing patterns.
With funding available within 24 hours and facilities up to £5 million, it suits wholesalers who experience peaks and troughs in their trade cycle and need adaptable finance.
Best next step: Compare Time Finance wholesale options
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Revolving credit for flexibility
- Facilities up to £5 million
- Same-day funding available
Need to know
- Limits can be reviewed periodically
- Costs may increase with usage
- Asset eligibility checks required
Expert take
The revolving structure makes Time Finance particularly useful for seasonal wholesale businesses. You can draw down to buy stock ahead of peak periods and reduce costs in quieter months.
Source:https://www.timefinance.com/
PennyFreedom
Published loan rangeUp to £500,000
Rate typeinterest 7.5% to 15%
Overview: PennyFreedom offers invoice finance with funding decisions in as little as two hours, helping wholesale distributors convert unpaid B2B invoices into cash that can be redeployed into stock purchases.
Facilities reach £500,000 with interest from 7.5%. This suits smaller to mid-sized wholesale merchants who need to act quickly when supplier deals or restocking opportunities arise.
Best next step: Explore PennyFreedom wholesale finance
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Funding within two hours
- Facilities up to £500,000
- Straightforward invoice-led model
Need to know
- Suitability depends on customer base
- Rates from 7.5% to 15%
- Not a direct stock finance product
Expert take
PennyFreedom's speed gives wholesale distributors an edge when suppliers offer time-limited discounts. Converting invoices to cash quickly means you can buy stock at better margins.
HSBC Bank
Published loan range£1,000 to £300,000
Rate typeinterest 8.6% to 11.3%
Overview: HSBC offers asset-based lending that can combine invoice finance with funding secured against inventory, giving wholesale distributors access to working capital tied to the full value of their balance sheet.
Facilities range from £1,000 to £300,000 with interest from 8.6%. As a mainstream bank, HSBC may suit established wholesalers with strong trading histories and audited financials.
Best next step: Check HSBC wholesale finance terms
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Combines stock and invoice funding
- Backed by a major UK bank
- Suits established wholesale firms
Need to know
- Bank underwriting can be slower
- Strong trading history required
- May need audited accounts
Expert take
HSBC's asset-based lending works for wholesalers who value a banking relationship. The trade-off is stricter underwriting, but the combined asset approach can unlock more working capital than invoice-only facilities.
Source:https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/finance-and-borrowing
Metro Bank
Published loan range£2,000 to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 9.6% to 9.6%
Overview: Metro Bank provides invoice finance facilities from £2,000 to £25 million, serving wholesale distributors of all sizes who need to release cash from unpaid trade customer invoices to fund stock purchasing.
Funding is typically available within 24 hours at a fixed interest rate of 9.6%. Metro Bank's high-street presence may appeal to wholesalers who prefer face-to-face banking relationships.
Best next step: View Metro Bank wholesale options
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Facilities from £2k to £25m
- Fixed rate of 9.6%
- High-street banking relationship
Need to know
- Physical branch visits may help
- Standard bank eligibility applies
- May require security or PG
Expert take
Metro Bank bridges the gap between alternative lenders and traditional banks. Wholesale distributors get high-street service with facility limits that scale, though the fixed rate may not suit everyone.
Source:https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/business/borrowing/
Tide Bank
Published loan range£500 to £20,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5% to 11.5%
Overview: Tide Bank offers invoice factoring and discounting from £500 up to £20 million, providing wholesale distributors with a digital-first route to convert unpaid trade invoices into working capital for stock.
Funding decisions typically arrive within 24 hours and interest runs from 5% to 11.5%. Tide's digital platform suits tech-savvy wholesale merchants who value online account management.
Best next step: Compare Tide wholesale factoring options
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Facilities from £500 to £20m
- Fully digital application process
- Invoice factoring and discounting
Need to know
- Factoring means Tide collects payments
- Digital-only service model
- Rates vary by risk profile
Expert take
Tide's factoring model handles both funding and credit control, which can free up wholesale teams to focus on buying and selling stock rather than chasing trade customer payments.
Kriya Finance
Published loan rangeUp to £500,000
Rate typeinterest 5.49% to 10.59%
Overview: Kriya Finance provides digital invoice finance with funding available in as little as 12 hours, helping wholesale distributors bridge the gap between supplier payments and trade customer receipts.
Facilities reach £500,000 with interest from 5.49%. Its digital platform and fast onboarding make it a practical choice for SME wholesale merchants needing straightforward working capital.
Best next step: Explore Kriya wholesale finance
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Funding within 12 hours
- Rates from 5.49%
- Digital onboarding process
Need to know
- Maximum facility £500,000
- Customer credit quality matters
- Not direct stock funding
Expert take
Kriya's digital-first approach means less paperwork and faster decisions for wholesale SMEs. The competitive starting rate is attractive, though facility caps mean it suits small to mid-sized distributors.
Source:https://www.kriya.co/
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How stock finance works for UK wholesale distributors
Stock finance helps wholesale distributors pay suppliers for inventory before customer sales come in. The provider pays your supplier directly, and the stock itself acts as security for the facility.
You place an order with your supplier. The finance provider settles the invoice on your behalf. You then sell the goods to your trade customers. Repayment happens once the stock sells and you receive payment from your buyers.
This structure means wholesale businesses can keep warehouse shelves full without draining working capital. It suits distributors who buy in bulk and hold stock for weeks or months before selling on. The facility typically grows with your purchasing needs, so larger orders remain possible as your wholesale business expands.
How wholesale finance differs from traditional business loans
A traditional business loan gives you a fixed lump sum with set monthly repayments. Wholesale finance works differently: it releases funds against specific stock purchases and repayment aligns with your sales cycle.
This matters for wholesale distributors because inventory needs fluctuate. You might place a large order ahead of peak season, then reduce purchasing during quieter months. A fixed loan does not flex with those patterns. Wholesale finance rises and falls with your stock purchasing activity.
Another key difference is security. Traditional loans often require property or personal guarantees. Stock finance typically uses the inventory itself as collateral, which can make it more accessible for distributors who do not own commercial property. Approval focuses on your supplier relationships and stock turnover track record rather than just balance sheet strength.
What UK wholesale businesses should compare when choosing a stock finance provider
Not every wholesale finance provider suits every distributor. Compare these factors before deciding:
| Factor to compare | Why it matters for wholesale |
|---|---|
| Supplier payment speed | Delayed payments can disrupt supply chains and damage supplier trust |
| Facility size and scalability | Your facility must cover bulk orders and grow with seasonal peaks |
| Stock turnover requirements | Some providers expect fast-moving stock; others allow slower inventory cycles |
| Supplier eligibility rules | Check whether your key suppliers are UK-based, overseas, or on approved lists |
Also review whether the provider funds part or all of each purchase order, and whether interest is charged monthly or per transaction. These details directly affect cash flow for wholesale operations with varying stock holding periods.
How inventory cycles shape wholesale finance repayments
Repayment on wholesale stock finance follows your inventory cycle rather than a fixed calendar. When you sell the goods and collect payment from your trade customers, you repay the provider. This alignment helps wholesale distributors avoid cash flow gaps.
Your stock turnover rate becomes the key metric. Fast-moving goods like consumer packaged items might turn over in 30 days. Slower wholesale lines such as industrial components or seasonal products may take 90 days or longer. Your finance provider will assess turnover rates when setting facility terms.
For seasonal wholesale businesses, this structure is particularly useful. You can draw more finance ahead of the Christmas or summer rush, then reduce the facility in quieter periods. Interest costs track actual usage, so you pay only for the funding you need at any given time. This flexibility helps wholesale distributors manage the natural peaks and troughs of trade buying cycles.
FAQs
Wholesale finance, often referred to as stock finance or inventory finance, gives your business the working capital needed to purchase goods from suppliers without tying up your own cash reserves. Typically, the finance provider pays your supplier directly for the stock order, and you repay the facility once the goods are sold on to your customers. This can be structured as a revolving credit line that grows with your business, meaning you can draw down funds as and when you need to place orders. The stock itself usually acts as security for the funding, so the amount you can access depends on the value of the inventory being purchased.
Most wholesale finance providers in the UK will consider businesses that are registered in the UK, have been trading for at least six to twelve months, and can demonstrate a reliable purchase and sales history. You will typically need to show that you have confirmed purchase orders from creditworthy customers or a proven track record of selling through stock. Sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies can all apply, though lenders will want to see financial accounts, stock turnover records, and sometimes personal guarantees from directors. Startups and very early-stage businesses may find eligibility more challenging but some specialist providers will consider younger companies on a case-by-case basis.
Rates and terms for wholesale finance in the UK vary depending on the provider, the value of the facility, your trading history, and the perceived risk of the stock being funded. Costs are generally made up of a facility arrangement fee and an ongoing service or utilisation fee calculated as a percentage of the funds drawn. Repayment terms are usually short, often between 30 and 120 days, aligning with your stock turnover cycle. Because each business is assessed individually, it is important to request tailored quotes from several providers rather than relying on advertised headline rates, which may not reflect what you would actually pay.
Wholesale finance, trade finance, and invoice finance all support working capital but target different stages of the sales cycle. Wholesale or stock finance is used specifically to purchase inventory before it is sold. Trade finance covers the broader transaction, often including letters of credit and cross-border payment guarantees, making it particularly useful for importers. Invoice finance unlocks cash from unpaid customer invoices after the goods have been delivered. Many UK distributors use a blend of all three, drawing on stock finance to buy goods and invoice finance to bridge the gap while waiting for customers to pay.
Look for a provider that understands your sector and can offer flexibility as your stock requirements change. Check whether they fund UK-only suppliers or also cover international trade if you import goods. Compare the total cost of borrowing, not just the headline rate, and ask about arrangement fees, minimum monthly charges, and early repayment penalties. Speed of decision-making and ongoing support matter too, as wholesale can be fast-moving and you need a lender who can release funds quickly when opportunities arise. Reading independent reviews and speaking to other distributors about their experiences can also help you make an informed choice.
Yes, it is possible, though options may be more limited. Some specialist providers and alternative lenders are willing to work with newer wholesale businesses if they can demonstrate strong purchase orders, a clear sales pipeline, or security in the form of personal assets or a director's guarantee. Crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and government-backed start-up loan schemes may also be worth exploring if you do not yet meet traditional eligibility criteria. Building a relationship with a smaller, specialist finance provider early on can often lead to more flexible terms as your business grows.
