Ultimate Finance VS Bibby Financial Services
For UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), choosing the right finance partner can be the difference between accelerating growth and hitting cash flow roadblocks. Whether you need to smooth cash flow, fund new equipment purchases, or support an international trade deal, the right lender can mean faster approvals, competitive terms, and lasting support.
Two of the UK’s leading non-bank lenders are Ultimate Finance and Bibby Financial Services (BFS). Both offer asset-based lending, invoice finance, and working capital solutions, but they differ in scale, ownership structure, and approach to market.
This comparison guide explores their financial stability, product ranges, technology innovation, and customer experience so you can decide which lender best matches your business needs.
Company Background & Market Position
Ultimate Finance
Founded in 2002, Ultimate Finance is a privately-owned UK lender backed by the Tavistock Group, a global investment organisation. The company focuses exclusively on the UK market, serving SMEs across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Over the past decade, its loan book has grown from £70 million to more than £340 million in 2024. Ultimate Finance is known for flexible deal structures, personalised service, and niche products such as Construction Finance and Bridging Loans.
Bibby Financial Services
Part of the Bibby Line Group, BFS has over 40 years of experience in SME lending and operates across nine countries. It is one of the UK’s largest independent invoice finance providers, facilitating more than £10 billion in invoice volume annually. BFS combines the scale of a multinational with the personalised relationship management of a specialist lender. Their strong international footprint makes them a key choice for exporters and firms trading overseas.
Product Portfolio & Specialisations
Both lenders offer core asset-based lending solutions but differ in breadth and geographic reach.
Ultimate Finance provides a broad mix of UK-focused asset-based lending options. Their invoice finance service covers both factoring and discounting, while their construction finance offering is tailored to UK contractors. They also support recruitment agencies with payroll and cash flow facilities, offer flexible asset finance for equipment purchases, and deliver short-term bridging loans for property projects. Trade finance solutions are UK-based, and they also provide structured multi-asset lending for complex funding requirements.
Bibby Financial Services operates on a wider international scale. Their invoice finance includes factoring and discounting, backed by specialist construction finance support. BFS also offers recruitment finance, asset finance, and global trade finance to assist exporters. Through overseas offices, BFS delivers international export finance, marine finance for the shipping sector, and niche lending services, alongside structured multi-asset packages tailored to multi-sector needs.
Financial Health & Stability
Scale & Growth
- BFS: Revenue of £178.8m in 2023, up 19% from 2022; £11.2bn in debts factored.
- Ultimate: Loan book of £342m in 2024, up from £310m in 2023; £2.1bn in client transactions in 2023.
Profitability
- BFS achieved £12.1m pre-tax profit in 2023 (6.8% margin).
- Ultimate’s profit figures are private, but funding agreements and growth rates suggest strong capital backing from Tavistock.
Technology & Innovation
- Ultimate Finance: Focus on streamlining applications, offering API integration with accounting tools, and digital document submission.
- BFS: Broader fintech capabilities, including export finance tools, FX hedging platforms, and integrated asset-based lending systems across multiple countries.
Customer Experience & Market Reputation
Ultimate Finance is praised for its personal touch average client retention is 7–8 years.
BFS benefits from brand recognition, international reach, and a network of 19 UK offices.
Ultimate Finance is recognised for its personalised service model, with average client relationships lasting seven to eight years. Their strong customer focus is reflected in a recent Net Promoter Score of 91 for their working capital facilities, highlighting exceptional client satisfaction and loyalty. The lender’s innovation was also acknowledged when it won Specialist Product of the Year 2024 .
Bibby Financial Services benefits from strong brand recognition, an international presence, and a UK network of 19 offices that enables localised decision-making. Their global reach and sector coverage have contributed to industry recognition, including the title of Best Factoring Provider 2025 at the Business Moneyfacts Awards.
Terms & Conditions Breakdown
Ultimate Finance offers high‑advance invoice finance facilities (often up to c.90% subject to eligibility and risk). Pricing typically combines an arrangement fee and an ongoing service/discount charge, which is standard for this product as outlined in the British Business Bank’s overview of invoice finance & asset‑based lending. Early repayment is generally flexible, and the use of personal guarantees is applied case‑by‑case based on deal structure and security.
Bibby Financial Services provides invoice finance via factoring and discounting, with high advance rates on qualifying invoices and market‑aligned variable pricing (arrangement plus service/discount fees, per the British Business Bank’s guidance on invoice finance & asset‑based lending). For smaller or younger SMEs, BFS more frequently requests personal guarantees, reflecting sector practice and risk appetite.
Global Reach vs Local Specialisation
- Ultimate Finance: UK-only, high-touch service, suited for domestic businesses.
- BFS: Multinational, ideal for exporters and firms with overseas branches.
Which Lender is Right for You?
Deciding between Ultimate Finance and Bibby Financial Services depends largely on your business profile and financing needs:
- Domestic SME seeking flexible, fast funding → Ultimate Finance is ideal thanks to its UK-only focus, quick approval times (e.g., bridging decisions in principle within 24 hours and offers in 72 hours), and bespoke terms.
More on their bridging loan process - Exporter with international clients → Bibby Financial Services worth considering, thanks to its global footprint and specialised export finance services.
Learn about BFS’s export finance solutions - Construction contractors → Both lenders offer specialist finance products tailored to the construction sector, so the choice may come down to factors such as relationship depth or specific deal structuring needs.
- Short-term property project (e.g., bridging, development) → Ultimate Finance is a strong fit, with bridging loans up to £4 million, LTVs up to 75%, and flexible terms.
See their bridging offerings
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