White Oak vs Time Finance: Flexible Business Lending
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| Topic | White Oak UK | Time Finance |
|---|---|---|
| Primary finance type | Invoice finance (advance against unpaid invoices), supporting cash flow | Secured business loans (loan funding secured on collateral) |
| Typical funding mechanics | Advance a percentage of invoice value; remaining balance paid after settlement, with charges for service | Lump-sum borrowing structured as a secured loan, with monthly repayments |
| Published funding range (where stated) | Invoice finance is described with “up to 90%” advance (advance level varies by deal) | Secured loans described as £50,000 to £500,000 (eligibility and collateral dependent) |
| Trading history and business type (examples from eligibility pages) | Invoice finance page cites turnover and trading history requirements, including limited company status | Secured loans position is that eligibility depends on stage and collateral, with specific criteria set during application |
| Regulation and FCA status | White Oak UK regulatory position is described in its published disclosures, including that some commercial lending products are not FCA regulated | Time Finance complaints page describes that relevant entities are authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK |
| Indicative speed (where stated) | White Oak UK describes releases of up to 90% of invoice value within 24 to 48 hours | Time Finance publishes secured loan ranges and general application framing; funding times are not consistently stated on the sampled product pages |
| Use of funds fit | Best aligned to businesses with B2B unpaid invoices needing working capital | Best aligned to businesses seeking cash for growth or working capital, with acceptable collateral for security |
Products and terms at a glance
Because these two lenders specialise in different core products, the practical comparison is about how each one turns your business situation into a financing structure. White Oak UK’s published focus is invoice finance, which advances cash against unpaid invoices, while Time Finance’s published focus is secured business loans, typically funded as a loan secured on business or asset collateral. In this section, the aim is to summarise the parameters you can verify on their own sites, then highlight where they differ so you can compare like-for-like when you are gathering quotes.
White Oak UK, invoice finance: deal structure and typical parameters
White Oak UK describes invoice finance as a way to “unlock cash stuck in unpaid invoices”, with funding structured around an advance of “up to 90% of invoice value”. Based on its invoice finance page, the remaining invoice amount is received later after the invoice is paid, with service charges deducted in the process, so the total cost will depend on the facility terms and which invoice finance type you select. White Oak UK’s invoice finance page also lists eligibility factors such as turnover, trading history, and limited company status, indicating a relatively requirements-led approach.
Time Finance, secured business loans: deal structure and typical parameters
Time Finance describes secured business loans as being secured against collateral, “usually property”, and as offering secured loans between £50,000 and £500,000 on either a short or long-term basis, with monthly repayments. On its loans pages, the product positioning emphasises repayment structures tailored to the business and stage of growth, with the exact deal terms dependent on eligibility and the collateral offered. While Time Finance is not described as an invoice finance provider in the sampled results, it can still be relevant if your primary concern is getting cash quickly without waiting for receivables, as long as you can provide acceptable security for a loan.
What to compare when you request quotes
When you request an offer from either lender, use a consistent checklist. Ask for the published advance level or loan amount, the repayment schedule (monthly versus other), the term length options, and a clear breakdown of what drives the total cost (service charges versus interest and fees, and whether there are additional charges for account setup, onboarding or ongoing administration). For invoice finance, confirm whether the facility is structured more like factoring or invoice discounting, and whether the agreement includes a reserve or holdback. For secured loans, confirm the collateral type, the term you will repay over, and the overall repayment schedule.
Costs and repayments in practice
Neither lender publishes a single flat price that applies to every business, and the components of cost differ because invoice finance and secured loans are different products. White Oak UK’s invoice finance is typically costed through service charges and an advance against invoice value, while Time Finance’s secured loans are structured as a loan with monthly repayments and a cost of borrowing that depends on eligibility. To keep this section verifiable, the worked examples below use clearly labelled assumptions where exact rates and fees are not published on the sampled pages.
Cost comparison, what you can verify from published material
| Cost element | White Oak UK invoice finance | Time Finance secured business loans |
|---|---|---|
| Published advance / borrowing basis | Advances “up to 90%” of invoice value | Loan amount is described as £50,000 to £500,000 depending on eligibility and collateral |
| Cost components described | Service charges are mentioned as deducted when invoices are paid (illustrating that the cost is tied to the invoice facility terms) | Cost is not shown as a single public rate; secured loans are described at a product level and pricing is determined during application |
| Repayment cadence | Cash is released when invoices are raised and advances made, then remainder is received when invoices are paid | Monthly repayments are explicitly referenced on the loans product page |
| Clarity risk | Because costs depend on invoice timing and facility type, request a full example statement for your invoice profile | Because exact rates and fees are not published on the sampled product pages, request an offer document with APR or equivalent and fee breakdown |
Worked example 1, White Oak UK invoice finance (illustrative)
Illustrative only, assumptions: The advance is set at 90% of invoice value, service charges and remaining split are simplified into a single illustrative monthly cost equivalent. Actual costs will vary by facility terms and invoice payment timing.
- Finance amount: £90,000 advance on £100,000 total unpaid invoices (assumes 90% advance)
- Term: 2 months (assumes customer settles within about 60 days)
- Rate assumption: 3.5% of invoice value over the 2-month period, as an illustrative service charge equivalent
- Monthly repayment: £1,575 (illustrative, total illustrative charge £3,150 spread over 2 months)
- Total repayable: £3,150 total illustrative service charges plus the return of the invoice remainder mechanism (structure depends on the exact agreement)
Worked example 2, Time Finance secured business loan (illustrative)
Illustrative only, assumptions: Because Time Finance does not publish a single representative rate on the sampled product pages, the example assumes a mid-market illustrative rate and standard monthly instalments. Actual offer terms will vary based on eligibility and the collateral provided.
- Finance amount: £200,000
- Term: 36 months
- Rate assumption: 10.0% per annum, fixed for illustration (APR and fees not confirmed from the sampled pages)
- Monthly repayment: £6,444 (illustrative)
- Total repayable: £232,000 (illustrative)
For invoice finance, repayment is not typically a single monthly instalment, the economics are tied to invoice settlement, reserve mechanics and service charges. For secured loans, repayment is described as monthly, so you should compare the total cost of borrowing over the term using the figures in the offer pack.
Speed and service
Speed is a common decision factor in working capital finance, but what “fast” means depends on product type. Invoice finance can be driven by how quickly invoices are raised and uploaded, whereas secured loan timelines also depend on collateral evaluation and underwriting. Below is what can be supported from the lender-specific material found via Serper1.
Indicative speed, what is stated
White Oak UK describes invoice finance as releasing up to 90% of invoice value in 24 to 48 hours, indicating a short cycle once invoices are submitted and approved. This timing can be relevant if your cash gap is immediate and you can provide invoice information promptly, based on the description on its invoice finance page.
For Time Finance, the sampled sources confirm the secured loan product range and the FCA authorisation statement, but do not provide a similarly specific “funding within X hours” figure on the sampled product page. For that reason, the speed comparison should be treated as varies, unless you obtain a quote or timetable from Time Finance during application.
Customer reviews, Trustpilot signals
Trustpilot provides a public snapshot of customer sentiment, not a guarantee of service. White Oak UK’s Trustpilot listing shows a rating of 4.4 based on 159 reviews at the time of the Serper1 results. For Time Finance, the Trustpilot listing shows a rating of 4.7 based on 195 reviews in the Serper1 results. Use these as directional indicators when weighting overall service experience, alongside what the eligibility and document requirements are likely to be for your specific case.
Service model, account management expectations
For invoice finance, the operational load can include invoice submission processes, ongoing reporting and an agreement covering how invoices are selected and managed. For secured business loans, the process typically includes collateral documentation and a loan agreement with a fixed repayment schedule. Since service model details such as dedicated relationship management are not consistently specified in the sampled pages, you should treat account management as varies and focus on the application steps and the points of contact described during the process.
Who each lender suits
This section translates published eligibility and product mechanics into practical “fit”. The key is to match your business to the cashflow driver each lender is set up to underwrite.
White Oak UK is typically a fit when
- You have B2B invoices you need to finance, because the product is designed to advance against unpaid invoice value, with an “up to 90%” advance described on the invoice finance page.
- You meet the eligibility factors White Oak UK publishes for invoice finance, including turnover of £1,000,000 upwards, trading for three years or longer, and limited company status, as set out on its invoice finance eligibility information.
- You want working capital support without converting the invoices into cash via a traditional loan repayment schedule, because invoice finance is structured around invoice settlement rather than monthly instalments.
If your invoices are the strongest asset and you have consistent accounts receivable, invoice finance can align well. If your invoices are highly irregular or you cannot meet the published turnover and trading history criteria, suitability is likely to be lower based on the lender’s own eligibility constraints.
Time Finance is typically a fit when
- You can offer acceptable collateral for security, since Time Finance describes secured business loans as secured against collateral, usually property.
- You are seeking a defined loan amount within the secured loan range it publishes, £50,000 to £500,000 depending on eligibility and collateral.
- You need monthly repayments as part of your budgeting and you want a loan structure rather than an advance against invoices.
If you do not have suitable security for a secured loan, Time Finance may not be the right fit. If you do have security but also have receivables, you may still compare invoice finance versus a secured loan to decide which cost and risk profile suits your business.
How to apply
Application requirements vary because the products vary. Below is a practical description of what you should expect, built from each lender’s published eligibility and service descriptions in the sampled sources.
White Oak UK application, typical steps
For invoice finance, the lender positions the product as based on unpaid invoices. In the eligibility information on its invoice finance page, White Oak UK indicates you need relevant business attributes such as turnover, trading history and limited company status. Operationally, this usually means you will be asked to provide information about your invoicing activity and your business financials. As invoice finance relies on invoices as the underlying collateral, anticipate questions about the invoices, your customers and your ability to provide required documentation.
Time Finance application, typical steps
For secured business loans, Time Finance’s product positioning indicates that the lending is secured against collateral, usually property. This typically means you will provide collateral details and associated documentation, alongside business information to allow underwriting and decision-making. The loan is offered in amounts described as £50,000 to £500,000 depending on eligibility, so be prepared with financial statements and details relevant to affordability and security value.
Document checklist to prepare before you apply to either lender
- Company information, structure and trading history evidence.
- Recent financial statements or accounts, and management accounts if available.
- For invoice finance: invoice samples or a summary of your unpaid invoice portfolio, with details sufficient to assess advance suitability.
- For secured loans: collateral details, valuation documentation where applicable, and identification documents as required by the lender.
- A clear explanation of what the funds will be used for, and how repayment or settlement will be supported.
Frequently asked questions
Is invoice finance regulated by the FCA?
Regulation depends on the specific provider and the structure of the arrangement. White Oak UK’s published regulatory disclosures indicate that some commercial lending products are not FCA regulated. Based on its published materials, you should rely on the lender-specific regulatory disclosure and check the FCA register for the relevant entity involved.
What is the main difference between invoice finance and a secured business loan?
Invoice finance advances cash against unpaid invoices, and the economics depend on when your customers pay. A secured business loan is a traditional borrowing structure secured on collateral, with a loan agreement and monthly repayments. The choice depends on whether your cashflow gap is best addressed through receivables, or through broader collateral-based lending.
How quickly can I get funds?
White Oak UK states that invoice finance can release up to 90% of invoice value in 24 to 48 hours. For Time Finance, specific funding speed is not consistently stated in the sampled product page sources, so the practical timeline should be confirmed during application.
Do I need a limited company?
White Oak UK’s invoice finance eligibility information includes limited company status. For Time Finance, the product pages do not present a single uniform requirement in the sampled sources, because eligibility depends on underwriting and collateral, so you should confirm during application.
What information will lenders ask for?
Typically you will be asked for business identification, financial statements, and details about the deal you are funding. For invoice finance, expect information relating to the invoices and customers; for secured loans, expect information relating to collateral and security.
Final verdict
Choose White Oak UK if:
- You want invoice finance that advances up to 90% of unpaid invoice value, aligned to a receivables-driven cashflow need, rather than a traditional instalment loan.
- You can meet White Oak UK’s published invoice finance eligibility factors, including turnover of £1,000,000 upwards and trading for three years or longer (and limited company status).
- You value published turnaround timing, White Oak UK describing invoice funding release within 24 to 48 hours.
Choose Time Finance if:
- You need a secured business loan structure with monthly repayments, and you can provide collateral acceptable to the lender.
- You are seeking funding in the secured loan range described on Time Finance’s loans product page, £50,000 to £500,000, depending on eligibility and the security offered.
- You prefer a loan agreement model rather than funding that is tied to the settlement of specific invoices.
Sources
Official sources
- White Oak UK, invoice finance product and eligibility details
- White Oak UK, invoice finance explained (how advances and remainder work)
- White Oak UK, invoice finance overview including stated speed and eligibility cues
- Time Finance, secured business loans product page
- Time Finance, complaints procedure including FCA authorisation statement
- FCA Register entry for a Time Finance entity (Time Vendor Finance Limited)
- FCA Register entry showing a White Oak Finance-related firm status (appointed representative reference from Serper results)
Third-party sources
