Best Confidential Invoice Discounting 2026
The best confidential invoice discounting in the UK is Aldermore (confidential as standard from £250k turnover, no customer notification at any stage) for accessibility, or Close Brothers (from £500k, starting at 0.5%) for lowest cost. Confidential facilities let you use invoice finance without your customers ever knowing — protecting your brand and commercial relationships. We compared every provider offering genuinely confidential terms.
Confidential Providers Compared
| Provider | Min Turnover | Confidential Level | Advance Rate | Fee From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldermore | £250k | Standard on all facilities | Up to 90% | 0.7% | Lowest entry point |
| Close Brothers | £500k | Fully confidential | Up to 85% | 0.5% | Lowest cost |
| Skipton | £500k | Fully confidential | Up to 85% | 0.6% | Established businesses |
| Novuna | £500k | Fully confidential | Up to 90% | 0.65% | Multi-sector flexibility |
Why Confidential Matters
Many businesses avoid invoice finance entirely because they don't want customers to know. In disclosed factoring, your customers receive a notice of assignment and pay the finance provider directly. Some customers interpret this as a sign of financial difficulty — even though invoice finance is a standard tool used by companies turning over tens of millions.
Confidential invoice discounting removes this problem completely. Your customers continue paying into your account (a trust account managed by the provider), you handle all credit control, and there is zero indication that a third party is involved. For businesses where customer perception matters — professional services, B2B suppliers, premium brands — this is non-negotiable. Read our full confidential invoice discounting guide for a deeper breakdown.
Who Qualifies
- Minimum turnover of £250k-£500k — Aldermore is the most accessible at £250k. Most others require £500k or above.
- Proven credit control — you must demonstrate you can manage your own sales ledger effectively, since the provider won't be chasing your debtors.
- Clean debtor book — low concentration risk and minimal overdue debt. Providers need confidence your collections process works.
- Established trading record — typically 12+ months, though Aldermore can be more flexible at the lower end.
Confidential vs Disclosed: The Real Difference
With disclosed factoring, your invoices carry a notice of assignment. Payment instructions direct your customer to pay the factor, not you. Many customers view this neutrally — but in competitive sectors like professional services, consulting, or premium manufacturing, it can raise questions about your financial stability.
Confidential invoice discounting eliminates this entirely. Your invoices look normal. Your customer pays into what appears to be your regular bank account (actually a trust account). You handle all collections. The provider sits invisibly behind the scenes, advancing funds against your sales ledger daily.
The trade-off is cost and eligibility. Confidential facilities carry slightly higher fees (the provider takes on more risk without direct debtor contact) and require higher minimum turnovers. But for businesses where reputation and customer perception are paramount, the premium is worth paying. Read our full confidential invoice discounting guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
Oliver Mackman
Director, Market Invoice
Oliver leads Market Invoice's editorial and comparison research. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees provider analysis, rate verification, and industry reporting across all verticals.
Last reviewed: 6 April 2026