The financial world is shifting – and for the better. Traditional ways of doing business can be restrictive for new, market-challenging companies and startups. Nowadays, innovation is championed, and brands are springing up willing to help disrupt the status quo. It’s in these conditions that companies such as MarketFinance thrive. Formerly known as ‘MarketInvoice', the company has a unique idea and service that caters perfectly to other innovators. We take a look at what exactly they’re offering in our MarketFinance review.
Quick Look – Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick-fire rundown of what we like and dislike about the services on offer from MarketFinance:
Pros:
- A smart and intuitive online platform makes it easy to secure business invoice finance.
- Highly respected reputation that offers a safe way of managing your money.
- No hidden fees, meaning you’ll know exactly what you’re paying and when.
Cons:
- Fees are charged as a percentage of the amount borrowed (unless you subscribe monthly), meaning that costs can be high depending on several factors.
- Only available to LLPs and limited companies with an annual turnover of at least £100,000.
- Requirements for confidential invoice and contract finance are even higher.
As is evident from this list, there are plenty of positives about the service MarketFinance provides, although only if your business is in the right position.
What is MarketFinance?
MarketFinance launched in the UK back in 2011 as the first online-only provider of invoice finance. Since then, the company has grown to be one of the largest providers in Europe. They’ve financed over £2 billion worth of invoices and business loans, and have continued to innovate the market ever since their inception.
They’ve financed over £2 billion worth of invoices and business loans…
The company has attracted a lot of positive attention over the years, and now has a large number of high net worth investors, as well as investment from government authorities such as the British Business Bank. This plucky fintech is dedicated to growing a team of talented and committed individuals that can deliver fast and flexible business finance.
How Does MarketFinance Work?
MarketFinance offers an online-only solution for securing business finance. They’ve grown to provide a number of services including selective invoice discounting, confidential invoice discounting, contract finance, and (coming soon) business loans. We’ve provided information about each, below:
Selective Invoice Discounting
This is aimed at businesses who have a need for an occasional boost in cash flow. It allows you to secure funding against specific invoices from a single or multiple debtors. The service is available on a pay-as-you-go or contract option.
Confidential Invoice Discounting
For those with a more constant need for cash flow, you can get funding against all of your outstanding invoices. This service is available on a 12-month contract.
Contract Finance
Businesses that are looking for recurring revenue upfront can use this service to secure funding against contracts, licences and retainers. There is no minimum contract.
Business loans
A quick way of borrowing an unsecured loan of up to £100,000 for your business. Ideal for those looking to borrow and repay in instalments. These are coming soon to MarketFinance.
To apply for their invoice finance, you’ll need to fill out an application form online. It takes around 15 minutes to complete, and you’ll receive a response within a few hours. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Your business must be a limited company or LLP in the UK and have at least six months of trading history…
There are a few requirements you’ll have to meet. Your business must be a limited company or LLP in the UK and have at least six months of trading history, as well as an annual turnover of at least £100,000. For confidential invoice finance, this increases to two years’ of trading history and a turnover of £500,000. If you’re looking for contract finance, you need a turnover of at least £300,000 and have contracts with UK companies with a minimum yearly turnover of £6.5 million.
What Features Does MarketFinance Have?
MarketFinance offers a fairly impressive array of features with its invoice finance services. Their aim is to keep the whole process simple and fast, yet this doesn’t mean that they compromise on quality. Some of the top features include:
- Simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy to manage your account.
- A quick application process that sees funds arrive in your account within 24 hours if you’re approved.
- You could get a cash advance of up to 90%.
- Options to either subscribe to a monthly plan or opt for a pay-as-you-go plan.
- UK telephone and email support during the working day.
- An option to set up automatic payments using the confidential invoice discounting service.
- No hidden fees, meaning that you always know what you’re paying and how much the finance costs.
- You’re given the opportunity to get a tailored quote that’s accurate and competitive based on the needs of your business.
- Option add-ons of Credit Insurance and Credit Control offered by leading companies.
What Are the Fees for Using MarketFinance?
The exact fees you pay will depend a little on the circumstance of your business and the service option you choose. Generally, the MarketFinance fee equals between 1% and 3% of the value of your invoice. Factors such as the value of the invoice, the expected payment date, and the number of invoices you’ve traded affect this rate. You’ll be offered a quote on each transaction, although you also have the option of signing up for a 12-month contract.
Generally, the MarketFinance fee equals between 1% and 3% of the value of your invoice.
Those who subscribe to the MarketFinance monthly service will pay a monthly fixed fee. If you’d rather pay as and when you use the service, you’ll get charged a percentage of the invoice value.
There are a few other costs to consider as well. For example, you’ll be charged a discount fee based on the funds that you use, as well as a listing fee of £15 per invoice to cover CHAPS payments.
Who is MarketFinance For?
The businesses that this type of service is suitable for are those that want to maintain regular cash flow. If you tend to invoice your clients with a long payment term and want to make sure you have enough working capital, then invoice financing is a viable option. Companies involved in distributing or exporting goods, as well as those in recruitment, construction and transport industries often tend to use this method of financing.
Of course, you’ll need to be a fairly established company in order to apply, with at least six months’ of trading under your belt and an annual turnover of at least £100,000. Smaller businesses will want to look elsewhere for financing, such as a business loan or business credit card.
What are the Drawbacks of Using MarketFinance?
There aren’t too many downsides to using MarketFinance's services. One of the major drawbacks is that your loan finance cost could vary between transactions if you’re working on a pay-as-you-go basis. Similarly, if you commit to a 12-month contract and find you’re not making full use of it, you’re stuck with the monthly fees.
The entry requirements to start using the service are a little high for new businesses and startups. And, if you want to make use of the best services that they offer, such as confidential invoice and contract finance, the conditions are even higher.
The entry requirements to start using the service are a little high for new businesses and startups.
Sadly, their business loan service hasn’t launched yet, meaning that this isn’t quite the complete business finance service that it could be. Hopefully, we see the launch of that service soon.
How Safe is MarketFinance?
MarketFinance isn’t currently regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as it currently only operates in invoice finance. However, there are other securities that it has. The company is a member of the Peer-to-Peer Finance Association, which regulates alternative financial services in the UK. As such, they have to operate under a strict set of guidelines.
The company has an excellent reputation on Trustpilot, with many positive reviews celebrating the services that they offer. They deliver a website that's secure and encrypted, meaning your data will be safe.
MarketFinance Verdict
Overall, MarketFinance's services are truly impressive. As an innovator in the market, they’ve continued to improve their service. The sheer number of businesses they serve is a testament to their quality.
If you run a business that qualifies for this type of finance, you’ll be impressed with how quick and easy it is to get started with the service. Furthermore, the website is well-designed and provides the best possible user experience.
We’re excited to see how their business loan service works out. Hopefully, it continues in the same trend as their invoice financing. As ever, we’ll update our readers once we manage to get a hands-on with this new service.