1. Tell us the requirement
Start with the amount, purpose and timing. You do not need to choose the correct product first.
Larger & specialist funding
Trade Finance for UK Businesses
Trade finance covers commercial funding structures connected to buying goods and managing the gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments. A suitable route depends on the transaction, goods, counterparties, margins and payment cycle; NBS introduces requirements to suitable providers rather than providing trade credit itself.
Usually takes around 5–8 minutes. An enquiry does not commit you to taking finance.
Access to 250+ funding routes through our lender & specialist partner network.
When might trade finance fit?
Importers, wholesalers and distributors may need to fund supplier deposits, production, shipment or payment on delivery before customers pay. Confirmed orders can help explain the transaction, but an order alone does not guarantee finance. The provider needs to understand whether the goods can be supplied, sold and paid for on the proposed terms.
Follow the transaction from order to receipt
- Supplier quotation or pro-forma invoice establishes the goods, cost and payment terms.
- Customer order or contract explains the intended sale, margin and customer payment terms.
- The provider assesses the transaction and agrees how supplier payments, shipment and controls would work.
- Goods are delivered and customer receipts repay the agreed facility or flow into another approved funding component.
Funding may involve direct supplier payment or transaction controls. The actual payment mechanism and documents depend on the provider and structure; do not assume unrestricted cash is released to the business.
Trade finance and adjacent routes
| Route | Main starting point | Question to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Trade finance | Purchasing goods before customer receipts. | Can the transaction and repayment flow be evidenced? |
| Business loan or working capital | A broader cash-flow or business expenditure need. | Can business cash flow support agreed repayments? |
| Invoice finance | Completed sales with eligible unpaid B2B invoices. | Is the invoice ledger suitable? |
| Supplier finance | Supplier deposits or agreed purchasing commitments. | What exactly needs paying, and when? |
Compare supplier finance for the purchasing commitment and invoice finance when the customer invoice exists. A combination may be considered, subject to the providers’ requirements and security arrangements.
What affects provider appetite?
Providers may examine goods, gross margin, order certainty, customer and supplier strength, countries, currencies, shipping conditions and payment terms. Existing banking arrangements, security and other funding also matter. Country or counterparty restrictions, sanctions checks, disputed orders or very low margins can limit appetite.
Useful information to prepare
You do not need every item to start. Tell us the amount, purpose and timing; NBS can explain what would help the next review.
- Supplier quotation or pro-forma invoice and supplier details
- Purchase order and confirmed customer order or contract
- Purchase and sale prices, gross margin and expected costs
- Shipping, delivery and payment timeline
- Countries, counterparties and currencies involved
- Recent financial information, existing banking and facilities
Important considerations
- Delays, rejected goods or cancelled orders may leave repayment due before cash arrives.
- Currency movements and freight or other costs can reduce the expected margin.
- Counterparty and country exposure can affect eligibility and controls.
- Check fees, security, repayment triggers and what happens if the transaction changes.
NBS Finance is a commercial finance broker and introducer, not a lender. Providers make funding and credit decisions and set the amount, charges, security and terms. An enquiry or introduction does not guarantee finance.
The NBS enquiry process
2. Review the starting route
NBS reviews the information and identifies an appropriate starting route through its lender and specialist partner network.
3. Provider assessment
A suitable provider may request further information and decide whether to offer terms. Review any offer before committing.
Related funding routes
Frequently asked questions
Does a purchase order guarantee funding?
No. Providers assess the transaction, goods, counterparties, margin and repayment case. A purchase order is supporting information, not an approval.
Is trade finance the same as export invoice finance?
No. Trade finance commonly addresses purchasing and supplier-payment timing. Export invoice finance addresses eligible unpaid invoices to overseas customers after sales.
Does NBS pay the supplier?
NBS is a broker and introducer. Any payment or credit arrangement is agreed with the provider.
Can I discuss a transaction involving several currencies?
Yes. Identify all countries, currencies and payment stages. Provider appetite and foreign-exchange arrangements need individual review.
Tell us what the business needs
Tell us the amount, purpose and timing. We can review which starting route appears most relevant.
One enquiry. No commitment to take finance. Subject to provider assessment and terms.