Lender review · Invoice finance + asset-based lending
eCapital
- Reviewed May 2026
- Editor Oliver Mackman
- Companies House 10508987
- Methodology Public
UK invoice finance and asset-based lender. Originated as Optimum Finance, acquired by North American specialist eCapital in October 2024 and rebranded. Now part of a wider transatlantic platform with deeper funding lines. Sweet spot is mid-market IF deals between £100k and £5m.
Director, BestBusinessLoans
Oliver leads BestBusinessLoans's editorial reviews and methodology. With a background in UK commercial finance, he oversees lender research, rate verification and review independence.
Last reviewed: 8 May 2026
At a glance
- Product
- Invoice finance + asset-based lending
- Ticket size
- £50k to £10m
- Typical rate
- From around 1.5% above base on advanced funds
- Decision time
- 5 to 10 business days
- Soft search at quote
- No
- Limited companies only
- Yes
- FCA regulated
- Yes (check the FCA Register)
- Companies House
- 10508987
- Founded
- 2016
Scores against our methodology
- Rate transparency3/5
- Eligibility clarity4/5
- Decision speed3/5
- Decline handling4/5
How eCapital works
eCapital operates as a invoice finance + asset-based lending provider in the UK SMB market. UK invoice finance and asset-based lender. Originated as Optimum Finance, acquired by North American specialist eCapital in October 2024 and rebranded. Now part of a wider transatlantic platform with deeper funding lines. Sweet spot is mid-market IF deals between £100k and £5m.
The product mechanic is straightforward in shape but the underwriting is sector-specific. Tickets sit in the £50k to £10m band, decisions land within 5 to 10 business days, and the published rate range is From around 1.5% above base on advanced funds. A hard search may apply at quote stage; ask before you submit if credit-file footprint matters to you. eCapital is FCA regulated.
Where eCapital fits best: established b2b ltd companies, invoice finance £100k to £5m, asset-based lending on stock and receivables. Where it does not fit: sub-£50k tickets, b2c-only businesses, sole traders.
Pricing examples
Worked examples using eCapital's published rate range (From around 1.5% above base on advanced funds). Simple-interest approximation, mid-band rate. Real offers will differ and should be confirmed on the lender quote.
| Ticket | Term | Estimated total cost | Approx monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | 24 months | £25,750 | £1,073 |
| £50,000 | 36 months | £52,250 | £1,451 |
| £100,000 | 48 months | £106,000 | £2,208 |
Indicative only. Confirm on a eCapital quote.
Eligibility
- Trading time: typically 12 to 24 months minimum for the cleanest pricing.
- Turnover floor: not always published. As a working figure, expect a £100k+ turnover requirement for term loans of £50k+. Smaller tickets and MCA structures have lower floors.
- Sector exclusions: Sub-£50k tickets; B2C-only businesses.
- Credit profile: Clean credit preferred; older satisfied items often acceptable.
- Company structure: Limited companies only.
- Best fit: Established B2B Ltd companies; Invoice finance £100k to £5m; Asset-based lending on stock and receivables.
Pros
- + Established UK IF underwriting team retained post-acquisition.
- + Wider eCapital group funding gives more headroom on larger deals.
- + Combined IF and ABL under one platform.
- + Comfortable with messy debtor books that mainstream IF lenders refuse.
Cons
- − Brand cutover from Optimum to eCapital still creates customer confusion.
- − Headline pricing not published.
- − Below £50k not the focus.
Best for
- · Established B2B Ltd companies
- · Invoice finance £100k to £5m
- · Asset-based lending on stock and receivables
Weak at
- · Sub-£50k tickets
- · B2C-only businesses
- · Sole traders
When to use eCapital
Use eCapital when
Your application matches the best-fit profile: established b2b ltd companies, invoice finance £100k to £5m, asset-based lending on stock and receivables. The published ticket range (£50k to £10m) covers your ask, the decision speed (5 to 10 business days) fits your cash-gap timeline, and the rate range (From around 1.5% above base on advanced funds) is acceptable to you given your credit profile.
Do not use eCapital when
Your profile sits in the weak-at list: sub-£50k tickets, b2c-only businesses, sole traders. eCapital will likely decline, and the decline itself can sit on broker records for 90 days. If you have any of these flags, route directly to a specialist (post-decline lender, MCA against card flow, asset-backed alternative) rather than using eCapital as a screen.
FAQs
What is the minimum trading time for eCapital?
eCapital typically asks for 12 to 24 months of trading. Newer businesses can sometimes qualify against alternative underwriting (card flow for MCA, asset security for asset finance), but the cleanest pricing tends to require two full sets of accounts.
Does eCapital require a personal guarantee?
Most UK SMB lenders require a personal guarantee from at least one director. eCapital is no exception in the standard case. The few exceptions: asset-backed lending where the asset itself stands as security, and a small number of MCA structures where card flow is the underwriting basis. For invoice finance + asset-based lending specifically, expect a PG to be requested.
How fast does eCapital fund?
eCapital quotes 5 to 10 business days for an underwriting decision. Funding to bank account typically follows within one to three working days of acceptance, subject to KYC, signed documents, and (where applicable) registration of any debenture or charge.
What rate should I expect from eCapital?
eCapital's published range is From around 1.5% above base on advanced funds. The headline number is rarely the offered number. Rate transparency on this lender scores 3/5 in our methodology. Expect the cleaner end of the band only if you have 2+ years of trading, clean credit, and turnover comfortably above the lender's stated floor.
What happens if eCapital declines me?
If eCapital declines, you have three realistic next steps. First, ask for the decline reason in writing, most reputable UK lenders will tell you. Second, route the application to a specialist post-decline lender (Bizcap, JPM Capital, Bolton Finance) where credit issues are the constraint, or to an asset-backed alternative where security is available. Third, use a broker panel to fan the application across the lenders most likely to accept your specific decline reason. eCapital scores 4/5 on decline handling in our methodology.
Where to apply
Apply directly via ecapital.com/uk, or use our free quote form to be matched across the UK broker panel most likely to approve your specific profile, not just eCapital.
Specialty alternatives
See all lender reviews for alternatives.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 8 May 2026. Lender website: ecapital.com/uk.