Invoice discounting (spot factoring) is a mature financial service with a well developed market- in the UK the Factoring & Invoice Discounting market is in excess of £15 billion a year and there are literally tens of thousands of active SMEs in the UK.

The lending criteria of most traditional lending institutions (banks) require that a business have a minimum of 24-36 months of trading history before it qualifies for a loan together with a solid balance sheet and more than adequate security. In the current economic climate, SMEs need quick access to cash, however it is often difficult to obtain from traditional sources. IFG focuses on the small business area, which even in the best of times is a vastly under-serviced market. With an under-serviced market and low support from traditional funders it clearly puts IFG in the driving seat for significant growth in the UK marketplace. Each Interface office is independently owned and managed by an IFG professional and this gives Interface - and their clients - a local advantage as funding enquiries can be received, evaluated, and finalised in a very timely manner. Once accepted as a client, funding of transactions can happen as quickly as 48 hours. Because there is no loan involved, and no loan limit, clients' funding opportunities grow automatically as their business grows. This flexibility is another great feature of the Interface service.

While the IFG invoice discounting program is a short-term solution it ultimately leads the client to more traditional financing sources over a period of time. In the meantime, the IFG franchisee has a "repeat" client in terms of funding transactions, often for 1 to 2 or even 3 years. Interface clients who are typically undercapitalized and over-trading are engaged in most industries including, manufacturing, distribution, construction, transportation, and business/professional services.

Benefits of the Interface franchise include:

The current economic climate works right into IFG's hands - as banks say no to SMEs, they refer their B-2-B bank customers to Interface to create a win-win-win situation

Realistic investment level

Exceptional training and ongoing support

A business without employees, inventory, storefronts, long hours or extensive travel

Being a positive force in the economic growth of the local community

Being in control of income potential

Working with a proven, well-established and structured business model

Professional, business-to-business environment

Being a part of a World-Class Franchise® - In 2010 Interface received World-Class Franchise certification from FranSurvey for the fifth consecutive year.

Interface franchisees come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but all have the following traits in common: excellent communication skills, decision makers, problem solvers, and relationship builders but above all they all have a solid proven business background. UK businesses need working capital and Interface franchisees can provide it while operating their own business with an excellent return on their working capital and being in control of their own time and lifestyle.

IFG's mission is simple: Provide a proven system and an international business model for our franchisees that enables them to grow their business and accelerate their small business clients' cash flow.