Last week, we brought together factoring companies, banks, and technology partners to exchange ideas and practical insights on the future of factoring in Slovenia and across the CEE region—and the discussion did not disappoint.
A big thank you to all participants, and especially to our partners Karol Leszczyński and Joanna Kowalska (Comarch) and Katalin Kauzli (Partnerhub) for their valuable contributions and expertise.
What we discussed
The meeting focused on one key question:
How will digitalization reshape factoring in the coming years?
The state of digital factoring in CEE
Olena Gryniuk (SME Banking Club, WOA digital0 had the opportunity to share insights from the Annual Digital Factoring Study by WOA.digital, which analyzes digital factoring capabilities across CEE markets.
Some key observations:
- Digital factoring is gaining real momentum, with 32 providers already offering digital application processes, and 24 delivering fully digital, end‑to‑end journeys
- Markets like Poland are leading, while others are actively catching up
- The industry is clearly moving toward automation, embedded finance, and platform-based models.
E‑invoicing as a game changer
Katalin Kauzli delivered a highly relevant perspective on the role of structured invoice data in factoring.
With e‑invoicing becoming mandatory in Slovenia from 2028 (Peppol model), access to standardized invoice data will fundamentally change how factoring works:
- Faster onboarding and decision-making
- Reduced risk through verified, structured data
- New opportunities for embedded and real-time financing
Invoice data is no longer just supporting information—it is becoming the core asset for credit assessment and process automation.
From paper to platform
Karol Leszczyński explored how factoring is evolving “From Paper to Platform”, highlighting the transformation of traditional processes into fully digital, API-driven ecosystems.
Key takeaways:
- Modern factoring platforms leverage APIs, microservices, and cloud infrastructure to enable scalability and flexibility
- Automation reduces manual work and operational costs while improving customer experience
- New functionalities, including AI-driven tools and advanced analytics, are being embedded directly into platforms
This shift is not just about digitizing processes—it’s about rethinking the entire operating model of factoring.
Key conclusion
What became very clear throughout the discussion is that several forces are converging:
- Digitalization of the full customer journey
- E‑invoicing and structured data availability
- Open banking and API ecosystems
- Platform thinking and embedded finance
Together, they are fundamentally transforming factoring—from a traditional, document-heavy product into a fast, data-driven, and seamlessly integrated financing solution.
