Posted on 12.11.2013, by Rob Warlow
The banks have long countered the claim that they are not lending with the argument that many businesses don’t wish to borrow. Whilst the banks have to accept they can be too risk averse a new survey has back up their assertion that there is a lack of appetite amongst business owners to borrow.
A new YouGov study finds that almost two thirds (64%) of SMEs have not sought any extra finance over the past two years from banks or any other form of lenders.
The SME Banking 2013 report reveals that that amongst those SMEs that had not obtained additional finance in the last three years, the two main deterrents were not wanting to go into debt (34%) and fears about the economic climate (21%).
The YouGov’s research found the next five factors putting SMEs off from borrowing were,
20% didn’t like the interest rates charged
16% didn’t want to face the hassle of setting up a new facility
12% disliked the terms and conditions of the deal
11% thought they would be turned down and
10% were unhappy with the security demanded by the bank
Looking at the wider picture, the YouGov’s study shows that only 36% of SMEs have looked at alternative sources of finance but 21% have secured funding via crowdfunding and 20% took out leasing/HP agreements. Instead of searching out external finance 18% of business owners have used their own money to fund the business.
The findings of this survey confirm what we have been saying for some time in this blog… more needs to be done to highlight to business owners that there are alternative ways to fund growth other than banks. Also the government must take heed of the fact that a large number of businesses just don’t wish to borrow and so they need to be more selective in the schemes they put in place.
Hi Rob, it was so interesting and entertaining listening to you at the Kevin Green Wealth Coach Workshop in Reading this weekend! I didnt realise you can find Finance proposals such fun!. Brilliant tips! Thanks.
Rob delivered a series of 3 workshops aimed at understanding how finance houses look at finance propositions with the aim for us as a team to deliver more of a bespoke offering to our customer base. The training was delivered to a mixture of staff who work with new businesses start-ups and existing established businesses across Mid & South West Wales. Rob delivered the training with an abundance of passion and has really helped my team look at financial propositions in a different light, many thanks again Rob and I look forward to work with you in the near future.
Further to your recent presentation at LEAD Wales just wanted to say it was very refreshing to see somebody talk passionately and positively about finance, very insightful!
Rob kindly agreed to attend the recent Pontypridd RFC sponsors networking evening and delivered what can only be described as an excellent talk on 5 Tactics to Boost Your Business and Your Profits. He kept the audience engaged throughout and the feedback from everyone was excellent. Rob is very knowledgeable on business and finance and on top of that is a genuine nice guy. We hope to have him back at a future event and I have no hesitation in recommending Rob’s services.
I wanted to thank you for such an insightful, energetic, and entertaining talk at the Kevin Green Wealth event on securing funding and creating a successful plan. It was brilliantly executed and a pleasure to listen to and the ideas I’ve learned are definitely going to help me in going forward.