Posted on 02.01.2014, by Rob Warlow
In the latest Small Business Index survey undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) firms are reporting that access to finance is getting easier.
The survey reveals that the number of firms refused their credit application is the joint lowest share since the start of 2012. Mirroring other surveys which looks at the demand for finance only 16% of respondents had applied for credit in the quarter, which means businesses could be paying for investment out of existing sources of capital.
Those businesses accepted for finance continue to report cheaper interest rates being charged, a direct result of Funding for Lending (FLS). With the government having recently re-allocated FLS funds to SME lending the FSB hopes this will mean the banks make finance available to more small firms.
The survey also reports that the UK’s small firms are showing increasing optimism for 2014 as businesses remain positive about the economic outlook.
This increased confidence means more small firms are planning to invest in and explore the global trade market. New data shows businesses expect to see rapid or moderate expansion in the next 12 months. Alongside this, one in 10 businesses report running above capacity while a third are running at full capacity – both the highest figures since the Small Business Index began in 2010.
Feeding into expansion plans, capital investment intentions continue to rise with almost a quarter (23.1%) expecting to invest in the next year.
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.
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 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.
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!
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.