Posts Tagged ‘business growth’

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 65: Business Growth Bank Lending, New Banks & Selling Equity

Posted on: March 13th, 2015 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at evidence of a continued increase in confidence amongst small business owners with positive news from a survey carried out by Hitachi Capital.

Rob also looks at signs that the success rate in getting a ‘yes’ from banks is on the up according to the FSB’s latest Voice of Small Business Index. According to this latest report businesses are also reporting how profits are on the up and there is more interest in hiring staff. All positive signs for the economy.

Turning to alternative lenders Rob shares news of a possible new entrant into the banking market with Civilised Bank looking to launch later in the year focusing on the SME market.

Funding growth via selling equity has often been a mental stumbling block for many business owners but Rob looks at a report from the British Business Bank which reveals that more businesses are considering it as a viable option to raising cash.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Dr Paul Thomas of DNA Definitive in which he shares a number of key issues that growing businesses should be aware of.

If you prefer to listen to this week’s edition on your phone or in your car simply download the podcast version by clicking the download image.

Business Finance Bulletin Episode 57: Late Payment, Business Growth, Crowdfunding & Business Processes

Posted on: January 16th, 2015 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In the latest edition of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at news from Lovetts, the commercial debt recovery firm, on how the amount of late payment debt is on the increase.
As part of its annual Small Business Income Index, news from Barclays of further evidence that the economy is showing signs of growth with a number of sectors and UK regions standing out.

Raising equity through crowdfunding continues to grow in popularity and Rob looks at an overview from Crowdcube on how it performed in 2014.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares his thoughts on the importance of having sound systems and processes in place; getting this right may reduce the amount of finance you may need to raise.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this week’s Bulletin. You can download a copy for listening later by clicking below.

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 46: Old World Meets New World, Alternative Finance and Accurate Financial Information

Posted on: October 17th, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In the latest episode of the Friday Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the meeting of the old financial world and the new financial world with news that PWC have tied up with Funding Circle to meet their client’s borrowing needs.

To support the growing alternative finance market news from the UK government’s British Business Bank of a financial package arranged with Shire Leasing.

Business confidence is on the rise as reported in a survey carried out by Barclays and news from another High Street bank, RBS/Nat West which has revealed plans to launch a number of accelerator hubs for start up businesses. RBS has also announced a new pot of money to lend out to growing businesses.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob talks with author and corporate finance specialist Tim Luscombe who shares a salutatory lesson in why you need to keep accurate management accounts.

You can also listen to this Bulletin as a podcast and download it to your computer or phone by clicking below.

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 40: SME Finance Monitor Report, Business Growth, Equity Support & Financial Information

Posted on: September 5th, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow reviews findings from the recent SME Finance Monitor Report which reveals that demand for finance amongst business owner is low. But what does that do for growth?

According to another survey Rob discusses how many businesses are planning to invest this year but that they have a low understanding of how alternative finance works and how it could benefit them.

If you are looking to raise equity then news of a support program run by Crowdcube to help you through the process.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a clip from a live seminar in which Rob explains how your financial information needs to be kept up to date.

You can access this Bulletin in two ways… watch the video on our You Tube Channel or listen and download the Bulletin to your phone via SoundCloud

Business Appetite to Borrow Continues to Fall… So How Will Growth Be Funded?

Posted on: September 4th, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance News

The latest SME Finance Monitor Report shows how much the funding and finance landscape is changing with small businesses demonstrating cautiousness and a reluctance to engage in seeking out finance.

One of the key findings from the latest quarterly report, which surveys 5,000 UK small business owners, is that issues around access to finance is now slipping off the list of obstacles to running to a business.

The current economic climate continues to be cited as the main obstacle to running the business in the next 12 months with 17% of SMEs quoting this as the main barrier. In terms of access to finance only 8% claimed it to be an issue (compared to 12% in Q1 2013), which appears to be counter to how much press the relationship between banks and small businesses is given.

Interestingly 65% of those surveyed said they see no major obstacles which could hold them back from going for growth. This is an encouraging sign.

With access of finance being seen as less of an issue than we may think, how does this translate in to actually usage of finance?

The report found that 39% of SMEs were using external finance in the second quarter of 2014, which is in line with most quarters since 2012. This means that 60% of SMEs either fund their business via shareholders/directors or don’t borrow.

In fact 39% classified themselves as a ‘Permanent non-borrower’. These are businesses which have not borrowed over the last five years and have no intention of borrowing over the next three months. The number of small businesses who declare themselves as not interested in borrowing has increased steadily over time, having been 34% in 2011 and 2012.

Even the number of businesses which have not borrowed over the last twelve months is remarkably low. Referred to as ‘Happy non-seekers’ these amount to 78% of those surveyed. So nearly 80% of SMEs are quite comfortable in not borrowing at all. This number is also on an upward trend having increased from 66% in Q2 2012.

You do begin to wonder why so much attention is given to the issue of access to finance when so many businesses declare themselves as not interested! But this does have one implication and that is as to how future growth will be funded. Growth typically needs cash to support working capital and investment needs so it is important for businesses to realise that growth usually needs finance and not to shy away from seeking it out.

Of those who do borrow, the range of finance products they use is also beginning to change. The report found that 30% of SMEs used ‘core’ products (loans, overdrafts and/or credit cards), but this is a declining proportion over time (it was 36% in Q2 2012). Other forms of finance, such as leasing, invoice discounting, private loans and crowdfunding, are being used by 17% of businesses so there is a lot of scope for alternative lenders to grow.

It’s clear that many businesses are comfortable where they are but for them to grow a finance need will kick in and it’s vital they don’t fall into the trap of going for growth with no cash… that can only end in disaster. But there is also a need for all finance providers to ensure that funds are there when needed and sending a clear signal that they are ‘open for business’. We don’t want businesses assuming they will get a ‘no’ and not even approaching a bank in the first place.

We will continue our look in to the findings of the latest SME Finance Monitor Report in future blogs.

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 38: Cashflow & Late Payment Tips, Crowdfunding & Business Plans

Posted on: August 22nd, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In this week’s Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the impact late payment can have on growth plans with a recent survey from Close Bros Finance demonstrating how it can hold your business back.

Rob also looks at how crowdlending platforms Funding Knight, ReBuilidngSociety and LendInvest have reached new highs and milestones as they continue to challenge the traditional High Street banks.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares some thoughts in an interview he did on what a good Business Plan looks like.

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 25: Business Growth, Alternative Lenders and Business Planning

Posted on: May 9th, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

Posted on 09.05.2014, by Rob Warlow

This week I look at a survey from Bibby Financial Services which points to further increasing confidence amongst UK business owners… but there is an aspect of this to watch out for.

Alternative sources of business finance continues to be important to business owners and with government looking to legislate that banks introduce clients to alternative lenders a survey reveals that the majority of business owners can’t wait for this to happen.

The number of new crowdfunding platforms continues to increase and I look at two new additions to the crowdfunding market – Funding Tree and Money & Co.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week I share why you should always be prepared and ready to grab the business opportunities that could come your way.

Enjoy this episode and please feel free to like it or share it on your favourite social network.

 

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 17: Funding Circle, ReBuildingSociety, SME Finance Review & Commercial Mortgages

Posted on: February 28th, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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Posted on 28.02.2014, by Rob Warlow 

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the latest tranche of British Business Bank money given to peer-to-peer lender Funding Circle for on-lending to UK businesses. Rob also looks at an incentive being run during March by another peer-to-peer platform, ReBuildingSociety to encourage use of this alternative lending source.

A new survey from the Manufacturing Advisory Service reveals a buoyant mood amongst manufacturers and in his Tip of the Week Rob looks at why you should contact your bank before you make a formal approach for commercial mortgages to find out how your proposal fits.

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 13: Bank Lending, Crowdfunding & Late Payment

Posted on: February 1st, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , ,
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Posted on 01.02.2014, by Rob Warlow

Our weekly Friday Business Finance Bulletin video is out. This week Rob Warlow looks at a new campaign being run by the banks to get businesses borrowing (yes, you did read that right!); how a UK crowdfunding finance raise for a property developer has broken all records and finally why you should never have to find an excuse to pick up the phone to chase late payers.

Business Finance Bulletin Epsd 12: New Banks, Working Capital & Crowdfunding

Posted on: January 27th, 2014 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
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Posted on 27.01.2014, by Rob Warlow

In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the low level of awareness among business owners of crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending; how the government has been taken to task for its lack of success in stimulating bank lending; and why you need to keep a close eye on cash during times of growth by balancing the use of cash with different forms of finance.

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