Perhaps it’s no surprise that business confidence is swinging back and forth in reaction to global and local events. That’s the findings from the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer report which we review in our latest Bulletin. However, it’s not all doom and gloom with some glimmer of positivity reported!

Managing financial tasks can be a headache for many businesses. This is why Starling Bank, the mobile-only banking channel, have teamed up with an invoice issuing, online solution provider Albert, to streamline invoicing and bank reconciliation. Could it help you reduce time spent on administrative tasks?

To close this Bulletin, we look at the 4th annual report from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance which reveals a continued rise in the use of alternative finance. Who are the businesses tapping into this growing, almost mainstream, form of finance?

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You would think that when it comes to selling a business, it would be the more mature ones putting up the ‘For Sale’ sign. Latest findings from Barclays Bank in their Entrepreneur’s Index report reveal that more younger businesses than ever before are being sold.

As we approach the year-end many business owners will find themselves with time on their hands as the seasonal slowdown kicks in. In a new survey, Lloyds Bank asked business owners what they will do during this quiet period. Do they spend time planning or kick back and do nothing?

To close the Bulletin, we look at the latest small business bank lending figures from UK Finance. The trend of a slowdown in an appetite to borrow and a build up in cash deposits still continues.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

With one of the busiest online shopping periods looming it can be easy to get caught out by online fraudsters. What can you do to ensure you and your business doesn’t lose out financially and give confidence to people visiting your website?

In previous Bulletins we have looked at the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme. New research from London Economics has revealed how businesses accessing this loan scheme have grown more than those which haven’t. Could you use this Scheme if you want to grow your business but struggling to access finance?

Whilst many business owners want to avoid getting in to more debt, there are some entrepreneurs who have ambitions to borrow significant sums. Who are these ambitious tycoons and how big are their borrowing plans?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Competition in the provision of banking services is set to hot up in 2018 with the announcement from Virgin Money that it is to start offering banking products to small businesses. What can we expect from a business that has a record of shaking up industries?

Companies involved in developing innovative products or services often find it difficult to obtain finance. We take a look at a new £50 million loan fund offered by Innovate UK to support businesses in need of finance to get innovative products or services out in the market place.

In previous Bulletins we have looked at how the growth in usage of Asset Finance facilities has outstripped supported provided by banks. However, the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association reveal a surprising fall in the amount of new asset finance business written.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

A scary start to our latest Bulletin with a look at zombie businesses! According to a recent survey from Begbies Traynor, zombie businesses are on the rise. What are they and how can you avoid doing business with them?

Entrepreneurial age gaps often lead to different views in business and finance is no different. We look at findings from Worldpay which highlights the difference between younger and older generation entrepreneurs when it comes to sourcing and accessing alternative finance.

If you’re setting up a niche business or running a high-growth enterprise, equity is one popular avenue of funding. But how do you find Angel Investors for example? We share news of a service launched by the UK Business Angels Association designed to help businesses and investors find each other.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Not unexpectedly, after 10 years the Bank of England has increased the cost of borrowing. In our latest Bulletin we look at how this increase will affect both business borrowers and savers.

Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounter, has launched an unsecured business loan product bringing another option to those businesses in need of a short term loan. We review how it works and which businesses are eligible to apply.

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme, a little known finance product offered by the High Street banks, has hit a new milestone. The scheme, overseen by the British Business Bank, can help those businesses with a viable proposition but lacking in security. Could it help you?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Preserving working capital is crucial to ensure you don’t run out of cash. If need to buy assets such as plant and machinery, then using an Asset Finance facility is one option. Recognising the importance of keeping cash within the business, we start our Bulletin with an announcement from Lloyds Bank of the launch of their new Asset Finance fund.

With retail sales slowing down we look at how businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about borrowing money. The latest statistics from UK Finance reveal a contraction in borrowing but an increase in the amount of cash held in bank accounts.

Have you ever been a victim of online fraud? A survey from Barclays discovers how many frauds are never reported to the banks or authorities. What can you do to prevent falling foul of online fraudsters and whom can you report it to?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

One problem which can affect the outcome of your finance request is your credit score. In this Bulletin we look at findings from a recent survey carried out by Ratesetter Business Finance which reveals how many business owners have never checked their score. Don’t be one of them.

Business optimism appears to be on the up again. That the finding from the latest Deloitte’s quarterly Chief Finance Officer’s survey. However, a good number are still less than rosy. What factors are driving down the level of optimism?

Since the government’s Start Up Loan Co was launched in 2012 how exactly has it helped boost start ups? The British Business Bank has undertaken a review of its effectiveness and we look at how both starts ups and the overall economy have benefited from the support provided by the Start Up Loan Company.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Despite confidence levels amongst many small businesses being muted, we open our latest Bulletin with a look at news from Hitachi Capital Business Finance that SMEs are seeing opportunities coming out of Brexit. Also, the latest Lloyds Bank research reveals that confidence is up in terms of production output across the regions. So not all bad news.

Dealing with late payment is bad enough but when late payment turns into no payment then that can be a bitter pill to swallow. That’s where trade credit insurance comes in and we have news of a new streamlined policy from Atradius designed for small businesses.

To close we take a look at the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that the industry continues to see strong growth in leasing and HP when it comes to purchases of plant and machinery and business equipment.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.

After a long wait, the government has announced the appointment of the Small Business Commissioner. How will the new Commissioner, Paul Uppal, help small businesses, particularly when it comes to late payment?

Starling Bank, the mobile-only bank account provider, has announced the forthcoming launch of its mobile account service for businesses. They are looking for small business owners who are prepared to take part in the initial trial and help shape its look. Could that be you?

Carrying too much working capital can strangle growth. A new survey from Lloyds Bank has calculated how much cash businesses have tied up in surplus working capital. The amount, if released, could free businesses to fund their own growth plans.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Stitcher or itunes channel.