Whilst larger housebuilding firms tend to have easier access to finance, smaller housebuilders have greater challenges in getting the finance they need to develop sites. To open this Bulletin, news of a guide released by UK Finance and the Federation of Master Builders designed to help SME housebuilders source finance.

Where are businesses turning to when they apply for finance? We continue our look at findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor Report and reveal where businesses in need of finance are turning to. Despite strained relationships between banks and small businesses, the High Street banks remain the first port of call.

As an alternative source of finance, the Asset Finance sector continues to be an important avenue of funding for growing businesses. The latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association show a busy August in terms of volume of business written. How does it look over 12 months though?

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Financial fraud can be complex but sometimes a fraud can be relatively simple. We open our latest Bulletin with findings from research undertaken by RSM into the rising frequency of mandate fraud. What is it and what can you do to avoid being taken in by this fraud?

According to a new survey carried out by the British Business Bank, appetite among small businesses to grow is strong. We share how many are entrepreneurs are held back by a lack of awareness as to where to find appropriate finance.

To close, news from HSBC of the launch of its 5th SME Fund, which sets aside cash specifically for UK small businesses. We look at how the latest Fund has a particular focus on supporting smaller businesses who want to increase exports.

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We often share news of how the British Business Bank has supported lenders by providing funding for on-lending to growing businesses. We open this Bulletin by taking a look at the British Business Bank’s contribution to improving access to finance as detailed in their latest Annual Report.

New research carried about by the Lending Standards Board and Business Debtline has revealed that lenders need to provide more support to vulnerable business owners. We look at how these two bodies can assist businesses which find themselves in challenging situations.

In recent Bulletins we have featured news that small businesses are feeling less than optimistic about their prospects. However, according to latest research from Nat West, mid-sized businesses are feeling more confident about the economy and their business performance over the next 12 months.

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To open this Bulletin, we review findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor Report which reveals a continued fall in the number of businesses looking to borrow money. The spectre of Brexit and a general uneasiness about the economy appears to be haunting business owners.

For those businesses which are looking to borrow then easily finding a finance source can be time consuming; that’s where collaboration between operators in the finance sector can help. We look at how Starling Bank and Growth Street is one example of businesses joining forces to improve access to finance.

To close, Creditsafe the company credit rating agency, has issued its latest 3-monthly review which highlights a startling increase in both the number of corporate failures and bad debts. At least the report contains one bit of positive news to close this Bulletin!

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We open our latest Bulletin with findings from a new survey undertaken by the British Chamber of Commerce which reveals that businesses continue to shun debt. Other than taking on finance to support day-to-day cashflow, the report highlights how businesses are becoming apathetic towards debt, particularly for medium to long-term investment.

The key reason for the unwillingness to seek new finance is a lack of confidence in the economy. This is borne out in the latest Lloyds Bank monthly Business Barometer report, which finds that business confidence levels plunged in May. What’s driving this?

Finally, we close on a positive note! New research from the British Business Bank finds the more businesses are accessing growth finance by selling equity. The annual Small Business Equity Tracker report reveals that 2017 saw a jump in both deal numbers and average deal size. Could you access equity to fund your 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.

Accessing finance via Angel investors is one source of growth finance. Who are these investors and what do they look for when taking a stake in a business? To open this Bulletin, we look at the latest annual Angel investor review undertaken by the British Business Bank and the UK Business Angels Association.

Since its inception in 2010 Funding Circle has supported thousands of small businesses via its business loan product. To understand the impact their support has had on the UK economy Funding Circle teamed up with Oxford Economics to carry out an in-depth study. The results show how access to finance can have a positive knock-on effect in the economy.

Despite the benefits of sensible borrowing the latest report from the SME Finance Monitor team reveals that demand for finance remains weak. The report highlights how the number of businesses declaring they have no intention of borrowing money has reached a new high.

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When searching for finance many business owners don’t know where to start looking. To help bridge the information gap the British Business Bank has launched a finance knowledge website. We open our Bulletin by looking at how the portal can help guide business owners to the right source of finance.

Iwoca has been known as a short-term loan provider but they have now announced a new 5 year loan product designed to provide medium term finance to growing businesses. Could you make use of a cash injection?

In recent Bulletins we have mentioned that the first few months of this year saw a decline in the use of Asset Finance. To close this episode, we review the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal an increase in Asset Finance deals to purchase business machinery, equipment and vehicles.

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How does late payment affect small business owners? That’s a question posed by The Prompt Payment Directory in its annual late payment survey. The report reveals that many small business owners personally suffer when payments are delayed.

Findings from a new FSB study highlight that some small businesses still struggle when it comes to raising finance. What holds them back and are they deterred from applying for finance?

To close this Bulletin, we share news of how PayPal has become a rising star on the alternative finance scene. Over the last 12 months the PayPal Working Capital facility has supported an increasing number of businesses with much needed cash. We look at how the facility works and the cost.

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Some businesses when looking for finance can get overwhelmed by the choices and process of applying for funding. If you are an FSB member, then help is at hand with the launch of the FSB Funding Platform which is designed to help its members efficiently search for finance.

Despite the prevailing uncertainty about consumer demand and the state of the economy, a report from R3, the business turnaround and insolvency specialists, reveals that the number of zombie businesses is in decline. What are zombie businesses and why are their numbers falling?

Asset Finance as a way of funding the purchase of equipment has seen a boom over recent years. However, the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association show that use of Asset Finance is leveling off. We look at why that is.

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.

The invoice finance and asset-based lending sector is providing an increasing share of finance to UK businesses according to latest data released by UK Finance, the trade body for the finance industry.

The amount of money raised via invoice finance (a method of unlocking cash tied up in invoices) and other asset-based finance such as leasing and HP, is up 13% year-on-year. The total amount outstanding sits at just over £22 billion, which is the highest advances figure ever.

There are just over 40,000 UK business now using this form of finance, although this number has remained relatively static.

With the government focused on driving up UK exports, the exporting picture is particularly strong, with sales from clients through export invoice discounting facilities up 33% year-to-date, and export factoring up 11%.

UK Finance wants to see the government do more to encourage smaller businesses access funding via these sources. They are calling on the government to bring forward long-awaited legislation to give more smaller firms access to much-needed funding.

Many small businesses find themselves trapped by o-called ‘ban on assignment’ clauses, which are sometimes imposed by larger businesses on their smaller suppliers. This can restrict the finance options available to those supplier businesses. To address this, the UK Government is expected to bring forward revised Business Contract Terms (Assignment of Receivables) Regulations in the New Year.