Posts Tagged ‘access to finance’

Financial Terminology, Business Investment Plans and the Impact of CCJs – BFB Epsd 159

Posted on: March 10th, 2017 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we start off by looking at how findings from a new survey reveal that business owners can be put off borrowing by complicated financial terminology. Are you confused by the jargon lenders use?

It seems some business owners are running for the hills when it comes to planned investments over the next six months. A rapid fall in estimated investment levels indicates that small business owners are being cautious ahead of Brexit.

There are many reasons why your bank can say ‘no’ but when it comes to County Court Judgments, or CCJs as they are commonly referred to, it is difficult to argue your corner. Find out how one business owner unwittingly fell into this trap.

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.

Business Finance Options, Ratesetter and TaxAssist, and Bank Lending to SMEs- BFB Epsd 158

Posted on: March 3rd, 2017 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

We kick-off this week’s Bulletin by sharing a story from a client meeting this week where the business assumed that there would be no funding for them. We look at how many businesses make this mistake and so inadvertently deny themselves the opportunity to grow.

We have news on how TaxAssist Accountants have formed an alliance with Ratesetter, the peer-to-peer lender, to offer clients immediate access to a quick source of working capital and growth finance.

To close the Bulletin, we take our monthly look at how banks are supporting SMEs in terms of loans outstanding. The latest figures from the Bank of England indicate early signs of a shift in attitude amongst small businesses towards borrowing.

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.

Barclays Borrowing App, Bank Lending to SMEs and Borrowing from Family & Friends – BFB Epsd 150

Posted on: January 6th, 2017 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

We start this latest Business Finance Bulletin by reviewing the launch of a new mobile banking service from Barclays which will allow its small business clients to apply for finance and, if accepted, receive funds within one hour.

We take our regular look at what the High Street banks are doing in terms of money lent out to business according to the latest statistics released by the Bank of England.

Family and friends are a popular source of finance amongst business owners mainly because of the ease with which funds can be accessed. However, new research has revealed how failure to pay back can cause relationships to breakdown. But to save the day we have details of a new Peer to Peer platform which can step in to ease the tension.

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.

Equity Crowdfunding in 2016, Finance Raising Advice and Business Investment Confidence – BFB Epsd 145

Posted on: November 11th, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In this Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at the annual ‘Where are They Now?’ report, which analyses the equity crowdfunding industry and how it has performed over the last 12 months. The report findings suggest reduced activity amongst market leaders providing this source of finance.

Growing businesses can benefit from professional advice particularly when it comes to raising finance. A new report from Close Bros reveals that many small businesses feel they are being short-changed by their bank when it comes to crucial advice on funding.

With the economy having taken a number of shocks, according to Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance, businesses are starting to question their investment plans over the next 12 months. We ask how will this affect you and what actions can you take?

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.

Bank Referral Scheme Launch, Insolvency on the Up, SME Finance Updates – BFB Epsd 144

Posted on: November 4th, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

After 18 months in the planning the government’s Bank Referral Scheme has been launched. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at how the scheme is designed to improve small business access to finance.

Despite post-Brexit confidence remaining relatively high we take a look at the latest statistics from the Insolvency Service, which reveals an up-tick in the number of businesses going down the insolvency route.

On a more positive note we close the Bulletin looking at news from the Bank of England that bank lending to small businesses continues to rise. We also share news from Crowdcube on how they are supporting a record number of businesses looking to raise finance by selling equity.

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.

Crowdfunding Records and Milestones and Crowdfunding for Charities – BFB Epsd 125

Posted on: June 10th, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

We start off this Bulletin with a look at a record-breaking crowdfunding equity campaign via Crowdcube for children’s pre-paid debit card provider, Go Henry. The amount raised, which was twice the sum originally planned for, has sparked a debate about the maximum amounts which can be raised via crowdfunding platforms.

Turning to debt crowdfunding, we have news from South West based lender, Folk2Folk, which has passed a new milestone in terms of money lent.

New research from NESTA, the innovation foundation, reveals that unlike businesses, the charitable sector is not taking full advantages of the benefits which come from raising money via crowdfunding. We look at what the barriers and benefits are of using this form of fundraising.

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.

Banks Saying ‘No’, Equity Funding, Late Payment & Cashflow Summertime Blues – BFB Epsd 124

Posted on: June 3rd, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin, we open with a look at the findings of a survey carried out by alternative finance provider Amicus on the number of businesses getting a ‘no’ from their banks.

Selling shares in a business to raise capital is often extremely low on an entrepreneur’s radar and yet findings from the British Business Bank’s Equity Tracker Report reveal that the amounts invested are on the increase.

When it comes to late payment we often associated the problem with fellow business owners but what about individuals? We take a look at an unexpected reason as to why this category of customers pay late.

As summer approaches, for many small business owners it’s a case of cashflow summertime blues. A survey from Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance reveals that July can be a tricky time for businesses. What can you do to avoid suffering from cashflow blues?

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.

Help to Grow, Tax Investigations, Credit Reports & Bank Referrals – BFB Epsd 123

Posted on: May 27th, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In this Business Finance Bulletin, a look at the launch of the British Business Bank’s ‘Help to Grow’ scheme with £30m of loans being channelled through Lloyds Bank aimed at helping high growth and innovative firms.

New research from UHY Hacker Young has revealed how small businesses are taking a disproportionately high share of fines imposed by HMRC compared to their larger counterparts. We take a look at why that is.

It’s important you know what’s contained in your Credit Report and yet according to a recent survey carried out by Which, a large number of people have never looked at their report. We explain why you should do so when it comes to borrowing money.

And to close we have news from the Royal Bank of Scotland on how it’s going to signpost businesses it can’t help to alternative lenders via its new Capital Connections platform. It’s all part of the government’s drive to encourage banks to offer alternative lenders if they say ‘no’.

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.

Business Confidence, Merchant Cash Advances, Funding Exports & Late Payment- BFB Epsd 114

Posted on: March 26th, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we review the most recent quarterly survey from the Federation of Small Businesses. The report reveals falling confidence levels amongst SMEs but there’s good news in terms of access to finance with more businesses getting the finance they need.

We have news of another alternative lender, merchant cash advance provider Liberis, which has benefited from the British Business Bank ENABLE programme via a £5m fund to on-lend to growing SMEs.

Businesses in the Greater Manchester area which are exporters or have ambitions to export can now take advantage of a new £9.5m fund. We take a look at how the Greater Manchester Export Fund works.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a chat with Steve White of Thornbury Collections in which he shares the strangest late payment excuse he’s ever heard and general tips on managing late payment.

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.

<

Start Up Loans, Finance Comparison Websites, Borrowing Application Success Rates – BFB Epsd 112

Posted on: March 11th, 2016 by blsuser1 No Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Business Finance Bulletin

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we start off with news of the latest addition to the BLS team, Simon Watts. We will be hearing from Simon in a future Bulletin with his thoughts on obtaining finance from banks.

Access to finance for start ups has always been a challenge and in this episode we look at a milestone reached by the Start Up Loan Company which was established in 2012 to help new businesses get finance.

Increasing competition in the SME finance sector has always been on the government’s radar and as part of its review into this issue the Competition and Markets Authority is advocating an SME finance Price Comparison website. Could it work?

Continuing our look at the findings of the latest SME Finance Monitor Report we look at the gap between business owner’s confidence levels at getting finance and what the actual success rate is after they have applied.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares a lesson learned from three recent client meetings which reveal that banks are indeed waking up.

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.

Tweets

What Our Clients Say

  • 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!

    Kay Hyde | Hyde & Hyde Architects
  • 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.

    Angela Holloman-Coombes | Connective HR
  • 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.

    Shayne Yates | Welsh Government Regional Centre Service Mid Wales
  • 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.

    Gaz Jabeen | Bollywood Burn Out
  • 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.

    Max Cooper of Manchester

    For details on how we deal with your data please read our Privacy Notice