Opening the latest Business Finance Bulletin, we review a report from the British Business Bank looking at the business borrowing market in 2020. Not surprisingly the report reveals that businesses took on an unprecedented level of debt.

With businesses going full out on CBILS and Bounce Back Loans the alternative finance sector, which was booming up until 2020, has taken a hit with falling demand. We look at news of one of the first casualties with Nat West’s announcement that ESME Loans is closing its doors.

To close, the roll out of Open Banking takes a step forward with news that 9 of the main High Street banks are to join forces to spearhead a joined-up approach to deliver a consistent offering.

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In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Xtra, we’re delighted to be chatting with Tunde Kehinde and Ercin Eksin founders of the alternative lender, Lidya.

Lidya is the leading platform for small & medium business finance that provides access to finance across frontier, fast growing and emerging markets. The team is spread across 3 continents and 5 countries which are USA, Portugal, Nigeria, Poland and Czech Republic.

In this episode we find out from Tunde and Ercin how Lidya started, the finance products they offer small businesses in developing countries and how they are helping change the fortunes of the business owners they support.

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

Start ups have traditionally found it challenging to raise finance. To open this week’s Bulletin, a look at how Just Cashflow will be using Augmented Intelligence to pre-select and directly approach start-ups worthy of financial support.

The latest annual Small Business Finance Markets Report from the British Business Bank reveals how banks are getting left behind in terms of financing SMEs. Are the days of High Street being the first port of call numbered?

Wrapping up this edition, a look at recommendations from the Money Advice Trust, which runs Business Debtline, on how the continuing problem of late payment needs to be addressed.

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

Rising out of the ashes of the credit crunch the alternative finance providers moved in to fill the gap left by the banks. To open this Bulletin, we look at how the alternative lenders are evolving with Iwoca announcing a milestone in lending and Nucleus Commercial Finance improving its loan repayment term.

Managing late payment can often be a burden for small business owners, which means action taken by the Prompt Payment Code to suspend members not adhering to its rules is good news. Which household names have been asked to leave the organisation?

To wrap up this Bulletin, we look at why you need to be aware whether your industry sector is in or out of favour with your bank before applying for finance.

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

The first meeting of the recently formed Business Finance Council has released a 5-point SME Finance Charter. The Council was established to ensure a smooth flow of finance post-Brexit but will the promises to support small businesses be merely words?

Flexible finance provider Just Cashflow has announced modifications to its product range. The changes will allow more small businesses access to finance, especially those who favour overdraft-type facilities but can’t get bank support.

To close this Bulletin, we look at a partnership announced between mobile-only bank Starling and debt insurance provider Nimbla. The service link-up available to Starling Bank business customers is designed to lessen the impact of non-payment of debt.

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

The credit crunch in 2008 was the start of the rise of the so-called Challenger Banks. This month, one of those early entrants, Aldermore Bank, celebrates its 10th anniversary. To open our latest Bulletin, we take a look at Aldermore’s achievements over the last 10 years.

When borrowing via a Limited Company, one downside is that lenders expect Directors to provide Personal Guarantees. Many can be reluctant to sign and in some cases it’s enough to put them off borrowing. However, that risk can be offset by taking out a Personal Guarantee Insurance policy. We take a look at how it works and where you can obtain such a Policy.

To close this Bulletin, news from The Small Business Commissioner that it has named-and-shamed another high profile business for its late payment practices. Another success story for the Commissioners Office with £32,000 paid following its intervention.

Despite an increase in the level of uncertainty among small business owners, primarily caused by Brexit, there are some who are feeling more positive about the future. We open this Bulletin with findings from a survey of fast growth businesses which reveals the opportunities they feel Brexit will bring.

The start of April 2019 heralds the introduction of Making Tax Digital. Whilst some businesses see it as a distraction and additional administrative costs, there are benefits to embracing this new way of engaging with HMRC.

To close this Bulletin, a look at findings from Growth Street, a Peer to Peer lender, of how many entrepreneurs are still unaware of the sources of finance outside the main High Street banks.

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.

We open our latest Bulletin with news of another tranche of money released as part of the RBS bailout package. Designed to improve competition in the small business banking market, eleven banks have the opportunity to incentivise small business owners to switch from RBS.

Paypal may not immediately jump to mind as being an alternative lender but since 2014 their Working Capital loan product has been a life line for small businesses in need of finance. Available only to Paypal clients, we look at how loan usage has jumped over the last 12 months.

Despite everything going on politically and economically, a new survey from Hitachi Capital reveals that many small businesses are planning growth. What are their top three growth priorities?

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.

When the alternative finance providers entered the market to satisfy small businesses demand for finance, it was personal investors who provide the cash. We are now seeing institutional investors taking serious interest in the sector with announcements of tie-ups from Funding Circle and Thin Cats.

As well as holding back growth, late payment can have a costly impact on small businesses. BACS, the payment service provider, has taken a look at how late payment can affect small businesses, both in terms of cash and other knock-on effects.

To close this Bulletin, news from short-term lender Iwoca, which has announced agreements with another two major High Banks to utilise the benefits of Open Banking. Another step forward in speeding up access to finance.

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.

To open this edition, we look at the announcement from Funding Circle, the business peer-to-peer lender, that the British Business Bank is to provide £150m for on-lending to UK small businesses. This second tranche of from the bank is set to support approximately 2,000 businesses.

The latest figures from UK Finance, the banking industry’s trade body, reveals that small business appetite to borrow is still on the wane. The fall in borrowing from the banks has tuned into businesses seemingly hoarding cash with a jump in amount of money held on deposit.

To close, positive news in a recent report by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance which points to a continued rise in lending provided by the alternative finance sector. But it’s not only the supply of debt on the rise; equity facilitated by specialist platforms has also seen an increase.

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.