To open our latest Bulletin, we look at a survey from Cambridge and Counties Bank which reveals that unlike other sectors the Buy to Let industry remains confident about the future. Such is the feeling of optimism, the survey finds that many landlords are looking to expand their portfolios.

In terms of lending products being using to fund their businesses, online Invoice Discounting platform MarketInvoice finds that firms are moving away from the old traditional forms of finance. What forms of finance are businesses now accessing?

Occasionally, commercial property buyers can be surprised to learn that the property being purchase is subject to VAT. This can cause an unplanned hit to cashflow. We take a look at a new short-term VAT loan launched by Aldermore Bank to help ease the pain.

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.

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.

The alternative finance market continues to power ahead in terms of support provided to businesses and individuals. The latest figures released by the Peer-to-Peer Finance Association (P2PFA) reveals that the peer-to-peer lending industry lent £750 million which brings the total lent by its members to just under £10 billion.

The P2PFA was established in 2011 as a representative and self-regulatory body for peer-to-peer lending in the UK. There are 8 members of the Association being Crowdstacker; Folk 2 Folk; Funding Circle; Landbay; Lending Works; Marketinvoice; Thin Cats, and Zopa.
The Association has reported that new member’s lending to businesses and individuals has grown by almost £100 million quarter-on-quarter over the last year.

To demonstrate how peer-to-peer is now going mainstream, the Association has highlighted that net lending (defined as total lending minus repayments) of £191 million over the same period was greater by £60 billion than the combined net lending of the major high street banks which stood at £130 million.

On average, three quarters of the lending support UK small businesses. The disparity between the P2P lenders and the traditional High St banks is further highlighted by the latest figures from UK Finance which show that in the 12 months to August 2018, bank lending to businesses fell by 2.1%.

The P2P sector continues to fill a gap being left by the banks and no doubt has been a lifeline for many small businesses.

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?

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 British Business Bank, which was established to improve small business access to finance, has issued its latest Annual Report. In our latest Bulletin, we take a look at the progress the Bank has made over the last 12 months.

Alternative lenders are being increasingly quirky in how they tap into new markets to offer finance. We look at the news of a link-up between Funding Circle and takeaway app Just Eat which aims to boost takeaway owner’s access to finance.

The Federation of Small Businesses has always championed ways of tackling late payment and so it comes as no surprise that it has launched a service to help small businesses get paid on overdue invoices.

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 the government keen to boost exports, UK Export Finance has announced a new support initiative to help improve the flow of finance to exporters. To open the Bulletin, we look at how it will work and which other businesses will benefit.

Access to finance remains a hot topic. We share findings and suggestions from a new report, ‘Banking Small Businesses’, which it’s hoped will be picked up by government and banks to boost small business funding opportunities.

Whenever we feature the problems surrounding late payment, it’s rare that there is any good news. Whilst a recent survey undertaken by BACS, the payment service provider, has its fair share of gloomy statistics, there is at least one glimmer of hope in terms of reducing late payments.

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 popular source of finance to fund the purchase items such as plant and machinery is Asset Finance but businesses are often put off by its perceived complexity. In this Bulletin, we look at a new streamlined Hire Purchase application process launched by Hitachi Capital designed to make the task easier.

We live in uncertain times and this is demonstrated by the mixed messages coming out on business confidence. We review two recent surveys which demonstrate that that some businesses are buoyant about where they are now and the future, but others less so.

Savvy business owners know when to say ‘no’ to a new contract. That’s the finding from a recent survey which reveal three key reasons why a business would refuse to take on a piece of work. Are you confident enough to turn away work if it could potentially damage your finances?

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.

Tackling late payment to help small businesses with mounting cashflow problems has been a focus for the government. In this latest Business Finance Bulletin, we look at new regulations now in force designed to keep pressure on larger businesses to pay on time.

With Brexit underway, a survey from Ratesetter Business Finance reveals that small businesses appear to be resilient and confident when it comes to growth and investment plans. We also look at research from Barclays Bank on how small businesses are reacting to rising costs.

Finally, we share news from the recent formed Association of Alternative Business Finance on three new additions to its membership to bolster its aim of improving transparency and standards in the industry.

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 alternative finance becoming an increasing source of finance we kick off this Bulletin with news of the launch of The Association of Alternative Business Finance. Formed by seven players on the alternative business finance scene, the Association is focused on delivering higher standards in the industry.

Time is moving closer to government action on late payment. To lessen the prevalence of late payment I take a look at the forthcoming Duty to Report regulations which places an obligation on large businesses to disclose details of their payment practices.

Are there signs that business appetite to borrow money from banks is beginning to wane? We examine the latest bank lending figures released by the Bank of England.

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.