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.

Atom Bank is a relatively new, digital-only, challenger bank. In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at a £30m investment made by the British Business Bank, which Atom will be using to support small businesses.

The Queen’s Speech contained news that the government intends to introduce the Goods Mortgage Bill which will provide additional comfort to asset-based finance providers lending to sole traders and partnerships. The new Bill will help these trading entities better access services such as invoice discounting.

To close, we have another example of how small businesses are bypassing the traditional High Street lenders to obtain finance. We look at an announcement from PayPal that its Working Capital loan product has hit a new milestone in terms of money lent and the number of PayPal business customers which have successfully accessed 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.

In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin, news from Santander on its collaboration with online lending platform Kabbage. The alliance will allow Santander’s small business customers to apply for loans online to speed up the lending process and is a nod to the success of the online lending revolution.

The government’s plan to help alternative finance providers has been boosted by banks now being required to share borrower credit information with three credit reference agencies. This increased transparency will allow alternative lenders to make more informed decisions when supporting small businesses.

The asset-based finance industry continues to go from strength to strength with the latest figures from the Asset Based Finance Association showing continued growth in 2015.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, why you should be negotiating with your suppliers to ensure you get the best deal and tips from negotiation expert Derek Arden on negotiating with your bank.

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.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the findings from the latest quarterly SME Finance Monitor report. The report highlights why you should never assume anything when dealing with your bank!

Turning to the asset-based finance sector Rob has news on how this form of finance continues to outpace the banks in terms of support to small businesses.

In the crowdfunding world Rob looks at the announcement from equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube on a new milestone reached in respect of funds raised.

What are your confidence levels like about where your business is going over the next few months? Find out what business owners said when asked this question by Bibbys Financial Services as part of their regular SME Confidence Tracker.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about why business owners hate writing business plans.

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In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow tackles the age-old problem of late payment. Rob looks at recent research from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) which reveals the extent of the problem and possible solutions.

Many businesses don’t realise that to help offset the costs of the impact of late payment they are allow to charge interest and Rob shares news from Lovetts, the debt recovery firm, on how awareness of this right is on the increase.

Unlike bank lending asset finance continues its growth as more businesses turn to this alternative source of finance. The latest statistics from the Asset Based Finance Association show just how popular it has become.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob looks at the benefits of planning ahead and getting ‘finance-ready’ well before you need to approach a lender.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this week’s Bulletin by clicking below or downloading via our Sounndcloud or itunes channels.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at news from the Asset Based Finance Association on how asset finance business is booming.

If you are looking to purchase plant and equipment via Asset Finance Rob discusses the emergence of a relatively new provider in the market, Secure Trust Bank.

If you purchase goods from China and struggle to find the cash up front then Rob has news of a tie up between Alibaba, the Chinese online portal, and Ezbob and IWOCA, providers of short-term finance.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares one of the reasons why banks say no. Don’t fall foul of this!

If you would prefer to listen to this week’s episode as a podcast simply click below to listen and download to your PC or phone.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at a survey carried out by the British Business Bank into the SME finance landscape which draws a number of conclusions on how small businesses view the world of finance.

The use of asset based finance continues to grow and Rob shares news from the Asset Based Finance Association on the increased use of invoice discounting and leasing as an alternative source of finance.

In the crowdfunding world, news of a milestone reached by crowdlender Funding Knight and an announcement by Cambridge and Counties Bank of the opening of a new branch in the North of England.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares a conversation he had with a business owner about the use of management information and how to get the best out of it.

You can also listen to this week’s Bulletin as a podcast. To listen via your PC or download to your phone either click below to listen or click the download symbol.

The rise in the level of support being given by the asset-based finance industry continues to put the banks to shame.

According to the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) in the three months to the quarter ended June 2014 asset-based funders (comprising of invoice finance and asset finance providers) lent out a record £18.9 billion to UK businesses.

The figures from the ABFA reveal that the combined amount of invoice finance and asset based lending provided to businesses grew by 7% in the last quarter, from £17.7 billion in March 2014, and 10% in the last year, from £17.3 billion in June 2013.

The ABFA puts the growth down to constraints on traditional lending as well as greater awareness and understanding amongst businesses as to how borrowing against the value of their invoices and other assets can free up cash to invest in growth.

The ABFA reported that 80% of asset based finance is invoice finance, in which businesses secure funding against their unpaid invoices, while the remaining 20% represents asset based lending, in which businesses can raise money secured against a range of other assets they own, including inventory, property and machinery.

Compared to the average fall in bank lending of 3% to 4% per year it’s clear that whilst many businesses may be forced to consider alternative sources of finance the fact that funding sources are now more diverse can only be a positive move.