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.

Regular feedback we have from Business Loan Services clients is how difficult it can sometimes be to arrange an overdraft limit. Iwoca, the short-term loan provider, recently undertook a mystery shopping expedition to see how challenging it can be! In this Bulletin we see how they got on and share 3 tips if you’re looking for an overdraft.

Staying with the subject of overdrafts, Lloyds Bank has announced a revision of its overdraft charging structure. We look at the changes and how it’s decision to simplify the cost of running an overdraft will make the charge more transparent and easier to understand.

To close, we look at the latest asset finance statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association. The most recent figures show usage of asset finance increased in October, but year-on-year, the growth is less than stellar suggesting that business owners are holding back on investment.

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.

Here is the Iwoca mystery shopping video demonstrating how difficult it can be in getting an overdraft facility.

Competition in the provision of banking services is set to hot up in 2018 with the announcement from Virgin Money that it is to start offering banking products to small businesses. What can we expect from a business that has a record of shaking up industries?

Companies involved in developing innovative products or services often find it difficult to obtain finance. We take a look at a new £50 million loan fund offered by Innovate UK to support businesses in need of finance to get innovative products or services out in the market place.

In previous Bulletins we have looked at how the growth in usage of Asset Finance facilities has outstripped supported provided by banks. However, the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association reveal a surprising fall in the amount of new asset finance business written.

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.

Despite confidence levels amongst many small businesses being muted, we open our latest Bulletin with a look at news from Hitachi Capital Business Finance that SMEs are seeing opportunities coming out of Brexit. Also, the latest Lloyds Bank research reveals that confidence is up in terms of production output across the regions. So not all bad news.

Dealing with late payment is bad enough but when late payment turns into no payment then that can be a bitter pill to swallow. That’s where trade credit insurance comes in and we have news of a new streamlined policy from Atradius designed for small businesses.

To close we take a look at the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that the industry continues to see strong growth in leasing and HP when it comes to purchases of plant and machinery and business equipment.

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.

Whilst bank lending to businesses is slowly on the up, in this Business Finance Bulletin we look at the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that the Asset Finance sector is on a roll.

Carrying too much stock can tie up cashflow which can be better employed within the business. We look at research from the Asset Based Finance Association which highlights exactly how much cash SMEs have invested in unsold stock.

Another drain on cashflow is of course late payment. A new report from the Federation of Small Businesses is calling for more action on tackling the late payment endemic.

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.