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.

Preserving working capital is crucial to ensure you don’t run out of cash. If need to buy assets such as plant and machinery, then using an Asset Finance facility is one option. Recognising the importance of keeping cash within the business, we start our Bulletin with an announcement from Lloyds Bank of the launch of their new Asset Finance fund.

With retail sales slowing down we look at how businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about borrowing money. The latest statistics from UK Finance reveal a contraction in borrowing but an increase in the amount of cash held in bank accounts.

Have you ever been a victim of online fraud? A survey from Barclays discovers how many frauds are never reported to the banks or authorities. What can you do to prevent falling foul of online fraudsters and whom can you report it to?

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.

Is appetite amongst small businesses to borrow money on the wane? According to the latest SME Finance Monitor Report this is the case. We take a look at how more business owners are opting out of taking on debt in favour of pursuing a ‘slow growth or no growth’ strategy.

On a more positive note, we share news from the Finance and Leasing Association that its members are reporting record volumes in financing plant and machinery, and business equipment. Asset Finance as a source of funding is continuing to win over small businesses.

To close the Bulletin, we look at a new fund launched by the British Business Bank. The North West Business Growth has been designed to assist growing businesses in the North West in accessing loan 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.

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.

We kick off this Business Finance Bulletin by taking a look at the latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that Asset Finance continues to be a popular way of purchasing assets such as equipment and vehicles.

Nat West and RBS have announced more changes to its application process in order to speed up business finance requests. The revised process focuses on improving application turnaround times from months to weeks for commercial and residential property developers.

Raising funds via selling shares in your business is one way of funding growth. To close review equity crowdfunding platform performance in the first quarter of 2017. Which platforms are leading the pack in terms of the number and volume of equity deals?

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 Bulletin, we kick off with our monthly round-up of how lenders are supporting businesses in terms of accessing finance. We look at the latest figures from the Asset Based Finance Association which reveal record business being written by the asset finance sector and levels of support given by the traditional High Street banks.

We review research from Aldermore Bank which shows that business confidence continues to define expectations with SMEs positively looking forward to 2017. How are they planning to expand?

The government is finally beginning to share the rules and regulations they plan to implement in 2017 to curb the late payment epidemic. We look at the steps they will be taking with effect from 1st April 2017 and no doubt large businesses will be concerned about another set of bureaucratic rules to follow!

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.

Kicking off this Business Finance Bulletin is a look at findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor Report which includes a focus on small business borrowing appetites. The report reveals that a large number have no interest in taking on finance.

The British Business Bank has been supporting a number of alternative lenders with additional funds for them to on-lend to small businesses. We look at the funding passed onto an Asset Finance company based in the North West which is set to support growing businesses in need of asset finance solutions.

Have you ever lost a cheque or forget to pay one into your bank account? According to a survey from Barclays it’s not an uncommon occurrence and you may be surprised as to how much money is lost this way!

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.