When compared to the UK’s country peers, we are not as productivity as other economies. To open this week’s Bulletin, we have news of the launch of the Government’s Business Basics Fund. The fund is open to bids from businesses which have ideas to help close the UK productivity gap but need finance to develop them.

The reputation of the High Street banks took a hit post Credit Crunch and to counter this, TSB has committed to a series of Lending Pledges. We take a look at the six pledges and how they are designed to reassure the bank’s business customers that they will be treated fairly.

To close this Bulletin, continued evidence coming out of how business owners remain reluctant to borrow and conditions remain tough. The latest figures from UK Finance reveal a contraction in business borrowing and other indicators show that the general trading environment remains challenging.

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A scary start to our latest Bulletin with a look at zombie businesses! According to a recent survey from Begbies Traynor, zombie businesses are on the rise. What are they and how can you avoid doing business with them?

Entrepreneurial age gaps often lead to different views in business and finance is no different. We look at findings from Worldpay which highlights the difference between younger and older generation entrepreneurs when it comes to sourcing and accessing alternative finance.

If you’re setting up a niche business or running a high-growth enterprise, equity is one popular avenue of funding. But how do you find Angel Investors for example? We share news of a service launched by the UK Business Angels Association designed to help businesses and investors find each other.

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A year after a Competition and Markets Authority report on transparency in the finance services market, lenders to small businesses are now required to quote an APR on lower value loans. Will it help boost competition?

More evidence that businesses are beginning to feel the strain with the latest Red Flag Alert report from Begbies Traynor revealing a jump in businesses classified as being in ‘significant financial distress’.

One sector that is doing well is Peer to Peer lending. The figures on volume of lending done by members of the Peer to Peer Finance Association in Quarter 2 2017 show that businesses are continuing to take advantage of finance from this source.

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In this week’s episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the progress online invoice discounter Marketinvoice made during 2015 and their aims for 2016.

In the latest quarterly Red Flag Alert report insolvency firm Begbies Traynor reveals findings that an increasing number of firms are in financial distress and confidence levels in 2016 are on the wane. Rob looks at the reasons behind this dip in business confidence.

Would you recommend your bank? Rob looks at a new survey which finds that an increasing number of businesses are willing to do so. But who are these businesses?

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a look at why your bank would insist on reviewing your personal financial circumstances when extending finance to your business.

If you 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 Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at the latest result from the Begbies Traynor Red Flag report which provides insight into how businesses see their financial condition in the first quarter of 2015.

Having the right skill set within a business is often cited as one of the barriers to growth and Rob looks at a new programme from Close Brothers, the asset-based lending bank, and the University of Sheffield designed to support businesses looking to take on apprentices.

With many alternative providers of finance looking forward to 2016 when banks will be required to pass on clients they cannot assist, one alternative funding platform reveals the extend of help they think UK small businesses will need.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with sales mentor , author and international speaker Steve Clarke about whether there is any difference between selling products to customers and selling your idea to your bank.

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