Opening this Business Finance Bulletin, after being the key source of finance for 12 months the final figures are out for the Bounce Back Loans and CBILS schemes. The figures reveal the extent of finance taken on by businesses and now it is payback time.

For start ups and smaller businesses getting on the ladder to build a credit score can be difficult, but a new service announced by Tide Bank will ease this problem. Tide’s Credit Builder is designed to help smaller businesses create a credit footprint thereby making future access to finance easier.

To close, we review the latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveals a significant return to usage of asset finance facilities such as leasing and HP. This is a good sign of the continuing return of confidence among businesses.

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Opening the latest Business Finance Bulletin, we review a report from the British Business Bank looking at the business borrowing market in 2020. Not surprisingly the report reveals that businesses took on an unprecedented level of debt.

With businesses going full out on CBILS and Bounce Back Loans the alternative finance sector, which was booming up until 2020, has taken a hit with falling demand. We look at news of one of the first casualties with Nat West’s announcement that ESME Loans is closing its doors.

To close, the roll out of Open Banking takes a step forward with news that 9 of the main High Street banks are to join forces to spearhead a joined-up approach to deliver a consistent offering.

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The Insolvency Service has reported on the number of firms which entered some form of insolvency arrangement in 2020. Opening this Bulletin, we look at why the numbers are lower than 2019 and how the tidy is beginning to turn.

We look at the latest CBILS and Bounce Back Loan figures which reveal that demand for the support loans are still strong. The figures also show that topping up an existing Bounce Back Loan has proved popular.

To wrap up this edition, we review a report from Small Business Britain and TSB focused on the actions small businesses have taken to become more resilient in 2021.

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With 2021 being the year where managing cash flow will be more important than ever efforts to reduce instances of late payment are always welcome. We open our latest Business Finance Bulletin with changes announced by the Prompt Payment Code which will see its members reduce the number of days taken to pay invoices.

If you are purchasing a commercial property which is subject to VAT then payment can put a strain on cash flow. We look at a new short-term loan launched by Just Cashflow which can assist in the up-front VAT payment.

To close, we review new analysis from the British Business Bank which reveals the top three regions which have taken advantage of the CBILS and Bounce Back Loans.

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As we enter a recovery phase in the UK economy, businesses are now turning their thoughts to how their operation will look in the future. A survey from Hitachi Capital Business Finance reveals that many business owners have undertaken a critical review of key areas and taken steps to safeguard their future.

One impact of recent events has been the effect the downturn has had on business owners looking to exit. Findings by Nucleus Commercial Finance undercover how plans to sell up have been put on hold.

To close this Bulletin, we look at annual results released by the British Business Bank. This lender may not be familiar to many small businesses, but the chances are they have been indirectly supported by this government body.

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Starting this week’s Bulletin, with businesses either back trading or gearing up to open the doors, we look at surveys from Aldermore Bank and UK Finance which reveal how businesses see the next 12 months in terms of borrowing and growth.

The British Business Bank announces accreditation of more new lenders on the Bounce Back and CBILS loan schemes. Are we at the stage where there are enough on the panel of lenders?

To close, we review the latest figures on the two loan schemes and consider why the number of unsuccessful CBILS applications remains stubbornly high.

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Kicking off this Bulletin, we look at the latest Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme update from UK Finance which, following a slow start, reveals that the number of loans distributed is now picking up.

One gap in CBILS eligibility has been support for start ups and pre-revenue/pre-profit innovation-focused firms. We review the announcements of a variant of the support scheme for innovative firms and funding specifically for start ups.

Closing the Bulletin, we step back and look at reports on the early economic impact of the Coronavirus. What steps are businesses taking to safeguard their future?

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UK businesses have been hit by a number of financial shocks this year which can have an impact on sales, profitability and cashflow. To open this Bulletin, we look at the level off support being offered by banks to ease the burden.

To improve its position in the market we review changes Nat West has made to their business account to make it more competitive in an ever increasingly crowded market.

To close this Bulletin, an announcement by small and micro business lender AskIf on its approval from the British Business Bank to offer loans under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.

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Start ups have traditionally found it challenging to raise finance. To open this week’s Bulletin, a look at how Just Cashflow will be using Augmented Intelligence to pre-select and directly approach start-ups worthy of financial support.

The latest annual Small Business Finance Markets Report from the British Business Bank reveals how banks are getting left behind in terms of financing SMEs. Are the days of High Street being the first port of call numbered?

Wrapping up this edition, a look at recommendations from the Money Advice Trust, which runs Business Debtline, on how the continuing problem of late payment needs to be addressed.

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A positive start to this week’s Business Finance Bulletin with news from Lloyds Bank in their monthly Business Barometer survey that business confidence is on the rise. What are business owner’s view on the impact of Brexit though?

We look at the announcement from Barclays of the launch of a loan cashback scheme with support from the British Business Bank. The cashback is a nice bonus for businesses looking to expand via funding.

To close, less positive news with a look at how many businesses entered some form of insolvency in 2019. The figures from the Insolvency Service do feature a glimmer of hope for 2020.

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.