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.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Google, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

What is the business borrowing environment going to look like post Bounce Back Loans and CBILS? Opening the latest Business Finance Bulletin, we look at why obtaining finance will be challenging once the government loan support schemes finish.

After two years in the making, seven of the major banks have launched the Business Banking Resolution Service. The service provides a path for small businesses who want an independent body to review complaints they have against their bank.

Wrapping up this edition, if you deferred your VAT payment due between March and June 2020, we look at HMRC’s announcement that it will be opening up applications to pay the amounts due over 11 months.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Google, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

In the first Business Finance Bulletin of 2021 we open by looking at the latest Business Finance Review from UK Finance which reveals the level of borrowing businesses have taken on in the first three quarters of 2020 and the challenges this will bring.

In 2021 the adage that ‘cash flow is King’ will never be truer. A survey from the British Chambers of Commerce highlights the impact the economic contraction has had on business cash flow positions.

To close, from the same survey, businesses are holding back on investment plans. Are these businesses putting themselves at a disadvantage when the economy picks back up?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Google, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

We open our latest Bulletin with a look at findings from the annual Small Business Finance Markets survey carried out by the British Business Bank. The report confirms recent reports that small businesses seem reluctant to borrow with all types of finance options seeing flat or slower growth.

Good news for business owners from mobile-only bank Monzo with the launch of a business account later in the year. Find out how you could be one of 100 business who have a say in shaping the new account.

Finding finance can be a time-consuming task. To help speed up the process the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers has announced a service to assist businesses source a finance broker in their locality.

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.

As we get closer to the Brexit deadline, thoughts are turning to potential support businesses will need in a worse-case scenario. To open our latest Bulletin, we have news that RBS has set aside funds to provide financial support to businesses trading in Europe who may find themselves in a tight financial spot.

As highlighted in recent Bulletins, the Asset Finance sector continues to grow in terms of facilities to allow businesses to acquire assets. To continue the flow of available funds, we look at the announcement from the British Business Bank that it has allocated funds to asset finance provider Henry Howard Finance for on-lending to small businesses.

To close, our monthly review of bank lending to businesses. The latest figures from UK Finance reveal that bank lending continues to slip with limited demand for finance from businesses. Business owners seem to be adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach when it comes to making investment decisions.

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.

The latest quarterly Credit Conditions Survey from the Bank of England for Quarter 3 2018 reveals that both bank and businesses appear to be adopting a cautious stance when to comes to lending and borrowing.

This quarterly survey of bank and building society lenders is to assist the Bank of England in understanding trends and developments in the banking sector. Lenders are asked about their experiences over the past three months and the coming three months in terms of lending to businesses of all sizes.
The Bank has reported that the overall amount of lender credit made available to businesses of all sizes was unchanged in Quarter 3. Within the total available finance, the availability of credit provided to small businesses was reported to have increased and was unchanged for medium and large businesses. So all appears well from the lender’s perspectives in the last Quarter.

However, the Bank’s monthly reporting of amount of credit taken by small businesses shows that the total amount of lending in the 12 months to August has essentially flat-lined this year. It seems that small businesses have limited appetite to borrow and not heeding the bank’s message that they have funds to lend.

Looking ahead to the next Quarter, this lack of appetite to borrow is reflected in lender’s view that the overall amount of credit they will make available in Quarter 4 is expected to decrease slightly.

Both borrowers and lenders seem to be battening down the hatches.

As well as concerns about the economy and the political situation, small businesses may also be wary of taking on additional debt due to concerns on ability to pay. The Credit Conditions Survey highlights that lenders have reported an increase in default rates, which are missed payments, on loans to businesses of all sizes in Quarter 3. Lenders though are expecting default rates to remain unchanged for businesses of all sizes in Quarter 4.

It would appear that an element of uncertainty creeping in for both lenders and businesses in terms of what lies ahead in the last Quarter of 2018.

A recurring theme in recent Bulletins has been emerging evidence of reluctance among small business to borrow and this trend is a highlight of the latest SME Finance Monitor Report. The report also reveals the top three issues which are of most concern to small businesses. Is access to finance still an issue?

Late payment has been another constant problem we have regularly featured in our Bulletins. In an effort to curb late payment the Government has called for thoughts from businesses on how it can tackle this problem. Do you have an idea to contribute?

To close this Bulletin, a look at a new £100m fund launched by the British Business Bank. With a large portion of angel investment focused on the South East, the Regional Angels Programme aims to improve access to early stage equity finance across the whole of the UK.

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 recent Bulletins, we have shared news of various collaborations between finance providers. The latest is an announcement from Barclays Bank of a tie-up with online Invoice Discounting firm MarketInvoice. This is another example of Old World meets New World.

The most recent statistics to Quarter 2 2018 on company insolvencies has been released by the Insolvency Service. Not surprisingly, but not of any less concern, is the news that insolvencies are on the rise. What impact will the latest increase in Interest Rates have on those businesses already struggling?

To close this Bulletin, our monthly look at borrowing levels among small business. Once again, from the latest Bank of England and UK Finance figures, business owners still appear to be reluctant to borrow and instead are busy hoarding cash.

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.

Buying a franchise is a way of minimising the risk when starting a business. However, funding the purchase can be a challenge. To open our latest Bulletin, we look at news that Hitachi Capital has acquired Franchise Finance Ltd which provides hands-on support to people looking to buy into a franchise.

Continuing a trend emerging over the last few Bulletins, we review recent figures from UK Finance which reveal that borrowing levels among small businesses continue to fall. Are we seeing the early signs of forthcoming slowdown?

Whilst we are seeing business borrowing levels decline, the opposite is happening to business savings. Businesses are hoarding more cash than this time last year. Although cash held in banks is on the increase, are businesses getting the best interest rates?

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.

What would you do if you were able to borrow money for your business? This is a question posed by Liberis, the short-term cashflow lender, when it spoke to 200 small businesses. As well as revealing how funds would be spent, the survey also discovered how many small businesses are still confused about where to look for finance.

Businesses based in the Midlands are in for a cash boost with the announcement from Barclays of the creation of its £370m Midlands Growth Fund. If you are based in the Midlands, we look at how you could benefit.

To close this Bulletin, we have news of Nat West’s revised Entrepreneur’s Accelerator Programme. Delivered in hubs situated in 12 major cities across the UK, the programme is designed to help start ups in need of support, advice and mentorship. Could the programme help you get your business off the ground?

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.