In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we review the most recent quarterly survey from the Federation of Small Businesses. The report reveals falling confidence levels amongst SMEs but there’s good news in terms of access to finance with more businesses getting the finance they need.

We have news of another alternative lender, merchant cash advance provider Liberis, which has benefited from the British Business Bank ENABLE programme via a £5m fund to on-lend to growing SMEs.

Businesses in the Greater Manchester area which are exporters or have ambitions to export can now take advantage of a new £9.5m fund. We take a look at how the Greater Manchester Export Fund works.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a chat with Steve White of Thornbury Collections in which he shares the strangest late payment excuse he’s ever heard and general tips on managing late payment.

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 episode of the Business Finance Bulletin a look at the latest statistics from the Bank of England which reveals the current level of borrowing by UK SMEs.

Also a review of the key findings from the recent SME Finance Monitor Report which includes how many businesses are using external sources of finance, the type of SMEs accessing such finance and the number of businesses who are not borrowing at all.

Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounter, has taken a look at late payment experiences across 80 countries and the results indicate that we have a lot of work to do in the UK to speed up payment.

Are you planning to grow or change your business within the next three months? That’s the question posed to 1,021 businesses by Hitachi Capital as part of its regular British Business Barometer Report and the answer reveals that SMEs are now more cautious than before.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a signpost to a recently posted video which shows you how to calculate and use the Creditor Payment Ratio.

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 episode of the Business Finance Bulletin a look back at 2015 in the alternative finance and crowdfunding market. The latest annual report from NESTA, Pushing Boundaries, provides an insight into how crowdfunding continued to grow in 2015.

If you are looking for an asset finance facility to fund your growth plans there’s news of a funding boost for the alternative lender LDF provided by the British Business Bank.

Xero, the cloud accounting software service, asked business owners what they thought the key ingredient for a successful business is. The entrepreneurs also shared their top three business pain-points. Do you suffer from any (or all) of these three barriers to growth?

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week when to comes to raising business finance, what influence do past business successes or failures have?

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 the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services discusses more emerging evidence from Bibby Financial Services and the Federation of Small Businesses of a dip in confidence amongst SMEs. Are we in for a rough ride in 2016?

If you’re a heavy user of fuel and may be struggling to get a commercial credit card because of a poor credit record then Rob shares a new solution which can also reduce your administration burden.

More news about the on-going problem with late payment. Rob shares a recent survey which highlights how much money is trapped in late payment and so holding back growth in the economy.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week… when it comes to the production of Management Accounts, delegate but don’t abdicate.

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 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 this last episode of the Business Finance Bulletin for 2015 Rob Warlow looks back over the key business finance news in 2015.

Rob reflects on 2015 being the year when improved business confidence took hold with more business owners than ever feeling positive about the future.

How did the High Street bank perform in 2015 when it came to supporting small businesses? Rob takes a look at the banks’ attitude towards businesses and how the year saw banks forging alliances with providers of alternative finance such as Funding Circle and Assetz Capital.

Staying with the alternative finance scene 2015 was the year which witnessed new highs and greater level of awareness amongst business owners of crowdfunding and other sources of finance.

2015 was also the year when new legislation was introduced to help businesses tackle late payment and for banks to pass on introductions to lending platforms where the bank can’t assist.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version you can listen in below or download via our Soundcloud, itunes or Stitcher channel.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at a new service launched by credit card services provider Worldpay in partnership with Liberis, supplier of working capital facilities to SMEs. The WorldPay Business Finance package is designed to release funds against future credit and debit card receipts.

There’s news from Ratesetter and how, with support from the British Business Bank, it is looking to increase the level of business loans it’s currently giving to small businesses.

Up to date financial information, a perhaps better said, the lack of it, can have an impact on business growth plans. We look at a report from KPMG which highlights the importance of keeping financial information up to date.

In its latest Business Barometer report Close Bros reveal some mixed messages on business confidence and growth plans.

And in the Business Tip of the Week, one question the bank will ask of themselves when assessing your loan application.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version either click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud or itunes channel.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow shares details of a new service launched by Aldermore Bank aimed at helping temporary recruitment agencies overcome problems with administration and more importantly cashflow.

More evidence is coming out that business confidence appears to be taking a hit. Rob looks at the latest CBI SME Trends survey which highlights that total orders for domestic and export focused businesses is showing decline.
Turning to bank lending to SMEs Rob reviews statistics released by the Bank of England which reveal that businesses are getting increased support from the banks.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a clip from an interview in which Rob talks about the importance and usefulness of an Executive Summary when writing a Business Plan for your bank.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download from our SoundCloud or itunes channel.

In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at a new product launched by Market Invoice, the online invoice discounting provider. The new product called Contract Finance will help businesses release previously locked-up cash from contracts delivering regular income.

According to a survey from Bibby Financial Services business confidence amongst SMEs has taken a dent and bucked the recent trend of a rise in more confident businesses. Why is this?

Rob reveals the sources of finance business owners are turning to as featured in a survey carried out by Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking. Which source is proving surprisingly popular?

In the crowdfunding world, the latest lending figures from the P2P Finance Association show that its members are reaching new highs in their support of growing businesses. Rob looks at how SMEs are benefiting.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week, Rob shares a calculation you can make from your Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Accounts which can help pinpoint a problem in your stock control.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version you listen in below or download it via our Soundcloud or itunes channel.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the findings from the latest quarterly SME Finance Monitor report. The report highlights why you should never assume anything when dealing with your bank!

Turning to the asset-based finance sector Rob has news on how this form of finance continues to outpace the banks in terms of support to small businesses.

In the crowdfunding world Rob looks at the announcement from equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube on a new milestone reached in respect of funds raised.

What are your confidence levels like about where your business is going over the next few months? Find out what business owners said when asked this question by Bibbys Financial Services as part of their regular SME Confidence Tracker.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about why business owners hate writing business plans.

If you wish to listen to the podcast version (and our other business finance podcasts) tune in below or go to our SoundCloud and itunes channel.