In this Business Finance Bulletin episode, we start off with news from Funding Circle of a £100m facility from the European Investment Bank for onward lending to UK small businesses. The facility will sit alongside an investment to be made by Funding Circle’s SME Income Fund.

Another growing source of alternative finance is that of asset finance. We look at the latest figures from the Asset Based Finance Association which reveal that facilities extended to small businesses over the last 12 months have dramatically increased.

Cash is the lifeblood of all businesses and a survey from audit and taxation consultants RSM has found that businesses can release cash trapped in their business by better management of day-to-day working capital. I share one key working capital component where cash can often get stuck. In the Bulletin I also reference another video in which I share how you can calculate your Stock Turnover Ratio – a useful tool to spot when your stock is getting ‘stuck’.

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In this week’s Business Finance Bulletin news from crowdlender Ratesetter on the formal launch of its small business loan product which, in the pilot stage, has already seen £250m distributed to UK SMEs.

Staying with alternative finance we look at results from Close Bros latest quarterly Business Barometer which reveals that a significant number of businesses believe that alternative finance can help grow their business.

Turning to traditional finance, we have news from Barclays Bank on a new fund to support lending to small businesses in Scotland.

To close we have insights from Max Woodman of Catalyst Finance on how their Selective Invoice Discounting service can help alleviate cashflow problems.

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 start off this Bulletin with a look at a record-breaking crowdfunding equity campaign via Crowdcube for children’s pre-paid debit card provider, Go Henry. The amount raised, which was twice the sum originally planned for, has sparked a debate about the maximum amounts which can be raised via crowdfunding platforms.

Turning to debt crowdfunding, we have news from South West based lender, Folk2Folk, which has passed a new milestone in terms of money lent.

New research from NESTA, the innovation foundation, reveals that unlike businesses, the charitable sector is not taking full advantages of the benefits which come from raising money via crowdfunding. We look at what the barriers and benefits are of using this form of fundraising.

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, we open with a look at the findings of a survey carried out by alternative finance provider Amicus on the number of businesses getting a ‘no’ from their banks.

Selling shares in a business to raise capital is often extremely low on an entrepreneur’s radar and yet findings from the British Business Bank’s Equity Tracker Report reveal that the amounts invested are on the increase.

When it comes to late payment we often associated the problem with fellow business owners but what about individuals? We take a look at an unexpected reason as to why this category of customers pay late.

As summer approaches, for many small business owners it’s a case of cashflow summertime blues. A survey from Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance reveals that July can be a tricky time for businesses. What can you do to avoid suffering from cashflow blues?

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 Business Finance Bulletin, a look at the launch of the British Business Bank’s ‘Help to Grow’ scheme with £30m of loans being channelled through Lloyds Bank aimed at helping high growth and innovative firms.

New research from UHY Hacker Young has revealed how small businesses are taking a disproportionately high share of fines imposed by HMRC compared to their larger counterparts. We take a look at why that is.

It’s important you know what’s contained in your Credit Report and yet according to a recent survey carried out by Which, a large number of people have never looked at their report. We explain why you should do so when it comes to borrowing money.

And to close we have news from the Royal Bank of Scotland on how it’s going to signpost businesses it can’t help to alternative lenders via its new Capital Connections platform. It’s all part of the government’s drive to encourage banks to offer alternative lenders if they say ‘no’.

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 Business Finance Bulletin, we have review of the proposals coming out of the Competition and Markets Authority report on how banks can improve services provided to its small business customers. The proposals range from enhanced transparency and the creation of a pricing comparison website.

We look at a survey which reveals how procurement managers are tackling late payment by using dynamic discounting to encourage faster payments or even payment up front. We share one way you can take advantage of this strategy.

Latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association show strong growth in the asset finance sector which as we report, put the banks to shame.

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 latest Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at a recent survey from Zurich Insurance on small business owner’s attitude to the risks they currently face. Whilst you can expect it makes slightly depressing listening to there is some good news as well.

Turning to business confidence generally findings from Aldermore Bank reveal that all is not doom and gloom amongst UK entrepreneurs with a lot of positively for the medium term.

We also take our monthly look at what banks are up to in terms of lending following release of the Bank of England’s latest bank lending statistics.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week why, when it comes to raising finance, forewarned is forearmed.

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In this Business Finance Bulletin, we kick off looking at Trade Credit Insurance with news from the Association of British Insurers on how the sector performed in 2015 in respect of the amounts paid out.

The Small Business Enterprise Bill has now been given Royal Assent and we look at what we can expected in terms of tackling late payment.

A survey from Amicus Finance has looked at demand amongst business owners for sources of alternative finance. The findings reinforce the trend that alternative finance is going mainstream

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week three tips on how to choose the right Accountant for you and your business.

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 we start off with findings from a recent survey carried out by Wesleyan Bank which reveals that a large proportion of small businesses now have an aversion to debt. The report also lists the common sources of finance businesses are turning to.

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme has been around for a number of years and following a review we look at suggestions made by the British Business Bank on how the scheme can be improved.

Late payment is a big barrier to growth, particularly for small businesses and this fact is highlighted in a new report from the Asset Based Finance Association. The report reveals a significant gap in experiences between small and large businesses.

We also take a look at a new app launched by Nat West designed to help its small businesses gain a better understanding of borrowing options.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a question you should ask yourself before you go looking for 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.

In this Business Finance Bulletin how has the crowdfunding and Peer to Peer lending sector performed in the first quarter of 2016? The latest figures from the Peer to Peer Finance Association reveal solid growth on the same time last year.

HSBC are the latest bank to pledge increased support to SMEs with the announcement of a pot of cash ready to lend. We also look at HSBC’s online lending application platform to help businesses get quicker answers. Taking a leaf out of the crowdfunder’s book?

What sources of finance are small businesses tapping into and what keeps them awake at night? That’s a question asked by Hitachi Capital in its recent small business survey. The answer to the cause of sleepless nights may not be a surprise.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, when a bank says it’s for ‘KYC purposes’, what does it mean?

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.