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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin a look at Atom Bank, a new online-only bank which has announced that it is now targeting small businesses following approval of its SME lending service.

Back to the traditional High Street banks, Lloyds Bank has announced the launch of it 2016 SME Charter. Their pledges include support for new businesses wishing to start exporting and targets in terms of lending to small businesses.

Recent Bulletins have featured surveys reporting that small business confidence is on the wane but in this Bulletin we share positive findings from the latest Bibby Financial Services SME Confidence Tracker, which counter previous negativity.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, we look at what overtrading is and how you can tackle it.

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In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin, news from Santander on its collaboration with online lending platform Kabbage. The alliance will allow Santander’s small business customers to apply for loans online to speed up the lending process and is a nod to the success of the online lending revolution.

The government’s plan to help alternative finance providers has been boosted by banks now being required to share borrower credit information with three credit reference agencies. This increased transparency will allow alternative lenders to make more informed decisions when supporting small businesses.

The asset-based finance industry continues to go from strength to strength with the latest figures from the Asset Based Finance Association showing continued growth in 2015.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, why you should be negotiating with your suppliers to ensure you get the best deal and tips from negotiation expert Derek Arden on negotiating with your bank.

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In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin a look at the latest statistics from the Bank of England on how much money UK businesses are borrowing from banks. Once again it’s small businesses which are coming out on top.

There’s news of a partnership between Barclays Bank and the UK Business Angels Association with the announcement of mentorship and growth advice service for High Growth businesses based in Birmingham.

Efforts to tackle late payment have been high on the UK government’s agenda but in an ironic twist of fate the government is now late in launching a ‘name and shame’ programme promised as part of the Small Business Enterprise Act.

With HMRC looking for every penny it can lay its hands on we share a warning from accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young that small businesses are vulnerable to coming under HMRC scrutiny.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a question you should ask your bank manager if they have said ‘no’ to your finance request.

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 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.

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In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin a look at the announcements in this week’s Budget focusing on small business finance issues. There’s news of a fund for growing businesses, Help to Grow, an extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee programme and a further step forward in the launch of the Bank Referral Scheme.

When comes to dealing with finances time is also short and that’s why clients of alternative lender Just Cashflow can now benefit from the launch of a new mobile app. We take a look at how it can help time-stretched business owners.

Concluding our look at the findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor report we review small businesses attitude to debt and awareness levels of alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a signpost to a video on how to calculate and use the Stock Turnover Ratio to improve your stock management and boost your cash position.

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