Cyber-attacks and cyber security never seem far from the headlines these days. If you were hit, what would be the financial implication for your business and could you withstand the impact? That’s a question posed by Lloyds Bank in a recent survey. What can you do to protect yourself? One way includes checking your IT system with companies such as www.pisys.net

The charge of the mobile-only banks continues. We look at the announcement from Starling Bank of the launch of its business account service. What features does the account have for businesses keen to switch to mobile-only banking?

We finish this edition with news from Crowdcube, the equity raising crowdfunding platform, that over the next five years it’s aiming to double the number of deals originated outside of London and the South East.

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To start our latest Business Finance Bulletin, news from Revolut Bank, an internet and mobile-only bank which we have not featured before. Revolut has announced forthcoming enhancements to its service offering which will provide wider benefits to its 16,000 business customers.

The British Business Bank, the government’s home for its finance programmes, has supported two more challenger lenders in their aim to broaden access to finance. Aldermore and 1pm will be using the finance schemes to widen the reach of their asset finance products.

Business confidence appears to be strengthening. That’s the message coming out from two surveys undertaken by the FSB and Lloyds Bank. However, there are still a number of factors holding businesses back when it comes to pursuing growth.

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Are small businesses increasingly reluctant to borrow? According to findings in the latest SME Finance Monitor Report that appears to be the case. What are the factors holding businesses back from approaching lenders?

Following the Carillion liquidation, concerns continue to be expressed about how larger businesses deal with their smaller counterparts. Is there a failure in UK corporate governance, particularly when it comes to payment practices? That’s a question being posed in a consultation paper issued by the government. Do you have comments or ideas to share?

Despite the apparent overall reluctance to borrow, we close our Bulletin by reviewing the latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association. The statistics for business transacted to January 2018 reveal steady growth in the use of this form of finance.

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According to the Registry Trust, 2017 saw a significant jump in the number of County Court Judgments registered. Is this a sign of toughening economic conditions or businesses being more aggressive when it comes to tackling overdue payments?

Since its launch in January, Open Banking has been gathering support primarily amongst the smaller, so called Challenger Banks. The latest bank to embrace Open Banking is mobile-only Starling Bank. It has announced a tie-up with TrueLayer which will act as a link between Starling Bank customers and alternative finance providers.

One of the more challenging aspects of starting a business is arranging finance. Where do you go? That’s a question posed by Hitachi Capital Business Finance when it spoke to start ups and younger businesses. We take a look at where business owners are getting their money from.

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Following a recent spate of high-profile company administrations, we open this Bulletin discussing the Euler Hermes Global Insolvencies Index which has revealed how in 2018 the UK is set to witness the second largest global increase in insolvencies. When linked with the latest bank lending figures, it looks like 2018 is turning out to be a challenging year.

Alternative lenders are continuing to announce the allocation of funds specifically focused on supporting small businesses. We look at funding pots set aside by Iwoca and Metro Bank designed to assist regional and national small businesses.

Do you credit check customers you give credit terms to? To close this Bulletin, we have a reminder of why it’s important to check your customer’s creditworthiness before you extend credit terms.

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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?

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To open the latest Business Finance Bulletin, we review the recently released Small Business Finance Markets report. Issued annually by the British Business Bank the report shares the bank’s findings on small business owner’s attitudes and experiences when it comes to raising finance. The statistics reveal one startling fact about how businesses view the act of borrowing money for growth.

2018 is the year when Open Banking kicked off. Still in its infancy, the majority of people are unaware what it is and how it will dramatically affect the way we interact with banks. Two early adopters have announced a partnership to streamline personal borrowing applications.

To close the Bulletin, we look at the negative impact late filing of Annual Accounts can have on a Company’s credit rating and your ability to raise finance.

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Despite many reasons for small businesses to feel uncertain about prospects, we open this Bulletin with a review of the latest Business Barometer Report from Hitachi Capital which reveals that business confidence has remained steady over the last 12 months.

One source of finance which continues to see growth is Asset Finance. Figures released by the Finance and Leasing Association shows strong growth in the use of Asset Finance in 2017 with certain types of asset purchases leading the way.

To close the Bulletin, we share news that Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounter, has announced a tie-up with trade credit insurance provider Euler Hermes. The partnership will benefit those Marketinvoice clients who wish to protect themselves against non-payment of discounted invoices.

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One of the more frustrating aspects of starting a business, or even switching banks, is the stressful experience of opening a bank account. The Competition and Markets Authority, as part of its 2016 Banking Review, tasked banks with making it simpler. To start the Bulletin, we look at the outcome of that request with the release from UK Finance of new guidance on required documentation.

We share news from Triodos Bank, the Bristol-based sustainable and ethical bank, that it has launched its own crowdfunding platform. Projects which have an environmental and renewable focus will feature as available for support.

To close the Bulletin, we look at the announcement from Nat West that ESME Loans, an alternative lender, has joined the bank’s Capital Connections panel. The panel is a list of approved lenders who may be able to help businesses in need of finance where the bank can’t support.

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Here we are with the 200th episode of the Business Finance Bulletin – another milestone achieved in bringing you the latest small business finance news and tips.

We start this episode by taking a look at the 2017 corporate insolvency figures released by the Insolvency Service. Whilst the whole year makes sombre reading in terms of an increase in the number of businesses entering insolvency proceedings, the last quarter of the year though does make better reading.

One tool the government has in its toolbox to help tackle late payment is the Duty to Report requirement imposed on larger business in April 2017. We take a look at the payment practices of these firms as revealed in the first six monthly report.

When it comes to business planning, many business owners shy away from preparing a Business Plan because they are unsure what to include. To close this Bulletin, we share a quick content guide focused on four key areas.

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