If you have plans to grow your business, don’t underestimate the vital role cashflow has to play. Fresh from delivering a workshop on financing growth for business growth specialist Gavin Preston, BLS’s Rob Warlow shares the importance of managing cashflow when you’re going for growth… an important lightbulb moment for those attending the session.

The banks are starting to learn from the alternative finance players with news from RBS/Nat West that they are launching an online platform where new and existing customers can apply for loans up to £150,000.

Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounting platform, has announced an enhancement to its service with Marketinvoice Pro which will allow frequent users more flexibility in accessing funds.

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Getting finance for a start up business has always been tough but with the Start Up Loans Company, the pain has been eased. In this Bulletin, looking back on the loans they made in 2016, which UK start up hotspot cities have taken advantage of the loans available?

Different methods of calculating interest rates can make comparing finance options a challenge. We take a look at a new online tool from short term lender Fleximize, which can help you compare finance offers on a like-for-like basis.

The latest SME Confidence Tracker survey from Bibby Financial Services reveals the top three challenges facing UK manufacturers. The top slot is taken by concern about rising prices but other constraints are also weighing heavy on the minds of UK SMEs.

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.

With alternative finance becoming an increasing source of finance we kick off this Bulletin with news of the launch of The Association of Alternative Business Finance. Formed by seven players on the alternative business finance scene, the Association is focused on delivering higher standards in the industry.

Time is moving closer to government action on late payment. To lessen the prevalence of late payment I take a look at the forthcoming Duty to Report regulations which places an obligation on large businesses to disclose details of their payment practices.

Are there signs that business appetite to borrow money from banks is beginning to wane? We examine the latest bank lending figures released by the Bank of England.

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 open the latest edition of the Business Finance Bulletin with a look at two surveys from the Federation of Small Businesses and Barclays Bank. The question asked of small businesses is how Brexit will impact those trading overseas and whether confidence has taken a knock. What are our SMEs thinking?

We take our regular look at how the alternative finance sector is performing following the release of the last quarter 2016 statistics by the Peer to Peer Finance Association. Lending to both businesses and individuals continues to remain strong.

Scale-ups appears to the latest ‘new thing’ with the news that the government has appointed a Scale-Up Champion. What is the government looking to achieve?

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.

According to the Centre for Entrepreneurs new company formations are at an all-time high. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at the numbers and where the entrepreneurial hotspots are.

Metro Bank, one of the so-called challenger banks, has committed to helping more small businesses in 2017 with funds to support growth. How could they help you?

Cashflow problems can hit a business at any time but quarter end and quiet seasonal periods can be particularly tough. We take a look at how short term loans can provide much needed cashflow relief.

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.

When getting a business loan to finance your growth plans your bank will want to see a contribution from you. In this clip Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow explains why this is important for both the bank and your business.

Has your bank said ‘no’ to your business finance request?

One reason could be that you have no financial information or it’s out of date. In this interview, BLS’ Rob Warlow explains why you need to have financial information in order to access finance.

A Debtor Day ratio calculation can help you better understand how long on average it takes to collect your outstanding debtors. In this video learn how to calculate this ratio and how you can use it to highlight shortcomings in your debtor collection processes.

This ratio is also used by banks when analysing your Financial Statements so calculating this ratio before you meet the bank can help you be better prepared prior to your meeting.

When you’re applying for a business loan how do you tackle the topic of past business failures with the bank?

Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services shares his thoughts on what you should say to the bank.

Getting a business loan will involve the bank reviewing your bank statements. But what is the bank looking for?

In this interview Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services explains what a bank can glean about your character just by looking through your bank statements.