Are we in a recession? That’s question on many business owners and commentator’s minds. Based on the findings from a host of recent surveys and our client’s feedback, it certainly feels like it for many sectors. What can you do to keep on track?

One type of business model that continues to do well are Franchises. Following a visit to the National Franchise Exhibition we take a look at why banks favour lending to this type of business.

To close this Bulletin, news from Hitachi Capital Business Finance of the launch of its Smart Funding finance solution. One unique feature of the finance package is its flexible repayment terms, ideal for businesses with seasonal cashflow.

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

Banking fraud continues to be on the rise. To open this Bulletin, we share findings from UK Finance on the level of frauds reported in the first half of 2019. From the perspective of businesses, we look at how you can avoid being the victim of Authorised Push Payment scams.

With Brexit inching ever closer, how prepared are small businesses? We look at a survey from the FSB revealing the state of preparedness of businesses which say they would be negatively impacted by a no-deal Brexit. We also have news from Barclays on a number of Brexit roadshows they are hosting in October and November.

Finally, a look at Starling Bank’s announcement that they are launching an online web portal for their business customers to complement their mobile banking app.

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

Opening our latest Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at the new report from the SME Finance Monitor team. Among the findings about small business owner’s attitudes to borrowing we look at how more businesses are turning to external finance. What’s driving this move?

With the government continuing to ramp up its Brexit planning, a new finance initiative has been announced. The formation of the Business Finance Council will bring together key players in the finance sector to ensure continuity in supply of finance post-Brexit.

To close, news from alternative finance provider ESME Loans that it has increased the maximum amount it can lend via its unsecured business loan product.

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

The finance market is ever-changing particularly among younger, more modern businesses who are shunning the traditional High Street banks in favour of alternative finance providers.

This the finding of survey of 512 small businesses carried out by ThinCats, a fintech lender to mid-sized SMEs.

The survey found that of businesses less than ten years old, only 32% would consider their bank to be their first port of call. This contrasts with businesses over 35 years old where 71% would default to their main bank. When it comes to working with an alternative finance provider, 23% of younger businesses are more likely to feel comfortable with this approach compared to 4% of the oldest SMEs.

Not surprisingly, where decision makers were aged under 35, 65% said a traditional High Street bank was not the first place they would go for funding. This contrasts with decision makers aged 55 and over, where it was just under 30%.

Sectors such as IT, telecoms and marketing, which are traditionally knowledge or service-based are those leading the way in moving towards alternative finance providers.

Worryingly, 30% of SMEs who were rejected by their first-choice lender, stopped searching for external funding altogether. This suggests that many businesses, of whom 55% said high street banks were the first lender approached, are potentially giving up when there are suitable alternatives available.

This demonstrates that more still needs to be done to highlight the range of alternative finance providers in the marketplace.

Summer time can hit cashflow hard. Here’s a solution to even out your summer cashflow blues. A Short Term loan can solve a temporary cashflow blip.

To open our latest Bulletin, with the new a Prime Minister prepared to enter into a No-Deal Brexit, what impact could this have on raising finance? We look at how some lenders are already starting to tighten their lending criteria. What can you do to prepare?

A survey from Hitachi Capital reveals the mistakes business owners admit to making during their early years in business. Did you make these mistakes and what could you learn about managing your business today?

To close, Starling Bank has announced a change to its business bank account product which will allow more businesses to access this mobile-only banking service.

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

To start our latest Business Finance Bulletin, we look at how the British Business Bank continues to support small businesses in need of finance. Their 2019 Annual Report sets out how they are improving access to finance in all regions across the UK.

With late payment being an ever-present feature of managing a small business, news from the Prompt Payment Code about membership suspension for a number of high-profile names due to them not adhering to the voluntary payment code.

To close, we review a joint report from the Small Business Commissioner and Growth Street which considers how small business owners see Open Banking. The findings reveal a higher level of awareness and interest than perhaps expected.

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

Whilst you may have ambitions to grow your business there are often barriers put in your way. What are the barriers which businesses face? That’s a question asked by Hitachi Capital in their latest Business Barometer survey series. Do you experience any of these barriers?

Becoming a more sustainable business is increasingly appearing on business radars. However, financing environmentally friendly projects can prevent change. We look at a new range of Green-focused finance packages launched by HSBC.

To close this Bulletin, our monthly look at activity levels in the asset finance sector from the Finance & Leasing Association. As a gauge of how confident businesses are in terms of investment spend, how are businesses feeling?

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

As well as being a barrier to growth, late payment has other negative knock-on implications. To open this Bulletin we take a look at the findings of a survey carried out by Xero and PayPal which reveals that the victims of late payment find themselves unable to pay their own suppliers.

One way of speeding up cashflow is to open an Invoice Discounting facility. To make it easier and to offer greater flexibility than traditional facilities, Nat West has launched its Rapid Cash service. Similar to an overdraft, Rapid Cash provides swift access to cash.

When it comes to investment for growth the FSB has found that small businesses are reluctant to do so in the current climate. Yet businesses are still borrowing but for what purpose?

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

To open our latest Bulletin, we look at a survey from Cambridge and Counties Bank which reveals that unlike other sectors the Buy to Let industry remains confident about the future. Such is the feeling of optimism, the survey finds that many landlords are looking to expand their portfolios.

In terms of lending products being using to fund their businesses, online Invoice Discounting platform MarketInvoice finds that firms are moving away from the old traditional forms of finance. What forms of finance are businesses now accessing?

Occasionally, commercial property buyers can be surprised to learn that the property being purchase is subject to VAT. This can cause an unplanned hit to cashflow. We take a look at a new short-term VAT loan launched by Aldermore Bank to help ease the pain.

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