The credit crunch in 2008 was the start of the rise of the so-called Challenger Banks. This month, one of those early entrants, Aldermore Bank, celebrates its 10th anniversary. To open our latest Bulletin, we take a look at Aldermore’s achievements over the last 10 years.

When borrowing via a Limited Company, one downside is that lenders expect Directors to provide Personal Guarantees. Many can be reluctant to sign and in some cases it’s enough to put them off borrowing. However, that risk can be offset by taking out a Personal Guarantee Insurance policy. We take a look at how it works and where you can obtain such a Policy.

To close this Bulletin, news from The Small Business Commissioner that it has named-and-shamed another high profile business for its late payment practices. Another success story for the Commissioners Office with £32,000 paid following its intervention.

To open our latest Bulletin, a look at the announcement from the Banking Competition Remedies team of three new awards made smaller banks looking to challenge the SME banking status quo. What will the recipients do with their share of the £80 million awarded?

In these Bulletins we often consider why it’s important to know your numbers, but what if you don’t know what questions to ask? A new guide released on the key questions to ask could help make the process easier and boost both your chances of obtaining finance and improving profits.

To close, a look at how high growth tech companies could benefit from a fund backed by British Business Investments. The fund will finance growth plans and recognises that shareholders don’t like giving away too much of their company to investors.

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Smaller property developers can find it a challenge when it comes to raising finance. To kickstart the latest Bulletin we look at the initial announcement from the British Business Bank on its ENABLE Build Guarantee which will focus on assisting smaller property developers access finance.

Credit4 is a niche lender supporting small businesses in need of flexible finance solutions. To allow them to back their increasing number of clients, Credit4 has announced it has secured additional funding. Could they fund your growth plans?

To close, our regular review of how the Asset Finance sector is performing. Once again, growth in volumes of HP and Leasing arrangements is beating expectations against the background of flat small business confidence levels.

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.

With increasing focus being given to tackling late payment, we open our latest Bulletin with news of tough actions taken by the Prompt Payment Code organisation to ensure its members adhere to guidelines.

A survey on how many business owners have a grip on their financial performance and key indicators reveals that many have a lot to learn. We look at why it is important to know your numbers especially when it comes to raising finance.

To close the Bulletin, we review the latest company insolvency statistics released by the Insolvency Service for Quarter 1 2019. Perhaps not unexpectedly, the figures make gloomy reading.

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.

Over the years this Bulletin has been going we have chartered the rise of the alternative lenders. We kick off by looking at how one of those lenders Iwoca, has started to beat some of the traditional High Street banks in the provision of short-term funding.

A new survey undertaken by Santander has exposed the lack of investment appetite among small business owners. With economic uncertainty being top of mind for many small business owners, how do you respond?

To close our latest Bulletin, positive news from NatWest with the announcement that it has doubled the size of its Growth Funding package. The fund is designed to support grown plans and assist businesses deal with the current feeling of uncertainty.

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.

Innovative and high growth firms can find obtaining finance from High Street banks challenging. Ahead of exiting the EU, and to ensure smooth access to finance, the British Business Bank has announced a new fund to help high growth businesses.

A new survey from Barclays Bank has revealed that consumers are searching out firms with eco credentials as part of their buying decision-making. To help businesses being more eco-friendly and take advantage of this change in behaviour, we look at a Green loan product launched by Barclays.

To close this Bulletin, we review the latest quarterly SME Confidence Tracker from Bibby Financial Services. Perhaps not unexpectedly, the figures make gloomy reading but there is a spark of enthusiasm around expectations on sales growth.

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.

It has taken a while since the formation of the Small Business Commissioner office for them to name and shame a late payment offender, but the Commissioner has finally called out a well-known name. With the Commissioner’s focus on tackling late payment, will naming and shaming have an impact on other offenders?

Administrative tasks are not the favoured part of running a business. We look at the announcement from mobile-only bank Starling of its link up with cloud-based accounting package provider FreeAgent, which will reduce admin time and help with speedy production of Management Accounts.

To wrap up, our monthly look at activity in the Asset Finance sector with a mixed bag of results reflecting the degree of uncertainty which many business owners are currently feeling.

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.

Businesses are accumulating cash due to political and economic uncertainty. Are you ready for when that money is released and hits the market?

Despite an increase in the level of uncertainty among small business owners, primarily caused by Brexit, there are some who are feeling more positive about the future. We open this Bulletin with findings from a survey of fast growth businesses which reveals the opportunities they feel Brexit will bring.

The start of April 2019 heralds the introduction of Making Tax Digital. Whilst some businesses see it as a distraction and additional administrative costs, there are benefits to embracing this new way of engaging with HMRC.

To close this Bulletin, a look at findings from Growth Street, a Peer to Peer lender, of how many entrepreneurs are still unaware of the sources of finance outside the main High Street banks.

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.

After featuring the rise in occurrences of invoice fraud only two Bulletins ago, we open our latest episode with findings from a new survey which demonstrates how this fraud is now grabbing headlines. The UK Finance survey reveals a high lack of awareness of this fraud and how it works. Could you spot whether your money is potentially at risk?

As the uncertainty around Brexit continues, we look at news from Barclays Bank of the launch of its Brexit fund. Designed to provide financial stability, the fund is focused on supporting businesses in all stages of development.

To round off this week’s Bulletin, a new commercial mortgage product has been released by peer-to-peer lender Assetz Capital. The mortgage has been crafted to address the need of commercial property owners and investors who need to move quickly to secure a deal.

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.