The recent Autumn Statement saw the Chancellor announcing two initiatives to assist growing businesses. In this Business Finance Bulletin, we look at support the Chancellor is giving to boost exports and of the additional funding granted to the British Business Bank for businesses in search of equity finance.

New research carried out by Axa Business Insurance reveals that small businesses remain relatively buoyant in 2016 but as we discuss, 2017 looks less certain.

We are seeing more finance schemes designed to get funding to businesses in certain geographical areas. In this Bulletin, we look at an announcement from Market Invoice of its tie up with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership which will see up to £2 million available to Leeds-based business via invoice discounting.

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Whilst bank lending to businesses is slowly on the up, in this Business Finance Bulletin we look at the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that the Asset Finance sector is on a roll.

Carrying too much stock can tie up cashflow which can be better employed within the business. We look at research from the Asset Based Finance Association which highlights exactly how much cash SMEs have invested in unsold stock.

Another drain on cashflow is of course late payment. A new report from the Federation of Small Businesses is calling for more action on tackling the late payment endemic.

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As the Business Growth Fund celebrates its 5th birthday, in this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin, we look at the level of support it has been giving growing businesses in need of finance.

Late payment affects many small businesses, but a new report from Ormsby Street sheds light on which business is the worst late payer out of all the High Street retailers. If you supply this business, then you need to manage your cashflow very carefully.

Staying with cashflow, we look why actively planning your cashflow requirements is important, especially with the year-end approaching.

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In this Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at the annual ‘Where are They Now?’ report, which analyses the equity crowdfunding industry and how it has performed over the last 12 months. The report findings suggest reduced activity amongst market leaders providing this source of finance.

Growing businesses can benefit from professional advice particularly when it comes to raising finance. A new report from Close Bros reveals that many small businesses feel they are being short-changed by their bank when it comes to crucial advice on funding.

With the economy having taken a number of shocks, according to Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance, businesses are starting to question their investment plans over the next 12 months. We ask how will this affect you and what actions can you take?

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After 18 months in the planning the government’s Bank Referral Scheme has been launched. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at how the scheme is designed to improve small business access to finance.

Despite post-Brexit confidence remaining relatively high we take a look at the latest statistics from the Insolvency Service, which reveals an up-tick in the number of businesses going down the insolvency route.

On a more positive note we close the Bulletin looking at news from the Bank of England that bank lending to small businesses continues to rise. We also share news from Crowdcube on how they are supporting a record number of businesses looking to raise finance by selling equity.

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Access to finance can be a challenge at the best of times but research has shown that female entrepreneurs struggle more than their male counterparts when it comes to raising funds. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we take a look at the launch of a new, female-only crowdfunding platform, which not only provides access to equity funding but also to an Angel Network, business support and mentoring.

One long awaited element of The Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act is the appointment of a Small Business Commissioner. Part of the role will be to ensure the scourge of late payment is tackled but it appears that government is still not ready to roll out this much-needed resource.

Having a clean Credit Report is often overlooked when it comes to raising finance and in this Bulletin, we share a recent lesson on why it’s important to know what your Credit Report contains.

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In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we share news of the launch of Peer Funding, a new player in the Peer to Peer finance world. What do they have to offer growing businesses in need of finance?

Regional loan funds are a growing source of finance for small businesses and those operating in Worcestershire will now benefit from a new loan fund. We look at how the fund is designed to help those local businesses which aren’t getting support from traditional lenders.

Turning back to the alternative finance world we look at the latest statistics from the Peer to Peer Finance Association on how the sector performed in terms of money lent in the 3rd quarter of this year.

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 this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we take a look at a report issued by the UK Peer to Peer Finance Association reviewing the benefits of using Peer to Peer finance and how an about-turn by a former City grandee has provided a thumbs up to the sector.

Currently no Bulletin would be complete without a look at the ongoing impact of the forthcoming Brexit! We dip into two surveys carried out by Deloitte and the British Chamber of Commerce which examines how industry leaders and sectors view the current and future situation.

We are often told by business owners that they wonder how they can use the Annual Accounts prepared by their accountants. Calculating and reviewing a series of financial ratios is one useful action and in the Bulletin we give you a heads-up of a new video in our occasional series on working with ratios. This video reveals how to focus on efficiency and hence drive up profits.

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In the latest Business Finance Bulletin, a look at a support package being granted by Santander to charities and community groups raising funds on Crowfunder. The match-funding deal will allow these organisations to further leverage the funds they raise.

Funding Circle have announced an upward movement in the maximum they can lend to certain categories of businesses. We look at how this is a positive move for good quality businesses in search of finance.

Turning to the traditional High Street lenders, we take our monthly look at how much banks are lending to small business owners with the release of the latest Bank of England figures. Is the figure up or down?

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 this Business Finance Bulletin, we look at the mixed messages coming out about business confidence amongst small business owners with a survey from the FSB which features both bad news and good news.

Much has been made of the Bank Referral Scheme which will see banks referring businesses they can’t assist on to a panel of government-approved funding platforms. We look at how the scheme is taking shape.

When you take a commercial mortgage from your bank you may think that’s it. However, following a call for help from a business owner, we share one thing you should watch out for if you unwittingly change the basis on which your commercial mortgage was agreed.

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.