Buying a franchise is a way of minimising the risk when starting a business. However, funding the purchase can be a challenge. To open our latest Bulletin, we look at news that Hitachi Capital has acquired Franchise Finance Ltd which provides hands-on support to people looking to buy into a franchise.

Continuing a trend emerging over the last few Bulletins, we review recent figures from UK Finance which reveal that borrowing levels among small businesses continue to fall. Are we seeing the early signs of forthcoming slowdown?

Whilst we are seeing business borrowing levels decline, the opposite is happening to business savings. Businesses are hoarding more cash than this time last year. Although cash held in banks is on the increase, are businesses getting the best interest rates?

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In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks at the new government £100m Housing Growth Partnership scheme launched in conjunction with Lloyds Bank. The scheme is designed to boost house building via improving access to finance.

It’s surprising the number of businesses which are holding large amounts of surplus cash according to a survey by challenger bank Hampshire Trust Bank. Are you one of them and could you be earning a better return?

Rob looks at the announcement from Sage, the accounting software provider, of its tie up with Market Invoice and Funding Circle to provide clients with access to alternative sources of finance.

Staying with alternative funding Rob shares news of crowdfunding platform Funding Empire having new majority shareholders which signals growth for this platform.
And in the Business Finance Tip of The Week Rob looks at market disruptors and crowdfunding.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version the you can either click below and download and also subscribe via our itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks the forthcoming changes in ISA rules and a survey from Yorkshire Bank and attitude to risk amongst savers which could see a boost to the crowdfunding market.

Staying with crowdfunding Rob shares news of the launch of a new crowdfunding platform. Bricks Financial is based in the South West and will primarily focus on servicing the local market.

According to the latest survey from the Federation of Small Businesses confidence amongst small business owners is strong and they are focused on where they are investing their money.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob looks at reviewing and controlling your overheads to ensure you are making the best returns from your business.

If you would also like to listen to the podcast version then you can either listen below or directly download this episode from our Soundcloud page by clicking the download symbol below. Alternatively to can subscribe via our itunes channel.