According to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer report, business owners are continuing to feel increasingly optimistic about their future prospects. With optimism and confidence levels reaching new highs we look at one key peril to watch out for.

If you have a idea for a great new business and you need an incentive to get started then check out a business start up competition launched by Tik Tok, the video sharing platform. With a cash prize and an array of support and mentoring could this be the push you’re looking for?

Bank charges are often a bone of contention. To close this Bulletin, we look at the announcement from TSB of an offer of up to two years free banking. One to look at if you wish to reduce the cost of running your day-to-day business banking.

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

Opening our latest Bulletin, we look at a milestone hit by the government guarantee loan support schemes – the Bounce Back Loans and CBILS. The number of loans disbursed have hit record highs and proved to be a lifeline for many businesses and another batch of lenders added to the panel further improve access to the various schemes.

Studies are now exposing the extent of the impact of recent events on business performance and profitability but there is a glimmer of light. We look at surveys from Lloyds Bank, Xero and the Federation of Small Businesses which reveal the pressures businesses are under.

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

We open the latest Business Finance Bulletin with a look at changes to insolvency law with the passing of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act. How will this help struggling businesses?

As businesses get back into the swing of trading, what are the challenges facing them? A survey from MarketFinance reveals how businesses are faced with tackling long overdue invoices and the future impact on cashflow.

To close this Bulletin, with Bounce Back Loans proving to be a lifeline for cash-strapped businesses, it appears that some Directors are misusing the funds, leaving them open to close scrutiny in the event of business failure.

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

Rising out of the ashes of the credit crunch the alternative finance providers moved in to fill the gap left by the banks. To open this Bulletin, we look at how the alternative lenders are evolving with Iwoca announcing a milestone in lending and Nucleus Commercial Finance improving its loan repayment term.

Managing late payment can often be a burden for small business owners, which means action taken by the Prompt Payment Code to suspend members not adhering to its rules is good news. Which household names have been asked to leave the organisation?

To wrap up this Bulletin, we look at why you need to be aware whether your industry sector is in or out of favour with your bank before applying for finance.

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.

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.

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.

The start of a New Year can have a negative impact on a company’s cashflow but at least there’s a solution….

How does late payment affect small business owners? That’s a question posed by The Prompt Payment Directory in its annual late payment survey. The report reveals that many small business owners personally suffer when payments are delayed.

Findings from a new FSB study highlight that some small businesses still struggle when it comes to raising finance. What holds them back and are they deterred from applying for finance?

To close this Bulletin, we share news of how PayPal has become a rising star on the alternative finance scene. Over the last 12 months the PayPal Working Capital facility has supported an increasing number of businesses with much needed cash. We look at how the facility works and the cost.

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.

The culture of late payment to UK SMEs is a regular topic in our weekly Business Finance Bulletin and the reason for this is that delayed payment hurts many businesses by undermining their growth and the value they bring to the UK economy.

A new survey from business finance company MarketInvoice reveals that 62% of invoices issued by UK SMEs in 2017 (worth over £21b) were paid late, up from 60% in 2016.

The survey found that the average value of these invoices was £51,826. A third of invoices paid late took longer than two weeks from the agreed date to settle – some of which took almost 6 months to be paid.
Sectors

Sectors that frequently pay late included the food & beverage industry (83%), energy businesses (80%) and wholesalers (79%). Meanwhile, those who took the longest to pay included transport businesses (25 days), utilities
(23 days) and those in media sector (21 days).

Regions

In terms of regional experiences, businesses in Northern Ireland were found to be the worst late payers with 93% of invoices paid late. East Anglia (68%) and East Midlands (66%) came in second and third respectively. Scotland was the best of the worst, where half (53%) of invoices were settled late.

Countries

The Marketinvoice research also examined invoices sent to 93 countries. German companies were the worst late payers, taking an extra 28 days to settle invoices from agreed terms. French firms took a further 26 days and businesses in the USA 20 days.

While UK companies (66%) often pay invoices late, those in the USA (71%) and continental Europe (73%) are even more likely to delay payment. However, the UK still takes twice as long (18 days) to pay UK suppliers than counterparts in Europe (9 days).

To lessen the impact of late payment Marketinvoice suggests,

– making T&C’s clear from the outset
– chasing payments
– and enforcing the right to claim compensation from late payments

The Duty to Report measures, which requires large businesses to report on invoice payments twice yearly, that came in to force earlier this year will help but how effective it will be remains to be seen.

If you are one of the estimated 20% of small businesses which have run in to cash flow problems due to late payments, then help may finally be at hand.

The government has finally launched the complaint handling service of the Small Business Commissioner to ensure fair payment practices for small businesses. This follows the appointment of Paul Uppal to the role of Small Business Commissioner in October 2017.

The Commissioner’s website has also gone live, providing guidance on payment issues including how to take action if a payment is overdue.

Margot James, Small Business Minister, says that £14 billion is owed to UK small businesses and estimates that taking action on late payment could potentially deliver a £2.5 billion annual boost to the economy.

The Small Business Commissioner’s website provides guidance on how to ‘check, chase, and choose’ in respect of dealing with unfair and late payments, that is:

– check if the right information has been provided to the right people in order for an invoice to be paid
– chase effectively when a payment is overdue
– choose how to take further action, including the option of submitting a complaint to the Small Business Commissioner

You can visit the Small Business Commissioner website here.