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.

Many of our recent Bulletins have featured doom and gloom sentiments from businesses. We open this week’s Bulletin though with findings from Independent Growth Finance that some businesses are actually feeling positive about their growth prospects.

The so-called Challenger Banks which rose up after the Credit Crunch, are now maturing into solid providers of commercial finance. One such bank is Cambridge and Counties which has announced a new milestone in terms of its growth and reputation as a strong funding partner.

To round off this Bulletin, a look at the launch of a new fund from Santander and private investment group Topland focused on funding property developers. Traditionally not the domain of the High Street banks, the fund aims to support developers with a competitive finance package.

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.

Continuing our review of the findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor report, we look at what is holding small businesses back from borrowing. The survey revealed four reasons why businesses feel uncomfortable in taking on debt.

Whilst many businesses think that lenders are reluctant to support businesses, one bank is actively looking to assist growing business. Arbuthnot Latham Bank has recently opened an office in Bristol as an addition to their office in Exeter, to cover the South West and we take a peek at how they can help businesses with their commercial finance requirements.

Finally, we review the latest FSB Small Business Index survey which highlights that small businesses are feeling much less confident that they were a year ago. What is holding them back?

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 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.

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 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.

I hope you found the latest editions of the Business Finance Bulletin ‘Brexit Special’ of interest, particularly the five steps you can take to future-proof your business.

In case you missed it you can view it again here:

‘Business Finance Bulletin: The Brexit Special’

One question I was asked last week was whether banks and other lenders are still lending and the answer is simple… yes.

The events of the last two weeks are not a re-run of 2008 and so whilst business investment plans may be under review (as I discussed in the Bulletin), finance is still very much available.

If you have an idea and the only piece of the jigsaw puzzle that’s missing is finance, your options include:

• Commercial mortgages for property purchase
• Short term loans to boost cashflow
• Asset finance to purchase vehicles, plant or equipment
• Crowdfunding for loans up to five years
• … and other finance facilities

Accessing finance is down to planning. That means searching the right finance option for you in good time, preparing a proposal document or Business Plan and ensuring that your financial information is up to date.

Do all this and you’re well placed to get the finance you need.

Of course, if you want to chat through the options available to you, the BLS team will be more than happy to speak to you, just drop us a line or give us a call.

Posted on 28.02.2014, by Rob Warlow 

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the latest tranche of British Business Bank money given to peer-to-peer lender Funding Circle for on-lending to UK businesses. Rob also looks at an incentive being run during March by another peer-to-peer platform, ReBuildingSociety to encourage use of this alternative lending source.

A new survey from the Manufacturing Advisory Service reveals a buoyant mood amongst manufacturers and in his Tip of the Week Rob looks at why you should contact your bank before you make a formal approach for commercial mortgages to find out how your proposal fits.