Opening the latest Business Finance Bulletin, we review a report from the British Business Bank looking at the business borrowing market in 2020. Not surprisingly the report reveals that businesses took on an unprecedented level of debt.

With businesses going full out on CBILS and Bounce Back Loans the alternative finance sector, which was booming up until 2020, has taken a hit with falling demand. We look at news of one of the first casualties with Nat West’s announcement that ESME Loans is closing its doors.

To close, the roll out of Open Banking takes a step forward with news that 9 of the main High Street banks are to join forces to spearhead a joined-up approach to deliver a consistent offering.

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To start our latest Bulletin, an announcement from mobile-only bank Starling that it’s to start offering business loans to Limited Companies. Starling’s 100,000 business customers will also, for a monthly fee, be able to access its Business Toolkit service.

It’s now two years since Open Banking was launched. We look at a survey from the FSB which reveals that only a small number of businesses are taking advantage of the benefits Open Banking can bring.

Closing this week’s Bulletin, news from Nat West that it’s to link up with pre-paid MasterCard provider Soldo allowing their customers to directly access two of the bank’s key products. This is another example of the old guard joining forces with the newcomers.

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.

Opening our latest Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at the new report from the SME Finance Monitor team. Among the findings about small business owner’s attitudes to borrowing we look at how more businesses are turning to external finance. What’s driving this move?

With the government continuing to ramp up its Brexit planning, a new finance initiative has been announced. The formation of the Business Finance Council will bring together key players in the finance sector to ensure continuity in supply of finance post-Brexit.

To close, news from alternative finance provider ESME Loans that it has increased the maximum amount it can lend via its unsecured business loan product.

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.

Having a Credit Score at the right level is an important factor when seeking finance. To open this week’s Bulletin, we look at recent research from Experian, the credit reference agency, which reveals the area of the UK which has the highest average business Credit Score. Is it your region?

From launching a pilot online lending platform in 2017, NatWest has announced the formal roll-out of ESME Loans to its customers. We take a look at the levels of business done during the pilot phase and its key features.

To close, having avoided a mention of it in the previous Bulletin, we’re backed to a Brexit-focused story! Lloyds Bank, as part of a monthly Manufacturers survey, has found evidence that businesses may be starting to stockpile in advance of Brexit. What impact can this strategy have on cashflow though?

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.

One of the more frustrating aspects of starting a business, or even switching banks, is the stressful experience of opening a bank account. The Competition and Markets Authority, as part of its 2016 Banking Review, tasked banks with making it simpler. To start the Bulletin, we look at the outcome of that request with the release from UK Finance of new guidance on required documentation.

We share news from Triodos Bank, the Bristol-based sustainable and ethical bank, that it has launched its own crowdfunding platform. Projects which have an environmental and renewable focus will feature as available for support.

To close the Bulletin, we look at the announcement from Nat West that ESME Loans, an alternative lender, has joined the bank’s Capital Connections panel. The panel is a list of approved lenders who may be able to help businesses in need of finance where the bank can’t support.

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.