Are we seeing a build-up to another credit crunch? That’s a concern the Bank of England has flagged up following an increase in the volume of what it perceives as high-risk loans. If that’s the case, what can you do to prepare?

We look at the latest quarterly business review from Creditsafe, the credit reference agency, which has a mix of surprisingly positive news on sales growth and a less positive outlook on a potential growth in late payment.

To close this Bulletin, good news from the Financial Conduct Authority with its announcement that from next year small business owners will be able to refer complaints about their bank to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Finally, small businesses have an option to pursue complaints which doesn’t involve going to Court.

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In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services discusses the government’s proposed scheme, Help to Grow, which aims to get finance to UK’s small and medium-sized businesses.
Managed by the British Business Bank Rob explains what type of businesses the scheme is looking to assist.

In the crowdfunding world Rob looks at news from AltFin on the amount of money the crowdfunding sector lent in 2014 and how a recent review undertaken by the Financial Conduct Authority has focused on encouraging crowdfunding platforms to reveal warts and all about the investments on offer.

In this episode Rob also chats with Keith Litherland, Business Development Manager from Aldermore Bank. Keith outlines the various ways in which Aldermore is helping UK businesses grow via its range of commercial finance products.

If you would also like to listen to the podcast version either on your PC or to download to your phone simply click below to play or download.

Our latest Friday Business Finance Bulletin is out and this week Rob Warlow talks about the start of the new financial regulatory framework with the Financial Conduct Authority going live.

Rob also take a look at the consultation paper released by the government asking whether banks should be forced to refer clients to alternative sources of finance when the bank has said ‘no’.

Whether banks are up for lending to businesses is always the subject of debate and we look at the findings on bank lending appetite.

And in the Tip of the Week Rob share his ideas on what you can do to prepare for your annual bank visit and review meeting. Enjoy!

With crowdfunding and alternative sources of finance continuning to grow the new Financial Conduct Authority regulations being introduced on 1st April will bring further confidence to the market.

Here’s an interview I did recently on a BBC Radio Wales prgramme, Wales at Work, discussing crowdfunding with Adam Tavener of Alternative Business Funding.