In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow shares the latest government figures on the number of businesses operating in the UK. The numbers reveal strong growth in new starts and those businesses employing staff.

Latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association on the level of new business being written by asset finance providers also show strong growth. Rob looks at one type of asset being financed which is proving popular.

Sufficient working capital can be a constraint for a growing business and Rob looks at a survey focused on what is holding businesses back in terms of finance.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares a tool you can use to assist in spotting red flags in respect of cashflow. This tool, referred to as a Debtor Collection Ratio is a calculation taken from your Balance Sheet which provides a useful guide as to how long it’s taking you to collect payment from your customers.

If you prefer listening to the podcast version you can click below or download it (and other episodes) from our Soundcloud or itunes page.

In this week’s episode of the Business Finance Bulletin finally some good news on late payment with the announcement from Tescos of a revision in its payment terms with their small suppliers. Could this be a start of a trend of big businesses listening to concerns around late payment?

Turning to the alternative finance scene news from single invoice discounter Platform Black on reaching a new milestone in terms of finance raised for growing businesses.

Have you ever had a Notice to Close your bank account? It can happen and Rob explains what you can do about it.
With the government keen to ensure finance companies are lending there’s news of a line of funding being granted by the British Business Bank to leasing and asset finance provider Hitachi Capital.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob shares his thoughts on the importance of knowing what your credit report reveals about you.

You can also listen to and download the podcast version of this Bulletin via our Soundcloud and itunes channel or listen in now by clicking below

In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at a report from Liberis, a finance provider, on the issues growing businesses face particularly in terms of late payment and how you can avoid it.

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme is a little known scheme devised to help both start ups and investors make use of attractive tax breaks. Rob shares findings from a review as to how popular the scheme is and looks at the SEIS eligibility criteria.

Turning to crowdfunding, Rob has news from the Centre for Economics and Business Research which predicts that the amount of money accessed through crowdfunding will grow to a significant sum by 2020.

If you’re a VAT registered business you are probably familiar with the challenges of meeting the quarterly demand! Recent figures from finance provider LDF show a large amount of overdue VAT is outstanding to HMRC and in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Liz Maher from Centurion VAT in which she shares tips on managing your VAT risk.

If you prefer to listen via a podcast version you can download via our Soundcloud or itunes channel or listen in below.

In this episode of the weekly Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow examines current trends in late payment with news from the Asset Based Finance Association that despite improving economic conditions late payment problems are on the rise.

Continuing on the theme of late payment online accounting provider Crunch has identified within the world of self employment which businesses are best and worst when it comes to chasing payment. Are you one of them?

Locally run business loan funds are a useful source of alternative finance for smaller businesses and Rob looks at one fund run by Staffordshire County Council and the success it has had in supporting local businesses.

In the crowdfunding world Rob shares news from Market Invoice, the online invoice discounting solution, of another round of funding granted to it by the British Business Bank.

Despite a few hiccups lately in terms of growth and business confidence Rob looks at the findings of a survey from American Express Small Business Services which reveals that businesses are reporting strong growth and confidence for the future.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from an interview in which Rob talks about the typical cash contribution you have make to a deal to get your bank on board.

You can also listen to this week’s episode or download to listen to late via clicking below, or by visiting our Soundcloud or itunes channels.

In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow features ethical business lender Fair Business Loans and how after 10 years focusing on the London market they are spreading their wings to assist SMEs across the UK.

Rob reviews the findings from a recent Institute of Directors report on the Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, which reveal that more needs to be done to raise awareness of how both businesses and private investors can make better use of the schemes .

Turning to crowdfunding Rob shares news of a collaboration between KPMG and crowdfunding platform Invest Den designed to provide support and guidance to those SMEs looking to raise funding.

If you are already using an invoice discounting line Rob looks at a new facility, Liquidity Plus, from Close Bros which potentially can release up to 100% of an invoice; a useful boost if working capital is tight.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a look at the difference between profit and cash!

If you wish to listen to the podcast version click below or you can download it via our SoundCloud or itunes channels.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the findings from the latest quarterly SME Finance Monitor report. The report highlights why you should never assume anything when dealing with your bank!

Turning to the asset-based finance sector Rob has news on how this form of finance continues to outpace the banks in terms of support to small businesses.

In the crowdfunding world Rob looks at the announcement from equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube on a new milestone reached in respect of funds raised.

What are your confidence levels like about where your business is going over the next few months? Find out what business owners said when asked this question by Bibbys Financial Services as part of their regular SME Confidence Tracker.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about why business owners hate writing business plans.

If you wish to listen to the podcast version (and our other business finance podcasts) tune in below or go to our SoundCloud and itunes channel.

How a bank assesses a business finance request can be a mystery to many business owners. What is it exactly is it that a bank wants to see and what goes into the review process?

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Xtra podcast Rob Warlow talks about the key points banks look for in order to relay that all too elusive ‘yes’.

Rob also shares a checklist that bankers use in order to ensure all the relevant issues are covered. The checklist comes in the form of a mnemonic CAMPARI and in this interview he goes through each part which will provide you with a deeper understanding of what banks are looking for.

You can listen in here and also download the podcast to your phone

You can also subscribe to our itunes channel and you’ll find this episode listed there.

If you have missed the other three interviews in this special series you can find details here:

Business Finance Bulletin Xtra: How to Write an Effective Business Plan

Business Finance Bulletin Xtra: Business Plans for Raising Finance

Business Finance Bulletin Xtra: 7 Reasons Why Your Bank Would Say No

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow reviews the latest report on the banking sector’s Loan Appeal process which reveals how many businesses are successfully overturning a ‘no’ from their bank.

In the crowdfunding world there’s news from Funding Circle on a change in the way interest rates are calculated which should benefit both borrowers and investors.

Continuing on the topic of alternative finance Rob shares an announcement by card payment provider iZettle that it intends to start offering loans to its clients based on the volume of card business being transacted each month.

Where do you go to for advice? Rob looks at the findings from a recent survey which reveals one of the key sources business advice which may not be the best!

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from an interview in which Rob talks about why the sector you operate in is important to the bank.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version you can both listen and download by clicking below. If you are on itunes then you can access via our itunes channel.

In this latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at an appeal from the CBI for the government to help medium-sized business access long term loans by introducing a number of new initiatives.

Rob shares findings from a new report which suggests that banks are now feeling under threat from the growing band of alternative finance providers with the solution being if you can’t beat them then join them!

To combat struggles that small businesses have in accessing invoice discounting facilities Rob has news about moves by the government to make it easier for businesses to release cash from outstanding invoices. Continuing the theme
of late payment Rob also outlines a useful service which can speed up payments due.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob talks about why you need to think about the security you are prepared to offer your bank.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version of this episode by either clicking below or downloading below via our SoundCloud page or on our itunes channel.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services reviews the government’s latest moves to curb late payment by launching a consultation paper on the creation of the proposed conciliation service.

Late payment often affects the small time trades sector who can get caught by having to wait many weeks when customers don’t have sufficient cash with them to settle bills. Rob looks at new mobile payment service designed to combat this problem.

Turning to crowdfunding, Rob has news of initiatives brought out by ReBuildingSociety and Funding Circle to boost awareness and usage by both businesses and investors.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares a salutary lesson about being prepared when it comes to raising finance.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version click below or click the download symbol to access on your phone. You can also access the Bulletin via our itunes channel.