In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks at the latest Business in Britain survey from Lloyds Banks which reveals the strong level of business confidence and the one key issue which is holding businesses back.

On the alternative finance scene Rob talks about findings from small business finance company Liberis on how SMEs are sourcing finance and what success they are having.

Staying with alternative finance a look at the latest statistics from the Peer to Peer Finance Association which show further growth in the level of finance support by P2P platforms… but is there a slight blip in the amount lent to small businesses?

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob looks at the short term loan market and how it can help those businesses which have temporary cashflow gaps.

If you would prefer listening to this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin then check out our podcast version by click or downloading below via our Soundcloud channel or via our itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow takes a look at a recent survey carried out by short-term business loan provider Just Cashflow on business owners skills gaps and what they wished they had known when they first started out in business.

Late payment continues to be a problem for growing businesses and Rob shares findings from two surveys carried out by BACS and the Asset Based Finance Association which reveal a mixture of good news and bad news on late payment experiences.

There is news from Metro Bank, one of the growing number of challenger banks, on the revamp of its small business offering.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares insights into problems some of the Business Loan Services’ clients have experienced in terms of their credit reports which are vital when it comes to obtaining business finance.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version you can listen and download by clicking below via our Soundcloud Business Finance Bulletin channel or subscribe via our itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks at the new government £100m Housing Growth Partnership scheme launched in conjunction with Lloyds Bank. The scheme is designed to boost house building via improving access to finance.

It’s surprising the number of businesses which are holding large amounts of surplus cash according to a survey by challenger bank Hampshire Trust Bank. Are you one of them and could you be earning a better return?

Rob looks at the announcement from Sage, the accounting software provider, of its tie up with Market Invoice and Funding Circle to provide clients with access to alternative sources of finance.

Staying with alternative funding Rob shares news of crowdfunding platform Funding Empire having new majority shareholders which signals growth for this platform.
And in the Business Finance Tip of The Week Rob looks at market disruptors and crowdfunding.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version the you can either click below and download and also subscribe via our itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks at Amazon’s entry into the small business lending market by extending loans to businesses operating on its Marketplace.

In the latest figures from the Bank of England Rob looks at the level of support being given by banks to small business with continuing evidence that more finance is going out of the banks’ doors.

If you want to avoid the High Street banks Rob shares news of a new £40m SME fund launched by Enterprise Ventures in conjunction with Santander and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. The fund seeks to provide loans to businesses across the UK, in all sectors and for a variety of purposes.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob talks with Rebecca Jones, the Red Shoe Biz Woman, on developing an entrepreneurial mindset amongst your staff.

If you would like to listen to the podcast version you can do so but clicking below. If you wish to download to your phone or PC, click the download image below or subscribe to our itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks the forthcoming changes in ISA rules and a survey from Yorkshire Bank and attitude to risk amongst savers which could see a boost to the crowdfunding market.

Staying with crowdfunding Rob shares news of the launch of a new crowdfunding platform. Bricks Financial is based in the South West and will primarily focus on servicing the local market.

According to the latest survey from the Federation of Small Businesses confidence amongst small business owners is strong and they are focused on where they are investing their money.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob looks at reviewing and controlling your overheads to ensure you are making the best returns from your business.

If you would also like to listen to the podcast version then you can either listen below or directly download this episode from our Soundcloud page by clicking the download symbol below. Alternatively to can subscribe via our itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow tackles the age-old problem of late payment. Rob looks at recent research from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) which reveals the extent of the problem and possible solutions.

Many businesses don’t realise that to help offset the costs of the impact of late payment they are allow to charge interest and Rob shares news from Lovetts, the debt recovery firm, on how awareness of this right is on the increase.

Unlike bank lending asset finance continues its growth as more businesses turn to this alternative source of finance. The latest statistics from the Asset Based Finance Association show just how popular it has become.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob looks at the benefits of planning ahead and getting ‘finance-ready’ well before you need to approach a lender.

You can also listen to the podcast version of this week’s Bulletin by clicking below or downloading via our Sounndcloud or itunes channels.

If you are in the processing of looking for business finance and afraid that you may get the cold shoulder from your bank, don’t worry because there are actions you can take to improve your chances of success.

As part of Adele McLay’s Business Success Tips podcast she chats with Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow in which shares some insider tips on getting a ‘yes’.

Rob reveals some do’s and don’ts and shares how to put together a Business Plan why your financial information is so important.

To listen in to this interview simply click below or click on the download button to load on your PC or phone.

If you’re looking to raise business finance and before visiting the bank preparation is key.

In this 50 minute audio BLS’ Rob Warlow shares 5 steps to take which will make you better prepared before confronting your bank manager!

You can either listen below or click the download button. Alternatively check out our itunes channel and search for ‘5 Steps to Getting the Business Finance You Need’

One aspect of a bank’s credit assessment process in reviewing your business loan request is how you are going to use the money lent to you. BLS’s Rob Warlow shares three key things you need to be aware of in how the bank will review your business loan application.

The struggles businesses have when it comes to getting a business loan are well known for even well established businesses. But what if you are a start-up or a relatively young business? Simply put the climb you face will be steeper than the one confronting your more mature counterparts.

So what factors do banks take into consideration when assessing a business loan request?

If you are a start-up or a relatively young business you can increase your chances of success by better understanding how banks will assess your finance request. In fact businesses of all ages would also benefit from this.

One framework which sums up their approach is CAMPARI; get a tick for each aspect of this framework and you’re on the right track.

Character

First of all you need to understand that in the SME world the bank is lending to you, not your business… you are the business. It is you that can make or break your business and so naturally the bank is going to pay close attention to your character.

The bank will consider your age and health; the assets you have; how you have operated your bank account; and whether you come across as a person of integrity and honesty.

The key factor though will be the information contained in your Credit file. Do you have a clean record, or do you have a list of past loan defaults? For lower value loans the results from a credit search can be the main factor in you getting a yes or a no.

Ability

Closely linked to your character is your ability to make a success of the business. In terms of the sector you’re operating in do you have relevant experience? Do you have suitable qualifications which benefit you in this business?

What specific business skills do you have which will help control and grow the business? If you are missing key skill sets, what are you doing to close the gap? Do you have a clear plan for what you want to achieve?

All of these factors will help in assessing your ability to deliver on what you are promising.

Margin

This next part of the CAMPARI framework is not the definition of margin you will be familiar with. This is the amount of margin the bank will be charging you i.e. the interest rate and other charges they will apply.

The question for the bank is whether the interest rate and fees proposed is sufficiently high enough to compensate them for the risk they are taking.

Purpose

The bank will want to make sure that the purpose to which the finance will be used adds value to the business; the money lent has to assist you in moving the business forward and not just to get you out of trouble by paying off pressing bills for example.

The bank will also consider the sector you are operating in. Banks have sectors they are happy to lend to and sectors in which they are more cautious. The less favoured the sector, the tougher it will be to get what you want.

Amount

The bank does not expect to be advancing the total cost of the project; you will be expected to make a contribution. So what percentage are you putting in?

In terms of the project, are you asking for too little or too much? Either of these will put the bank off. The acid test is whether the amount you’re requesting matches with what your financial projections are showing.

Repayment

At the very heart of the bank’s assessment process is your ability to repay the finance you’re requesting. The bank will be looking at your Annual Accounts, your Management figures and your financial projections (Profit and Loss, Cashflow and Balance Sheet), all to confirm you can afford the repayments.

What about your past repayment track record? Have you had previous borrowings which were either paid back with no problems or where you struggled to pay? All of this is taken into consideration when assessing your ability to pay back.

Insurance

And lastly the bank is going to look at its insurance in terms of the security you can offer for the bank to fall back on should you fail to repay.

The issue of security is a very emotive subject. If you are looking to borrow a relatively small sum then the issue of security won’t arise as the bank will lend purely against your past credit history. However, for larger amounts the bank will be looking for assets which it can sell should you fail to pay.

The Next Step

As you can see there are a number of elements that the bank will look at when assessing your finance request. How do you stack up against the CAMPARI framework?

What actions do you need to take to improve your chances of getting a ‘yes’?