We open our latest Bulletin with findings from a new survey undertaken by the British Chamber of Commerce which reveals that businesses continue to shun debt. Other than taking on finance to support day-to-day cashflow, the report highlights how businesses are becoming apathetic towards debt, particularly for medium to long-term investment.
The key reason for the unwillingness to seek new finance is a lack of confidence in the economy. This is borne out in the latest Lloyds Bank monthly Business Barometer report, which finds that business confidence levels plunged in May. What’s driving this?
Finally, we close on a positive note! New research from the British Business Bank finds the more businesses are accessing growth finance by selling equity. The annual Small Business Equity Tracker report reveals that 2017 saw a jump in both deal numbers and average deal size. Could you access equity to fund your growth plans?
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We kick off this Business Finance Bulletin by taking a look at the latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that Asset Finance continues to be a popular way of purchasing assets such as equipment and vehicles.
Nat West and RBS have announced more changes to its application process in order to speed up business finance requests. The revised process focuses on improving application turnaround times from months to weeks for commercial and residential property developers.
Raising funds via selling shares in your business is one way of funding growth. To close review equity crowdfunding platform performance in the first quarter of 2017. Which platforms are leading the pack in terms of the number and volume of equity deals?
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, we kick off with… the election. Sorry! We look at how this distraction could affect small businesses, access to finance and spending habits.
On the back of findings by Hitachi Capital and the FSB, more attention is now being given to the impact rising costs is having on small businesses. If you are faced with increasing costs, what you can do to preserve your bottom line?
During periods of growth one thing small businesses want is quick access to finance. To close this Bulletin, we look at what short term finance provider Yes Growth can do to support growing businesses in need of additional working capital.
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.
The latest SME Finance Monitor Report reveals an interesting insight into small business owner’s current thoughts about borrowing money. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we take a look at feedback from small business owners on their appetite to borrow and funding growth.
Deciding to sit back and self-fund your growth plans, whether intentionally, or because you can’t find finance, comes at a cost. This is the finding from a survey carried out by Aldermore Bank which reveals that business opportunities are being lost because small businesses can’t access the right finance.
Looking for a fast, short term business loan? How about one in 12 minutes? We look at a new lending service launched by Ultimate Finance, the Cash Advance, which promises quick access to short term business finance with minimal fuss.
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.
We kick-off this week’s Bulletin by sharing a story from a client meeting this week where the business assumed that there would be no funding for them. We look at how many businesses make this mistake and so inadvertently deny themselves the opportunity to grow.
We have news on how TaxAssist Accountants have formed an alliance with Ratesetter, the peer-to-peer lender, to offer clients immediate access to a quick source of working capital and growth finance.
To close the Bulletin, we take our monthly look at how banks are supporting SMEs in terms of loans outstanding. The latest figures from the Bank of England indicate early signs of a shift in attitude amongst small businesses towards borrowing.
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.
If you have plans to grow your business, don’t underestimate the vital role cashflow has to play. Fresh from delivering a workshop on financing growth for business growth specialist Gavin Preston, BLS’s Rob Warlow shares the importance of managing cashflow when you’re going for growth… an important lightbulb moment for those attending the session.
The banks are starting to learn from the alternative finance players with news from RBS/Nat West that they are launching an online platform where new and existing customers can apply for loans up to £150,000.
Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounting platform, has announced an enhancement to its service with Marketinvoice Pro which will allow frequent users more flexibility in accessing funds.
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 episode Rob Warlow looks at a recent report from the British Business Bank on the low level of awareness and activity in selling equity to raise growth finance.
If you are sold on the idea of selling equity Rob looks at Crowdcube’s statistics for the first quarter of 2015. Crowdcube are demonstrating how raising growth finance via the crowd can work.
The latest Entrepreneurs Index from Barclays and the Business Growth Fund reveals a strong growth in the number of UK start ups but offset by an apparent slowdown in fast-growth companies. And in terms of business confidence generally Rob looks at the latest survey from Lloyds Bank which reveals growing levels of optimism amongst businesses.
In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about the importance to the bank of the purpose of your loan request and how you are going to use the money.
If you prefer to listen to the podcast version then simply download it from our SoundCloud page by clicking below.
In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at evidence of a continued increase in confidence amongst small business owners with positive news from a survey carried out by Hitachi Capital.
Rob also looks at signs that the success rate in getting a ‘yes’ from banks is on the up according to the FSB’s latest Voice of Small Business Index. According to this latest report businesses are also reporting how profits are on the up and there is more interest in hiring staff. All positive signs for the economy.
Turning to alternative lenders Rob shares news of a possible new entrant into the banking market with Civilised Bank looking to launch later in the year focusing on the SME market.
Funding growth via selling equity has often been a mental stumbling block for many business owners but Rob looks at a report from the British Business Bank which reveals that more businesses are considering it as a viable option to raising cash.
And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Dr Paul Thomas of DNA Definitive in which he shares a number of key issues that growing businesses should be aware of.
If you prefer to listen to this week’s edition on your phone or in your car simply download the podcast version by clicking the download image.
In the latest Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at recent surveys from Close Brothers and the government’s Business Innovation and Skills Department on growing confidence levels amongst business owners in the UK.
Rob also looks at the latest figures from the Bank of England on the Funding for Lending Scheme which shows a continued downward slide in support from banks.
Late payment continues to be a problem for growing businesses and Rob looks at how the government is tackling the problem with revisions to the Prompt Payment Code and new rules designed to ensure the public sector pays on time.
In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Market Invoice, the online crowdfunding platform, which helps UK businesses unlock cash tied up in outstanding invoices.
If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version of this week’s Bulletin simply click below or download to your computer or phone.
I wanted to thank you for such an insightful, energetic, and entertaining talk at the Kevin Green Wealth event on securing funding and creating a successful plan. It was brilliantly executed and a pleasure to listen to and the ideas I’ve learned are definitely going to help me in going forward.
Hi Rob, it was so interesting and entertaining listening to you at the Kevin Green Wealth Coach Workshop in Reading this weekend! I didnt realise you can find Finance proposals such fun!. Brilliant tips! Thanks.
Rob kindly agreed to attend the recent Pontypridd RFC sponsors networking evening and delivered what can only be described as an excellent talk on 5 Tactics to Boost Your Business and Your Profits. He kept the audience engaged throughout and the feedback from everyone was excellent. Rob is very knowledgeable on business and finance and on top of that is a genuine nice guy. We hope to have him back at a future event and I have no hesitation in recommending Rob’s services.
Rob delivered a series of 3 workshops aimed at understanding how finance houses look at finance propositions with the aim for us as a team to deliver more of a bespoke offering to our customer base. The training was delivered to a mixture of staff who work with new businesses start-ups and existing established businesses across Mid & South West Wales. Rob delivered the training with an abundance of passion and has really helped my team look at financial propositions in a different light, many thanks again Rob and I look forward to work with you in the near future.
Further to your recent presentation at LEAD Wales just wanted to say it was very refreshing to see somebody talk passionately and positively about finance, very insightful!