Starting this week’s Bulletin, with businesses either back trading or gearing up to open the doors, we look at surveys from Aldermore Bank and UK Finance which reveal how businesses see the next 12 months in terms of borrowing and growth.

The British Business Bank announces accreditation of more new lenders on the Bounce Back and CBILS loan schemes. Are we at the stage where there are enough on the panel of lenders?

To close, we review the latest figures on the two loan schemes and consider why the number of unsuccessful CBILS applications remains stubbornly high.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Google, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

The long awaited final report from the Competition and Markets Authority on the UK banking sector has been released. The recommendations for changes in the way banks interact with small businesses has not been the bombshell many were hoping for. We look at the recommendations and how SMEs could benefit.

Hot on the heels of the recent cut in interest rates designed to boost demand for finance, what is the appetite to borrow money amongst SMEs? We review the findings from a recent EEF survey which reveal that actions from the Bank of England to encourage businesses to borrow may fall on deaf ears.

Business owners were disappointed last year when the government announced changes in the way dividends are taxed (less money in your pocket of course!). A review carried out by accountancy firm Moore Stephens has highlighted a consequence of this change in taxation which could have a negative impact on much needed growth plans.

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.