Opening our latest Business Finance Bulletin, as businesses get back on the path growth, what are their top priorities and actions? We look at the findings from the recent Hitachi Capital Business Finance Business Barometer report.

It’s not all good news for businesses though. We review the most recent Red Flag Alert report from Begbies Traynor which reveals a jump in the businesses which class themselves as in ‘significant financial distress. What actions can you take to keep on the right side of the track?

To wrap up this edition, a report from Dun and Bradstreet highlights that a continuation in late practices could hinder the hoped-for business recovery and growth during the remainder of this year.

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.

With 2021 being the year where managing cash flow will be more important than ever efforts to reduce instances of late payment are always welcome. We open our latest Business Finance Bulletin with changes announced by the Prompt Payment Code which will see its members reduce the number of days taken to pay invoices.

If you are purchasing a commercial property which is subject to VAT then payment can put a strain on cash flow. We look at a new short-term loan launched by Just Cashflow which can assist in the up-front VAT payment.

To close, we review new analysis from the British Business Bank which reveals the top three regions which have taken advantage of the CBILS and Bounce Back Loans.

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.

Opening our latest Bulletin, we look at a milestone hit by the government guarantee loan support schemes – the Bounce Back Loans and CBILS. The number of loans disbursed have hit record highs and proved to be a lifeline for many businesses and another batch of lenders added to the panel further improve access to the various schemes.

Studies are now exposing the extent of the impact of recent events on business performance and profitability but there is a glimmer of light. We look at surveys from Lloyds Bank, Xero and the Federation of Small Businesses which reveal the pressures businesses are under.

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.

Start ups have traditionally found it challenging to raise finance. To open this week’s Bulletin, a look at how Just Cashflow will be using Augmented Intelligence to pre-select and directly approach start-ups worthy of financial support.

The latest annual Small Business Finance Markets Report from the British Business Bank reveals how banks are getting left behind in terms of financing SMEs. Are the days of High Street being the first port of call numbered?

Wrapping up this edition, a look at recommendations from the Money Advice Trust, which runs Business Debtline, on how the continuing problem of late payment needs to be addressed.

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

To open our latest Bulletin, we review a survey from Hitachi Capital Business Finance which reveals that businesses are now prioritising growth plans over cost cutting measure. SMEs are focusing on three main strategies to boost business in 2020.

Mobile-only banking continues to provide an alternative to traditional High St bank accounts. Anna Money is one such bank which focuses solely on providing mobile banking for businesses. We take a look at the key features designed to support SMEs.

To close this Bulletin, news of action taken by the Prompt Payment Code against a number of household names which have failed to meet payment guidelines. The steps are intended to send a message to larger businesses that late payment is unacceptable.

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

Insuring the whole of your debtor portfolio against non-payment can be expensive. Opening our latest Bulletin, we look at the announcement of a partnership between Barclays and single invoice insurer, Nimbla. Rolling out on a trial basis in selected regions, Barclays customers will benefit from cost-effective credit insurance.

When reviewing finance requests from larger SMEs, banks will consider the risk and impact of supply chain failure. A survey from Aldermore reveals that many businesses have not reviewed the likelihood or consequences of supply chain failure.

To close, proposals have been set out in the form of a draft Bill to the House of Lords to tackle late payment. What actions are being proposed? To back-up the need for action, a survey from Pay UK uncovers the impact late payment has on business owner’s mental health.

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

To open our final Bulletin of 2019, a fitting close to this season with a look at the possible return of certainly following the Election result. Will the parliamentary majority be enough to overturn the feeling of uncertainty which has dominated the last 12 months?

Challenger banks are often at the leading edge when it comes to innovation and in terms of linking up with 3rd small business service providers that’s no exception. We look at announcements from Metro Bank and Starling Bank of partnerships available to their SME customers designed to improve efficiencies and access specialised services.

To wrap up our last episode for 2019, some good news on late payment. We review a new survey from MarketFinance which reveals that 2019 saw an improvement in late payment practices, lessening the cashflow strain for many small businesses.

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

Rising out of the ashes of the credit crunch the alternative finance providers moved in to fill the gap left by the banks. To open this Bulletin, we look at how the alternative lenders are evolving with Iwoca announcing a milestone in lending and Nucleus Commercial Finance improving its loan repayment term.

Managing late payment can often be a burden for small business owners, which means action taken by the Prompt Payment Code to suspend members not adhering to its rules is good news. Which household names have been asked to leave the organisation?

To wrap up this Bulletin, we look at why you need to be aware whether your industry sector is in or out of favour with your bank before applying for finance.

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

To start our latest Business Finance Bulletin, we look at how the British Business Bank continues to support small businesses in need of finance. Their 2019 Annual Report sets out how they are improving access to finance in all regions across the UK.

With late payment being an ever-present feature of managing a small business, news from the Prompt Payment Code about membership suspension for a number of high-profile names due to them not adhering to the voluntary payment code.

To close, we review a joint report from the Small Business Commissioner and Growth Street which considers how small business owners see Open Banking. The findings reveal a higher level of awareness and interest than perhaps expected.

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

As well as being a barrier to growth, late payment has other negative knock-on implications. To open this Bulletin we take a look at the findings of a survey carried out by Xero and PayPal which reveals that the victims of late payment find themselves unable to pay their own suppliers.

One way of speeding up cashflow is to open an Invoice Discounting facility. To make it easier and to offer greater flexibility than traditional facilities, Nat West has launched its Rapid Cash service. Similar to an overdraft, Rapid Cash provides swift access to cash.

When it comes to investment for growth the FSB has found that small businesses are reluctant to do so in the current climate. Yet businesses are still borrowing but for what purpose?

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