A recurring theme in recent Bulletins has been emerging evidence of reluctance among small business to borrow and this trend is a highlight of the latest SME Finance Monitor Report. The report also reveals the top three issues which are of most concern to small businesses. Is access to finance still an issue?

Late payment has been another constant problem we have regularly featured in our Bulletins. In an effort to curb late payment the Government has called for thoughts from businesses on how it can tackle this problem. Do you have an idea to contribute?

To close this Bulletin, a look at a new £100m fund launched by the British Business Bank. With a large portion of angel investment focused on the South East, the Regional Angels Programme aims to improve access to early stage equity finance across the whole of the UK.

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How does late payment affect small business owners? That’s a question posed by The Prompt Payment Directory in its annual late payment survey. The report reveals that many small business owners personally suffer when payments are delayed.

Findings from a new FSB study highlight that some small businesses still struggle when it comes to raising finance. What holds them back and are they deterred from applying for finance?

To close this Bulletin, we share news of how PayPal has become a rising star on the alternative finance scene. Over the last 12 months the PayPal Working Capital facility has supported an increasing number of businesses with much needed cash. We look at how the facility works and the cost.

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.

To open our latest Bulletin, news of how businesses involved in sustainable activities can now benefit from a tailored finance solution offered by Barclays Bank. The Green Trade Loan is aimed at supporting environmentally-focused businesses in need of working capital.

Turning to more sobering news, we review first quarter figures released by The Insolvency Service on the number of businesses entering insolvency arrangements. Unfortunately, the statistics show an increase compared to the first quarter of 2017.

To close this Bulletin, interesting findings from Xero, the online accounting software provider, and the FSB about late payment experience among its clients and members. If you undertake work with larger businesses or public sector, you are more likely to get hit by delayed payments.

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.

A seeming reluctance among some small businesses to borrow money has extended to the equity finance world. We open our latest Bulletin with a review carried out by Beauhurst of equity finance transactions undertaken in the first quarter of 2018. The figures reveal a downturn in activity compared to the previous quarter.

Creditsafe, the credit agency, has reported that according to its research, company bad debts and the number of registered CCJs jumped in the first three months of this year. It appears that the pressure of unpaid invoices is beginning to show.

Cyber crime continues to grab the headlines, particularly with the forthcoming GDPR deadline. To ensure businesses are aware of the risks of being targeted by fraudsters, Barclays Bank has launched an awareness campaign with recommendations for businesses on how to keep safe.

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Following the announcement in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement that the government is looking at ways of tackling late payment, it has announced the launch of a consultation paper. The government is looking for input on its plans to address late payment amongst businesses awarded government contracts. Do you have any thoughts?

Where it can’t assist, to continue signposting businesses to alternative lenders, Nat West has announced MarketInvoice as the ninth addition to its Capital Connections panel. Being an online invoice discounter, MarketInvoice adds a new service to Nat West’s expanding panel.

Figures from UK Finance, the finance industry’s trade body, reveal that 2017 was a record year for businesses accessing Asset-Based lending. Looking closer at the figures, smaller businesses though really took advantage of this growing source of alternative finance. But is that the case in the first quarter of 2018?

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.

Are small businesses increasingly reluctant to borrow? According to findings in the latest SME Finance Monitor Report that appears to be the case. What are the factors holding businesses back from approaching lenders?

Following the Carillion liquidation, concerns continue to be expressed about how larger businesses deal with their smaller counterparts. Is there a failure in UK corporate governance, particularly when it comes to payment practices? That’s a question being posed in a consultation paper issued by the government. Do you have comments or ideas to share?

Despite the apparent overall reluctance to borrow, we close our Bulletin by reviewing the latest figures from the Finance and Leasing Association. The statistics for business transacted to January 2018 reveal steady growth in the use of this form of finance.

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According to the Registry Trust, 2017 saw a significant jump in the number of County Court Judgments registered. Is this a sign of toughening economic conditions or businesses being more aggressive when it comes to tackling overdue payments?

Since its launch in January, Open Banking has been gathering support primarily amongst the smaller, so called Challenger Banks. The latest bank to embrace Open Banking is mobile-only Starling Bank. It has announced a tie-up with TrueLayer which will act as a link between Starling Bank customers and alternative finance providers.

One of the more challenging aspects of starting a business is arranging finance. Where do you go? That’s a question posed by Hitachi Capital Business Finance when it spoke to start ups and younger businesses. We take a look at where business owners are getting their money from.

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.

Here we are with the 200th episode of the Business Finance Bulletin – another milestone achieved in bringing you the latest small business finance news and tips.

We start this episode by taking a look at the 2017 corporate insolvency figures released by the Insolvency Service. Whilst the whole year makes sombre reading in terms of an increase in the number of businesses entering insolvency proceedings, the last quarter of the year though does make better reading.

One tool the government has in its toolbox to help tackle late payment is the Duty to Report requirement imposed on larger business in April 2017. We take a look at the payment practices of these firms as revealed in the first six monthly report.

When it comes to business planning, many business owners shy away from preparing a Business Plan because they are unsure what to include. To close this Bulletin, we share a quick content guide focused on four key areas.

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.

For many small businesses, banking and bookkeeping are their least favoured tasks. To open this Bulletin, we look at a new mobile-only bank, CountingUp, which has opened its virtual doors with a small business banking solution combining banking and bookkeeping in one app.

The availability of unsecured business loans from alternative finance providers has been a major boost for growing businesses. One such provider was Ratesetter, until their surprise announcement that they are pulling out of the unsecured business loan market.

Finally, to close this Bulletin, we look at the continued fallout from the Carillion collapse. Focus is now turning to the impact late payment is having on small businesses. In the Carillion case, questions are being asked as to what is the point of voluntary programmes, such as the Prompt Payment Code, when larger companies can easily ignore it? Is it finally time to get tough on late payment?

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 liquidation of the construction giant Carillion has dominated the business news headlines. As well as affecting its employees, small businesses in the Carillion supply chain will take a substantial finance hit. What can you do to protect yourself from the failure of one of your largest clients?

As the deadline to pay your Self Assessment tax approaches, many self employed sole traders are faced with a potential payment problem following HMRC’s announcement that it will no longer accept credit cards. If you had planned to spread your tax payments by settling your bill by card, what are your options?

Raising growth finance via selling equity continues to be a popular source of funding for start-ups and growing businesses. One such company to benefit is equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube. To close this Bulletin, we look at the figures behind Crowdcube’s record-breaking 2017.

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.