We open this Bulletin with an update on the CBILS performance. How are the accredited lenders doing in terms of getting money out to businesses in need of support? Will the launch of the Bounce Back Loans help those businesses which failed to access funding under CBILS?

We look at surveys carried out by Lloyds Bank and Hitachi Capital Business Finance which, not surprisingly, reveal that business confidence has taken a severe knock over the last two months.

To close, on a positive note The Pitch, the start up competition organiser, finds that some people are now turning their thoughts to starting a business.

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To kick off our latest Bulletin, we look at a host of enhancements and 3rd party collaborations announced by Xero, the online accounting software provider. The partnerships are aimed at further streamlining the way small businesses manage their finances.

A survey from the Federation of Small Businesses reveals the different experiences sole traders have in borrowing money compared to the wider small business community. Why would lenders treat sole traders differently?

To wrap up this Bulletin, a review of current business confidence levels, which according to a recent survey from Lloyds Bank has bounced back in October. How long will that last?

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.

Start ups can find it challenging to raise finance but since 2012 the Start Up Loans Company has filled the gap. We open our latest Bulletin by looking at a new milestone they have reached in terms of loans disbursed to start up businesses.

The government continues to ramp up its focus on tackling the late payment scourge. New measures have been announced by the Small Business Minister to curb the ability of larger businesses to misuse their power when it comes to money owed to small businesses.

To close, a look at the annual Working Capital Index survey from Lloyds Bank which reveals that businesses are continuing to hold onto growing levels of excess working capital. We ask why this should be of concern.

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.

Many individuals and small businesses have fallen victim to Authorised Push Payment scams. APPs are they are commonly referred to is where people are tricked into sending money to scammer’s bank account. To open this week’s Bulletin, we look at a new voluntary code 8 banks have signed up to which promises to refund lost money to victims.

Worrying times for the crowdfunding sector with news that property purchase and development crowdfunder Lendy has fallen into Administration. We look at the numbers behind the collapse.

To close, a review of a surprising survey from Lloyds Bank as part of their regular Business Barometer series, which reveals that business confidence has increased for the first time in many months. Is this merely a temporary blip?

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.

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?

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.

Change affects all industries and that doesn’t exclude banking. We open our latest Bulletin with a look at a new report from UK Finance and EY which highlights the rise in mobile banking and what the future holds.

One of the aims of the British Business Bank is to support so called Challenger Banks with funding via the ENABLE Programme. The latest beneficiary is Cambridge and Counties Bank which will utilise the funding to expand its property and commercial lending portfolio.

To close, we share news of a pot of funding set aside by Lloyds Bank specifically for businesses working directly, or indirectly supporting construction of the new Hinkley Point nuclear power plant. Funding to businesses in the supply chain could give them confidence to bid for contracts. Could you make use of this?

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.

Following the credit crunch, a host of so called Challenger banks emerged to fill the gap left by the High Street banks. One such challenger is Cambridge and Counties Bank. We look at how the bank has supported growing businesses and the range of products and services it offers small business owners.

Lloyds Bank has announced the creation of a £2 billion Clean Growth Finance fund. The fund is focused on businesses that wish to create a low carbon and sustainable future by investing in environmentally-friendly projects.

To close, we share findings from the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor which reveals that businesses continue to regain their fighting spirit with confidence levels reaching a two-year high.

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.

Cyber-attacks and cyber security never seem far from the headlines these days. If you were hit, what would be the financial implication for your business and could you withstand the impact? That’s a question posed by Lloyds Bank in a recent survey. What can you do to protect yourself? One way includes checking your IT system with companies such as www.pisys.net

The charge of the mobile-only banks continues. We look at the announcement from Starling Bank of the launch of its business account service. What features does the account have for businesses keen to switch to mobile-only banking?

We finish this edition with news from Crowdcube, the equity raising crowdfunding platform, that over the next five years it’s aiming to double the number of deals originated outside of London and the South East.

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 start our latest Business Finance Bulletin, news from Revolut Bank, an internet and mobile-only bank which we have not featured before. Revolut has announced forthcoming enhancements to its service offering which will provide wider benefits to its 16,000 business customers.

The British Business Bank, the government’s home for its finance programmes, has supported two more challenger lenders in their aim to broaden access to finance. Aldermore and 1pm will be using the finance schemes to widen the reach of their asset finance products.

Business confidence appears to be strengthening. That’s the message coming out from two surveys undertaken by the FSB and Lloyds Bank. However, there are still a number of factors holding businesses back when it comes to pursuing growth.

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.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that business confidence is swinging back and forth in reaction to global and local events. That’s the findings from the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer report which we review in our latest Bulletin. However, it’s not all doom and gloom with some glimmer of positivity reported!

Managing financial tasks can be a headache for many businesses. This is why Starling Bank, the mobile-only banking channel, have teamed up with an invoice issuing, online solution provider Albert, to streamline invoicing and bank reconciliation. Could it help you reduce time spent on administrative tasks?

To close this Bulletin, we look at the 4th annual report from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance which reveals a continued rise in the use of alternative finance. Who are the businesses tapping into this growing, almost mainstream, form of finance?

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.