Despite recent surveys reporting that small business confidence was resiliently high, recent events have given business owners reason to take a step back. In this Business Finance Bulletin, we share three steps you can take to tackle business uncertainty.

Of all the risks businesses face today, one which is common to all businesses and sectors are financial scams. To help protect you from fraudsters we look at the three most common scams and what you can do to ensure you keep your money safe.

Outside of the traditional and non-traditional lenders, there is another source of finance being offered by firms you would not consider to be finance providers. One such firm is Amazon and we look at how Amazon Lending is focused on increasing the finance it’s providing to retailers selling on its ecommerce platform.

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.

Whilst increasing sales is always a key focus for ambitious businesses, as we recently highlighted to a growth-hungry business, the danger of overtrading can cause chaos. What is overtrading and how can you avoid falling into the trap of running out of cash?

Despite small business owners remaining confident about their prospects, one message coming out is that many small businesses are reluctant to borrow. We look at the latest findings from the SME Finance Monitor team which reveals that SMEs are cautious about taking on new debt.

Managing administration and finance tasks is often a burden for time-poor business owners. NatWest have recognised this and we look at the announcement of the launch of a pilot app designed to improve the way businesses can monitor and track use of their commercial credit card.

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.

Despite the introduction of the Bank Referral Scheme, Nat West continues to develop its own panel of alternative finance partners via Capital Connections. In this Bulletin we look at the latest addition to the panel, equity crowdfunding platform, Seedrs.

As well as causing business finance distress, late payment can also cause personal stress for business owners. The extent of the problem is revealed in a recent survey carried out by The Prompt Payment Directory and we review the key findings.

Why would your bank say ‘no’ to a new loan when your business is profitable and your bank account operates with no problems? We close the Bulletin by sharing one reason why this would happen.

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 this latest Business Finance Bulletin, we’re delighted to introduce Sue Lewis as the latest addition to the Business Loan Services team. With 25+ years in the finance sector Sue is a great asset to BLS.

Managing finances and cashflow is highly ranked as one of the stressful aspects of running a business. What can you do the relieve yourself of the burden? We share one tip from a recent seminar BLS’s Rob Warlow hosted for Sterling Networks in Worcester.

Collaboration between businesses which have the same target market, being small businesses, continues to prove popular. We have news of a tie-up between SagePay and Liberis, the short-term loan provider, which help SagePay clients have quicker access to 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.

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.

Small businesses are continuing to shrug off any feelings of negativity. These are the findings of a new survey undertaken by the ICAEW and in this Business Finance Bulletin we look at the one thing emerging as a key challenge for businesses.

Although Brexit is some way off, businesses and organisations are considering what the economy will look like post-exit. We review a new report from the FSB which focuses on availability of finance and highlights a significant small business funding gap from 2021 onwards.

Despite high confidence levels, corporate insolvencies are on the rise. We take a look at the Quarter 1 statistics from the Insolvency Service and consider what’s behind the increase.

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 one problem that comes along with growth is finding the right balance between having too much or too little cash tied up in working capital. In this Business Finance Bulletin, we look at a survey which reveals how much surplus working capital businesses are carrying.

The Bank Referral Scheme, which was launched late last year to help SME improve their access to finance, appears to have stumbled. We look at news that the government has instigated a review into why banks are not referring on enough clients who don’t meet their criteria.

To close the Bulletin we share findings that UK business confidence is at a 4-year high with SMEs appearing to shrug off any doubts about a lacklustre year ahead.

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In the Bulletin we mention three other videos to look at on how to manage your working capital:

How to Calculate Your Stock Turnover Ratio

How to Calculate Your Debtor Days Ratio

How to Calculate Your Creditor Payment Ratio

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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.

Have you ever thought what would happen to your business if something befell you or a key employee? In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at this question posed by Aldermore Bank in a recent survey. Are you at risk and if so how can you mitigate the impact?

The rise of the alternative lenders as a credible source of finance continues. We review the latest figures from the Peer to Peer Finance Association which reveal new highs in terms of money being lent out by Association members.

How does a 3 minute loan sound? If you’re a Nat West small business customer looking for a loan of less than £35,000 then we have news of how you may be able to take advantage of their soon-to-be-launched online application platform.

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.

In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin, we start off by looking at an announcement from Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank of funds set aside to support growing businesses during 2017 and 2019.

The latest monthly survey from the SME Finance Monitor team reveals small business owner’s growth plans and how exporters are more ambitious. There is also more evidence that businesses are reigning in their desire to borrow money to fund growth.

Funding Circle, one of the leading lights in the peer-to-peer lending market, has stated that it is winding down their property development finance offering so it can devote resources to its core business loan product.

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.