To start off this Business Finance Bulletin we take a look at a new milestone achieved by the Start Up Loans Company in terms of the volume of loans disbursed. However, the question is being asked as to how much this government scheme has lost in the form of written-off loans and those that have fallen into default.

According to latest figures from the Asset Based Finance Association this sector, which covers invoice discounting and asset finance, has also reached new heights with a record amount of business being written in the 12 months to June.

What about business confidence post the Brexit vote? We take a look at how business owners are feeling about their prospects and what you should do now in case the mood changes.

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.

Has your bank said ‘no’ to your business finance request?

One reason could be that you have no financial information or it’s out of date. In this interview, BLS’ Rob Warlow explains why you need to have financial information in order to access finance.

We open this Business Finance Bulletin by taking a look at the latest Bank of England statistics on bank lending to small businesses. The figures to the end of July show strong support to SMEs but will this continue post-Brexit?

Bad debts and writing off irrecoverable amounts is not what you want to happen every day but new research reveals that many businesses are being faced with accepting losses on money owed to them.

Alternative finance continues to be a growing source of finance for small businesses and a new survey from Deloittes shows how many businesses are aware of it and intend to use it to fund growth plans. The findings suggest there is scope for improvement.

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.

Getting a business loan is not only down to having a solid Business Plan but also about you; the bank is giving a business loan to you, not just your business. And this is where the pitch comes in.

Your business loan pitch is your opportunity to present both your business and yourself.

In this clip from a live seminar Rob Warlow from Business Loan Services shares ideas on getting the pitch right.

The reasons for business failure can be many but we start the latest Business Finance Bulletin by looking at two key reasons as revealed in a survey carried out by R3, the insolvency industry body.

Banks and small businesses have had a strained relationship and according to a new study just out, it’s not got any better with many businesses owners saying they feel unsupported. We look at as to why that is.

With awareness and usage of Peer to Peer and crowdfunding on the rise we share news of the latest addition to the market. This new player is out to support growing small businesses with a range of financial products.

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.

Equity crowdfunding has broken a record with the news that Crowdcube has raised the largest sum on the platform to fund its own business growth plans. In this Bulletin we look at the deal and how Crowdcube is supporting other businesses looking to raise finance.

Sole traders and small businesses that deal predominately in cash can suffer from bad debts just the same as any other business. We look at how many businesses are faced with walking away from money owed to them and how mobile payment services such as that offered by Paym can help.

As Peer to Peer lending and crowdfunding grows in popularity, what impact is it having on the UK economy? That’s a question asked in a survey undertaken by the Centre for Economies and Business Research in conjunction with Funding Circle. We look at the key findings and what benefits businesses are gaining from raising finance via this route.

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 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.

When applying for business finance many business owners think that the bank is only interested in the performance of their business, but this is not the case.

In this clip from a live seminar BLS’s Rob Warlow reveals why, when assessing your finance request, the bank is just as interested in you as in your business.

With news that the Bank of England has reduced its Base Rate and an announce of a new scheme to get banks lending and businesses borrowing, in this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at whether these will have the desired impact.

We take a look at the findings from a survey carried out by the British Chamber of Commerce and Bibby Financial Services which reveals low awareness levels of the sources of alternative finance amongst UK SMEs.

Have you been faced with writing off a debt owed to you following being hit by a late payment of an invoice? The latest Bibby’s SME Confidence Index suggests that too many businesses are writing off debts and the average sum involved is not small.

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 with a look at where businesses get their financial advice from… and the number one source is not the most reliable.

Alternative sources of finance have been springing up from the least expected of companies and one of those is PayPay. We take a look at an update from PayPal on how successful it’s Working Capital facility has been amongst its UK clients.

Late payment can be a serious topic but Xero, the online accounting software provider, has put a special twist on one of Adele’s songs to highlight the problems late payment can cause. Take a look on our blog where you can watch the video!

Recent Bulletin’s wouldn’t be the same without mentioning Brexit but this week alternative finance provider Capify, presents a positive message about its impact – a nice change!

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.