If you are in the processing of looking for business finance and afraid that you may get the cold shoulder from your bank, don’t worry because there are actions you can take to improve your chances of success.

As part of Adele McLay’s Business Success Tips podcast she chats with Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow in which shares some insider tips on getting a ‘yes’.

Rob reveals some do’s and don’ts and shares how to put together a Business Plan why your financial information is so important.

To listen in to this interview simply click below or click on the download button to load on your PC or phone.

If you’re looking to raise business finance and before visiting the bank preparation is key.

In this 50 minute audio BLS’ Rob Warlow shares 5 steps to take which will make you better prepared before confronting your bank manager!

You can either listen below or click the download button. Alternatively check out our itunes channel and search for ‘5 Steps to Getting the Business Finance You Need’

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks at the news of collaboration between crowdlender Funding Knight and short-term alternative lender Just-Cashflow to assist growing businesses.

Looking at the crowdfunding industry as a whole, Rob looks at statistics from the Peer to Peer Finance Association on finance raised by its members during the first quarter of this year which reveal a continued growth surge.

Rob also looks at evidence of a steady improvement in the economy with news that the overall number of company insolvencies is on the way down according to official government statistics.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with Santander’s Paul Brooks, Business Development Director, Wales about the bank’s Breakthrough Programme designed to help growing businesses with a variety of support schemes.

You can also listen to a podcast version of this Bulletin via either itunes or our SoundCloud page or simply listening in below.

Getting a business loan is about understanding what a bank will lend your business money for and what it won’t. How you are going to use the money is important and in this clip from a live seminar Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow explains why banks won’t lend you ‘get me out of jail’ money.

If you would like to receive Rob’s weekly Business Finance Bulletin with news, tips, ideas and strategies on raising finance subscribe by going here.

The latest update from the Peer to Peer Finance Association shows that crowdfunding continues its stellar growth. Figures for the 1st Quarter of 2015 reveal that the industry lent out £459,000,000, compared to £346,000,000 in the 4th Quarter of 2014

That’s an increase of 33%… growth rates the banks can’t touch!

But let’s look closer at what else is happening.

Let’s start with the lenders… the people who are handing over their cash. At the end of Quarter 4 2014 there were 105,101 lenders. At the end of March 2015 there were 111,255

That’s an increase of 6%.

What about the borrowers?

At the end of Quarter 4 2014 there were 139,749 borrowers and at the end of March 2015 there were 159,083.
That’s an increase of 14%

It’s clear that more businesses and individuals are seeing the benefits of crowdfunding.

If you want to know how you can access finance for you business via crowdfunding you can find more information on our crowdfunding page.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow discusses two surveys which touch upon the subject of seeking out advice and support from professional advisors. The first survey looks at how many businesses are currently looking to sell up and why that is. In terms of the start up market Rob talks about another survey from Aviva and the support and advice start ups seek.

Invoice discounting continues to grow in popularity but Rob looks at news from Market Invoice about the lack of transparency and hidden fees which are prevalent in the invoice discounting industry.

Rob also discusses the news that BrewDog, the craft beer brewer is looking to raise £25m to fund its expansion but doing it on their own under their ‘Equity for Punks’ scheme and so bypassing the industry stalwarts.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about the impact on cashflow of carrying too much stock.

If you would to listen to this episode in the podcast version click below to listen or to download to your computer or phone.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at the latest result from the Begbies Traynor Red Flag report which provides insight into how businesses see their financial condition in the first quarter of 2015.

Having the right skill set within a business is often cited as one of the barriers to growth and Rob looks at a new programme from Close Brothers, the asset-based lending bank, and the University of Sheffield designed to support businesses looking to take on apprentices.

With many alternative providers of finance looking forward to 2016 when banks will be required to pass on clients they cannot assist, one alternative funding platform reveals the extend of help they think UK small businesses will need.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob chats with sales mentor , author and international speaker Steve Clarke about whether there is any difference between selling products to customers and selling your idea to your bank.

If you would like the podcast version to listen to either on your phone or in the car click below to either listen to or download.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at a new business programme produced by TV production company Liberty Bell who are looking to bring together ordinary investors and businesses owners on the hunt for finance; a case of crowdfunding meets Dragons Den! Could this be for you?

The creative industry has always found it challenging to raise business finance and Rob looks at support being provided by a network of lenders via the Creative Industry Finance network with news that P2P lender Ratesetter has joined the scheme.

Continuing the support theme the Entrepreneurial Spark team has announced that KPMG has joined the network to provide advice to the businesses seeking mentors and guidance.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from an interview in which Rob talks about Business Plans and specifically what should be included in the Staff and Management section.

If you prefer to listen to this week’s Business Finance Bulletin in podcast form then click below and download.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at a recent report from the British Business Bank on the low level of awareness and activity in selling equity to raise growth finance.

If you are sold on the idea of selling equity Rob looks at Crowdcube’s statistics for the first quarter of 2015. Crowdcube are demonstrating how raising growth finance via the crowd can work.

The latest Entrepreneurs Index from Barclays and the Business Growth Fund reveals a strong growth in the number of UK start ups but offset by an apparent slowdown in fast-growth companies. And in terms of business confidence generally Rob looks at the latest survey from Lloyds Bank which reveals growing levels of optimism amongst businesses.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about the importance to the bank of the purpose of your loan request and how you are going to use the money.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version then simply download it from our SoundCloud page by clicking below.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Rob Warlow looks at the enactment of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act which is a milestone for small businesses in addressing a number of issues holding many back. The Act resolves problems such as access to finance and late payment which will ease financing of growth.

Rob also looks at the latest scheme from the British Business Bank, the ENABLE programme, designed to help the smaller challenger banks increase their lending support to SMEs.

Your personal credit history can have a negative impact on the ability of your business to raise finance. Rob discusses why this should be the case and what can you do about it.

In this episode’s interview Rob chats with Tracey Smolinski from business networking group Introbiz in which she talks about their forthcoming business exhibition and the entrepreneurs who will speaking.

If you would prefer listening to the podcast version then simply download to your phone or PC by going below.