What would you do if you were able to borrow money for your business? This is a question posed by Liberis, the short-term cashflow lender, when it spoke to 200 small businesses. As well as revealing how funds would be spent, the survey also discovered how many small businesses are still confused about where to look for finance.

Businesses based in the Midlands are in for a cash boost with the announcement from Barclays of the creation of its £370m Midlands Growth Fund. If you are based in the Midlands, we look at how you could benefit.

To close this Bulletin, we have news of Nat West’s revised Entrepreneur’s Accelerator Programme. Delivered in hubs situated in 12 major cities across the UK, the programme is designed to help start ups in need of support, advice and mentorship. Could the programme help you get your business off the ground?

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.

You would think that when it comes to selling a business, it would be the more mature ones putting up the ‘For Sale’ sign. Latest findings from Barclays Bank in their Entrepreneur’s Index report reveal that more younger businesses than ever before are being sold.

As we approach the year-end many business owners will find themselves with time on their hands as the seasonal slowdown kicks in. In a new survey, Lloyds Bank asked business owners what they will do during this quiet period. Do they spend time planning or kick back and do nothing?

To close the Bulletin, we look at the latest small business bank lending figures from UK Finance. The trend of a slowdown in an appetite to borrow and a build up in cash deposits still continues.

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.

Preserving working capital is crucial to ensure you don’t run out of cash. If need to buy assets such as plant and machinery, then using an Asset Finance facility is one option. Recognising the importance of keeping cash within the business, we start our Bulletin with an announcement from Lloyds Bank of the launch of their new Asset Finance fund.

With retail sales slowing down we look at how businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about borrowing money. The latest statistics from UK Finance reveal a contraction in borrowing but an increase in the amount of cash held in bank accounts.

Have you ever been a victim of online fraud? A survey from Barclays discovers how many frauds are never reported to the banks or authorities. What can you do to prevent falling foul of online fraudsters and whom can you report it to?

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.

Is appetite amongst small businesses to borrow money on the wane? According to the latest SME Finance Monitor Report this is the case. We take a look at how more business owners are opting out of taking on debt in favour of pursuing a ‘slow growth or no growth’ strategy.

On a more positive note, we share news from the Finance and Leasing Association that its members are reporting record volumes in financing plant and machinery, and business equipment. Asset Finance as a source of funding is continuing to win over small businesses.

To close the Bulletin, we look at a new fund launched by the British Business Bank. The North West Business Growth has been designed to assist growing businesses in the North West in accessing loan 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.

The latest ‘Voice of Small Business Index’ from the FSB for Quarter 2 to June 2017, shows that only 14 per cent of small firms applied for external finance in the three months to June.

The FSB commented that the low figures are being driven by lower investment intentions and confidence levels on the back of Brexit and economic uncertainty.

The survey comes out on the back of the latest statistics from UK Finance (the finance industy’s trade body) which revealed that bank lending to businesses fell by £698m in July.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Of the 14% of businesses which said they had applied for finance in the three months to June 2017, the share of those successfully getting a ‘yes’ stood at 74% in the quarter, up from the 71% in the same quarter a year ago.

This also compares very favourably to the 54% seen in Q2 2015. So, the more growth-focused businesses are getting what they want.

The survey also shows that the lending landscape continues to evolve with continued evidence of diversification away from traditional bank lending. Among small businesses that had applied for credit, the share applying for bank loans declined from 39% in Q2 2016 to 23% in Q2 2017.

Where are small businesses going for their finance needs?

The survey reveals that the proportion using asset-based finance, such as invoice financing, has doubled from 17% to 34%.

Our message is that if you are in growth mode, there are plenty of finance options out there.

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.

The latest SME Finance Monitor Report reveals an interesting insight into small business owner’s current thoughts about borrowing money. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we take a look at feedback from small business owners on their appetite to borrow and funding growth.

Deciding to sit back and self-fund your growth plans, whether intentionally, or because you can’t find finance, comes at a cost. This is the finding from a survey carried out by Aldermore Bank which reveals that business opportunities are being lost because small businesses can’t access the right finance.

Looking for a fast, short term business loan? How about one in 12 minutes? We look at a new lending service launched by Ultimate Finance, the Cash Advance, which promises quick access to short term business finance with minimal fuss.

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 episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we start off by looking at how findings from a new survey reveal that business owners can be put off borrowing by complicated financial terminology. Are you confused by the jargon lenders use?

It seems some business owners are running for the hills when it comes to planned investments over the next six months. A rapid fall in estimated investment levels indicates that small business owners are being cautious ahead of Brexit.

There are many reasons why your bank can say ‘no’ but when it comes to County Court Judgments, or CCJs as they are commonly referred to, it is difficult to argue your corner. Find out how one business owner unwittingly fell into this trap.

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 week’s Bulletin by sharing a story from a client meeting this week where the business assumed that there would be no funding for them. We look at how many businesses make this mistake and so inadvertently deny themselves the opportunity to grow.

We have news on how TaxAssist Accountants have formed an alliance with Ratesetter, the peer-to-peer lender, to offer clients immediate access to a quick source of working capital and growth finance.

To close the Bulletin, we take our monthly look at how banks are supporting SMEs in terms of loans outstanding. The latest figures from the Bank of England indicate early signs of a shift in attitude amongst small businesses towards borrowing.

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 small businesses can sometimes beat the bigger players in the market, occasionally we can learn a trick or two from them. In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at strategies being employed by Chief Financial Officers to boost their company’s performance. What tips can you take action on?

How do small business owners view the finance market and their growth prospects? That’s a question posed in the latest Business Finance Survey carried out by the British Business Bank. Not surprisingly, the survey reveals positive news… and less positive expectations when looking ahead.

To close the Bulletin, we share news on a new milestone reached by peer-to-peer lender, Funding Circle, in terms of the amount it has lent to small businesses.

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.