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.

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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.

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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.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we start off with findings from a recent survey carried out by Wesleyan Bank which reveals that a large proportion of small businesses now have an aversion to debt. The report also lists the common sources of finance businesses are turning to.

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme has been around for a number of years and following a review we look at suggestions made by the British Business Bank on how the scheme can be improved.

Late payment is a big barrier to growth, particularly for small businesses and this fact is highlighted in a new report from the Asset Based Finance Association. The report reveals a significant gap in experiences between small and large businesses.

We also take a look at a new app launched by Nat West designed to help its small businesses gain a better understanding of borrowing options.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a question you should ask yourself before you go looking for 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.

In the latest episode of the Business Finance Bulletin a look at the latest statistics from the Bank of England on how much money UK businesses are borrowing from banks. Once again it’s small businesses which are coming out on top.

There’s news of a partnership between Barclays Bank and the UK Business Angels Association with the announcement of mentorship and growth advice service for High Growth businesses based in Birmingham.

Efforts to tackle late payment have been high on the UK government’s agenda but in an ironic twist of fate the government is now late in launching a ‘name and shame’ programme promised as part of the Small Business Enterprise Act.

With HMRC looking for every penny it can lay its hands on we share a warning from accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young that small businesses are vulnerable to coming under HMRC scrutiny.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week, a question you should ask your bank manager if they have said ‘no’ to your finance request.

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.

As we know access to finance amongst businesses has been tough and over the last few years the media has been filled with horror stories… but what is the reality on the ground?

Since mid 2011 an external body, the SME Finance Monitor team, has been carrying out quarterly independent research in to dealings between banks and small businesses when it comes to raising finance. Over the years the SME Finance Monitor Report has provided insight into what is really going on.

And the team has now released its latest report for quarter 1 2015.

So what are the key findings?

First the good news… 79% of those surveyed said they are now operating profitably.

This is up from 69% in the same quarter of 2013 – a significant improvement.

What about use of external sources of finance?

In quarter 1 of 2015 36% of businesses said they used external sources of finance.. that leaves a large number which are self-financing

Of those businesses using external finance 29% are using ‘core finance’ products such as overdrafts, loans and credit cards. This is down from 40% in the first quarter of 2012. This shows how businesses are moving away from the traditional sources of finance.

We often hear the statement that businesses are being starved of credit… well here’s the killer statistic which consistently comes out of this survey.

In the first quarter of 2015 48% of SMEs define themselves as ‘permanent non-borrowers’… they are not interested in borrowing and haven’t done so over the five years and don’t intend to in the future.

This was 30% in quarter 1 2012 so an increasing number of businesses are opting out of borrowing.
But what about business’ appetite to borrow over a shorter term?

The SME Finance Monitor team ask businesses about borrowing over the previous 12 months and looking ahead.

Here, 79% of businesses put themselves in this category – referred to as ‘Happy non-seekers of finance’

That’s nearly 80% of those surveyed saying they don’t want to borrow!

Added to that 72% of businesses said that their aim is to pay down their debt… and not borrow again.

So perhaps all the fuss about helping businesses to borrow is not as a big a problem as we think.

I’ll be returning to sharing more findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor Report so watch out for a future video.