Whilst you may have ambitions to grow your business there are often barriers put in your way. What are the barriers which businesses face? That’s a question asked by Hitachi Capital in their latest Business Barometer survey series. Do you experience any of these barriers?

Becoming a more sustainable business is increasingly appearing on business radars. However, financing environmentally friendly projects can prevent change. We look at a new range of Green-focused finance packages launched by HSBC.

To close this Bulletin, our monthly look at activity levels in the asset finance sector from the Finance & Leasing Association. As a gauge of how confident businesses are in terms of investment spend, how are businesses feeling?

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As well as being a barrier to growth, late payment has other negative knock-on implications. To open this Bulletin we take a look at the findings of a survey carried out by Xero and PayPal which reveals that the victims of late payment find themselves unable to pay their own suppliers.

One way of speeding up cashflow is to open an Invoice Discounting facility. To make it easier and to offer greater flexibility than traditional facilities, Nat West has launched its Rapid Cash service. Similar to an overdraft, Rapid Cash provides swift access to cash.

When it comes to investment for growth the FSB has found that small businesses are reluctant to do so in the current climate. Yet businesses are still borrowing but for what purpose?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

To open our latest Bulletin, we look at a survey from Cambridge and Counties Bank which reveals that unlike other sectors the Buy to Let industry remains confident about the future. Such is the feeling of optimism, the survey finds that many landlords are looking to expand their portfolios.

In terms of lending products being using to fund their businesses, online Invoice Discounting platform MarketInvoice finds that firms are moving away from the old traditional forms of finance. What forms of finance are businesses now accessing?

Occasionally, commercial property buyers can be surprised to learn that the property being purchase is subject to VAT. This can cause an unplanned hit to cashflow. We take a look at a new short-term VAT loan launched by Aldermore Bank to help ease the pain.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Start ups can find it challenging to raise finance but since 2012 the Start Up Loans Company has filled the gap. We open our latest Bulletin by looking at a new milestone they have reached in terms of loans disbursed to start up businesses.

The government continues to ramp up its focus on tackling the late payment scourge. New measures have been announced by the Small Business Minister to curb the ability of larger businesses to misuse their power when it comes to money owed to small businesses.

To close, a look at the annual Working Capital Index survey from Lloyds Bank which reveals that businesses are continuing to hold onto growing levels of excess working capital. We ask why this should be of concern.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

To open our latest Bulletin a look at a new survey from Menzies LLP which sheds light on how small businesses feel about their larger counterparts. Whilst there may be disadvantages to being small, the survey reveals several positives when it comes to competition.

We take our monthly look at activity levels in the Asset Finance sector which highlights how the volumes of business being transacted contrasts with that seen in the High Street banks.

To close, news from FreeAgent, the cloud accounting software provider, that it has signed up to Open Banking. We look at how this will prove beneficial to the nine banks within the Open Banking regime.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

In order to boost exports, we open our latest Bulletin by looking at a new range of advice and financial support being provided by UK Export Finance. The new support packages are particularly designed to encourage small businesses to become first-time exporters.

The Financial Conduct Authority has issued revised regulations for the Peer to Peer market. Whilst focused on protecting private investors, could the measures impact the flow of funds available for lending to small businesses?

Recently we have seen more lenders partnering up with other small business service providers to improve access to finance. The service providers may not be directly in the financial services sector, but the partnerships are a win-win for all parties. Who are the latest businesses to link up to expand availability of finance?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Many individuals and small businesses have fallen victim to Authorised Push Payment scams. APPs are they are commonly referred to is where people are tricked into sending money to scammer’s bank account. To open this week’s Bulletin, we look at a new voluntary code 8 banks have signed up to which promises to refund lost money to victims.

Worrying times for the crowdfunding sector with news that property purchase and development crowdfunder Lendy has fallen into Administration. We look at the numbers behind the collapse.

To close, a review of a surprising survey from Lloyds Bank as part of their regular Business Barometer series, which reveals that business confidence has increased for the first time in many months. Is this merely a temporary blip?

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

The credit crunch in 2008 was the start of the rise of the so-called Challenger Banks. This month, one of those early entrants, Aldermore Bank, celebrates its 10th anniversary. To open our latest Bulletin, we take a look at Aldermore’s achievements over the last 10 years.

When borrowing via a Limited Company, one downside is that lenders expect Directors to provide Personal Guarantees. Many can be reluctant to sign and in some cases it’s enough to put them off borrowing. However, that risk can be offset by taking out a Personal Guarantee Insurance policy. We take a look at how it works and where you can obtain such a Policy.

To close this Bulletin, news from The Small Business Commissioner that it has named-and-shamed another high profile business for its late payment practices. Another success story for the Commissioners Office with £32,000 paid following its intervention.

To open our latest Bulletin, a look at the announcement from the Banking Competition Remedies team of three new awards made smaller banks looking to challenge the SME banking status quo. What will the recipients do with their share of the £80 million awarded?

In these Bulletins we often consider why it’s important to know your numbers, but what if you don’t know what questions to ask? A new guide released on the key questions to ask could help make the process easier and boost both your chances of obtaining finance and improving profits.

To close, a look at how high growth tech companies could benefit from a fund backed by British Business Investments. The fund will finance growth plans and recognises that shareholders don’t like giving away too much of their company to investors.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Smaller property developers can find it a challenge when it comes to raising finance. To kickstart the latest Bulletin we look at the initial announcement from the British Business Bank on its ENABLE Build Guarantee which will focus on assisting smaller property developers access finance.

Credit4 is a niche lender supporting small businesses in need of flexible finance solutions. To allow them to back their increasing number of clients, Credit4 has announced it has secured additional funding. Could they fund your growth plans?

To close, our regular review of how the Asset Finance sector is performing. Once again, growth in volumes of HP and Leasing arrangements is beating expectations against the background of flat small business confidence levels.

If you would prefer to listen to the podcast version you can click below or download to listen to later via our Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.