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.

In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin, we start off by looking at an announcement from Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank of funds set aside to support growing businesses during 2017 and 2019.

The latest monthly survey from the SME Finance Monitor team reveals small business owner’s growth plans and how exporters are more ambitious. There is also more evidence that businesses are reigning in their desire to borrow money to fund growth.

Funding Circle, one of the leading lights in the peer-to-peer lending market, has stated that it is winding down their property development finance offering so it can devote resources to its core business loan product.

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.

Kicking off this Business Finance Bulletin is a look at findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor Report which includes a focus on small business borrowing appetites. The report reveals that a large number have no interest in taking on finance.

The British Business Bank has been supporting a number of alternative lenders with additional funds for them to on-lend to small businesses. We look at the funding passed onto an Asset Finance company based in the North West which is set to support growing businesses in need of asset finance solutions.

Have you ever lost a cheque or forget to pay one into your bank account? According to a survey from Barclays it’s not an uncommon occurrence and you may be surprised as to how much money is lost this way!

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 a look at the announcements in this week’s Budget focusing on small business finance issues. There’s news of a fund for growing businesses, Help to Grow, an extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee programme and a further step forward in the launch of the Bank Referral Scheme.

When comes to dealing with finances time is also short and that’s why clients of alternative lender Just Cashflow can now benefit from the launch of a new mobile app. We take a look at how it can help time-stretched business owners.

Concluding our look at the findings from the latest SME Finance Monitor report we review small businesses attitude to debt and awareness levels of alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week a signpost to a video on how to calculate and use the Stock Turnover Ratio to improve your stock management and boost your cash position.

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 news of the latest addition to the BLS team, Simon Watts. We will be hearing from Simon in a future Bulletin with his thoughts on obtaining finance from banks.

Access to finance for start ups has always been a challenge and in this episode we look at a milestone reached by the Start Up Loan Company which was established in 2012 to help new businesses get finance.

Increasing competition in the SME finance sector has always been on the government’s radar and as part of its review into this issue the Competition and Markets Authority is advocating an SME finance Price Comparison website. Could it work?

Continuing our look at the findings of the latest SME Finance Monitor Report we look at the gap between business owner’s confidence levels at getting finance and what the actual success rate is after they have applied.

In the Business Finance Tip of the Week Rob shares a lesson learned from three recent client meetings which reveal that banks are indeed waking up.

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 a look at the latest statistics from the Bank of England which reveals the current level of borrowing by UK SMEs.

Also a review of the key findings from the recent SME Finance Monitor Report which includes how many businesses are using external sources of finance, the type of SMEs accessing such finance and the number of businesses who are not borrowing at all.

Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounter, has taken a look at late payment experiences across 80 countries and the results indicate that we have a lot of work to do in the UK to speed up payment.

Are you planning to grow or change your business within the next three months? That’s the question posed to 1,021 businesses by Hitachi Capital as part of its regular British Business Barometer Report and the answer reveals that SMEs are now more cautious than before.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a signpost to a recently posted video which shows you how to calculate and use the Creditor Payment Ratio.

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.

During the depths of the credit crunch access to finance was consistently quoted as the number one barrier to growth. This concern led to a swath of initiatives to encourage banks to lend more, none of which can claim to be a huge success.

However, whilst the access to finance barrier remains steadfastly in place for some businesses, there is clear evidence that many SMEs have successfully overcome this hurdle and got a ‘yes’ from their bank.

Throughout the credit crunch an independent research group, the SME Finance Monitor team, have been engaging with up to 5,000 SMEs each quarter to find out about their experiences of dealing with banks.

The findings have been a fascinating insight in to what is really going on and the last report to the quarter-ended June 2015 reveals that more businesses than you may think are getting a ‘yes’ from their bank.
With an improving economy the myth that the majority of businesses are struggling to get finance is slowly being eroded.

In terms of a successful outcome to a finance request what does the latest SME Finance Report reveal?
For mature businesses which applied for a new or renewed loan and/or overdraft facility in the 18 months to June 2015 the team found that a staggering 79% ended up with a facility. Higher than you thought?

The success rate has steadily been climbing with the latest result moving up from 67% seen in the previous 18 months to quarter 4 2013.

What do the figures look like for loans or overdraft requests on a separate basis?

Of the businesses that applied for an overdraft facility 84% were successful compared to 69% for loan applications; you will be more successful if you apply for a short-term facility.

Let’s drill down further; what about businesses that applied for finance for the very first time? Perhaps not too surprisingly they struggled more than repeat borrowers in getting what they requested. The outcome for first-time applicants was that 58% were successful; more work to do here!

The one finding that always comes as a shock to some is exactly how many businesses actually want to borrow. The assumption is often that a large majority of businesses are in need of finance. Each quarter though the SME Finance Monitor team blows this view out of the water.

In the latest report, when asked whether they have borrowed in the last 5 years or plan to seek finance in the next 3 months, those SMEs who answered ‘no’ are termed as Permanent Non-Borrowers. The result was that 49% of SMEs fell into this category and this has steadily increased over time, up from 34% in 2011. That means that almost half of the SMEs questioned have no interest in borrowing!

When the question on appetite to borrow is focused on a shorter period the figure is even more surprising. On being asked if they have borrowed over the previous 12 months, those SMEs answering ‘no’ were classified as Happy Non Seekers and 80% fell into this category. I’m sure you’ll agree that this figure is higher than most people would assume.

The message here is twofold: don’t automatically assume you’re going to get a ‘no’ from your bank because the majority of your fellow business owners are getting what they need. And secondly don’t fall into the trap of thinking that all businesses want to borrow; many are perfectly happy where they are.

In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin Rob Warlow looks at the findings from the latest quarterly SME Finance Monitor report. The report highlights why you should never assume anything when dealing with your bank!

Turning to the asset-based finance sector Rob has news on how this form of finance continues to outpace the banks in terms of support to small businesses.

In the crowdfunding world Rob looks at the announcement from equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube on a new milestone reached in respect of funds raised.

What are your confidence levels like about where your business is going over the next few months? Find out what business owners said when asked this question by Bibbys Financial Services as part of their regular SME Confidence Tracker.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from a live seminar in which Rob talks about why business owners hate writing business plans.

If you wish to listen to the podcast version (and our other business finance podcasts) tune in below or go to our SoundCloud and itunes channel.

In the latest Business Finance Bulletin episode Business Loan Services’ Rob Warlow looks at a survey from Bibbys Financial Services which reveals the sources of finance that business owners are tapping into.

The SME Finance Monitor Report is quarterly survey on the state of the small business finance market and Rob continues his look at its findings. The question posed is how successful are business owners in getting a ‘yes’ from their bank? The answer may surprise you.

In terms of raising money from banks Rob also shares a conversation he had with a business owner on why asking your bank for too little can work against you.

And in the Business Finance Tip of the Week a clip from an interview in which Rob discusses why it’s important to know that banks are keen to understand exactly why you want to borrow and how the finance you are requesting will be used.

If you prefer to listen to the podcast version click below and you can also download this episode to your phone or subscribe to get future episodes via our channel on Soundcloud or itunes.