To open this edition, we look at the announcement from Funding Circle, the business peer-to-peer lender, that the British Business Bank is to provide £150m for on-lending to UK small businesses. This second tranche of from the bank is set to support approximately 2,000 businesses.

The latest figures from UK Finance, the banking industry’s trade body, reveals that small business appetite to borrow is still on the wane. The fall in borrowing from the banks has tuned into businesses seemingly hoarding cash with a jump in amount of money held on deposit.

To close, positive news in a recent report by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance which points to a continued rise in lending provided by the alternative finance sector. But it’s not only the supply of debt on the rise; equity facilitated by specialist platforms has also seen an increase.

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.

A scary start to our latest Bulletin with a look at zombie businesses! According to a recent survey from Begbies Traynor, zombie businesses are on the rise. What are they and how can you avoid doing business with them?

Entrepreneurial age gaps often lead to different views in business and finance is no different. We look at findings from Worldpay which highlights the difference between younger and older generation entrepreneurs when it comes to sourcing and accessing alternative finance.

If you’re setting up a niche business or running a high-growth enterprise, equity is one popular avenue of funding. But how do you find Angel Investors for example? We share news of a service launched by the UK Business Angels Association designed to help businesses and investors find each other.

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.

Despite the introduction of the Bank Referral Scheme, Nat West continues to develop its own panel of alternative finance partners via Capital Connections. In this Bulletin we look at the latest addition to the panel, equity crowdfunding platform, Seedrs.

As well as causing business finance distress, late payment can also cause personal stress for business owners. The extent of the problem is revealed in a recent survey carried out by The Prompt Payment Directory and we review the key findings.

Why would your bank say ‘no’ to a new loan when your business is profitable and your bank account operates with no problems? We close the Bulletin by sharing one reason why this would happen.

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 one problem that comes along with growth is finding the right balance between having too much or too little cash tied up in working capital. In this Business Finance Bulletin, we look at a survey which reveals how much surplus working capital businesses are carrying.

The Bank Referral Scheme, which was launched late last year to help SME improve their access to finance, appears to have stumbled. We look at news that the government has instigated a review into why banks are not referring on enough clients who don’t meet their criteria.

To close the Bulletin we share findings that UK business confidence is at a 4-year high with SMEs appearing to shrug off any doubts about a lacklustre year ahead.

===========

In the Bulletin we mention three other videos to look at on how to manage your working capital:

How to Calculate Your Stock Turnover Ratio

How to Calculate Your Debtor Days Ratio

How to Calculate Your 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.

Have you ever thought what would happen to your business if something befell you or a key employee? In this edition of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at this question posed by Aldermore Bank in a recent survey. Are you at risk and if so how can you mitigate the impact?

The rise of the alternative lenders as a credible source of finance continues. We review the latest figures from the Peer to Peer Finance Association which reveal new highs in terms of money being lent out by Association members.

How does a 3 minute loan sound? If you’re a Nat West small business customer looking for a loan of less than £35,000 then we have news of how you may be able to take advantage of their soon-to-be-launched online application platform.

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 recent Autumn Statement saw the Chancellor announcing two initiatives to assist growing businesses. In this Business Finance Bulletin, we look at support the Chancellor is giving to boost exports and of the additional funding granted to the British Business Bank for businesses in search of equity finance.

New research carried out by Axa Business Insurance reveals that small businesses remain relatively buoyant in 2016 but as we discuss, 2017 looks less certain.

We are seeing more finance schemes designed to get funding to businesses in certain geographical areas. In this Bulletin, we look at an announcement from Market Invoice of its tie up with the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership which will see up to £2 million available to Leeds-based business via invoice discounting.

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 bank lending to businesses is slowly on the up, in this Business Finance Bulletin we look at the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association which reveal that the Asset Finance sector is on a roll.

Carrying too much stock can tie up cashflow which can be better employed within the business. We look at research from the Asset Based Finance Association which highlights exactly how much cash SMEs have invested in unsold stock.

Another drain on cashflow is of course late payment. A new report from the Federation of Small Businesses is calling for more action on tackling the late payment endemic.

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 the Business Growth Fund celebrates its 5th birthday, in this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin, we look at the level of support it has been giving growing businesses in need of finance.

Late payment affects many small businesses, but a new report from Ormsby Street sheds light on which business is the worst late payer out of all the High Street retailers. If you supply this business, then you need to manage your cashflow very carefully.

Staying with cashflow, we look why actively planning your cashflow requirements is important, especially with the year-end approaching.

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 Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at the annual ‘Where are They Now?’ report, which analyses the equity crowdfunding industry and how it has performed over the last 12 months. The report findings suggest reduced activity amongst market leaders providing this source of finance.

Growing businesses can benefit from professional advice particularly when it comes to raising finance. A new report from Close Bros reveals that many small businesses feel they are being short-changed by their bank when it comes to crucial advice on funding.

With the economy having taken a number of shocks, according to Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance, businesses are starting to question their investment plans over the next 12 months. We ask how will this affect you and what actions can you take?

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.

After 18 months in the planning the government’s Bank Referral Scheme has been launched. In this episode of the Business Finance Bulletin we look at how the scheme is designed to improve small business access to finance.

Despite post-Brexit confidence remaining relatively high we take a look at the latest statistics from the Insolvency Service, which reveals an up-tick in the number of businesses going down the insolvency route.

On a more positive note we close the Bulletin looking at news from the Bank of England that bank lending to small businesses continues to rise. We also share news from Crowdcube on how they are supporting a record number of businesses looking to raise finance by selling equity.

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.