Opening our latest Business Finance Bulletin, we take a look at the new report from the SME Finance Monitor team. Among the findings about small business owner’s attitudes to borrowing we look at how more businesses are turning to external finance. What’s driving this move?

With the government continuing to ramp up its Brexit planning, a new finance initiative has been announced. The formation of the Business Finance Council will bring together key players in the finance sector to ensure continuity in supply of finance post-Brexit.

To close, news from alternative finance provider ESME Loans that it has increased the maximum amount it can lend via its unsecured 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, Spotify, Stitcher or itunes channel.

Of those businesses which borrow money, what do they typically spend it on? To open this Bulletin, we review findings from Liberis, the short term lender, when they posed this question to their clients. The feedback reveals a variety of uses for finance raised, however one reason given does flag up a potential area of concern in terms of business health.

We are undoubtedly in uncertain terms and the latest Federation of Small Businesses survey confirms this by revealing a dip in business confidence levels. The FSB’s recent quarterly Small Business Index highlights the feelings of uncertainty and also identifies other areas which are of concern to UK small businesses.

To close, thankfully some positive news! Crowdcube has announced that it has hit a milestone in terms of £1 million plus equity raises. The news shows that far from being suitable for small finance requirements, equity crowdfunding is meeting the needs of larger, more ambitious business owners.

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.