More businesses turn to £6.2bn alternative finance market to power growth
According to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, the UK online alternative finance market volume rose by 35% in 2017 to £6.2bn. more»
Finance
Discover the best approach to securing funding for your small business, whether it's a bank loan or equity investment from an angel backer. Finance is a crucial component of entrepreneurial success, allowing business owners to make calculated risks and think on a bigger scale.
Under half of SMEs believe banks understand their needs
High street bank TSB published a report in Parliament this week which found that giving SMEs access to the financial tools, products and advice they need would increase their productivity by 10% and boost the UK economy by £70bn. more»
Lenders offering poor digital service risk losing small businesses to challenger banks
Small business owners are calling on high street banks to ramp up their technological innovations or they will switch to digital rivals. more»
A fear of the future is holding back innovation among small businesses
Fear of the future is putting the squeeze on SME finance and innovation, according to a new study, with demand for external finance limited. more»
Finding the right niche for your business
Expertise and enthusiasm go a long way but that’s not enough to make a business a success if there’s no gap in the market. more»
Refused a bank loan? These small businesses accessed finance through the Bank Referral Scheme
As government figures reveal that lending through the Bank Referral Scheme tripled in 2018, small business owners who received finance discuss their experiences. more»
How small business owners can generate a return from commercial savings
With banks offering little by way of returns to commercial savers, how can small business owners keep their savings protected and generate a return? more»
How invoice finance helps businesses to manage cash flow
Maintaining a healthy level of cash flow can be problematic for businesses of every kind, particularly in the early days when there are limited cash reserves. However, there are certain industries and sectors that face greater cash flow pressures than others. more»
A micro business guide to choosing between personal and business finance
Almost every small business owner needs to borrow at one time or another. However, banks are reluctant to agree businesses loans without a track record. So, are there any advantages to borrowing as an individual instead? more»
Why London received more Start Up Loans than Scotland, Wales and NI combined
London-based entrepreneurs received more funding from Start Up Loans than counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined last year, official lending figures have revealed. more»
