Financing

The financing channel looks at the different small business funding options available to start-up companies and established SME businesses looking to grow. Read a wealth of guides and tips to help manage your accounts and cash flow better, views on the future of business banking and where to source alternative finance.

SMEs: The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity

Here, in association with Hampshire Trust Bank, we look at the current rate of growth of SMEs and how they are managing their money.

Small Business Banking

Alternative finance

Asset finance opportunity afforded to small businesses

Hitachi Capital and the British Business Bank have agreed a £300 million facility to increase asset finance for small businesses.

Accounting

Tax-efficient company cars

Here's a simple guide to help ensure you pick the right car for your business needs and budget.

Small Business Banking

SMEs: Bank loans are far too expensive

It seems that UK business owners find it too expensive to borrow cash from their bank. Why aren't the banks adjusting to online competition?

Accounting

Five tips to brush up your books by the end of summer

Emily Coltman gives her tips on making managing your accounts easier in the months ahead.

Alternative finance

Invoice discounting as a liquidity source for SMEs

In this piece in association with Fundbird, Mark Thomas of C2FO looks at invoice discounting as a means of improving small companies' cash flow position.

Alternative finance

Do small businesses really need to wait for alternative finance?

The British Business Bank is regulator of a scheme that ensures small businesses are referred to relevant alternative finance providers in the event of being turned down for bank funding. But Paul Mildenstein asks: What's taking so long?

Accounting

New study shows extent of late payment crisis in UK

Nearly a quarter of all small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK are facing a potential financial crisis due to late payment of invoices, new research finds.

Alternative finance

Do small businesses really need to wait for alternative finance?

Accounting

New study shows extent of late payment crisis in UK

Nearly a quarter of all small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK are facing a potential financial crisis due to late payment of invoices, new research finds.

Alternative finance

The benefits of alternative finance

Today, there is a wealth of alternative finance options that threaten to eclipse the offering of banks in terms of attractiveness to small companies. Here, Sharon Argov looks at some of the benefits of the modern way to finance.

Accounting

Four things that could help your small business get paid quicker

In the wake of government plans for a small business commissioner to help companies tackle the issue of late payment, Emily Coltman gives some tips on getting the money in on time.

Government Grants

How a small jewellery business secured a government grant

Chiara Stone, founder of jewellery company Hoobynoo World, talks about a cash injection she received from SUCCESS, a grant provider backed by the government's Regional Growth Fund.

Alternative finance