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.

Bad credit rating

I have been refused a business bank account due to bad credit history. At present I do not have debt other than my mortgage. What should I do?

Small Business Banking

Accounting

Owner’s salary

How can I increase my fixed salary when the business starts to make a profit?

Alternative finance

Alternative sources of financing

Bhodi Sunth, director at finance company Azure Global, outlines the options available when you need to raise funds.

Alternative finance

Loving angels instead

Despite the efforts of Evan Davis and his Dragons, many start-up businesses are unaware of the existence of small-scale equity investors, such as business angels.

Government Grants

What business grants are available for a small business?

I run a butcher’s shop and am looking for a small grant in order to print some leaflets and advertise the business. What types are available?

Alternative finance

A guide to asset based lending and invoice finance

Credit is what sustains most businesses. Without access to a working credit line, many small businesses would find it impossible to bridge the cash flow gap between the raising of an invoice and its eventual settlement.

Small Business Banking

Loans scheme for start-ups falls flat

Last month the government launched a finance package to help struggling small businesses access bank loans, but SMEs say they aren’t seeing the benefits.

Small Business Banking

Business bank account as a small business

Do I need to open a business bank account or can I simply use my personal current account for my small business?

Small Business Banking

Loans scheme for start-ups falls flat

Last month the government launched a finance package to help struggling small businesses access bank loans, but SMEs say they aren’t seeing the benefits.

Small Business Banking

Business bank account as a small business

Do I need to open a business bank account or can I simply use my personal current account for my small business?

Tax

Deferred VAT payments for small businesses

I heard that the government were helping small business by deferring payment of VAT. Is this true and if so, what is the procedure?

Accounting

Ten recession-beating tips

In these uncertain times it’s important to keep your cool and make the right decisions.

Small Business Banking

No guarantee of funding with the SFLG

The likes of The Body Shop and Waterstone’s used funding through the Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) scheme to get off the ground. But with banks now so reluctant to lend, some believe it’s time for an overhaul

Business Loans