Business Finance

Information, guides and expert advice on small business finance topics. Useful knowledge to help you manage and understand company finances and find financing or funding solutions.

Alternative finance

What is invoice finance?

Here, Conrad Ford details what it means for your small business to take out invoice finance.

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?

Alternative finance

Why alternative finance is gaining popularity with SMEs

As the economy slowly recovers and we prepare for another five years of a Conservative government what is the outlook for small businesses in the UK? More positive than ever, says Paul Mildenstein.

Alternative finance

Six tips for those comparing alternative business finance

Conrad Ford gives advice on choosing the right funding options before taking the plunge into your business.

News

Less small businesses turning to traditional finance

Fewer SMEs are using the more traditional 'core' forms of finance compared to two years ago, research finds.

Alternative finance

Short-term business finance options

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, explores the options for borrowing for working capital, including bank overdrafts and invoice finance.

News

Government should champion non-bank finance

Companies are supporting calls from the Federation of Small Businesses for the government to educate smaller firms on non-bank finance and look beyond the UK for solutions.

Small Business Banking

Refinance your business

Refinancing, if successful, can transform a company, not only by providing the funds it needs on terms which are not going to choke it, but also by opening a relationship with sources of support, expertise and useful contacts.

News

Wales unveils £150m small firm fund

A £150 million fund has been launched in Wales to support the growth of over 800 small companies.

News

‘New age’ of small business finance

Entrepreneurs in Cambridge are starting their own bank as a reaction to the institutions' reluctance to lend.

Funding your small business

Dragons’ Den’s Evan Davis on raising finance

Evan Davis, presenter of BBC TWO's Dragons' Den and the BBC economics editor, believes there is no use complaining about the struggle to raise finances when starting up a new company. For Davis, it's simply part of the entrepreneur's lot.

News

New businesses ‘must seek outside financial advice’

Start-up businesses will always benefit from a thorough review of accounts once a quarter and having an independent financial expert review their books at least once a year, according to Business Link.