Regular feedback we have from Business Loan Services clients is how difficult it can sometimes be to arrange an overdraft limit. Iwoca, the short-term loan provider, recently undertook a mystery shopping expedition to see how challenging it can be! In this Bulletin we see how they got on and share 3 tips if you’re looking for an overdraft.

Staying with the subject of overdrafts, Lloyds Bank has announced a revision of its overdraft charging structure. We look at the changes and how it’s decision to simplify the cost of running an overdraft will make the charge more transparent and easier to understand.

To close, we look at the latest asset finance statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association. The most recent figures show usage of asset finance increased in October, but year-on-year, the growth is less than stellar suggesting that business owners are holding back on investment.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that business confidence is swinging back and forth in reaction to global and local events. That’s the findings from the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer report which we review in our latest Bulletin. However, it’s not all doom and gloom with some glimmer of positivity reported!

Managing financial tasks can be a headache for many businesses. This is why Starling Bank, the mobile-only banking channel, have teamed up with an invoice issuing, online solution provider Alfred, to streamline invoicing and bank reconciliation. Could it help you reduce time spent on administrative tasks?

To close this podcast, we look at the 4th annual report from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance which reveals a continued rise in the use of alternative finance. Who are the businesses tapping into this growing, almost mainstream, form of finance?

You would think that when it comes to selling a business, it would be the more mature ones putting up the ‘For Sale’ sign. Latest findings from Barclays Bank in their Entrepreneur’s Index report reveal that more younger businesses than ever before are being sold.

As we approach the year-end many business owners will find themselves with time on their hands as the seasonal slowdown kicks in. In a new survey, Lloyds Bank asked business owners what they will do during this quiet period. Do they spend time planning or kick back and do nothing?

To close the Bulletin, we look at the latest small business bank lending figures from UK Finance. The trend of a slowdown in an appetite to borrow and a build up in cash deposits still continues.

With one of the busiest online shopping periods looming it can be easy to get caught out by online fraudsters. What can you do to ensure you and your business doesn’t lose out financially and give confidence to people visiting your website?

In previous Bulletins we have looked at the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme. New research from London Economics has revealed how businesses accessing this loan scheme have grown more than those which haven’t. Could you use this Scheme if you want to grow your business but struggling to access finance?

Whilst many business owners want to avoid getting in to more debt, there are some entrepreneurs who have ambitions to borrow significant sums. Who are these ambitious tycoons and how big are their borrowing plans?

Competition in the provision of banking services is set to hot up in 2018 with the announcement from Virgin Money that it is to start offering banking products to small businesses. What can we expect from a business that has a record of shaking up industries?

Companies involved in developing innovative products or services often find it difficult to obtain finance. We take a look at a new £50 million loan fund offered by Innovate UK to support businesses in need of finance to get innovative products or services out in the market place.

In previous Bulletins we have looked at how the growth in usage of Asset Finance facilities has outstripped supported provided by banks. However, the latest statistics from the Finance and Leasing Association reveal a surprising fall in the amount of new asset finance business written.

A scary start to our latest podcast with a look at zombie businesses! According to a recent survey from Begbies Traynor, zombie businesses are on the rise. What are they and how can you avoid doing business with them?

Entrepreneurial age gaps often lead to different views in business and finance is no different. We look at findings from Worldpay which highlights the difference between younger and older generation entrepreneurs when it comes to sourcing and accessing alternative finance.

If you’re setting up a niche business or running a high-growth enterprise, equity is one popular avenue of funding. But how do you find Angel Investors for example? We share news of a service launched by the UK Business Angels Association designed to help businesses and investors find each other.

Not unexpectedly, after 10 years the Bank of England has increased the cost of borrowing. In our latest podcast we look at how this increase will affect both business borrowers and savers.

Marketinvoice, the online invoice discounter, has launched an unsecured business loan product bringing another option to those businesses in need of a short term loan. We review how it works and which businesses are eligible to apply.

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme, a little known finance product offered by the High Street banks, has hit a new milestone. The scheme, overseen by the British Business Bank, can help those businesses with a viable proposition but lacking in security. Could it help you?

Preserving working capital is crucial to ensure you don’t run out of cash. If need to buy assets such as plant and machinery, then using an Asset Finance facility is one option. Recognising the importance of keeping cash within the business, we start our podcast with an announcement from Lloyds Bank of the launch of their new Asset Finance fund.

With retail sales slowing down we look at how businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about borrowing money. The latest statistics from UK Finance reveal a contraction in borrowing but an increase in the amount of cash held in bank accounts.

Have you ever been a victim of online fraud? A survey from Barclays discovers how many frauds are never reported to the banks or authorities. What can you do to prevent falling foul of online fraudsters and whom can you report it to?

In last week's Business Finance Bulletin podcast Episode 187 I featured a survey carried out by online Peer-to-Peer lender, Ratesetter.

The survey looked at how many business owners had checked their credit score. The number was shockingly low considering how much emphasis lenders place on the strength of your score, especially for small businesses.

Ratesetter also shared 7 tips on how to improve your credit score. Given the importance of a strong credit score and the fact that credit file problems are a common issue we see, I thought you may be interested in learning what those tips are.

One problem which can affect the outcome of your finance request is your credit score. In this Bulletin we look at findings from a recent survey carried out by Ratesetter Business Finance which reveals how many business owners have never checked their score. Don’t be one of them.

Business optimism appears to be on the up again. That the finding from the latest Deloitte’s quarterly Chief Finance Officer’s survey. However, a good number are still less than rosy. What factors are driving down the level of optimism?

Since the government’s Start Up Loan Co was launched in 2012 how exactly has it helped boost start ups? The British Business Bank has undertaken a review of its effectiveness and we look at how both starts ups and the overall economy have benefited from the support provided by the Start Up Loan Company.