smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

A promising venture

Previously, we’ve looked at the reasons why many describe the...
Have your say »

RSS

Guides & Tips

The facts about asset based finance

The commercial finance industry promises entrepreneurs a fast track to growth. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to borrowers and lenders about the rewards and the risks.

Factoring for fast cash solutions

Invoice finance and factoring are becoming mainstream alternatives to overdrafts, term loans, letters of credit and even private equity.

How to punch above your financial weight

A key element of business growth is having the finance available to make the most of opportunities as they arise. Maintaining a steady cash flow and securing additional funds for expansion and development are two of the biggest challenges facing smaller firms.
Click here to learn more...

Need to know: Asset-based finance

Waiting for invoices to be paid before investing the proceeds in your business can seriously impede growth. SmallBusiness.co.uk examines how factoring and invoice discounting can speed up expansion

Don't Miss

Choosing the right financial investments

Get investing

When cash savings rates are low, some people start thinking about putting their money into investments and there are plenty to choose from.

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.

Your first business loan

If your business plan and financial forecasts are sound, you may be feeling brave enough to approach a bank for funding.

Business Banking News

Venture funds to assist in credit easing support?

Fund managers should be given a role to play alongside the high street banks in delivering the government’s £40 billion credit easing scheme support, says venture capital firm EV.

Venture funds to assist in credit easing support?

Fund managers should be given a role to play alongside the high street banks in delivering the government’s £40 billion credit easing scheme support, says venture capital firm EV.

FSB calls for increased competition in banking

The Federation of Small Businesses is urging the government to consider competition in the banking sector in its response to the ICB's final report next week.

RBS in bid to boost lending

The Royal Bank of Scotland has said it will aim to boost small business lending by at least 15 percent in three months as part of a drive to get behind the economic recovery.

FPB: Business Finance Taskforce not there yet

The Business Finance Taskforce has not yet achieved its aim of repairing the relationship between banks and small businesses, says the Forum of Private Business.

SMEs increasingly shun bank lending margins

Three quarters of small businesses think that bank lending margins on loans are too high, up from 73 per cent last year, research finds.

FSB welcomes banking reform

The Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed the recommendations set out by the Independent Commission on Banking on reform of the banking sector.

FSB: Government must not 'water down' banking reforms

The national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses has written an open letter to the prime minister urging him not to ‘water down' proposals on banking reform.

Free loans offered to riot-hit businesses

A major bank is set to help out businesses hit by rioting by offering fee-free loans.

BoE: Project Merlin on track

More than £20 billion was lent to small businesses by the nation’s leading banks over the past quarter, figures from the Bank of England show.

Project Merlin banks 'on track' for lending targets

The five banks involved in the government-backed Project Merlin initiative say that they are ‘on track’ to meet business lending commitments.

Events Calendar

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

The FT Guide to Personal Tax is published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and John Bloxham, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

The FT Guide to Business Start Up 2012, published by Pearson Education, is written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc. This unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

Asset-based lending Questions & Answers

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Business funding advice

Mark Endersby, Funding Solutions

4 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Credit history issues: A way around? Q: Finance for a van Q: Expanding your business Q: Finance for assets

FREE Legal, Financial, Accountancy & HR Help

Aska Professional understands the challenges faced by small businesses. That’s why we provide instant access to professional advice and legal templates. FREE access to Solicitors, Accountants, Financial Advisors & HR Specialists. Ask our experts a question and get a personal response within 60 minutes. Sign up now to ask a question - FREE.

If you’ve decided to go it alone, we can help you get started.

18 months free* day-to-day business banking
Free Sage Planning for Business software

We can also introduce you to a local business manager who can provide insight and guidance to help you get your business started and find the right finance options to suit your needs. Find out more.

Barclays Business Start Up Account

Get everything you'd expect from a Barclays Business account…Free business banking for up to 2 years (Ts&Cs apply). Free day-to-day support from our Barclays Business Team by phone 24/7 and Mobile Banking, manage your account quickly and easily from a web-enabled phone. Apply online.

Blogs

Apprenticeship dreams

Ben Lobel 07/02/2012

So, another government incentive has been dangled in front of small businesses in the form of a fresh £6 million fund for hiring apprentices. Have your say »

A promising venture

Small Business Finance 06/02/2012

Rory Earley, CEO of Capital for Enterprise, explores how small businesses should approach venture capital. Have your say »

Winning new business in 2012

Guest Blogger 02/02/2012

Shaun Thompson, CEO of Sandler Training, explains how growth is possible in frugal times. Have your say »

Asset-based lending Resource Centre

Advantages of factoring for growing SMEs

Release the cash tied in unpaid invoices and use that working capital to fund your business. Find out more about factoring and compare quotes.

Understanding debt factoring and invoice discounting

Factoring and invoice discounting: the basics. This guide gives information on how debt factoring and invoice discounting work, the advantages and disadvantages and how to choose a factor or discounter.

Asset Finance: Hire purchase and leasing

This guide provides information about what asset finance is and hire purchase and leasing agreements.

Funding solutions for your small business

Business Asset Funding: Lombard aims to search out the right funding solutions and says it can finance virtually any asset, adding value to help you grow your business.

Factoring is now considered mainstream business finance

Selecting a factoring company should be straightforward but in reality it isn't. Factoring Invoices UK provides more information on the matter.

Factoring, invoice discounting and asset-based lending

Find providers of factoring, invoice discounting and asset-based lending on The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) website.

More Asset-based lending Resources

Other Business Banking Resources

Polls

Video

Selling on eBay

Ebay trader Chris Dawson gives his tips to selling through the trading website.

A business credit card with 0% interest on purchases for 3 months*

That’s on top of up to 56 days of interest-free credit**. When it comes to supporting your cashflow, it all adds up to a lot of extra breathing space. Also, by separating your business and personal spend it helps you keep track of your costs and identify areas where you can save money. Find out more today. *From date of account opening. **When you pay off your balance in full and on time each month.