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Guides & Tips

Small businesses say they are still taking a pounding from the banks

Bank lending: small change for SMEs

Lending to businesses has hit an all-time low, which the banks are claiming is due to a lack of demand. Here we speak to experts and entrepreneurs to get the full story

Are banks backing your business?

SMEs tell us how the banking situation is affecting them

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

Don't Miss

Banks can be on another planet when it comes to growth capital

Finance Options for Start-Ups

Rose Lewis, a partner at financial consultancy Pembridge Partners, explains the various financial alternatives for the intrepid small business owner when a bank decides to play hardball.

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

Banks continue to be tough on lending to SMEs

Banks say 'no' to SMEs

Figures released by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) confirm that lending to small businesses is in decline.

Banks say 'no' to SMEs

Figures released by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) confirm that lending to small businesses is in decline.

‘Banks are not supportive,’ say SMEs

Bank managers are among the least trusted group to approach when owner-managers are seeking financial advice, according to research from Close Invoice Finance. 

SMEs hit by stealth bank charges

A thaw on bank lending to businesses is being nullified by a raft of new stealth charges, claims Clifton Asset Management.

Business lending still too steep

Banks are imposing extra charges, increasing interest rates and demanding personal guarantees for lending to small businesses – and the government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme has done little to help.

Bring on 2010, say SMEs

UK businesses expect market conditions to improve in the last quarter of what has been a desperate 2009, a new survey has found.

Darling turns heat up on banks

Alistair Darling will today urge banks to increase SME lending.

Steep fall in GDP scuppers Chancellor’s predictions

The economy fell at a much sharper rate than expected in the second quarter of 2009, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Inflation falls below two per cent

Inflation has fallen below the Bank of England’s target rate of two per cent for the first time since 2007.

‘Quantative easing must continue,’ say economists

Economists have criticised the Bank of England’s decision to stall its quantative easing programme.

SMEs 'seek funds from family'

The number of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners who would consider borrowing money from friends or family has doubled in the past year, a new study suggests.

Events Calendar

City University & Knowledge Connect: Free money from the LDA for your business

29th June, City University, Ground Floor, Room AG07

Business Startup

28th November, Olympia, London

Protecting Your Business

6th September, Best Western Country Hotel, Caerphilly

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. 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.

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.

What Investment

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

Local Guides

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

Barclaycard Commercial – Visa Gold and Platinum Corporate Charge Cards

Get up to 38 days’ interest-free credit, providing balances are paid in full. Exclusive discounts with the AA, Rymans, Daisy Telecom and reclaim international VAT. Access great travel benefits including Travel Accident Cover, 24 hour international support helpline, exclusive concierge service and discounted priority pass membership. Plus, 90 Purchase Protection, Extended Warranties, and cardholder Misuse Insurance. Find out more.

Get started with Barclays Business Banking

Choose from 3 great Start-up packages offering a range of business and banking solutions, from cashflow management software (QuickBooks or Sage) to VAT management solution. Plus, up to 2 years FREE banking (conditions apply). Apply online.

Barclaycard Commercial – Visa Gold and Platinum Credit Cards

Great benefits including Travel Accident Cover, 90 day Purchase protection, extended warranties and cardholder misuse insurance. Plus enhanced business travel insurance for Platinum cardholders. Get up to 56 days’ interest-free credit, when bills are paid in full and on time each month. Also enjoy exclusive discounts in association with Visa, the AA, Rymans, Reed Learning and Daisy Telecom. Find out more.

Bank loans Resource Centre

Fund your business' growth with factoring

Balance your cash flow with factoring and use the funds to help grow your business. The funding grows with your sales: the more you invoice the more you can borrow. Use the reliable funds to purchase machinery or to paay your staff. Factoring quotes

Loans that change lives

Kiva lets you lend a loan to a specific entrepeneur in the developing world - empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty. Change a life today.

Business loans and mortgages from evo finance

Evo finance offer business loans or commercial mortgages for a wide range of small, medium and startup business needs.

Business loans from Bank of Scotland

Need a flexible business loans ranging between £5000 to £250 000, visit the Bank of Scotland website.

Get a small business loan to kick start your small business

Visit Teneric to see their guide to your small business loan, written by business planning professionals.

Fixed rate business loans from NatWest

Make plans for your business with the certainty that interest rate rises won't affect your loan. Available now from NatWest.

Start up finance from Alliance & Leicester

Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has a range of business bank accounts, products and services for your small business.

The Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme

The Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) provides lenders with a government guarantee against default on loan repayments in certain circumstances.

Find the right funding for your business

At some point almost all businesses need a business loan. Decision Finance has helped thousands of businesses find the right finance solution for them.

Business loans and finance from Lloyds TSB

From enhancing your day-to-day cashflow to growing your business long term, find a financial solution that meets your requirements.

Small business loans from HSBC

If you want a small business loan of between £1,000 and £25,000 with fixed monthly repayments, visit HSBC.

More Bank loans Resources

Other Business Banking Resources

Polls

Video

Can your customers find you?

If you have a web presence, then you need to ensure that customers can find it – otherwise, it’s just a waste of money.

Email and web hosting

This video looks at the the importance of business email and web hosting for SMEs.

Three Minute Mentor - Setting up a Home Office

Whether you're based at home full time or just occasionally, you need the right tools at hand. This short video looks at how you can set up the perfect home office

Three Minute Mentor - Email Marketing

Blogs

Will Alan Sugar sweeten business prospects?

Marc Barber 10/06/2009

While any help singled out for small businesses should be welcomed, the appointment of Sir Alan Sugar as ‘Enterprise Tsar’ smacks of gimmicky desperation. (2 comments) Have your say »

Inflation is King

Penny Proffit 19/06/2008

A look at inflation and why Mervyn King has had to put pen to paper... Have your say »

Basic building block of any Internet marketing campaign

Guest Blogger 07/07/2008

For almost all sectors of commerce today, the Internet, or more specifically the World Wide Web, is now a key tool for business. In the field of marketing in particular it has become crucial. (3 comments) Have your say »