NatWest launches £150m fund to boost women-owned SMEs
High street bank NatWest has announced a new £150m fund specifically for women-led SMEs throughout the UK, marking International Women’s Day 2018, on 8 March.
One in five Enterprise Finance Guarantee loans ends in default
New research has discovered that 20 per cent of loans provided though the 2.3bn Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme are ending up permanently in the red.
Business saved from going under by crowdfunding campaign
Output magazine has demonstrated how alternative finance method crowdfunding can be used to prevent businesses from collapsing, as well as providing growth capital.
OFT hits out at banks ‘hindering’ SMEs from alternative lending
High street banks may be hindering SMEs from accessing finance from alternative providers, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has announced.
Bank lending to businesses is 25% less than before the crash
SMEs are expected to turn increasingly to alternative sources of finance despite a projected recovery in bank lending next year.
Will there be banks in 2023?
Banks are not keeping up with alternative finance models, the sharing economy, or the flexible working trend. How long can they hold their power?
Banking on it: The truth about SMEs and bank lending
The reality about bank lending to growing businesses is more complex than it first appears. But SMEs must learn to work with their banks in new ways. Real Business Funding tackles the hottest issue in business today
Will the Banking Reform Bill result in less funding for business?
The "most radical reform to banking within the UK in a generation" is ahead of us. What will it mean for business finance?
Poor understanding of alternative finance dampens SME growth
While almost all business leaders are aware of overdrafts, loans and mortgages as ways to fund business growth, there is a serious lack of understanding of alternative forms of borrowing.
Stagnant economy means more pain for retail sector
A stagnant economy promises little recovery for struggling retail businesses, but forbearance by banks raises hopes for some breathing space for proactive companies to prepare for refinancing.
When banks are just too big for business
70 per cent of small business loans in the US are arranged by community banks; a model we should learn from, according to Peter A Soraparu.