Funding Options Blog
Home of our blog articles on topics that will inform and educate entrepreneurs on topics such as lending, green finance, tax and financial matters.
Navigating through the macroeconomic landscape: an SME lending perspective
Rising inflation is a growing concern for many business owners across the UK. Planning for business continuity, cash flow management and obtaining business funding are just some of the challenges business owners are facing in the current economic climate. In a recent webinar, our Senior Strategic Partnership Managers, Leon Jayasinghe and Ryan Ciecko hosted a live discussion about how the SME lending market is changing against the backdrop of the economic climate, and what SMEs and their advisors can do to navigate the challenges and improve their chances of securing funding.
10 Jan 2023
Key tax dates and deadlines for 2023
The beginning of a new calendar year is the perfect time to get organised and plan for the year. To help you get a head start, we’ve collected many of the key tax and financial dates that you, as a business owner, should be aware of in 2023. Keeping track of deadlines can help you to avoid penalties and feel prepared!
4 Jan 2023
3 ways to invest in your business in 2023
Investing in your business can provide it with the cash flow stimulus it needs to trade and grow confidently. There are various ways to invest in your business, including through debt funding, reinvestment and private equity. The route you choose will depend on your own circumstances and goals. Let’s take a closer look at how your investing in your business could take shape in 2023.
21 Dec 2022
How to refinance a small business loan
Managing finances – including any debt obligations – is one of the keys to business success. But in times of trading uncertainty, debt can become a drain on cash. Fortunately, refinancing or consolidating your business loans can help alleviate some of the pressure by making your repayments more manageable. Here’s how.
21 Dec 2022
11 ways to avoid cash flow problems
As a predominantly service-driven economy, the UK relies on consumers to spend, with seasonal fluctuations also having a considerable impact on the daily cash requirements of small businesses. Here, we'll discuss methods to improve your cash flow throughout the year to avoid potential issues and predict when you might need to access additional funding.
9 Dec 2022
Commercial bridging loans explained
A commercial bridging loan is a type of short-term funding. For example, as a business owner you might use a bridging loan to cover the cost of a purchase while you wait for the sale of the asset you’re selling in order to purchase it to go through. The term ‘bridge’ is very revealing: essentially, the finance bridges a gap in funding until long-term funding is secured. Bridging loans are commonly associated with property purchases, but they can in fact be used for a range of business purposes.
6 Dec 2022
What is asset finance and how does it work?
As a business owner, you might require additional funding to pay staff, foot a bill, purchase machinery, buy more stock – or something else entirely. Commercial asset finance is a flexible type of funding that can provide you with a working capital boost. It can also help you spread the cost of the equipment or machinery your business needs.
6 Dec 2022
How to complete your Self Assessment tax return
If you’re new to self-employment, the prospect of filling in a self-assessment tax return can seem daunting. The good news is there are lots of supporting documents out there to guide you through the process, and if in doubt, you can always contact HMRC. Here’s how to complete your tax return on time to avoid any late filing fees.
8 Nov 2022
Has the National Insurance Contributions increase been reversed?
On 23 September the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwartang, delivered a mini budget in which he announced a series of fiscal measures for the UK. He stated that the 1.25% rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) – which came into effect in April – would be reversed on 6 November 2022. The current chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, confirmed in his 17 October statement that the policy to reverse the 1.25% rise in NICs would still go ahead. The dividends tax increase which was also implemented in April will stay in place. So what does the NICs reversal mean for your business?
3 Nov 2022
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