Finance and Funding

Tips and advice on finding small business loans and other funding for your enterprise

Most businesses need a bit of help with finance at some stage – whether it's for startup or growth. You might need funding for a dip in revenue or cash flow, or for new equipment or recruitment. In this section we'll explain how to prepare for the process and look at the options from banks, investors, alternative lenders or business grants, and what the implications are for your business.

The Co-operative Bank Business Loans

The Co-operative Bank Business Loans

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The Co-operative Bank Business Loans

If you're considering applying for a Co-operative Bank business loan, we've put together a quick guide to their key products

Asset-Based Finance: a Guide for Small Businesses

Asset-Based Finance: a Guide for Small Businesses

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Asset-Based Finance: a Guide for Small Businesses

Is asset-based finance a good fit for your business? This guide examines the pros and cons of factoring, invoice discounting and asset-based lending

Debentures: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Debentures: What Are They and How Do They Work?

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Debentures: What Are They and How Do They Work?

If you're looking to apply for a business loan or overdraft, you might be asked to agree to a debenture. Here's everything you need to know about debentures

Secured vs Unsecured Loans: Explained

Secured vs Unsecured Loans: Explained

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Secured vs Unsecured Loans: Explained

Compare secured vs unsecured loans for personal and business finance. Explore advantages and disadvantages of secured and unsecured borrowing features today.

Clydesdale Bank Business Loans

Clydesdale Bank Business Loans

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Clydesdale Bank Business Loans

Here's our guide to Clydesdale Bank's business loan products, such as their term loan, flexible business loan and business investment loan

A Simple Guide to Accessing Your VAT Returns

A Simple Guide to Accessing Your VAT Returns

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A Simple Guide to Accessing Your VAT Returns

When you apply for a business loan or other type of business funding, a lender might ask to see your VAT returns. Here's how you can access them online

Water Deregulation: What Does it Mean for SMEs?

Water Deregulation: What Does it Mean for SMEs?

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Water Deregulation: What Does it Mean for SMEs?

The non-domestic water market in England was deregulated on 1 April 2017. Here's everything small businesses need to know about water deregulation

Currency Risk: How Businesses Can Manage It

Currency Risk: How Businesses Can Manage It

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Currency Risk: How Businesses Can Manage It

Exchange rate fluctuations can have a significant impact on any business. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for SMEs to manage their currency risk

RBS Business Loans

RBS Business Loans

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RBS Business Loans

Here's a quick look at the RBS business loans currently available to UK SMEs, including the RBS small business loan, business overdraft and business credit card

TSB Business Loans

TSB Business Loans

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TSB Business Loans

TSB offers a range of funding options to businesses who are looking for a boost of working capital. We cover their key products, including the TSB overdraft, credit card and business loan

The Five Best Crowdfunding Sites for Your Business

The Five Best Crowdfunding Sites for Your Business

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The Five Best Crowdfunding Sites for Your Business

Crowdfunding has given startups and SMEs an exciting new route to investment, but what are the five best crowdfunding sites for UK businesses?

The New £5 Note and the Future of Cash

The New £5 Note and the Future of Cash

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The New £5 Note and the Future of Cash

The UK's first polymer 5 note was recently introduced as a cleaner and safer form of currency, prompting questions about the survival of cash payments

How to Improve Cash Flow

How to Improve Cash Flow

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How to Improve Cash Flow

Poor cash flow is the biggest cause of small business failure, but there are plenty of ways that business owners can overcome this barrier to growth

Angel Investors: an Introduction

Angel Investors: an Introduction

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Angel Investors: an Introduction

Angel investors are an important part of the business funding landscape in the UK. But what is an angel investor, and how could they benefit your business?

How Does Crowdfunding Differ to P2P Lending?

How Does Crowdfunding Differ to P2P Lending?

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How Does Crowdfunding Differ to P2P Lending?

Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending are often lumped together, but there's an important distinction between these two types of business finance

Financial Projections: Why They Matter to Investors

Financial Projections: Why They Matter to Investors

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Financial Projections: Why They Matter to Investors

Many entrepreneurs have a brilliant business idea, but fail to back it up with solid financial projections. Why can this ruin their chances of investment?

The Small Business Guide to Kickstarter

The Small Business Guide to Kickstarter

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The Small Business Guide to Kickstarter

Launching your next product on Kickstarter could be the best and worst thing you ever do. Here's our guide to navigating the crowdfunding minefield

The Lowdown on Revenue Advance

The Lowdown on Revenue Advance

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The Lowdown on Revenue Advance

Revenue Advance is one of the most flexible business loans available to SMEs. But how exactly does it work and what types of business does it suit best?

What is Equipment Leasing?

What is Equipment Leasing?

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What is Equipment Leasing?

Want to invest in new equipment for your small business without compromising cash flow? Equipment leasing could be the answer to your problems

Funding Circle: Leading Peer-to-Peer Lender

Funding Circle: Leading Peer-to-Peer Lender

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Funding Circle: Leading Peer-to-Peer Lender

Find out what the big deal is about Funding Circle, the $1 billion P2P lending platform that offers great business borrowing and investment opportunities