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.

Halifax Business Loans

Halifax Business Loans

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Halifax Business Loans

Halifax business loans are operated by Lloyds Bank and RBS. We look at the the range of small business loans from Lloyds, RBS and other high street lenders.

Metro Bank Business Loans

Metro Bank Business Loans

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Metro Bank Business Loans

Metro Bank business accounts and loans challenge the services offered by the big banks. Here's a quick look at if they're the right fit for your growing business

Peer-to-Peer Finance (P2P) and Funding Circle

Peer-to-Peer Finance (P2P) and Funding Circle

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Peer-to-Peer Finance (P2P) and Funding Circle

We explore why alternative finance and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms like Funding Circle are getting businesses and the government so excited

Barclays Bank Loans

Barclays Bank Loans

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Barclays Bank Loans

Is a Barclays business loan right for your small business? Find out how much you can borrow and what you need to do to prepare for the lending application.

Lloyds Business Loans

Lloyds Business Loans

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Lloyds Business Loans

Lloyds Bank business loans and Lloyds Bank commercial finance are available for SMEs. Read this article to figure out if they're right for your business.

What's Debt to Equity Ratio?

What's Debt to Equity Ratio?

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What's Debt to Equity Ratio?

Debt to equity ratio is one important indicator of a company's financial stability. Learn how to calculate your score and what it means for your business

​How to Add a New Shareholder

​How to Add a New Shareholder

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​How to Add a New Shareholder

Find out how to add a shareholder to your company and how to invest in a firm by buying shares. Before you do anything, read our guide.

How to Look After Your Credit Rating

How to Look After Your Credit Rating

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How to Look After Your Credit Rating

Your credit rating can be a major factor when it comes to getting business funding. We answer your questions on how a credit rating is looked at by lenders

Santander Business Loans

Santander Business Loans

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Santander Business Loans

Here's our guide to Santander's business loans. Learn about the Santander finance products available to you, plus the pros and cons of bank business loans

How to Forecast Your Annual Profits

How to Forecast Your Annual Profits

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How to Forecast Your Annual Profits

Knowing how to forecast your profits is essential to small business. We share the basics of putting together an annual forecast.

How to Find and Apply for a Government Grant

How to Find and Apply for a Government Grant

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How to Find and Apply for a Government Grant

Learn how to apply for UK government grants with this clear guide. See how grants work, who can apply, and how to boost your chances of success.

Finding Small Business Loans

Finding Small Business Loans

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Finding Small Business Loans

Getting a small business loan is a common way of funding a startup or growing your business. But you need to do the groundwork first.

Offering Finance to Customers

Offering Finance to Customers

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Offering Finance to Customers

How do I offer financing to my customers? If you're considering this question, its important to first understand a little about consumer credit practices

The Difference Between Public and Private Debt

The Difference Between Public and Private Debt

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The Difference Between Public and Private Debt

What's the difference between public and private debt? Emma Meakin defines each in simple, non-technical terms.

What is a Venture Capitalist?

What is a Venture Capitalist?

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What is a Venture Capitalist?

Spotify, Skype and Zoopla have benefited from venture capitalist funding. We tell you what VCs do and where you can find the right one for your business.

4 Steps to Debt Restructuring

4 Steps to Debt Restructuring

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4 Steps to Debt Restructuring

Most business owners have struggled at some point with finance, and debt restructuring can be an effective way to get your company in the black. Here's why.

Why Using a Loan to Hire Employees is Risky

Why Using a Loan to Hire Employees is Risky

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Why Using a Loan to Hire Employees is Risky

Taking out a loan to recruit new staff is okay if you're sure you can afford it. It's risky so consider these issues first.

How Brokers can Help Customers Find Financing

How Brokers can Help Customers Find Financing

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How Brokers can Help Customers Find Financing

Brokers can set up partnerships with a range of finance providers to give customers choice in products.

Handling New Customer Credit Applications

Handling New Customer Credit Applications

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Handling New Customer Credit Applications

Correctly handling new customer credit applications across departments will ensure that the process is smooth and efficient. We offer our advice to lenders

What's an Inventory Loan?

What's an Inventory Loan?

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What's an Inventory Loan?

Inventory loans are the ideal form of financing for retailers.