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Refinancing, if successful, can transform a company, not only by providing the funds it needs on terms which are not going to choke it, but also by opening a relationship with sources of support, expertise and useful contacts.

Banking on a loan

If you’re looking to fund rapid growth, your bank will probably be the first port of call. SmallBusiness.co.uk finds out what traditional lenders can offer, and how to make sure you’re getting the best deal

How to get a business loan

Take a very close look at the amount of money you think you will need. Know exactly how much money you need to raise, as you have to be able to justify every penny to a lender. Approaching a bank with the attitude of ‘how much can you give me?’ will not inspire confidence.

Don't Miss

Is your current account as good as it should be?

In the UK, most people have a current account of some sort, and the reality is that most people don't spend a huge amount of time thinking about anything other than the balance in them. Usually, people stick with their current account provider for years and assuming mistakes aren't made, pay little attention to them beyond that.

SMEs remain unimpressed by budget proposals

Businesses say "no" to PBR

Slashing VAT and increasing National Insurance has left the nation's owner-managers decidely underwhelmed. Here SmallBusiness.co.uk gets their reaction to the pre-budget report:

Are banks backing your business?

SMEs tell us how the banking situation is affecting them

Business Banking News

Small firms still battling the banks

A third of small businesses are still struggling to get bank finance and a similar number have seen a rise in the cost of their loans over the last two months, according to new research.

Rate cut should be 1%

The monetary policy committee should cut rates to one per cent this Thursday but this alone will be inadequate and should be backed up with other, far-reaching policies, one organisation states.

Businesses should conduct health checks

Firms should conduct a company MOT to ensure they are maximising cashflow, marketing and business opportunities and are able to survive the current tough conditions.

Lack of credit 'could lead to 1930's-level recession'

The lack of credit is the biggest concern facing businesses in 2009 and could lead to the recession reaching levels seen in the 1930s, one expert asserts.

£6m for charitable small businesses

The Bank of Scotland has launched a £6 million fund to help entrepreneurial not-for-profit organisations survive and grow in the credit crunch.

Business rate rise slated

Business rates will increase to five per cent next year, a move which will hit firms at the worst time, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Importers hit as pound reaches record low against euro

Businesses importing from Europe could be seriously hit as the pound plunges to an all-time low against the euro.

Barclays increases business lending

Barclays has made an extra £1.5 billion available to small business, saying it plans to increase lending to firms by ten per cent.

BBA releases new entrepreneur statement

The British Bankers Association (BBA) has released a new statement detailing how financial institutions will help small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Pre-Christmas insolvencies rise

More businesses are declaring pre-Christmas insolvencies as many firms have to slash costs to remain competitive, according to new figures.

Darling to put pressure on banks

Chancellor Alistair Darling is renewing a bid to get banks lending to businesses, saying the financial institutions are not currently doing enough.

Events Calendar

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 100 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.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
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HSBC Business Direct

HSBC Business Direct has the essential business bank account service for smaller business needs. Find out more here

Free and unlimited business banking

When it comes to business banking, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank provides the UK's best business banking deal. Switch to the only bank to offer FREE and UNLIMITED free business banking and a market leading interest rate of 2.63% AER* (variable) credit interest. We’ve a proven track record – Business Moneyfacts has recently voted us ‘Best Business Current Account Provider’ for an unprecedented sixth year running. Fast track your Free Business Current Account application today!

Bank loans Resource Centre

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.

More Bank loans Resources

Other Business Banking Resources

Polls

Video

Fivium - The challenges of growth

Matthew Fletcher of IT systems company Fivium talks about the challenges of being part of a fast-growing business.

"The business is out there"

Entrepreneur Neil O'Connell has built his business , Sulis Interiors, up from nothing.

"There's no such thing as failure, only feedback"

The challenges David Ferry faced when starting and growing his business, Ferry Financial.

Flexible working: the leaders' view

At the 2008 Work Wise UK Summit, BT Business asked a number of leaders for their views on flexible working.

Blogs

Trying to hire staff

Marc Barber 11/12/2008

There’s no getting round the fact that great ideas are always made or ruined by other people. 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. (1 comments) Have your say »

Q&A

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

Tax and VAT expert

Clive Lewis, ICAEW

7 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: Why use business banking? Q: Bad banking practice Q: Acquiring a small business loan Q: Securing a business loan whilst managing debt Q: Opening a business bank account with bad credit Q: Credit history issues: A way around? Q: Pros and cons of different funding options

Prize Draw

Free prize draw!

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Avery® Quick&Clean™ Business Cards to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a copy of BBC Dragons' Den James Caan's new book The Real Deal and a pack of Avery® premium heavyweight business cards. To enter the prize draw, simply answer our question here