Feed Editor Lite 3 Sep 2010 09:50:06 GMT Latest news from Business Money http:www.business-money.com/RSS en LDC, the mid-market private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has acquired a significant minority holding in outdoor specialist Mountain Warehouse in a transaction valuing the business at over £50m. 3 Sep 2010 09:50:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=611&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 31FB4250-5286-41CD-90BC-55BA2A0602BF The Markit Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index dipped slightly in August, from 56.7 in July to 56.2. 3 Sep 2010 09:49:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=610&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2D7B008B-7450-4D94-A40C-F50C66775E23 Accountants have warned that the worst effects of the recession have yet to hit SMEs, jeopardising the UK’s economic recovery. 2 Sep 2010 10:10:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=609&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FBE8AF50-D390-429A-B748-CEAA2FEDBFFC August data signalled a further expansion of the UK construction sector, with the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posting 52.1. 2 Sep 2010 10:09:49 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=608&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 606643FF-9F5F-4C8E-A4ED-AD3ED6E61CEC The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has released the results of its latest annual survey of its members. 1 Sep 2010 11:12:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=607&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7738B795-2C22-40F5-9F44-D2D014FDB7CC The recovery underway in the Scottish economy is set to slow at the end of Q3, after hitting a peak in July, according to the Bank of Scotland Index of Leading Indicators. 1 Aug 2010 11:11:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=606&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 95F3924E-FBB5-4399-B3DD-A9BB6DC557AA The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published its latest Economic Forecast and raises its expectations for UK GDP growth to 1.7% for this year, and to 2.2% for 2011. 31 Aug 2010 10:36:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=604&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 92B503DC-0B1C-4369-AFA6-4C27314C5D1A Owners of 62,000 self-catering properties in the south west can celebrate the coalition government’s decision to reverse the former chancellor’s plan to scrap special tax rules for furnished holiday lets, threatening up to £1.4bn of income to the region. 31 Aug 2010 10:35:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=603&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C59815FD-6981-4751-98DD-02674D875C83 Volumes of sales on the high street were higher than a year ago in August, the second consecutive year-on-year increase, according to the latest CBI quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. 27 Aug 2010 10:44:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=602&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DE4D5092-737E-484E-BEDD-3EB5139F2669 The annual growth in the banks' net mortgage lending is 4.1%, substantially ahead of the 0.9% for the whole mortgage market in June. 27 Aug 2010 10:44:05 GMT 5093806D-09FA-48F3-803C-75118B877811 The window to take advantage of the current strong purchasing conditions could be shrinking rapidly. 26 Aug 2010 10:01:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=600&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7A9AE420-E138-407B-9D4B-137F446F7CB2 The Forum of Private Business is hosting the questionnaire on behalf of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in an effort to find out how business owners are being treated by the major lenders. 26 Aug 2010 09:53:01 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=599&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 49E99C93-347C-45E7-872D-6CDFCE08644D NACFB members will have access to improved products from Santander Business Banking the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has announced. 25 Aug 2010 09:59:17 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=598&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0F5E87EF-68DF-4543-B022-B15446727344 Tax experts are urging entrepreneurs to go through figures with a fine tooth comb as the taxman cracks down on their financial affairs. 25 Aug 2010 09:58:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=597&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BCE82434-DE85-4599-85F1-C5BE8DD937A4 UK manufacturers saw demand for their goods continue to improve in August, as overseas orders returned to normal levels, the CBI said. 24 Aug 2010 10:10:01 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=596&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 518C8450-D978-422D-BE66-7F4D64CAE0ED Landlords’ confidence in buy-to-let has fallen in the last three months, but remains robust, according to the latest landlord sentiment survey conducted by LSL Property Services plc. 24 Aug 2010 10:09:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=595&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1F38C63F-1C48-49A3-88E3-632DEEC70F22 Commenting on the public finance figures for July, by the ONS, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said... 23 Aug 2010 10:05:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=594&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A2232D72-2DD1-4ECA-982F-2F3733B4CB01 The global hotels and restaurant sector has seen a sizeable fall in optimism about its prospects for the coming year, according to KPMG's latest Global Business Outlook survey. 23 Aug 2010 10:05:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=593&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 37644397-0FFA-41C9-AD00-32139045877D Landlords pushed up rents for the sixth consecutive month, raising them by 0.5% in July, according to the latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services, which owns the UK's largest lettings agent network, including national chains Your Move and Reeds Rains. 20 Aug 2010 10:16:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=592&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 13422C59-69B8-4CE8-9645-F64C5B398152 A fledgling business which manufactures and supplies knitted garments to some of the UK’s biggest high street retailers, is set to break its £3m sales target after securing a factoring facility from Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance. 20 Aug 2010 10:15:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=591&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D0F2CFCA-9AF3-4C64-8E48-48834B27D0A6 The Forum of Private Business believes that banks are often under-valuing properties when considering them as security for business loans. 19 Aug 2010 11:22:34 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=590&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 79A6915B-EA24-48CA-97C1-8E7B0E74132C Retailers’ investment in IT remains stagnant this year, with the sector planning to spend more on technology as the economic situation improves. 19 Aug 2010 11:22:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=589&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 352AE084-EBF2-4E29-8F5A-35B45CD03919 Proposals published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), could mean that asset finance – the largest source of debt finance for UK businesses – will be more difficult to obtain. 18 Aug 2010 09:03:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=588&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 17B1D437-9D8C-4181-82FF-A56C6BD8E61E Commenting on the July inflation figuresby the ONS, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said... 18 Aug 2010 09:02:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=587&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C4AB09C6-7DB2-49ED-AB17-3843B1C64226 The Q2 2010 RICS Construction Market Survey showed total workloads declining again, with the headline net balance falling back into negative territory, from +5 to -7. 17 Aug 2010 11:53:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=586&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 43256C4A-D5D6-4456-BEB0-FC292F2726A8 Lending to SMEs under the overnment-backed Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) loan scheme has continued to plummet, with a further fall of 20% in the last quarter, according to data obtained by Aldermore, the new British bank. 17 Aug 2010 11:52:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=585&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 168984C0-13C9-4437-B5D3-CA4204DEC38A Barclays Private Equity Germany (BPE) has acquired a majority stake in the Dutch company MPS Meat Processing Systems. 16 Aug 2010 10:18:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=584&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DA0F7BB0-6852-4FA5-A0D9-EC8A6DF42736 Burdale Capital Finance Inc., a member of Bank of Ireland Group, (Burdale), has completed a $60m three-year agented revolving credit facility for MAG Industrial Automation Systems LLC. 16 Aug 2010 10:17:53 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=583&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DBA1E7F4-442E-4125-84CB-3D34B49EB686 Following five successful PPP Conferences and three Summits in the CEE and SEE regions over the past years, JF is inviting you again to join the PPP experts. 16 Aug 2010 10:17:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=582&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6781D0E0-BF8C-439D-8530-95C70368E19E Consumer spending on cards saw a near double digit increase in July compared to the same month last year, challenging concerns that consumer confidence has dipped. 13 Aug 2010 10:11:08 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=581&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 EDF34E81-A2F6-44B5-82CA-4EC4FFB14985 The number of financial advisers expecting commercial property prices to fall has increased significantly since the start of 2010. 13 Aug 2010 10:10:29 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=580&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5D6F992C-0F14-4732-B159-23A658551BEB CB Richard Ellis’ (CBRE) forthcoming Capital Markets Report shows that whilst average key lending terms have remained relatively unchanged since Q1 2010 across most major European markets, a number of new influences emerged in the second quarter. 12 Aug 2010 09:43:23 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=579&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8FA424AB-66B5-467A-A73D-F64C1E4464AD Insufficient security checks and the complexity involved in taking online payments are leaving small firms exposed to payment processing fraud, the Forum of Private Business is warning. 12 Aug 2010 09:43:01 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=578&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A1C41489-00A8-490B-B74A-15E823666197 Commenting on the recently published UK trade figures for June by the ONS, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said... 11 Aug 2010 11:29:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=577&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0CBC4218-9E81-4535-8657-BBEC3A195C56 Experian, the information services company, has signed an enterprise deal with HSBC to help integrate the bank’s access to external data sources around the world. 11 Aug 2010 11:28:41 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=576&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 627245BF-A793-4960-A79B-E03FA630A4F7 Businesses in the UK are falling victim to late payers overseas according to Lovetts Plc, UK commercial debt recovery law firm. 10 Aug 2010 10:12:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=575&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D8D2AEDB-D25F-4858-8697-6C4A1493E173 The UK’s seasonally adjusted deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.3bn in June, compared with the deficit of £3.8bn in May. 10 Aug 2010 10:12:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=574&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DFEE3CD2-57A2-4B5B-9636-8612F71F55E2 Westcon Group European Operations Ltd, global distributor of networking and communications technologies, has joined forces with HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Ltd to structure a $200m invoice discounting facility which supports Westcon’s operations in seven European territories. 9 Aug 2010 09:54:37 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=573&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 61877931-6E4A-48A5-B708-6762C40EB1A6 Proposals to stimulate the private sector recovery in the economy have been set out in a letter to chancellor George Osborne from BBA chairman Stephen Green. 9 Aug 2010 09:54:13 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=572&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7BD98F47-1855-475C-B771-36E588D08A03 Garanti Factoring continued its successful performance with a significant increase of 20% in earnings and achieved a net profit of 6.2m TL in the first half of 2010. 6 Aug 2010 09:26:03 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=571&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FAF198BB-1979-4CE7-8CED-13E48C84BCAF Creditsafe, the business intelligence company, have announced the launch of a brand new commentary feature within its Credit Solutions company reporting tool to make readers immediately aware of key information that could affect their dealings with a business. 6 Aug 2010 09:25:37 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=570&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B949AF27-6082-4060-9A2D-758BCF89C48A Exclusive research by R3, the insolvency body, has tracked each sector through the recession and found the largest number of insolvencies were in the real estate, renting and business activities sector. 5 Aug 2010 10:13:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=569&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E28D53B6-20B8-4FAC-BFA4-DC4B46CC1769 UK business owners and charities are not making use of the grants available, according to finance experts. 5 Aug 2010 10:13:19 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=568&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 70ED16FB-788F-44CE-BB3C-3D8E66C343D6 Lloyds Banking Group has made a profit of £1.6bn, The Royal Bank of Scotland has sold 318 branches to Santander, Northern Rock back in profit, Standard Chartered posts profit of $2.1bn. HSBC makes £11.1bn. 4 Aug 2010 10:34:17 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=567&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BBE24A38-E38B-4D0F-BF32-084A6C6D9A51 Growth in distressed property listings eased back in more than 85% of countries surveyed according to a global report by RICS research. 4 Aug 2010 10:33:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=566&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C93E2FC5-4185-4B45-A231-C399F403EEE3 Corporate restructuring and recovery specialist MCR has opened its first office in the Midlands. 3 Aug 2010 09:51:15 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=565&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F931342C-D3BE-48BC-ADA0-4A80E7EC273F Aldermore, the new British bank, has said that the number of SMEs using invoice financing is soaring as small companies look for new ways to deal with the SME funding crisis. 3 Aug 2010 09:50:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=564&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C6A97527-D10D-455E-9A41-DA86F2142F9C Stronger demand and companies rebuilding stocks of goods helped boost production among the UK’s smaller manufacturers, according to a CBI survey. 2 Aug 2010 09:35:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=563&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 529CC822-C6CB-4AD5-A3ED-D188A4F14E69 BDO’s Private Company Price Index shows the total number of transactions increased from 496 to 543 in Q2, providing cause for cautious optimism in the sector. 2 Aug 2010 09:35:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=562&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 929ACB91-604D-4F49-BAD9-B7BCA5E977BF The Business Secretary has released a joint consultation paper with the Treasury which sets out options to help boost lending to businesses. 30 Jul 2010 09:50:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=561&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 30FE074B-4D29-43D4-8942-5FA8D5EF9113 Sales on the high street increased in July compared with a year ago, and surpassed expectations, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. 30 Jul 2010 09:50:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=560&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BBAA6191-6BFD-44C5-B506-694B6F3109FA Following five successful PPP Conferences and three Summits in the CEE and SEE regions over the past years, JF is inviting you again to join the PPP experts. 30 Jul 2010 09:50:01 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=559&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1BD1F11D-DC2F-447E-AE47-1BD731D6988F Research from Santander Corporate Banking revealed that one in three (32%) SMEs are now using two or more banks to provide services for their business – and the trend for multi-banking is rising with one in seven (14%) increasing the number of banking partners they work with in the past three years. 29 Jul 2010 10:00:29 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=558&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 31DFBCC9-8A1D-49D1-B076-6194592A7D16 Information services company Experian, has launched a new alert service which will inform banks, lenders, insurers and home services companies when an existing customer puts their property up for sale or rent. 29 Jul 2010 10:00:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=557&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 26178C7E-7430-4D31-80D7-21A391D6BEEA The British Bankers' Association said: "The UK's banks are committed to the reform of the regulatory institutions to help ensure the maximum protection for all against future downturns and international crises. 28 Jul 2010 09:52:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=556&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FD6FEAF2-5B4C-4D5C-9C15-BC33840645FF New research conducted by commercial credit reference agency Graydon UK reveals that four out of five credit managers believe that public sector spending cuts will spark a sharp increase in business insolvencies within the next 12 months. 28 Jul 2010 09:51:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=555&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BA9D15BD-1EA2-4C1D-89BF-9335AD7FAB60 Mark Aston, broker development manager, commercial intermediary mortgages, Santander Business Banking, confirmed that following recent talks with Santander’s risk department the following changes to the credit policy have been made: 27 Jul 2010 10:13:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=553&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0DDA89A3-D5A2-468A-A5EF-47A352A3E9CD One of the more enigmatic factoring companies drew the curtain on its final act at 5pm yesterday when the transaction selling the Aston Rothbury book to Bibby Financial Services was completed. 27 Jul 2010 10:12:33 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=554&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 36555142-0E60-4E84-BE96-FE46AA356843 Small firms can now get free access to 1,000 business lounges around the world through membership of a not-for-profit lobby and support group. 23 Jul 2010 09:45:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=550&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9922E941-127A-4060-A61D-E0C673652BFD Enterprising students are responding to a quiet post-recession job market with plans to go it alone, according to new research from specialist SME insurer Hiscox. 23 Jul 2010 09:45:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=549&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2BA29C39-2788-4932-8B5D-67ABAB9CBD5D Aldermore, the new UK bank, said that it is now providing 97% of business customers with a decision, in principle, on whether it will lend them money within 48 hours of receiving a completed application. 22 Jul 2010 09:42:16 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=548&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8B052CD4-93A7-419F-8EFF-7A99DDE2E73D Merchandise trade volumes for the G7 countries as a whole continued to grow in the first quarter of 2010, but at a slower pace than in the fourth quarter of 2009. 22 Jul 2010 09:41:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=547&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E3DF0F44-1820-4425-A3FA-B61691F292D4 KBC Business Capital, the asset-based lending (ABL) division of Belgian banking group KBC Bank has provided a £17.6m ABL facility to support the refinancing for Avocet Hardware. 21 Jul 2010 09:56:40 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=546&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 10340251-421F-49C2-A384-24F01EB480D8 Commenting on the creation of the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS), David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 21 Jul 2010 09:56:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=545&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 936D3DBD-DA7B-4902-8497-ADFA0B11FB04 Tenant demand fell for first time in four quarters - most notably in London, says the latest RICS’ UK Commercial Property Survey. 20 Jul 2010 10:25:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=544&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1179943E-DF7E-4638-95A1-2D9186958BD2 The latest insolvency index from information services company Experian, has revealed a year-on-year decline in business insolvencies during June. 20 Jul 2010 10:25:03 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=543&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3944B811-652F-4B1A-AD66-0180F322BA75 On 14 October, 751 business leaders from across the 27 EU member states will gather in the hemicycle of the European Parliament to debate and vote on issues affecting their companies in the wake of the global recession. 19 Jul 2010 10:20:35 GMT 635CC71D-B9F6-4878-8062-B0F259694D03 Established in 1904, Hammer and Theelen Ltd, trading as Hillbrow Fashions, has entered into administration with the appointment of joint administrators Geoff Rowley and Jason Baker, partners at FRP Advisory, the restructuring, recovery and insolvency firm. 19 Jul 2010 10:20:08 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=541&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 79B4EDF9-94DD-4E50-BAA6-9728F9949AFF The number of new companies has started to rise again following two years of steep falls caused by the banking crisis, said accountants Wilkins Kennedy. 16 Jul 2010 09:35:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=540&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 869669B3-A084-417C-93D6-BD668D51B720 The leading 15 European banks converted collective losses of €25bn into profits of €43bn in 2009, according to a study by KPMG. 16 Jul 2010 09:35:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=539&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6507AD99-32DE-49AD-8676-65F01531ECB9 BBA statistics director, David Dooks, said of the latest data: "New term lending to small businesses is stable and continuing at more than £500m a month. 15 Jul 2010 09:55:59 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=538&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 60705708-0978-44A7-AD13-0F30D035AA93 The net rate of return by private non-financial corporations in the first quarter of 2010 was 11.1%. This compares with the revised estimate of 11.3% in the previous quarter. 15 Jul 2010 09:55:31 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=537&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 65014E72-8146-4005-9B95-5B8A7F4018DB HR businesses are increasingly turning to factoring to support their cashflow funding, with new business instructions pointing to a steady return to health of the UK economy. 14 Jul 2010 10:20:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=536&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3ECD3853-E4B5-4348-94B1-034E160A7880 Lovetts Plc, one of the UK’s leading law firms specialising in commercial debt recovery, has revealed that late payment demands (LPD) shot up by 24.6% in the first half of the year against 2009. 14 Jul 2010 10:19:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=535&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E5B4C810-C0CE-4EF3-8493-E81739BFBCF5 The process of how banks calculate interest rates for loans to businesses are set out in detail in a new factsheet from the British Bankers' Association. 13 Jul 2010 10:47:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=534&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 951DA152-C71C-4EC9-B799-3603F67326D6 Demand as measured by new buyer enquiries fell for only the second time since the latter part of 2008 while the net balance for new instructions rose to the highest level for three years impacting on sentiment for future price rises, said the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey. 13 Jul 2010 10:46:38 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=533&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F446D537-7878-460F-9221-81CA16E4B446 Syscap, a UK independent finance provider and appointed funding partner to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), has reported a 442% surge in tax funding arrangements secured with accountancy firms in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2009. 12 Jul 2010 10:28:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=532&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BFB525FD-64F7-4AE8-8F52-4BA4C806A542 The UK200Group of independent accountancy and lawyer firms has commented on the possible entry of new banks into the UK market, following reports that a group of city veterans are teaming up to buy assets of some of the nationalised banks. 12 Jul 2010 10:27:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=531&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 20DEC888-79B8-4003-8EA2-316892950ED5 Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are overlooking ways to protect against potentially crippling cashflow problems, warns the Law Society. 9 Jul 2010 09:28:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=530&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 84592BD1-7F69-40ED-B038-C9D05FD9789F UK importers and exporters are concerned that spending cuts will threaten the fragile economic recovery, a city expert has warned in a newly-published survey. 9 Jul 2010 09:27:48 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=529&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8A54943E-EB74-4ED1-ADC7-2E7D4CDCA3DE UK start ups saw a 40% decline in venture capital activity in the past two years according to new research by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). 8 Jul 2010 09:23:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=528&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F15099B0-D7C4-48ED-87E1-ABA8FEBE6F77 Birmingham Airport has arranged new funding facilities with Santander Corporate Banking (Santander) and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). 8 Jul 2010 09:23:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=527&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8DB03403-7C05-4E4E-8965-02FEB1B70362 One of Europe’s leading haulage companies has secured a £4.5m asset-based finance facility from Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance to execute its expansion strategy. 7 Jul 2010 09:51:48 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=526&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AEF25BB4-02E7-470B-91A3-AA3D8574F080 Results from the British Chambers of Commerce’s latest economic survey suggest that the UK economy saw further growth in the second quarter of 2010, building on the improvement in the first three months of the year. 7 Jul 2010 09:51:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=525&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9376D91E-EB67-40F2-BA0C-0734FB2BB997 The government should move forward with its plans to revamp the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) as the amount lent under its flagship loan scheme declines, says Aldermore, the new British bank. 6 Jul 2010 10:40:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=524&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3F19031E-02FA-4473-9C84-7BA7D032207A Plans for cuts of up to 40% in the budgets of many government departments have raised fears of a double-dip recession while economic growth remains critically weak. 6 Jul 2010 10:39:49 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=523&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B16A550B-D34E-49D5-B778-94AEA052F538 The number of new companies has started to rise again following two years of steep falls caused by the banking crisis, said accountants Wilkins Kennedy. 5 Jul 2010 11:58:33 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=522&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 45CEA87F-5EB6-4128-8E46-E6AB6DB41C34 The rate of business insolvencies for the automotive industry almost halved from 0.12% in May 2009 to 0.07% in May 2010, according to the latest insolvency and late payment indices from information services company Experian. 5 Jul 2010 11:58:08 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=521&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F5AE237E-C417-415A-A289-CF879133ACBD Stanford International Bank update following the management buy-out of Vantis Business Recovery Services from Vantis plc. 2 Jul 2010 09:06:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=520&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D85EB043-AF56-4922-9860-16FF269A366A The share of farm receipts provided by government programmes rose slightly in OECD countries last year, reversing a declining trend in state support since 2004, according to a new OECD report. 2 Jul 2010 09:06:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=519&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 13B483D1-DBD6-4862-866E-AF5667451718 The majority of UK business leaders expect the coalition government to create a more favourable environment for British companies. 1 Jul 2010 09:25:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=517&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BF6D6D71-6FFE-4197-83DE-F7F1FD9CC600 Aston Rothbury Factors Ltd, the 23-year-old Essex-based invoice finance company entered administration on 28th June with the appointment of joint administrators. 1 Jul 2010 09:24:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=518&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 67808688-F764-4959-AE38-93A03AC27F0B Following the administration of Vantis plc, Vantis Business Recovery Services (BRS) has been sold in a management buy-out (MBO) to existing Vantis BRS partners for an undisclosed sum. The new firm, FRP Advisory LLP, will be led by partners Geoff Rowley and Jeremy French. 30 Jun 2010 09:44:37 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=516&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E0C7CCE3-67F8-4393-A3DB-20774EA29178 Statement from Toni Dare, operations director, Pulse Cashflow Limited. 30 Jun 2010 09:44:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=515&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DB40E29C-4B97-4148-9EE5-92723309F24A AIM-quoted Ultimate Finance Group, which provides invoice finance services to SMEs, has recruited two major players to head its new subsidiary companies as well as a new head for its Manchester office. 30 Jun 2010 09:43:41 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=514&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 79E97FE4-9C18-4246-B8CB-DF2542CA1A55 Aldermore Commercial Mortgages says its first year of lending has exceeded all expectations, with the business now processing more than 500 loan applications per quarter made by SMEs throughout the UK. 29 Jun 2010 10:05:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=513&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8A44B0A4-29DC-4C0B-9EB0-803D36D6338D A significant rise in Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and the abolition of taper relief are cause for concern to the entrepreneurs and SMEs hit hardest by recession. 29 Jun 2010 10:05:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=512&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5B78A9C8-2BCA-415D-88CD-D97338B79D0A Activity in UK financial services grew in the last three months at the fastest rate since September 2007. 28 Jun 2010 09:28:49 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=511&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6A810BA4-14B9-4D3E-9D09-4F99FFDF7119 The Insolvency Practitioners Association sees the OFT report on the market for corporate insolvency practitioners as an opportunity to review aspects of the operation of the present insolvency practitioner regulatory framework. 28 Jun 2010 09:27:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=510&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 41C4FC7B-3663-4A4A-987D-B8B44BD5726E Lovetts Plc, commercial debt recovery law firm, has reacted to the Emergency Budget as being a missed opportunity to crack down on late payers. 25 Jun 2010 08:48:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=509&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E07E686A-35D1-45C8-AB12-673E51F6525E UK banks have urged the prime minister to push for global consensus on the future of regulation when the G20 leaders meet in Toronto this weekend. 25 Jun 2010 08:48:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=508&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CFE7E537-495A-41FF-BF81-4AB8313C5F35 PCG has welcomed the clearest statement yet from the coalition government that IR35 is to be abolished. 24 Jun 2010 09:04:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=507&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6E3288A9-138D-4EFC-B92E-4ADAD16EC119 A significant rise in funds provided to help companies manage their cashflow may signal a return to growth as the UK’s SME base weathers an economic climate of public sector cuts and constraints on the availability of working capital. 24 Jun 2010 09:04:10 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=506&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FFD3F00E-64C5-4442-9C9C-F1640E27E26B The CBI has commented on a strategy announced by the chancellor in the Budget to simplify the corporate tax system, and bring down the headline rate of corporation tax in the medium-term. 23 Jun 2010 09:30:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=505&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C2790D96-E368-4080-A1E2-496BDF7F27C9 The Forum of Private Business has welcomed a number of key victories for SMEs in the Budget. 23 Jun 2010 09:30:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=504&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FDA5FF03-CA99-4C3D-B52C-B097D570DC28 The amount spent on credit and debit cards, in-store and online, was 9.1% higher in May compared to the same month last year, according to data collected by Barclaycard. 22 Jun 2010 09:58:35 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=503&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F4E5F86E-1EE3-4925-B76C-FB6D45415E09 Chambers of Commerce from across the UK met at a unique two day conference dedicated to international trade promotion. 22 Jun 2010 09:57:40 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=502&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 77BE7C40-C82A-4952-8B44-E3255DDC43F9 In a YouGov poll, conducted on behalf of the Asset Based Finance Association, when asked what one thing they would like to see from the new coalition government, 39% per cent of UK SMEs who are clients of ABFA members, wanted to see the rise in national insurance scrapped. 21 Jun 2010 09:20:19 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=501&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 100792D0-62E6-4B7E-901B-E1D647F68914 Access to funding is perceived to be an uphill struggle by many of the UK’s SMEs according to research commissioned by commercial finance broker Hilton-Baird Financial Solutions. 21 Jun 2010 09:18:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=500&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A88CEB6C-2C45-4A33-B397-CEF12E5ABA68 The controversial issue of pre-packs and the claims that the procedure is being abused by IPs has been tackled head on by the IPA at a forum attended by creditor representatives, insolvency practitioners, regulators, the Insolvency Service and a number of other interested parties. 18 Jun 2010 10:59:32 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=499&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 06FE0287-2A5B-4549-BEC2-E670BCFB5D54 Scrapping HM Revenue & Customs’ Time to Pay scheme in next week’s Budget could force thousands of small firms struggling to manage tax payments into administration, the Forum of Private Business is warning. 18 Jun 2010 10:58:27 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=498&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4FF335A5-BE7A-4644-95FC-6F74E15B7856 The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) has written to the chancellor of the exchequer in advance of next week’s emergency Budget, stressing the importance of helping business investment. 17 Jun 2010 10:54:35 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=497&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2CC47E62-CE13-470A-A5BF-F01F2F953C1D The UK's recovery from recession is proving slow but steady going for small business owners, according to a survey conducted by ICM. 17 Jun 2010 10:54:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=496&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D5A0ECFB-C50B-41B8-B2E1-443D8472A413 As many as 67,000, or 7%, of those struggling with debts say they have already contacted a loan shark or doorstep lender, while a further 13% have considered doing so. 16 Jun 2010 10:06:20 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=495&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 49F06038-07A0-471A-994F-A2FAB1E25542 A surge in potential bankrupts trying to put their assets out of the reach of their creditors has prompted a warning from The Insolvency Service. 16 Jun 2010 10:05:53 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=494&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 EF7927EC-0A22-4034-AB83-27022F54ED2A As the emergency Budget edges ever closer, firms must not forget that business must go on. It is now more important than ever to make sure the cash keeps on flowing, despite the uncertainty ahead in terms of cuts, funding options, and tax breaks for UK businesses. 15 Jun 2010 12:38:45 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=493&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 006C97D4-A797-4740-A9EE-13DCB49B587C The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has written to the chancellor, the Rt Hon George Osborne MP ahead of the emergency Budget on 22 June, urging the coalition government to think small first. 15 Jun 2010 12:38:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=492&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AFFBF25E-A2DB-4DC8-ADE7-D5AA91046AAE Ireland and the US are set to see the biggest rise in distressed sales, says the latest RICS research. 8 Jun 2010 10:05:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=483&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 65F8622B-36FA-4830-A2C1-ADA97EA60BBD As companies take advantage of the current weakness of the Pound and increase their exporting arms, many business owners and managers are encountering frustrating international payment practices, according to specialist business finance provider Bibby Financial Services. 8 Jun 2010 10:05:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=482&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 EE117164-C1FA-46A2-AB69-B4FA6AE53678 Travelex Confidence Index for April UK trade deficit figures showed that importers and exporters confidence in the UK economic climate has fallen 8% since March 2010. 7 Jun 2010 11:16:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=481&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 EEE0C1FA-898E-4437-A5C6-EDAA704796F6 Experian, the information services company, has launched a payment advice module for its UK Payments Gateway product. 7 Jun 2010 11:16:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=480&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 37CDD341-EF42-4043-9C7A-DD36CC318499 The latest quarterly figures released by the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) show total sales from firms financed by asset-based finance have increased, with client sales at £49,371m, a rise of 8% from March 2009. 4 Jun 2010 10:01:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=479&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7E2407DA-7164-4405-ACA4-E680423BE997 P&A Receivables, the credit management and debt collection service provider to the IT industry, has highlighted the growing threat that long and short-firm scams pose to the channel and urged resellers, distributors and vendors to be on high alert when dealing with new customers, especially when potentially lucrative opportunities seem to be in the offing. 4 Jun 2010 10:00:41 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=478&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BBA2B722-4151-46DE-82FB-725D84BA8AD4 The European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Michel Barnier, has published a green paper on corporate governance in financial institutions. 3 Jun 2010 14:33:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=477&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 04A471DE-0E81-450B-ADF1-6E325B267023 The Forum of Private Business is responding to the coalition government’s announcement of an action plan to end excessive red tape. 3 Jun 2010 14:33:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=476&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AF253768-4042-46D3-87B9-2AA3AD12075F Check That Company, the online service that gives small businesses a simple and affordable way to run company reports and credit checks, has expressed concern over the impact that falling levels of profitability amongst the UK’s larger companies is likely to have on the small business sector. 2 Jun 2010 09:24:45 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=475&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D3C198B0-133E-44FA-88EC-2A2D22D8FD97 Experian, the information services company, has published new analysis on the UK’s debt collection agency (DCA) industry and advice on how DCAs can better adapt to market conditions. 2 Jun 2010 09:24:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=474&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BDEDE9CF-4C42-4242-BE36-C72A79F38711 Although the UK’s economic recovery is underway, the British Chambers of Commerce’s latest Economic Forecast warns that the situation remains fragile, and the risks of a relapse cannot be ignored. The BCC claims that the worsening Eurozone debt crisis, and upheavals in global financial markets, will heighten the threats facing the UK. 1 Jun 2010 10:36:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=473&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F87AC804-8C4E-49EF-A03B-5BBAAAA92C9E Firms selling services to consumers saw their volumes of sales fall in the last three months, while sales volumes in business and professional services remained flat, disappointing expectations, the latest CBI Services Sector Survey has revealed. 1 Jun 2010 10:35:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=472&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 97CBC522-4068-46B5-8980-09FE6EC24891 The volume of sales on the high street during the last month were lower than a year ago, surprising retailers, according to the latest CBI Quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. 28 May 2010 10:17:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=471&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 05CB3C64-4B53-42E1-8916-ECE8318012BD The annual growth in the banks' net mortgage lending of 4.3% (slightly lower than last month's 4.5%) still substantially exceeds annual growth of just 1% in March for the mortgage market overall. 28 May 2010 10:16:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=470&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F4092D57-C8EE-42CD-BD3A-C3A90B2FF57B Government departments could learn from SMEs when trying to manage shrinking budgets, according to the Forum of Private Business. 27 May 2010 10:01:13 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=469&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 846BE5E2-3F4C-40D7-9FB6-D47EBB569EAA A large proportion of the retail sector is looking to World Cup fever to boost sales by as much as 60% to accelerate recovery from the recession, according to trade credit insurer Atradius. 27 May 2010 10:00:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=468&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 56638246-2731-4A56-9ABD-16B2CDC0E9F6 Centric Commercial Finance has expanded its asset-based lending team with the recent appointment of Rob Gilmore as regional sales director. 26 May 2010 09:54:38 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=465&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8C8F53CA-53ED-4004-9322-E0844B01414C A lack of supply is pushing rents higher signalling a revival in the lettings market, says the latest RICS Lettings Survey. 26 May 2010 09:54:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=464&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E8E85C96-FB62-43E1-B829-6FA744DBAD8C George Lynn, chief financial officer at Angel Trains, is the chairman-elect of the Finance and Leasing Association’s asset finance division. 24 May 2010 10:37:48 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=461&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B22AB0E2-CA01-4524-9CAF-6B98663DEAC5 Over £55bn of UK commercial property debt is up for refinancing this year with around another £50bn of loans in breach of their financial covenant or in default, three times the 2008 figure. 24 May 2010 10:37:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=460&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FC0BDF00-6096-4107-B1D4-2BA3A29497E1 Lloyds TSB has been recognised as Bank of the Year for the sixth year in a row, for the ongoing support it has given business customers throughout the downturn. 14 May 2010 10:34:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=455&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3791DA32-C6FB-471C-8BE6-85CBE711E764 The Forum of Private Business has welcomed the new Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition government's decision to scrap the planned 1% hike in employers' national insurance (NI) for many staff members, a policy that had been met with strong opposition from business groups. 14 May 2010 10:34:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=454&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 576CA1FD-C7EF-4B05-B341-430E05C35231 If anyone doubted that a change of government would not signal a change in the economic environment, the news of dramatic increases to the rate of capital gains tax (CGT) sets the tone according to Lisa Macpherson national director of taxation at PKF accountants and business advisers. She said: “Everyone expected tax increases after the general election and they are clearly coming soon.” 13 May 2010 11:12:13 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=453&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7A7D9380-B0D5-4872-9FA2-26880B546CFA UK businesses trading internationally are increasingly upbeat about future prospects for their business according to the latest HSBC Commercial Banking Trade Confidence Index - trade confidence during Q1 2010 has increased by a third from Q4 2009. 13 May 2010 11:11:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=452&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F8AD3A2B-EB75-40BF-9D37-00DB648A7ADF The Forum of Private Business has given a cautious welcome to the appointment of the new prime minister, David Cameron, and his stated intention to form a coalition government between his party and the Liberal Democrats. 12 May 2010 09:48:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=451&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5C411A6F-CB5F-4D2E-B757-2B705701A4B3 Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance is ensuring that an even greater number of SMEs can access the finance they need through the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), as the UK government’s Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has extended the scheme to the asset-based lending specialist. 12 May 2010 09:48:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=450&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 99BD9E12-77C9-44A3-BF20-00C5B48EB824 Commenting on the manufacturing output figures for March 2010, published by the ONS, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 11 May 2010 10:48:31 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=449&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1CECCCEF-8436-4F12-9DB8-0EAE9E8AC2DE The election result has left small firms lacking confidence in the economy and many will not be looking to growth, a snap poll by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows. 11 May 2010 10:48:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=448&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8543E138-C11C-4AF4-8BBE-348DE2171E19 We have been advised that Laurie passed away at 4.00am this morning. 10 May 2010 09:39:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=447&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A0DBD072-7A5C-4654-AC94-87BFAC82DC6E Sarah Bell and Steven Muncaster, partners at MCR, have been appointed joint administrators of department store business Vergo Retail Limited (the company). 10 May 2010 09:39:10 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=446&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BCE12D92-81EE-4B3C-9FED-6AA7092D4348 Latest data from Markit/CIPS indicated the continued expansion of the UK service sector in April, but at a reduced rate as a number of temporary factors undermined increases in activity and new business. 7 May 2010 11:26:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=445&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 61093CE6-9B2C-404B-8CFF-D87A0A57D8AC Steven Law, president of R3, the insolvency trade body has commented on the latest insolvency service statistics. 7 May 2010 11:26:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=444&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7E04EC3B-FDDC-4E61-B684-EBEAE04E7035 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has challenged the next government – whatever its composition – to put business at the very heart of its thinking from day one in charge. 6 May 2010 10:14:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=443&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CEB5C748-7BBF-4A07-B49D-036BD2E94A13 UK construction activity increased during April for a second successive month, and at the strongest rate since September 2007. 6 May 2010 10:14:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=442&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 96AAA096-2183-4D4E-9796-BC0E3E15FDC3 Reservations are now being taken for what has been labelled the best industry networking dinner in the north. 5 May 2010 09:51:10 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=441&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A7106E19-3D4D-4CA5-9A21-B1F588954B6A Turnaroundanswers.co.uk, a new free and confidential on-line support service for company owner managers and directors has been launched by Turnaroundhelp Limited. 5 May 2010 09:50:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=440&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E2D0A877-C5C1-4E55-8652-6427C8FED18B KBC Business Capital, the specialist asset-based lending (ABL) division of Belgian banking group KBC Bank has provided a £14m ABL facility to Pisani plc to finance its corporate activities and future growth opportunities in the UK. The facility encompasses accounts receivable, property, and inventory. 4 May 2010 09:57:08 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=439&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 77B58196-2F3F-4620-BC0F-20F7FD23AB9B Demand for goods made by the UK’s small and medium-sized manufacturers is improving at home and abroad, and production has stabilised, according to the CBI. But the business group warned that cost pressures have intensified and access to credit remains a headache for some smaller firms. 4 May 2010 09:56:45 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=438&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 004A5DAC-279F-4EB9-9C5F-B555CF966C34 Businesses should consider investing as banks stand ready to help them benefit from the economic recovery, the British Bankers’ Association has told an accountancy conference. 30 Apr 2010 09:35:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=437&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2DC52355-5D3C-40DE-8037-FB5DFB4294F2 The commercial property upswing continued in to 2010 with Latin America and Asia leading the way said the latest RICS Global Property Survey. 30 Apr 2010 09:35:20 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=436&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 34B490FE-EB7D-4A80-B023-B998EC3CEDE8 A turbulent 2009 has given way to a positive 2010, with commercial property transaction levels returning to pre-recession levels, according to the latest edition of the Commercial Real Estate Review (CRER) by accountants and business advisers BDO. 29 Apr 2010 10:06:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=435&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5F689D8E-490B-40A5-BA24-00304B24C5BE Thinking businesses across the UK could win a share in £90m worth of funding, a financial reward of up to £100,000 each... 29 Apr 2010 10:06:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=434&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CE25DC1B-E755-4EBF-8C38-F077DEF231C8 A quarter of all small manufacturers are experiencing problems because they are unable to replace vital operating equipment. 28 Apr 2010 09:52:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=433&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A24C5046-03D7-4F3E-865B-0FEE6BD25696 The recession has created a toxic environment for financial organisations, with most managers still feeling insecure about the future and businesses struggling to regain a competitive footing, according to a new report from Lord John Eatwell, published by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). 28 Apr 2010 09:52:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=432&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D2B79CFE-E545-44DE-847A-04029A246477 A new report by business internet service provider, Easynet Connect, outlines the strategies of UK SMEs for a return to sustained growth. 27 Apr 2010 10:14:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=431&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 22A2A3CE-C3BF-4F1C-BF55-6CB3AECA2903 Wells Fargo & Company has brought together its asset-based lending units in Canada with that of Wachovia, uniting them under a common trade name as it did with their US affiliates in December 2009. 27 Apr 2010 10:14:19 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=430&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B3D1D612-5E68-4263-8CDA-BCEAB36A772E Small business turnover reached a 29-month high in March 2010, according to the latest Business Factors Index from Bibby Financial Services. 23 Apr 2010 15:53:42 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=427&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C4D05C03-CB56-4E2E-B817-8AE6C949ACD6 The UK’s manufacturing sector is strengthening with exports growing and the first rise in domestic orders in two-and-a-half years, the CBI said. 23 Apr 2010 15:53:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=426&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7872A816-0326-4CD9-98E0-C17B3A2E837E With current liquidity problems across Europe and delays in the implementation of the Single Euro Payments Area, which currently handles less than 10% of all Euro transactions, some of Europe's biggest banks and businesses will meet in Brussels on 19th May 2010, to discuss harmonisation and integration of the corporate banking industry in Europe, pre- and post-SEPA. 22 Apr 2010 09:54:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=425&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 41AFC4D9-E181-4175-9FA2-DC366D653E2D The latest Insolvency Index from Experian, the global information services company, has revealed that the rate of insolvencies saw a rise from 0.096 to 0.114% in March. 22 Apr 2010 09:53:56 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=424&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 927CFE31-A4F1-4825-8D6B-B6C505E594A7 There are signs of a turn around in some sectors of London’s commercial property market, pushing rental expectations for London offices up at the fastest rate in over 2 years, says the RICS’ UK Commercial Property Survey. 21 Apr 2010 10:29:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=423&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CF396042-568F-4B0F-B5D0-ED9DC904EAD7 New research by ComRes estimates that the UK’s insolvency industry helped to save nearly two million jobs in companies going through insolvency and rescued around six thousand (5,851) businesses last year. 21 Apr 2010 10:29:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=422&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 856BB253-1B82-4428-8210-906051295F18 A study by the Institute of Directors (IoD) has shown that one in four businesses have tried to access finance from their banks, but almost 60% have had their applications rejected. 20 Apr 2010 09:12:38 GMT 7948F324-0548-4101-9064-D3BF31C23D8A Coface UK & Ireland are launching a new initiative which continues to improve dialogue and maintain confidence between businesses trading on credit, in line with its transparency charter. 20 Apr 2010 09:11:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=420&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0555461C-8F3A-4758-9B7C-FC35EC042DD9 The latest PwC analysis into corporate insolvency numbers demonstrates that the effect of the downturn on UK business is showing more signs of easing. 19 Apr 2010 10:22:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=419&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AD304E66-E1F0-4D95-9A68-E8177FCF4A8D In a special comment, Moody’s Investors Service has provided a preliminary assessment of the impact on selected European banks of the changes to Basel regulations for market risk due to be implemented by the end of 2010. 19 Apr 2010 10:22:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=418&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 13D5FA23-C7F8-4380-B56A-0F68680B0BF2 Landlords are celebrating an outstanding month in the buy-to-let market, with rising rents, rising house prices and falling arrears, according to the latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services plc, which owns the UK’s largest lettings agent network, including national chains Your Move and Reeds Rains. 16 Apr 2010 10:01:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=417&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C143ADEB-7DE5-4F36-AD6E-C86988D5F69B Renewed optimism will prompt a surge of M&A activity over the next 12 months, with 80% of mid market corporates planning acquisitions in 2010 and setting ambitious targets to acquire an average of 2.5 companies, according to new research by corporate finance advisers at BDO LLP. 16 Apr 2010 10:00:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=416&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C8EBA165-3025-4093-99C4-D14CCE044C37 New research from NatWest and RBS reveals that 71% of SMEs in the UK have suffered from late payments over the last 12 months, with the collective value of invoices paid outside of the stipulated terms and conditions estimated at £62.87bn. As a result, 235,000 SMEs claim time wasted chasing debt has adversely affected their business. 15 Apr 2010 11:07:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=415&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F6228C1F-53BB-440F-9826-C4A9F0735AA5 Equifax, has released its business failures report for the first quarter of 2010, revealing an apparent steely determination by UK businesses to survive - despite the recession. 15 Apr 2010 11:07:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=414&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CB98A222-92F0-4E66-B058-579E3FEAFA01 After enduring frosty economic conditions for the past twelve months, Spring time appears finally to have come to Britain’s SMEs according to new research commissioned by commercial finance broker Hilton-Baird Financial Solutions. 14 Apr 2010 09:25:15 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=413&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 10B5D8CE-89C8-4036-9B91-11CD5E12AF22 Surveyors recorded the highest reading of vendor activity since May 2007 – the month before the introduction of HIPS - whilst the rate of house price rises slowed, says the latest RICS UK Housing Market survey. 14 Apr 2010 09:24:42 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=412&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A880DF4E-4038-4864-90A1-1E95565DE1C4 The world’s two largest and leading purchasing and supply management organisations are joining forces to offer professional credentials in North America and the United Kingdom. 13 Apr 2010 09:44:17 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=411&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 87EE373E-A28C-4331-8258-2E8E92C578E8 Only 118,000 new homes were constructed in 2009, which is well short of the government’s own target of 240,000. 13 Apr 2010 09:43:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=410&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3258AECE-0D3F-49FA-899B-4B56EF833D10 HSBC Commercial Banking and Euler Hermes, the credit insurer, have announced that they began working together on 1 April 2010 to support HSBC Invoice Finance’s service to UK exporters. 12 Apr 2010 11:51:42 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=409&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AF9D0543-36BD-4BC6-9A86-83B63A0A06FC Venture Finance has reported increases in new client numbers for the third quarter running. 12 Apr 2010 11:51:17 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=408&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9B2C2B71-262E-4679-9721-B489D51EE885 Commenting on the latest Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "We expected and support the MPC’s decision to continue with a holding approach. But, it should consider new techniques aimed at improving the effectiveness of the quantitative easing programme. 9 Apr 2010 10:29:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=407&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 22315D0D-5200-4D78-AB86-D5C138EF40D3 Experian, the information services company, has released its latest mergers and acquisitions and equity capital market (ECM - flotation, rights issue and placement) data covering quarter Q1 2010. 9 Apr 2010 10:28:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=406&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E8E74CCA-01AD-46E6-BD43-BA40C138670F The seventh Business Money All-Asset Finance Conference is close to being a sell-out. 8 Apr 2010 14:12:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=405&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 814D29F9-DCE0-400C-9434-A4E0F3638739 Current economic conditions are having a significant impact on the availability of capital, resulting in traditional financiers changing their approach to risk and tightening their lending conditions. 8 Apr 2010 14:12:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=404&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2D06F90C-73DA-4F4C-84ED-BAC4626A53F3 KBC Business Capital, the asset-based lending (ABL) division of Belgian banking group KBC Bank has provided a £5.5m ABL facility to support the MBO of lifestyle clothing brand Weird Fish from its founder. The facility encompasses accounts receivable, inventory and a cashflow term loan. Piper Private Equity also provided £8m of funding to support the MBO. 1 Apr 2010 10:33:19 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=399&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 33F8E484-F873-4128-99EA-38E037695F32 Krispy Kreme UK, retailer of premium quality doughnuts, has had major UK expansion plans backed by a £12m lending facility from Santander Corporate Banking. 1 Mar 2010 10:32:15 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=398&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4040DDA6-5759-4641-BF04-86D69B049E75 Nick Sellars has called Business Money to say that he has headed up a consortium that has bought Platinum's UK operation. 31 Mar 2010 10:39:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=397&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 94D3B1A7-766C-4C84-B126-E3F82C9C78FF Commenting on Receivables 2009, the 13th Business Money annual review of the UK invoice finance sector editor, Robert Lefroy, said: “Bibby Financial Services has made an notable contribution to financing the SME sector in the UK for almost two decades. 31 Mar 2010 10:39:25 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=396&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F780CA98-4122-4E78-9114-C4F1C12FC36E The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has welcomed the Treasury’s decision to extend the consultation period for buy-to-let regulation until the end of April. 30 Mar 2010 09:53:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=395&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7FCC9172-0CCF-4485-AA5E-A1CD623E611B Wells Fargo & Company announced that Wells Fargo Bank NA, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all of the North American factoring portfolio of the commercial services division of GMAC Commercial Finance Group. 30 Mar 2010 09:53:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=394&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 541C95DA-521C-4F8A-B15B-5775AA4DEC35 More than nine out of ten smaller businesses were left disappointed by the budget, a snap poll has revealed. 29 Mar 2010 10:13:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=390&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1C95BDDF-FA71-4964-BB78-D3111717A20B GE Capital has signed an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc (RBS) to acquire 100% of RBS Factoring GmbH, RBS’s factoring and invoice financing business in Germany, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approval. 29 Mar 2010 10:13:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=392&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FCBD6A6A-0E22-418C-9DE0-08F52FB073A6 Specialist business finance provider Bibby Financial Services has announced a multi-million pound offering to support small businesses in the UK. 29 Mar 2010 10:12:31 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=391&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F2F4E53C-8660-4717-A4C8-CF9FC5F9D44C John Shulman and Bob Crumbley have teamed up to create a new factoring company proposing solutions to small businesses. 26 Mar 2010 10:05:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=389&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4C6AAF2A-1458-4C92-81A9-FA12FE9E930A Research from Bank of Cyprus UK, the SME-focused lender, shows that 42% of British SMEs still believe their bank to be open, helpful and responsive despite the events that have hit the banking sector over the past year. 26 Mar 2010 10:05:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=388&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B17752DF-CE1E-466C-9AD0-E6636A026D74 In response to the budget announcement that £94bn of proposed business lending will come through the state owned banks, Peter Ewen, managing director, Venture Finance PLC, commented: 25 Mar 2010 09:40:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=386&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 13208994-2100-4C8A-8247-763259BE7FD1 Commenting on the creation of the Growth Capital Fund, which was announced by the chancellor in his budget, Steve Pateman, head of UK corporate and commercial banking at Santander said: 25 Mar 2010 09:39:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=387&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AE3D0F2C-5131-42B8-873F-830CC6CC77D5 According to the latest reading on the London Chamber BPI, UK business cost inflation was -0.5% in the year to February. The figure for the London region was also -0.5%. 24 Mar 2010 09:42:41 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=385&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B67F7F5C-E3CA-4FF6-AE42-98C5E89EBBA4 BBA statistics director, David Dooks said: “Larger companies have accessed capital markets recently for alternative funding and with company demand elsewhere being generally muted, weaker business lending by banks is the outcome. Availability of lending for SMEs, however, is reflected in a continued high approval rate for loan applications. 24 Mar 2010 09:42:20 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=384&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 62C498B3-0F33-4054-9356-DA0E1153B491 The latest Insolvency Index from Experian, the information services company, has revealed a year-on-year fall in business insolvencies during February. 23 Mar 2010 09:48:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=383&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1DA2FE35-B9AB-4E10-B870-00215DC467A6 In its budget submission, the Forum of Private Business argues that a complete rethink of workplace legislation is needed in order to allow smaller companies to lead the country out of recession. 23 Mar 2010 09:48:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=382&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D8D1E64C-4114-47BD-85B7-1A8CB9828ECA The recovery in the UK economy is expected to remain sluggish during 2010, and will not pick up much pace until the middle of next year, the CBI said. 22 Mar 2010 10:06:10 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=381&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 053B1201-EE3A-421C-8764-BB4FA0A466BA Alan Downey, KPMG's UK head of public sector commented on the need for a strategic transformation of the public sector in order to tackle the budget deficit: 22 Mar 2010 10:05:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=380&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 52024E25-D8CA-4962-9986-D0DAD88652FE UK businesses will prioritise reliable service ahead of best price when choosing a funding provider during the recovery, according to an industry think tank hosted by invoice and asset-based lender Venture Finance. 19 Mar 2010 09:28:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=379&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9E2E0552-E4EE-4ABE-8951-A52B38BEA58F Local businesses have doubled the amount of outstanding debt they are writing off, in a sign that many firms are cutting their losses on overdue payments, according to the 2009/10 Barclays Business Late Payments survey. The survey also reveals that on any given day around £9bn is owed to UK SMEs. 19 Mar 2010 09:27:35 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=378&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ACC6DCB7-F00D-4689-99DF-84C3BAC24476 "Banks support the need for reform and will continue to work with the regulator to improve regulation and strengthen the financial system in the UK." 18 Mar 2010 09:43:33 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=377&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A1C9E91D-B1CE-4446-B6E9-CFD9D2C593DA Contrary to current thinking, access to credit and funding does not rank as one of the top problems faced by London’s SMEs at the moment, according to Business Link’s Business Confidence Index. 18 Mar 2010 09:42:59 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=376&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 67C0C0F7-51E9-4D0A-B388-0683209BDB2C Following on from a successful 2009 which saw global new business increase by 24%, Bibby Financial Services, the independent business finance provider, announced a commitment to further expand its presence in Asia-Pacific with the appointment of Ian Watson as chief executive in the region 17 Mar 2010 09:14:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=375&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 568EC204-B03F-45EE-A510-0D6C76BD9A7D The Forum of Private Business is urging local councils to use the £50m awarded by the government's Local Authority Business Growth Incentives (LABGI) scheme to provide additional hardship relief for small firms. 17 Mar 2010 09:13:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=374&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0403DB14-5DFD-4052-ACFE-7227F8B2CF07 A family-run Welsh bakery, which makes traditional cakes and bread, is set to boost turnover by 50% this year after securing an asset-based lending (ABL) facility from Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance. 16 Mar 2010 12:44:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=373&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A2F4A33F-5457-4BEA-8331-8EE831E7D0DD Information services company Experian, has partnered with HypoVereinsbank (HVB), one of the largest commercial banks in Germany, to provide the bank and its corporate customers with a data validation and conversion service to aid compliance with the latest SEPA (Single Euro Payment Area) standards. HVB is part of the UniCredit Group. 16 Mar 2010 12:43:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=372&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DB49F6F5-DE0F-45CF-BE28-8C988C11D5F1 Signs of a prosperous recovery are set to become enhanced as businesses in the UK confirm they are expecting growth of 234% over the next two years. 15 Mar 2010 10:14:56 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=371&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 653F69A3-69BE-470F-B2F4-AFF3BE388589 2009 was the worst year that the used car industry has seen since 2000, according to the latest data from Experian, the global information services company. 15 Mar 2010 10:14:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=370&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CFCCEF80-BF19-4048-9F60-0A271F2D7B80 Businesses across England and Wales are being urged to take action now to minimise the impact of increased business property rates, which come into effect next month on 1 April. 12 Mar 2010 10:25:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=369&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2F8E91C7-0F95-4873-9C3D-DB5B19D1FCE0 House purchase loans fell by more than three times the decline in remortgages in January, according to data released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 12 Mar 2010 10:24:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=368&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BCC2D94A-DB45-4D45-99FB-C1180D48B96D David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), commenting on the manufacturing output figures for January 2010, said... 11 Mar 2010 10:15:32 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=367&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2F503AFB-F213-4553-98BA-B5D18B93D762 The rate of business insolvencies for the automotive industry in January 2010 was 44.15% lower than January 2009... 11 Mar 2010 10:15:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=366&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ABC91968-1EC3-4CD6-8BD3-C3B7DDE819D6 Barclays has become the first bank in Europe to launch commercial contactless debit cards to its business customers. 10 Mar 2010 09:02:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=365&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8867E3F4-270B-46C8-AB60-86E57D40BC93 Small businesses are being urged to be wary of cowboy rating surveyors attempting to profiteer from the recent rates revaluation. 10 Mar 2010 09:02:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=364&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8EB264EF-2357-4146-920C-2EFCC9951FE9 The majority of landlords support stronger regulation of buy-to-let mortgages and advice, according to a survey conducted by LSL Property Services plc, which owns the UK's largest lettings agent network, including national chains Your Move and Reeds Rains. 9 Mar 2010 10:24:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=362&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BB856E84-EC35-4F6C-89CA-53D7B99BC582 Côte d’Opale Développement, the business development agency for the coastal region of the Pas-de-Calais, has launched a major initiative to woo London-area businesses to establish links in the area. 9 Mar 2010 10:23:35 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=361&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 15EF6D60-C631-47E7-9C40-533FC10114C7 One in five SMEs who have been refused funding do not know why their bank rejected their loan application, according to research carried out by commercial credit reference agency Graydon UK and business support organisation the Forum of Private Business (FPB). 8 Mar 2010 11:06:15 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=360&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2EB64E9C-BFCB-40DB-8F4E-1A0D5B4E69EF Ahead of the chancellor’s budget, expected this month, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published its latest Economic Forecast. 8 Mar 2010 11:05:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=359&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 82D78F89-C707-43D8-88ED-2A7EE64AA622 Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist, said: "House prices fell by 1.5% in February, the first decline since June 2009 following seven consecutive monthly increases." 5 Mar 2010 09:25:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=358&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 99A0D698-EF5F-4F2B-A53B-F7F5EF7A55D4 The Royal Garden Hotel Kensington was the venue for the 2010 ceremony, chaired by Maurice Craft and hosted by Martin Bayfield, England and British Lyons rugby union star, who gave a hilarious performance, students and lecturers alike awaited the outcome as they enjoyed an excellent meal. 5 Mar 2010 09:28:16 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=357&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 757C47F5-346A-4A20-8059-894C7BD047C8 Firms operating in the UK’s service sector saw volumes of business stabilise in the last three months, according to the latest CBI Service Sector Survey. 4 Mar 2010 10:26:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=356&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B55D9697-25C9-4029-B699-2796708A1938 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has discovered that the flat rate VAT charged by HMRC to the smallest of businesses has risen to a higher level and the FSB has urged the government to review the issue in its budget submission to the chancellor this week. 4 Mar 2010 10:25:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=355&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9DB4E5A2-147A-4267-8CD9-58F5DDB363CC The Commercial First Partnership (CFP) – a national group of commercial finance professionals formed in 2009 by Commercial First Mortgages – has announced a new capital allowances service. 3 Mar 2010 09:56:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=354&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F695C73F-9C38-4805-952D-6DA464B66741 Small firms are being warned that they have less than a month left if they want to contest their business rates over the past five years. 3 Mar 2010 09:56:17 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=353&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 749B9ECE-083A-4EDC-82D8-469FFE5459C2 The UK manufacturing sector continued its solid recovery in February. 2 Mar 2010 10:20:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=352&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7586F2C7-ED1C-422D-9F46-2EB7F6B29ADC The UK’s leading business groups have formed a unique coalition promoting an internet petition that calls for the 1% employer National Insurance contributions increase - planned for April 2011 - to be scrapped. 2 Mar 2010 10:20:27 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=351&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 079B3318-77CC-4E82-977B-F7B0C7669D12 The headline GDP growth rate for the last quarter of 2009 has been revised up to 0.3% from the preliminary estimate of 0.1% made last month. 1 Mar 2010 09:49:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=350&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ECF3CE70-6613-4C8A-8920-6523D2CE830F The US and Japan are set to see the biggest rise in distressed sales in the first quarter of 2010, says the latest RICS research. 1 Mar 2010 09:49:08 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=349&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 EE8D91BE-A901-4A16-A932-F60EB6C328D8 Richard Lowe, head of retail and wholesale, Barclays said: “February has defied expectations with a return to positive growth in the retail sector. 26 Feb 2010 09:51:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=348&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3B967E4F-B822-40F1-851C-4E7581453BF7 UK businesses improved their payment performance for the fifth time in the last six months in January, according to the latest Late Payment Index from information services company Experian. 26 Feb 2010 09:50:58 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=347&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8C8F08B1-E983-4EE9-AE6E-BC77D188521E The following is a statement from Tracy Ewen, managing director, IGF Group: 26 Feb 2010 09:50:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=346&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 28A22E4F-CD9A-4B35-A6FB-10681E46304D The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has hit out at the European Parliament’s plans to introduce full pay for the first 20 weeks of maternity leave. 25 Feb 2010 09:28:49 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=345&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E4684C9C-5952-4C6A-93CE-6DE4B37DA127 Regional Building Society, Cumberland, has gone-live with Albany ePAY from Albany Software. 25 Feb 2010 09:28:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=344&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 32561FB1-7EF3-4BF0-890D-F25B8F3C8810 Mortgage lending in January was relatively weak, showing a reaction to the inflated December market and the adverse weather conditions which impacted on activity. 24 Feb 2010 09:30:56 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=343&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5FA9FB1F-066B-48C9-8AC6-75BF84B8E278 The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has welcomed the publication by the Treasury of a draft tax framework for business, but said the real test will be whether the principles are applied in practice. 24 Feb 2010 09:30:32 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=342&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 17D4025A-4F85-4292-981D-4F8B6D897542 Skipton Business Finance (SBF) confirmed that it had been selected to join the exclusive panel of approved lenders in the EFG Scheme. 23 Feb 2010 09:34:58 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=341&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F467544F-BA04-4952-BF1A-3171C1789E3A Legislators need to think smallest first in order to safeguard the future of Britain’s small firms, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB). 23 Feb 2010 09:34:34 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=340&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0CED3A96-BDD4-46F5-A912-4DBA759E2FF5 The latest Insolvency Index from information services company Experian, reveals a positive picture in January, with the rate of business failures falling to its lowest point since June 2007. 22 Feb 2010 10:04:37 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=339&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 69C86625-60C3-4C89-A478-D2AA91257437 Small businesses across the UK were given a boost recently, as the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) announced it would provide over £700m of funding to nearly 3,000 small firms through participating national banks. 22 Feb 2010 10:04:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=338&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 99C02123-52A9-4795-B7A2-1CC99A291DEA Growth in UK manufacturing production is expected to pick up slightly over the next three months with firms the most positive about output for almost two years, according to the CBI. But the business group warned that prospects for the sector remain muted, as overall demand remains weak. 19 Feb 2010 09:22:31 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=337&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 995871FF-BB8D-4E18-894C-F62517122EEF Gross mortgage lending declined to an estimated £9.1bn in January, a 32% fall from £13.4bn in December and a 21% fall from £11.5bn in January 2009, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 19 Feb 2010 09:22:08 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=336&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B99C1105-3B80-45A6-B9C6-0C3E782CD1ED Farmland prices rose in the second half of 2009 as land once again became an attractive investment, and landowners' reluctance to sell pushed supply to exceptionally low levels, says the latest RICS rural market survey. 18 Feb 2010 09:01:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=335&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 41373B96-5822-423F-AFCE-DC0B380B495B Garanti Factoring closed the year 2009 with a significant increase of 42% in earnings and achieved a net profit of 10m TL as of the year end. 18 Feb 2010 09:00:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=334&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A6E7894D-18C9-434D-B98C-1C5EEF30C549 The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) has launched an invoice finance presentation which provides an insight into the workings of the different types of funding available to businesses from the asset-based finance industry. 17 Feb 2010 12:30:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=333&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 100503BD-F7E2-4852-9D54-17F122C1CCE2 Managing director of Venture Finance plc, Peter Ewen commented on the news that RBS is calling for its lending commitments to be lowered for 2010. 17 Feb 2010 12:29:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=332&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7C8B2D5E-40E7-45DB-925D-9DE83B720532 United Auctions (UA) and Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance have launched a new credit line to help farmers buy cattle more easily. 16 Feb 2010 09:08:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=331&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1F7AE508-C144-421D-8C08-C1DAB4E237CE Britain's turnaround and recovery management professionals are urging all three parties to tread carefully over the ending of time to pay arrangements after the general election, or run the risk of sparking a new surge of insolvencies. 16 Feb 2010 09:08:01 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=330&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7C7549AC-41AE-496F-B535-C76B6167DF3E A VAT tribunal victory by the British Airports Authority should help thousands of companies claim back VAT on the costs of buying and selling subsidiaries. 15 Feb 2010 10:16:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=329&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 726DE995-FB0B-4FE0-AFAF-2DAC85097475 While the political parties continue to squabble over the urgency and severity of spending cuts to bring down the UK’s ballooning budget deficit, British business has sent politicians a clear message 15 Feb 2010 10:15:17 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=328&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AAEADD4A-75F5-4832-BDAB-469551F19CD3 Alternative sources of finance may be the answer to the credit crisis engulfing small firms, according to a small business support group. 12 Feb 2010 10:06:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=327&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D955E9A2-6446-4623-A71A-D5146CBDE634 Santander Corporate banking has established a new regional corporate banking centre to support businesses in the Thames Valley region. 12 Feb 2010 10:05:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=326&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F7054A1C-B607-4A91-929A-7EE4B09CE824 Situated in Sutton Weaver, Cheshire, First Capital Factors has opened its doors for business today. 11 Feb 2010 15:33:25 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=325&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 933C1751-3895-4B9C-97F8-265A977EE9EA The Bank of England has predicted that inflation will rise above 3% in the coming weeks in its Quarterly Inflation Report, the news will concern many experts as they continue to pore over the raft of economic data in an effort to get a clear picture of what is happening. 11 Feb 2010 11:31:13 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=324&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 74DCDFB4-88FC-4858-BA13-BE86BB510182 Orders in the three months to December 2009 were unchanged compared with the previous three month period. 11 Feb 2010 11:28:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=323&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FDE0A96C-A099-4594-8D81-891D46147E5A New research from international legal practice, DLA Piper and Hawkpoint, the independent corporate finance advisory firm, has found that the largest players in the lending community overwhelmingly expect activity in the European acquisition finance market to increase on 2009 levels. 10 Feb 2010 12:04:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=322&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F9D89CF5-BE96-4F40-B448-D49FBDCF37C1 UK retail sales values fell 0.7% on a like-for-like basis from January 2009, when sales had risen 1.1%. On a total basis, sales rose 1.2% against a 3.2% increase in January 2009. 10 Feb 2010 12:04:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=321&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F0F63F8A-FECF-4D59-A8F8-659F0F20E097 Conventional bank loans, often seen as the traditional option for raising business finance, are being ignored by small and medium-sized businesses due to worries about restrictive eligibility criteria and the wide range of other finance options available. 9 Feb 2010 09:59:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=320&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 54B1279C-31D3-467F-B68B-707CA0DB4AAF Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed the UK’s seasonally adjusted deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.3bn in December, compared with the deficit of £2.9bn in November. 9 Feb 2010 09:58:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=319&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DA4F00F7-F806-47D7-A41D-920BE3BB5D0C Decisive backing for the chartered banker qualification as the most trusted hallmark of financial competence comes from leaders of Britain’s smaller businesses – often defined as the backbone of our enterprise economy. 8 Feb 2010 10:52:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=318&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DC7F30B6-DB96-417F-A40B-F99FF4C99083 Burdale Financial Limited, a member of Bank of Ireland Group, has completed a £15m senior secured asset-based lending (ABL) facility for The Book People (the company), one of the nation’s largest independent suppliers of top quality books. The facility is to support the company's current and future working capital requirements. 8 Feb 2010 10:51:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=317&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CF50771F-3566-4E35-B33E-3C7244467A7B Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance has launched a service to help SMEs guard against bad debts. 5 Feb 2010 09:53:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=316&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8E8CA51E-DB33-47CF-A73E-71504BA24230 Government and its agencies are still paying small businesses late despite making commitments over a year ago to pay within 10 days, the FSB-ICM Voice of Small Business annual survey report shows. 5 Feb 2010 09:52:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=315&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 25429462-D5F5-430E-90C1-5E8FF59AFCEE Although the UK property market showed signs of a recovery towards the end of 2009, it is still too soon to expect that recovery to continue in 2010, according to the latest edition of the Commercial Real Estate Review by accountants and business advisers BDO. 4 Feb 2010 09:34:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=314&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B7F0A29B-9836-459F-9B8B-1325632B7C98 UK service sector growth stalled at the start of 2010 as snow-related disruptions undermined activity and new business. Rates of expansion of both variables were the slowest for five months, while there was a further (albeit modest) decline in employment. 4 Feb 2010 09:33:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=313&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B42AE8E2-23A1-4AB9-AFB0-1B1407AEDFD2 SME Invoice Finance, leading specialist invoice discounting company for smaller businesses, is delighted to announce its 10th Anniversary of delivering much needed finance to the owner managed business community. 3 Feb 2010 09:55:56 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=312&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ABBE1103-46F6-4920-951E-90F003017A55 As the fall-out of the recession continues to impact on the UK’s SME population, a report by the Centre for Risk and Insurance Studies at Nottingham University Business School, commissioned by Premierline Direct, reveals the greatest threats facing the future of the UK’s SME population and how business insurance may need to adapt to a changing business landscape. 3 Feb 2010 09:55:28 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=311&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 751785DE-9197-43E4-B27E-CEAB5E8B8605 London-based corporate recovery specialists RSM Bentley Jennison & Co LLP has rebranded to become Moorfields Corporate Recovery LLP. 2 Feb 2010 10:05:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=310&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 36041BB1-8E45-4AEF-AB29-EF761555DF1B January data from CIPS/Markit signalled that the UK manufacturing sector built on its solid end to 2009. 2 Feb 2010 10:05:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=309&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C8E6B00A-9C08-4A6F-8E5D-44A4614F5B67 Small and medium-sized manufacturers are starting to benefit from the relative weakness of Sterling, with overseas orders stabilising after seven quarters of decline, according to the CBI. 1 Feb 2010 09:49:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=308&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 36F549F4-9937-44C0-A770-A2FECD17DB2F A poll carried out by the FPB found that more than two thirds of SME owners believe the tax burden placed on them is unfair – and over half think the tax system favours big companies. 1 Jan 2010 09:48:37 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=307&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 56FE95C5-5989-425B-A9FD-BF0F66CE0388 Santander has launched a new microsite to help businesses to understand the support available to them from the bank. 29 Jan 2010 09:25:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=306&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AD6971BC-0238-4E79-A9DE-86728D82BFD4 The UK high street reported a slight fall in year-on-year sales in early January, disappointing retailers' predictions and ending a three-month run of sales growth, the CBI said. 29 Jan 2010 09:24:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=305&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E05693A3-8956-47A2-9AE4-4BC5A4FD1273 Mortgage lending strengthened slightly in December, with gross lending inflated by some borrowers pushing through purchases ahead of the end of stamp duty relief. 28 Jan 2010 09:34:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=304&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AB2C0797-3D80-4501-8395-D8DF87B07FFE Alan Downey, head of public sector at KPMG commented on the fact that the UK economy has come out of recession: "It is clearly good news that the UK economy has finally emerged from recession - albeit only just. 28 Jan 2010 09:33:29 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=303&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 85C26D72-0F09-4519-8C94-5BA4E2BB8A8C At the end of 2009 UK businesses had significantly improved the time it takes them to settle their bills, according to the latest Late Payment Index from Experian. 25 Jan 2010 09:01:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=298&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FC56EC48-8293-4D6E-A667-0AA0A631FE33 Manufacturing production rose for the first time in two years, as overseas demand for UK-made goods increased and stock reductions eased, the CBI said. 25 Jan 2010 09:01:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=297&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2FF9B8ED-A1EE-4FDB-9AB3-AFEEC862390B Barclays has announced the provision of a £350m receivables facility for the Carphone Warehouse Group, which will provide working capital funding for the group. 22 Jan 2010 09:48:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=296&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ED545691-4C8A-4572-BCA3-C3345109EAA5 The level of jargon present within the invoice finance industry is actively damaging its potential at one of the most important moments in its evolution, according to Venture Finance. 22 Jan 2010 09:47:41 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=295&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 40507441-7594-4A46-8535-8EAD06B36F5A Labour and the Conservatives have set out their family-friendly policies, prompting a comment from Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). 21 Jan 2010 09:28:19 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=294&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 543A2589-C20D-478D-BD6D-E14D98B9A28A Small businesses in the UK may not yet be aware of a number of important changes to the European Union VAT system which took effect from 1 January 2010, stated Quentin Pain, founder of accounting software company, Accountz. 21 Jan 2010 09:27:59 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=293&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2F00A37B-33D3-4B23-8CFF-0416E30583C0 Business confidence slipped last month, but is still at a sharply higher level than at this time last year, according to the latest Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets Business Barometer. 20 Jan 2010 10:28:17 GMT BDE9EF8B-1A39-4547-8F9F-CA8C65F88F33 With new research showing that the UK economic recovery depends on increasing exports, HSBC Commercial Banking is prompting businesses looking for overseas growth to contact its growing number of relationship managers dedicated to international business. 20 Jan 2010 10:27:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=291&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D3CBA1C4-D343-49C4-80B6-1CEC71BC3D75 New research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) reveals that upcoming employment regulations and taxes will cost UK businesses a staggering £25.6bn over the next four years, which could adversely impact on future job creation. 19 Jan 2010 09:41:20 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=290&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DB11F131-C217-461B-BAEF-5EDA32AFBD03 A survey of some of Britain’s most influential entrepreneurs has suggested many regard Whitehall as overbearing and bureaucratic and lacking the initiatives to help wealth-creators drive growth in the economy. 19 Jan 2010 09:40:58 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=289&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2FB6BB47-8263-406F-8214-34E58649E130 KPMG's annual Global M&A Predictor, which forecasts corporate deal-making activity and appetite through analysis of key market metrics and analyst statements, has found that, after revisions of over-optimistic earnings expectations in 2009, the M&A market globally and in the UK looks re-set for growth in 2010. 18 Jan 2010 10:30:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=288&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1750558D-90C5-46D1-BA89-42BFC2AE080F Research findings from commercial credit reference agency Graydon UK reveal that government departments are continuing to fail to deliver on the pledge by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to ease the cashflow problems faced by SMEs through the payment of trade invoices within 10 days. 18 Jan 2010 10:30:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=287&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6A07FDAB-804B-4ECC-AA50-2C23663AF2FC The British Bankers’ Association said: "The UK and US governments both provided support to their financial systems but how they did it - and the price banks paid for it - differed widely. 15 Jan 2010 09:52:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=286&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 33C7B90D-BD58-439D-BD4F-E14459CA383C Few accountants are advising recession-hit small businesses seeking finance to produce management accounts, according to new research from the Forum of Private Business (FPB), commissioned by CreditPal, the free online accounts analysis system for SMEs. 15 Jan 2010 09:52:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=285&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5A7A1D64-569E-4F48-96F7-18A2D371A050 iSOFT Group, a leading global healthcare IT provider, has agreed a £120m refinancing supported by Clydesdale Bank. 14 Jan 2010 09:14:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=283&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 325BC970-02D5-44AD-BC74-735A7655E859 The ninth annual Business Money Commercial Finance Dinner will be taking place at the Thistle Marble Arch on Thursday 11 February 2010. 14 Jan 2010 09:14:13 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=284&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FB17E2C8-A7B5-4207-A860-820AE694E455 There was £573mn of new structured-term lending to small businesses in November, following on from £592mn in October. Total lending stocks stand at £55.6bn, while deposit levels are at £54.5bn. 13 Jan 2010 09:46:42 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=282&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 44B8C5A9-24E2-47C6-A7E3-658BFA802D0F Commenting on the November trade figures published today by the ONS, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Although these figures show a welcome improvement in UK exports, it is clear that the much-needed rebalancing of the UK economy is not proceeding quickly enough. 13 Jan 2010 09:46:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=281&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5D90D2D9-E2A4-41C8-8627-C06FDAB9C65F House prices in December rose at slower pace as the gap between supply and demand narrowed, says the new RICS UK Housing Market survey. 12 Jan 2010 09:47:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=280&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7E13B51E-FD79-4012-BC71-6AEF5CE3A556 New data from the Continental Research Business Omnibus shows Britain's SMEs are continuing to regain confidence in their own trading prospects. However, optimism in the overall economy waned in the last quarter of 2009 suggesting that SMEs feel the recession is not yet over. 12 Jan 2010 09:46:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=279&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E2E0C022-B9DB-4A27-A9F7-0D54AB78B1EB Reported fraud in the UK exploded in 2009 and broke the £2bn barrier for the first time according to new research from accountants and business advisers BDO LLP. 11 Jan 2010 11:18:35 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=278&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9A01C29E-BA8D-446B-A2AF-EBBF17ADC85B According to the latest CBRE Monthly Index, commercial property ended 2009 on an exceptionally strong note, with total returns of 3.9% for December. 11 Jan 2010 11:18:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=277&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9AE91CB0-7BF4-4CEB-B153-BAB453C5E08C South east insolvency experts Bridge Business Recovery have begun the process of realising the assets of civil engineers M Holleran Ltd and related plant hire company Oranmore Plant Ltd, after the companies were placed into administration late last month. 8 Jan 2010 09:55:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=276&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 08A86370-FC72-4E55-B05B-8D9E0AC16495 Commenting on the latest government economic growth strategy, David Frost, director general at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 8 Jan 2010 09:55:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=275&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 95D52F7F-497C-4F2F-84F3-F7C0FCD1ACCF The latest Insolvency Index from information services company Experian, has revealed a positive picture in November, as the number of failing businesses continued to fall and the financial strength of businesses improved. 22 Dec 2009 09:47:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=266&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2B873E1F-C4F2-4612-84A5-F050A335CCCD Chris Woodland, head of telecoms strategy at KPMG commented on the 2010 outlook for the telecom sector: "2010 will see fixed, mobile and cable operators all searching for new ways to grow revenue from both enterprise and consumers. 22 Dec 2009 09:46:32 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=265&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 35D20B90-C3E8-4508-8442-EDFACA34159D Exports of fairy lights are up, over two million tonnes of festive articles such as crackers and party hats have been sent abroad, and a staggering 306 million bottles of whisky have been sold overseas by UK firms exporting Christmas cheer. 21 Dec 2009 10:08:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=264&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4ADE614F-6AE5-41A8-80E4-DADB8C916E38 The UK economy is expected to exit the recession in the fourth quarter of 2009, but thereafter growth will remain subdued and GDP is unlikely to have reached pre-recession levels by the end of 2011, the CBI said. 21 Dec 2009 10:07:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=263&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 34BA4438-4D21-4C75-86A0-2C72F415BE0A Barclays has today released £150m in new funding for UK SMEs through the European Investment Bank (EIB) Loan Support Scheme, which includes a 2.5% upfront cashback payment when the loan is drawn. 18 Dec 2009 10:01:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=262&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E23F0F1F-4542-4773-8800-46BA94C10D09 Retailers enjoyed a third consecutive month of sales growth in the early build up to Christmas, but are predicting flat sales in the new year, according to the CBI. 18 Dec 2009 10:00:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=261&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 512573E9-3F4F-4B25-AE4C-CFE11298BC4D Insolvency experts Bridge Business Recovery have begun the task of finding a suitable buyer for the Altala Group Ltd... 17 Dec 2009 09:00:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=260&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 64A8DC5A-4C18-4C2B-BB40-560847E99A33 The latest mortgage statistics from the FSA show that the proportion of mortgages with arrears of more than 1.5% of the balance have decreased slightly ... 17 Dec 2009 09:00:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=259&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D2DBD823-F2BB-4295-BA97-C08049BF24EC 2009 saw a colossal increase in the value of foreign debt being chased by UK exporters. 16 Dec 2009 09:24:03 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=258&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 93FE83CC-0F83-4B56-955E-1E60802EF7FE Commenting on the November inflation figures, published by the ONS, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:... 16 Dec 2009 09:23:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=257&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C2B93140-FB66-4E43-BF50-65BCADB00910 The rules which now govern high street banking have become clearer with the publication of new guidance to financial firms. 15 Dec 2009 09:41:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=256&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 68E914F4-14E5-422E-8D4C-76F745508270 Shoppers are expected to shun the economic downturn in favour of festive cheer this December with record amounts set to be spent on the UK’s high streets. 15 Dec 2009 09:41:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=255&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BFBBB969-509C-46CB-AF7A-BCA7BDE59ECD Commenting on the extension of HMRC’s time to pay scheme, which gives businesses in distress breathing space in making tax payments, Richard Fleming, UK head of restructuring at KPMG, said:... 10 Dec 2009 09:54:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=250&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3C50EF1B-9B84-4219-80F1-D17D65317AE8 A small business support group has hit out at the hike in National Insurance Contributions announced as part of the pre-budget report. 10 Dec 2009 09:33:23 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=249&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 15F92DE5-231B-42B6-BCB6-34E6462C7A02 Following the release of the latest ONS UK Trade Statistics, Iain MacDonald, head of trade product, Barclays said: 10 Dec 2009 09:32:32 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=248&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 82F457FC-F81C-4961-A431-7297431AF75B The boards of Tenon Group PLC and RSM Bentley Jennison, two accountancy firms, are to merge creating a significant force in financial management. 9 Dec 2009 10:35:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=247&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 389468D9-965F-4CC5-94BA-159C883E4716 Santander Corporate Banking has become a member of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Advisory Network, a network that helps government and private sector organisations to work closely together to better assist trade and investment. 9 Dec 2009 10:35:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=246&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E8573304-0429-4D7C-BD6E-639A3EABE40D Technology is the critical focus area for financiers for 2010, according to a new independent research study commissioned by Vision Critical, software provider to the commercial finance industry. 8 Dec 2009 11:51:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=245&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8C5F1F0F-6402-4A12-92B3-18CB6CD904DD "House prices increased by 1.4% in November. This was the fifth successive monthly rise with prices more than 4% higher over the first eleven months of the year," said Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist 8 Dec 2009 11:50:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=244&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9235D89E-5B7C-4684-84BC-F93627FDFA51 Ahead of the chancellor’s pre-budget report, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published its latest economic forecast. 7 Dec 2009 10:58:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=242&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 78BA042B-3456-4BDD-917E-DC7AA9DDA3EA Final salary pension deficits are making it much harder for recession-hit firms to restructure themselves in preparation for an economic recovery, the CBI and Watson Wyatt warned. 7 Dec 2009 10:57:16 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=243&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DB295D17-D552-4DF0-8561-FC9602ACE396 The UK service sector continued to expand during November, highlighting its ongoing recovery following the unprecedented declines recorded around the same period last year according to the latest CIPS/Markit UK Services PMI. 4 Dec 2009 10:47:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=240&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D172BE22-94BB-4501-A54F-8C68E9F72F29 The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling for bank lending to be made more accessible and affordable following a report identifying a permanent gap in small business finance. 4 Dec 2009 10:47:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=241&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 2763CA95-C13A-4145-AD96-959B04A588FD Independent invoice finance company Ashley Commercial Finance, has announced a pre-tax profit of £1,021,822 for the year ended 31 March 2009. 3 Dec 2009 09:50:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=239&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D4006BFA-96D8-4DDA-80C4-2302D2069BDB January is all about making resolutions and getting the decks clear to make a good start to the year. 3 Dec 2009 09:49:53 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=238&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7D5FE071-3DAA-4E2D-B40B-26D678E19264 The boards of Yorkshire Building Society and Chelsea Building Society have agreed to merge, creating a second major force in the building society sector. 2 Dec 2009 09:44:34 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=237&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E9DD3F39-4C9F-4336-BAE0-BDB1481B9E15 Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 0.2 % in the year to October 2009, a positive rate for the first time since May 2009. Month-on-month, prices increased by 0.1% in October, after remaining stable in September 2009. 2 Dec 2009 09:44:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=236&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 770A4325-3B3B-48C9-91CA-E78DF4B15A7E NatWest and RBS are to increase support for their 1.2m business customers with the introduction of a new SME customer charter. 1 Dec 2009 12:23:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=235&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 197F69C6-2DB7-4D8E-8837-5DE78FE1739F November data from CIPS/Markit indicated that the recovery in the UK manufacturing sector continued. 1 Dec 2009 12:23:16 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=234&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7A46B234-15FE-47C8-A420-210075F9D20A British Banking Association CEO Angela Knight has warned Whitehall and Brussels not to rush new regulations for the banking industry. 30 Nov 2009 10:17:01 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=233&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 65E319C9-0CEC-49E8-943E-42827EEA8356 According to an independent survey commissioned by Centric Commercial Finance 65% of corporate financial advisers have stated that the the banks are not lending. 30 Nov 2009 10:16:15 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=232&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7FAAECF9-A95D-4D1C-B9BA-A5B0AEB4F537 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) announced today that the registration deadline for the New Disclosure Opportunity (NDO) would be extended from 30 November to 4 January 2010. 27 Nov 2009 11:14:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=230&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 57F4B0DF-6949-4575-B7AC-B05627A8D989 Retail sales grew at their fastest pace in two years, and the high street is expecting growth to pick up further in the run-up to Christmas, the CBI said. 27 Nov 2009 11:11:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=231&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3C851899-FCEE-4B81-99FD-B2CB2095D33A Not only has HMRC's stance on time-to-pay hardened considerably since the summer, it appears that a parallel strategy of prevention has been adopted to make the escalation of VAT and PAYE/NI substantially more difficult in the future. 26 Nov 2009 09:26:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=229&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 41CDFF1D-89EA-4F5C-BE32-4C8746FA3A26 Commenting on the revised GDP figures for Q3 2009, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Although broadly expected, these figures are disappointing and indicate that the UK was still in recession in Q3. 26 Nov 2009 09:25:33 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=228&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 02427614-1501-4C12-BC8B-8102D8FCCFA9 Ahead of the expected decision of the newly-formed Supreme Court to allow unfair bank charges to be investigated, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling for protection for all small businesses as well as consumers. 25 Nov 2009 10:35:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=226&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AED07E04-48C1-4812-BF30-A9E4E610A003 The recession has raised concerns about commercial models, supply chains and finance that will reshape business behaviour well into the next decade, the CBI said. 25 Nov 2009 10:34:38 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=225&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F37800C9-58AD-43A7-8ED3-72641AE7F5A4 Absolute Invoice Finance managing director, Doug Crawford has resigned. In a telephone conversation with Robert Lefroy, editor Business Money, Doug said: 18 Nov 2009 10:58:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=215&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9A7D04DB-CF7B-44F6-BAB7-37ECABA77926 Commenting on the October inflation figures, published by the Office for National Statistics, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “These figures are closely in line with the Bank of England’s recent forecast that inflation will accelerate sharply in the next few months, possibly reaching 3%, before falling again later next year. 18 Nov 2009 10:21:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=214&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 28547970-154D-4B99-89B9-F6DFA43798DB Since the start of the recession, there have been falls in the number of jobs, resulting in lower employment, increases in redundancies and increases in unemployment, according an ONS article 18 Nov 2009 10:20:42 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=213&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3BB1FEA9-3EB7-4235-80A5-A2FFC154CD40 New research released by Abbey and Alliance & Leicester Business Banking reveals that small business owners are working longer hours in the face of the current economic downturn. One in three (34%) small business owners say that they are now working longer hours than they were just one year ago. 17 Nov 2009 09:36:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=212&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ACB34B9B-7E3D-4264-A790-7876269DE8D9 Leading UK pub and restaurant groups saw a healthy +2.8% increase in like-for-like sales in October. It was the largest monthly increase since Easter. The figures come from the monthly Coffer Peach Business Tracker, which monitors performance across the sector. 17 Nov 2009 09:36:14 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=211&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 7441638E-018B-4935-AA3C-B5F0F359F544 Customers of leading trade credit insurer Atradius will now benefit from the addition of Atradius Buyer Ratings, a bespoke tool developed to help them to accurately assess both risks and opportunities within their buyer portfolio 17 Nov 2009 08:58:40 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=210&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6053CE4E-A463-474D-8779-DCE29456335D Gross lending in the buy-to-let mortgage market grew in the third quarter for the first time in two years, according to the latest data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). 13 Nov 2009 11:58:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=209&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 19840E7A-6DCC-4B6F-898C-164EE8558782 A probe into corporate insolvencies must address the problem of “phoenix” companies starting again under a different name leaving their smaller creditors unpaid, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is arguing. 13 Nov 2009 11:58:20 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=208&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3C80AC1F-7E6A-4B4C-B843-5AE76461767C The business of recovery is now a reality with many firms reporting increased confidence but unless businesses rethink their approach to funding and finance the road out of the recession could be rocky, according to a new report out from HSBC Commercial Banking. 12 Nov 2009 11:30:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=207&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 8091825A-20A6-4365-AB9D-A24EBA3F0F3A Any bid by HMRC to boost revenues and cut government borrowing by ending tax deferments will lead to a second wave of insolvencies and prolong the effects of recession, Britain's turnaround and recovery management specialists are warning. 12 Nov 2009 11:27:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=206&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5C709A0A-A4F7-4A45-8B00-345EDF262B43 The latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor shows UK retail sales values rose 3.8% on a like-for-like basis from October 2008, when sales had fallen 2.2%, due to turmoil in financial markets hitting consumer confidence. On a total basis, sales rose 5.9% against a 0.1% decline in October 2008. 11 Nov 2009 11:18:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=205&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E25EB861-59C0-4BE0-B8DF-FA57C5ECED1A The CBI has commented on Fitch Ratings’ warning that the UK’s sovereign credit rating is potentially most at risk of a downgrade among the top-rated nations. 11 Nov 2009 11:17:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=204&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 84F5DB5E-A48A-415F-9480-4F8E52C3F859 The maturities of banks' publicly traded debt (wholesale debt) have shortened in recent years, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service that looks at the trend in more than 25 banking systems. 10 Nov 2009 11:37:26 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=203&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 6E3B91DF-1984-4F3E-9F8C-56C8AF3EFD26 The Office for National Statistics GDP preliminary estimate reported a 0.4% fall in output for the third quarter. 10 Nov 2009 10:46:23 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=202&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9C8FF58C-0E47-4A59-BECD-69C00A3B78A0 Lloyds Banking Group has further underlined its support for UK businesses, with the launch of a new 2012 Charter, setting out a series of commitments to help small and medium-sized businesses grow as the recovery gains momentum. 10 Nov 2009 10:45:58 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=201&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DDF43E4F-83A1-4C8B-95A4-25EF1082F97D Invoice finance provider, Close Invoice Finance, has signed a three-year partnership agreement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). 9 Nov 2009 09:36:58 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=200&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4369B3F5-3514-4B75-88B2-1E0033E7A79C All construction workloads fell in the third quarter according to the latest RICS survey of the sector with the exception of the non-housing public works category which is providing an important crutch for the industry. 9 Nov 2009 09:36:37 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=199&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 99F74233-50E3-4886-929E-5C2D2F9A6028 Commenting on the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "We are pleased with the decision to increase the QE programme to £200bn, but disappointed that the MPC has not taken more specific measures aimed at stimulating bank lending to companies. 6 Nov 2009 10:17:27 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=198&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 B53024BB-FC79-43DE-97A1-C991DFA553A8 A significant proportion of small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK have reported an increase in the export side of their business, according to new research from independent invoice financier Bibby Financial Services. 6 Nov 2009 10:17:00 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=197&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 50AB4295-638C-49B1-81E5-8179A7C0964A Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in the third quarter of 2009, the seasonally adjusted chained volume index for the output of the production industries decreased by 0.8% compared with the previous quarter and was 10.5% lower than the third quarter of 2008. 6 Nov 2009 10:16:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=195&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BCCF74E7-C433-4603-A799-D7AFFAD2969E The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is helping small businesses cut adrift by the providers of credit card merchant services or struggling with the cost of processing card payments. 4 Nov 2009 10:31:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=194&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C17FDC4C-7F8B-4F15-8517-0DBEC509C5BD The recovery of the UK service sector gathered further momentum in October, with growth of activity and new business reaching their highest in over two years. 4 Nov 2009 10:31:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=193&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 531AF221-BDF1-463F-8AE2-84DB02564A8E The UK manufacturing sector started Q4 2009 on a solid footing, according to the latest data from CIPS and Markit. 3 Nov 2009 09:49:43 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=192&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A00448BE-D8F5-40F8-9CA4-B384831D2F75 The September lending data from the Bank of England shows a continuation of recent trends in the mortgage market. 3 Nov 2009 09:49:09 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=191&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D231CF82-8B62-4B9D-8A9B-EEAC96749E4F Demand for goods made by the UK’s small and medium-sized manufacturers remained depressed in the last three months, but firms expect order books to stabilise in the next quarter. 2 Nov 2009 09:39:38 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=190&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3A20C2D2-7BED-4B5F-87D8-75B249C61314 The latest RICS Global Property Survey is noticeably more upbeat than the second quarter report both in terms of the lettings environment and investment activity. 2 Nov 2009 09:38:53 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=189&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A3D3CECE-E86C-49B1-B7F3-DC3E1617AF7A Jones Day has been successful in one of the last cases to be heard in the House of Lords. 30 Oct 2009 10:47:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=188&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F145AA42-C683-46EF-82B6-A7826F580478 The Finance & Leasing Association has in its Pre-Budget Report submission to the chancellor called for government support for SMEs who invest in capital equipment through leasing. 30 Oct 2009 10:47:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=187&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 1E4782CC-83B2-4E15-B44E-279B2BBD5C76 Tony is chief executive of K2 Business Rescue, based in South Cambridgeshire, and is a past president of the Turnaround Management Association UK. 29 Oct 2009 09:17:36 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=186&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 3D312ACE-4645-46B0-B70F-F6C3DB0D9538 Spending on construction significantly benefits the UK economy, according to independent research by LEK Consulting, the international strategy consultancy, commissioned by the construction industry body, UK Contractors Group (UKCG), in partnership with the CBI. 29 Oct 2009 09:17:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=185&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4494DFED-2B56-4BE6-AFCC-90A5C16F1B33 Santander has announced it has purchased Liqiudity, a specialist factoring and invoice discounting provider. This acquisition adds to the range of services available through the bank’s 20 regional corporate banking centres, and offers a bespoke service, which complements Santander’s existing product offerings. 28 Oct 2009 10:04:29 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=184&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C993845E-7E87-43AC-B282-DD8C576270F6 The government must not sacrifice its support for small businesses as part of widely-anticipated spending cuts to plug the gap in public finances, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning. 28 Oct 2009 10:04:04 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=183&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9EE94B28-3815-409C-BC86-D5DBA2413A70 Steve Pateman, head of UK corporate and commercial banking, Santander Corporate Banking (SCB), said: “I am delighted to announce that, with effect from today, the invoice discounting and factoring company, Liquidity Ltd, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Santander. I welcome Dave Totney and his Liquidity team to Santander Corporate Banking, and I look forward to working with them to develop our invoice finance business for the benefit of both SCB and business banking. The acquisition of Liquidity further adds to our product portfolio, strengthening our proposition and bringing us one step closer to becoming the best commercial bank in the UK. 27 Oct 2009 15:58:11 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=182&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D9C31BAF-5796-4A11-BB60-E69E65610615 Established in 1997, Standard Life Bank quickly established a substantial deposit base but in its popularity lay the seeds of the huge losses that, despite recently moving into profit, caused the board to take the long-term view that the bank had no place in its plans. 27 Oct 2009 10:13:03 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=181&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4CCA8340-C062-43E1-B79E-EE995DBC1BA6 The UK Cards Association (formerly part of APACS) which represents the UK credit card industry has issued an initial response to the publication of BIS' consultation on credit and store cards. 27 Oct 2009 10:12:25 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=180&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 43087CE6-509F-4232-88D3-CE96ED5B19D1 The University of Leicester’s business training arm, The Leading Edge, has teamed up with experts at the University’s School of Management to provide a bespoke programme meeting the training needs of small businesses. 27 Oct 2009 10:12:02 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=179&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 17403D7A-C9D4-4E0E-B174-F35257D410B3 Responding to the shadow chancellor’s proposal that bonuses in retail banking be restricted to £2,000 maximum, Business Money editor, Bob Lefroy, said: “of all of the stupid proposals to emerge from the electioneering process this one is about as ill-considered, unfair and counter productive as it can be. 26 Oct 2009 09:11:32 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=178&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D4C11D98-3C9C-4A86-91A0-7479A21005DD Mike Steventon, head of auto at KPMG, said of the latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders production figures... 26 Oct 2009 09:10:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=177&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 88CFB11B-0BBF-449A-9235-2B9C2E8E0B1D A positive majority of surveyors in the UK are now reporting rising enquiries and lettings activity for the first time in over 2 years, with London leading the commercial property recovery says, RICS’ Commercial Property Survey. 23 Oct 2009 09:29:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=175&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FBB86662-8F57-4826-96BE-8117A4D6A959 A new BBA publication shows UK banks are taking steps to restore confidence and to rebuild trust in their industry. 23 Oct 2009 09:28:54 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=174&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DB2322C7-92B9-44F4-A82F-FE376B9E8F6D Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance has completed its first cross-border private equity deal, providing £26m of asset-based lending (ABL) facilities to support the £52m Rutland Partners-backed MBO of the CeDo Group. 22 Oct 2009 09:26:20 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=172&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DC80374D-17CF-4051-A119-81F695EED4C3 According to the latest Jones Lang LaSalle Quarterly Property Index, all-property total returns improved considerably in Q3 2009 with positive returns of 4.5%, the highest returns recorded since Q2 2006. 22 Oct 2009 09:25:46 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=173&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 5C372155-7A97-4A24-BFDA-8BB13AD7715A ECGD, the UK export credit agency, has launched a letter of credit guarantee scheme to assist UK exporters by boosting the availability of short-term export finance. 21 Oct 2009 09:20:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=171&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0203C746-3FB9-4326-907B-565B7BB30771 Garanti Factoring achieved a significant increase of 41% in earnings after posting a net profit figure of 7.6m TL as of third quarter 2009. 21 Oct 2009 09:20:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=170&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 560DE449-847D-458D-8F12-D4A1B69908CD Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in September 2009 the public sector current budget was in deficit by £11.3bn. 20 Oct 2009 11:05:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=167&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 70873B7A-6925-4500-A4E5-B1E3ED323A5C Exports of food and non-alcoholic drinks bucked the recessionary trend and were up 10.2% to £4.82bn in the first six months of the year, according to new research commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). Exports of all UK goods were down 13.4% over the same period. 20 Oct 2009 11:05:27 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=168&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4641B337-CAC1-42AB-985D-D81AEA514F96 News from the Council of Mortgage Lenders states that while housing and mortgage market activity has proceeded largely as expected in the last month, there have been some rather more positive signs for the future. 20 Oct 2009 11:04:56 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=169&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F3B697F0-23E8-4606-A328-195FEA9835AB Venture Finance PLC announces today that its Q3 results for 2009 are the best it has achieved in a decade. 19 Oct 2009 10:23:55 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=166&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DAD5E0F2-4BE2-4E61-98BC-74383BBA0596 The latest Insolvency Index from Experian, the global information services company, revealed that the average business insolvency rate during September (0.09%) remained constant on August levels – the lowest since September 2008. 19 Oct 2009 10:23:23 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=165&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A5117858-1018-4B99-B12B-0182649C8BE1 The financial services industry saw a dramatic spike in fraud activity over the past year with companies losing an average of US$15.2m over three years. 19 Oct 2009 10:22:57 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=164&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 029FB5CE-F224-40E3-BFDA-591C935FD821 Leading vehicle auction company, British Car Auctions (BCA) is reporting that prices for commercial vehicles continued to rise in September as it recorded yet another strong month of average values. 19 Oct 2009 10:22:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=163&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 CA90CFE9-3C05-4B76-95E1-CE58F180025F Cross media production group, Dene Films, Newcastle, has successfully concluded negotiations with The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for a new finance facility covering the working capital requirement for Dene's next stage of expansion. 19 Oct 2009 10:21:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=162&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 F7D44A0C-2FA2-4D52-8560-1E0BF257222D Commenting on the government's decision to delay implementation of new UK and EU regulations, David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said... 15 Oct 2009 11:46:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=161&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A335651F-8D4A-4F84-9F47-C332FF6E9536 Nine out of ten entrepreneurs and advisers believe that the new 50% top rate of income tax will fail to raise the additional revenue the government expects, according to preliminary results from a survey by Clearwater Corporate Finance. 15 Oct 2009 11:45:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=160&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D09E1B61-8FD6-48D5-80A7-183260E18B69 A surprising 61% of UK small businesses feel the recession has made their business more efficient, and experience other positives including a greater focus on customer service (34%), according to new research conducted as part of the Barclays Take One Small Step Campaign. 14 Oct 2009 10:59:53 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=159&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 458F6472-C89D-4FEE-96E3-12CF9AB02FC2 CPI annual inflation – the government’s target measure – was 1.1% in September, down from 1.6% in August, the latest consumer price indices from the Office for National Statistics show. 14 Oct 2009 10:59:27 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=158&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 26EE3FDE-8A1D-4A3C-ABA9-765ACBC813B8 The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers is calling on the FSA to think long and hard before it makes buy-to-let a regulated transaction. 14 Oct 2009 10:58:52 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=157&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0848BEA7-6BDC-468A-84A2-4C32109B9924 Following extensive dialogue and research amongst a number of its customers and interested sector bodies, Unity Trust Bank has submitted its response to the Office of the Third Sector and HM Treasury’s joint consultation paper on the proposal for a Social Investment Wholesale Bank. 14 Oct 2009 10:58:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=156&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 79EBDBA3-3097-45E5-BD2F-9794F54AC24F Leumi ABL Limited, the asset-based lending subsidiary of Bank Leumi (UK) plc, is set to enter the factoring market with the launch of its new brand, Leumi Invoice Finance. 12 Oct 2009 10:23:44 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=155&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 25BA9588-80E3-4F20-A3A9-0D79A9EDB9AF According to the latest Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) Economic Report, the asset-based finance industry is continuing to assist UK businesses as they begin to make their way out of the recession. 12 Oct 2009 10:23:13 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=154&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 109AA72F-8870-4E3B-B01D-C6A08182D433 The ninth annual Great Southern Business Money Commercial Finance Dinner will take place on 11 February 2010, at The Thistle Hotel, Marble Arch, London. 12 Oct 2009 10:22:47 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=153&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 84430159-6F2D-4BBA-BF28-AF9D24C6B178 The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rose by six points in September, increasing to 71 from 65 in August. The Index is now 24 points higher than it was a year ago. 12 Oct 2009 10:22:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=152&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0B1FAAA0-6073-4877-8576-EFD66340CF97 Commenting on the Communications Workers’ Union’s (CWU) decision to widen postal strikes, and on-going disruption to mail services, Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "This strike announcement defies logic at a time when businesses and government are working hard to move the UK economy back to growth. Postal delays are already hurting small businesses and major companies across the country. 12 Oct 2009 10:21:51 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=151&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 030C81EB-7D24-4F86-9D04-5626A0125CD1 The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.5%. 8 Oct 2009 12:16:22 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=149&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 D181AA96-A4BB-4716-81ED-D87CD4DB2962 Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show the net rate of return by private non-financial corporations in the second quarter of 2009 was 11.6%. This compares with the revised estimate of 12.0% in the previous quarter. The annual net rate of return in 2008 was 14.1%. This compares with the estimate of 14.2% for 2007. 8 Oct 2009 12:15:59 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=150&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 9327F03D-81D2-4850-A393-3ACA12D8920C Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance has launched a service to help SMEs guard against bad debts, as insolvencies are forecast to reach record highs. 7 Oct 2009 10:06:50 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=148&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 FBF0A700-33AA-4C0F-A749-3AFA13C82DE7 Financial services firms showed the first signs of recovery in the last three months, after almost two years of falling business volumes and profitability, a new survey has revealed. 7 Oct 2009 10:06:24 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=147&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DE95182D-A72D-4AB4-A0E5-6EB750DA6447 Savills has named the UK commercial property market’s 23 top lenders for H209. The list has almost doubled since previous publication in March 2009 and German Banks continue to dominate accounting for nearly half. 6 Oct 2009 09:51:34 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=146&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 BB207F53-172E-44A0-B21F-E9EE0CE00A4F Entrepreneurs will be hit hardest by next year’s rise in the top rate of income tax as they are 26 times more likely than the average person to earn over £150,000, according to research from specialist advisers Tenon. 6 Oct 2009 09:26:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=145&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A792DF1D-75B3-4B7F-8A9D-3A17599C267A Invoice and asset-based lender Venture Finance has hosted a high-level industry think tank to examine the opportunities for the invoice and asset-based lending industry given the radically changed lending landscape. A white paper outlining conclusions and recommendations for the industry will be released later this month. 5 Oct 2009 14:43:31 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=144&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4C13944A-0ABD-4BF8-87F4-21C27779BCD6 Key differences between the economies of the regions of England have been highlighted by the Office for National Statistics. 5 Oct 2009 14:43:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=143&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DC8FF772-5EB0-419D-AF7E-573309F44E88 Activity levels being reported by property firms returned to positive territory (+7.8%) for the first time in over 18 months in August, suggesting that investor sentiment in the sector is continuing to grow. In tandem with this, figures from the latest Commercial Real Estate Review by accountants and business advisers BDO Stoy Hayward, showed that total monthly investment returns also grew for the second consecutive month. 2 Oct 2009 09:16:06 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=142&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4C6E9C6F-0AF0-46E4-BA32-91E6E2A03ECF At 49.5 in September, down from 49.7 in August, the seasonally adjusted CIPS/Markit UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) posted below the neutral 50.0 mark for the second month running. However, the average PMI reading for Q3 2009 as a whole (49.9) was close to this benchmark level and the highest quarterly figure since Q1 2008. 2 Oct 2009 09:14:53 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=141&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 AFC7F8D2-E655-4178-8F8E-7F48536A0289 Members of the Forum of Private Business (FPB) are being given access to a free business rates appraisal service amid fears that they will be forced to pay inflated rates bills for five years, according to a recent FPB survey. 1 Oct 2009 09:47:33 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=140&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4A022021-0BD6-49F9-9F87-A6EA98ACACC1 The quarterly HSBC Trade Confidence Index, the biggest global index of its kind covering 3,500 trade orientated businesses in 12 markets, reveals that more than a third of businesses (35%) in the UK have identified Western Europe as the biggest growth opportunity followed by Greater China (16%), Eastern Europe (12%) and the US (7%). Conversely, Western Europe, including the UK has been identified a key area of growth for 29% of traders in India. 1 Oct 2009 09:46:59 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=139&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E90B00BE-B017-4636-AE3B-9C6EABCE5523 As new statistics reveal an unemployment benefits bill of £350bn, Close Invoice Finance reveal encouraging figures showing that UK SMEs are fighting to retain their employees. 30 Sep 2009 09:32:39 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=138&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 A5AACDFC-B232-49A6-BE2C-65B717306659 Conditions in the retail sector are beginning to stabilise, with sales broadly flat in the year to September, and expected to remain unchanged in October. That is according to CBI’s monthly Distributive Trades Survey. 30 Sep 2009 09:32:18 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=137&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 68B63A80-A77E-45DB-B009-1A11763E5D88 The summer is now well and truly over and the economic realities may be coming home to over 200,000 UK businesses. 29 Sep 2009 10:34:05 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=136&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 160E4B78-1D25-4771-B7C9-1919EA38AE2A The CBI has put forward a 12-point agenda setting out what any new administration should do to help put the economy on a path to sustainable growth. 29 Sep 2009 10:33:21 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=135&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 E90A599B-0886-47AD-B742-0AE1578130FE August saw the biggest month-to-month improvement in the time it takes companies in the UK to settle bills since December 2007, according to the new monthly Late Payment Index from Experian, the information services company. 28 Sep 2009 09:45:40 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=133&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 79379A93-5BA2-4696-AA4B-167D784AC07C Commenting on the revised business investment figures for the second quarter of 2009, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Although the new figures show a marginally smaller decline in the quarter, revisions to earlier figures indicate a bigger year on year decline. With business investment down almost 22% over the year, the longer-term dangers to Britain’s productive potential cannot be ignored. 28 Sep 2009 09:45:07 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=134&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 16D9F0E2-51AF-4568-A278-F4CC952921E8 The government has missed out on a big opportunity to boost SME funding by failing to include leasing in the planned extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme says Syscap an independent finance provider. 25 Sep 2009 09:26:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=132&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 C705A4AD-1873-4210-82E7-6D3F5E1522E4 Appliance 365, a distributor of kitchen and white goods, has received a new £3.5m asset-based lending (ABL) facility from KBC Business Capital, the specialist ABL division of Belgian banking group KBC Bank NV. 25 Sep 2009 09:25:40 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=131&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 ADD4A9BE-6401-49FE-B9F3-A967031B947A Many small businesses believe they will prosper and grow as Britain heads out of recession, according to a new survey. 24 Sep 2009 10:41:59 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=129&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 044669BF-9523-4946-AF9E-09E7B70E72ED UK cybercrime has rebounded to worrying levels, not seen since 2006, as a result of the recession and consumer complacency, according to Garlik’s annual UK Cybercrime report, now in its third year. 24 Sep 2009 10:41:30 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=130&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 4646734C-7173-426F-AFB9-CF7A35C5B585 Early signs of recovery should not break down the G20 nations' consensus on coordinated regulatory reform, the UK's banking industry warned in a letter to prime minister Gordon Brown. 22 Sep 2009 15:35:38 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=125&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 0B1F413D-9905-4BE3-A341-0FBC95892AD6 Senior executives across Continental Europe and the UK have cited changes to the tax system, more emphasis on education and skills, and less regulation as the top priorities to encourage innovation in a survey of leading mid-cap industrial firms - according to a new study from GE and 3i. 22 Sep 2009 15:35:12 GMT http://businessmoneynews.net/index.asp?ItemID=126&rcid=75&pcid=69&cid=75 DD31EB40-B3CA-4371-9C08-27B474E8157C The majority of the UK’s small business owners think the recession is going to get even worse for them before it gets better. 21 Sep 2009 15:39:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2589a.htm 8A8597DA-50D8-4883-A5E0-C7378EA200EE Strengthening innovation, deepening the single market and moving to a low carbon economy are among the areas where reform needs to be accelerated to strengthen long-term growth in the European Union after the worst recession in 50 years, according to a new OECD report. 21 Sep 2009 12:13:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2588.htm 7D746D27-68D9-4939-975D-5742DE683EAB The global commercial real estate advisory firm The Situs Companies announced further growth in its European business with the recent acquisition of GSSG, a leading German loan servicing company. 21 Sep 2009 12:13:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2589.htm 677360C9-001E-46E6-A68B-6C6A50B0B3A0 Invoice discounting and factoring firm Ultimate Finance has maintained ambitious growth over the past year, its annual financial results show. 18 Sep 2009 10:58:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2586.htm C743B448-A593-4864-B8F3-8BEE9FA66F86 "Despite the tough global conditions, the UK remains a strong and vibrant market, and global businesses recognise this," said Minister for Trade, Investment and Business Lord Davies. 18 Sep 2009 10:58:22 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2587.htm 60D6789A-1465-40CB-8B1B-6C36A9AF9583 Pulse Healthcare, a specialist health and social care staffing agency, has signed a new £15m asset-based lending (ABL) facility from KBC Business Capital, the specialist ABL division of Belgian banking group KBC Bank NV. The funding consists of a revolving accounts receivable facility intended to finance working capital to fund its growing business. 17 Sep 2009 10:12:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2584.htm 1672F334-3A36-4A29-8E60-220369EB963B Total sales volume in the three months to August was 2.7% higher than the same period a year ago. 17 Sep 2009 10:11:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2585.htm 5B21A3B2-5AAA-4ED3-9339-FE02EB0CD527 Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance provided funding for the buyout by Anacap of Cattles Invoice Finance, which is now relaunched as Absolute Invoice Finance. 16 Sep 2009 10:35:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2582.htm B6A2F6F7-9B1A-4777-92D0-94F91A12F87E It remains steady-as-she-goes for Britain's leading pub and restaurant groups, with latest sales figures for August just ahead of last year. 16 Sep 2009 10:35:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2583.htm 7FD9B9D2-9252-4670-B8E4-1E3108EC6F6F The largest downward effect on the CPI annual rate change came from gas, where prices were little changed between July and August this year but rose significantly a year ago. 15 Sep 2009 10:08:45 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2580.htm 39E4F591-66FE-4606-8026-9F54B001A742 Figures recently released by Venture Finance's regional office in the north west show that advances to new clients for the first two quarters of 2009 have almost doubled compared to the same period 12 months ago. 15 Sep 2009 10:08:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2581.htm D099E069-111E-4158-8F61-F55E74C5E711 The independent business financier formerly known as Cattles Invoice Finance has today relaunched as Absolute Invoice Finance (Absolute), with a new £100m fund dedicated to supporting the growth of established, early stage and start-up businesses. 14 Sep 2009 11:16:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2578.htm 2809E139-8F57-4E82-93FB-CB7AB3BDCFB4 The highs of 2006 and 2007 seem a distant memory as the first half of 2009 has seen the European private equity market hit its lowest level in 14 years. 14 Sep 2009 11:15:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2579.htm B9673F71-AA3B-4FB7-9391-8F682B39282B Chief executive of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB), Adam Tyler, commented: "The withdrawal of Lombard from both the asset finance and vehicle finance broker market doesn't really come as any great surprise given that the strategy of Lombard's parent, RBS, has been to retreat and concentrate on their own customer base." 11 Sep 2009 09:58:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2576.htm DD1CC6F6-544D-481B-8033-154D8479C9B4 The output price index for home sales of manufactured products fell 0.4% in the year to August, compared with a fall of 1.3% in the year to July. 11 Sep 2009 09:57:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2577.htm F6F855C4-1E9B-466B-BB97-9CCF90F1CD9B The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.5%. 10 Sep 2009 12:18:41 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2574.htm 73B211EB-FF45-4B43-8786-DC73C0220367 The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) is warning residential mortgage brokers to take great care when introducing their clients to a third party broker for commercial finance. 10 Sep 2009 12:18:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2575.htm BCA677E6-C8F9-4E04-862E-A84B60B87BE1 The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index recorded a two point increase in August to 63. 9 Sep 2009 09:50:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2572.htm 31269C79-5E9B-4781-A905-7D58BD1ACBCF Manufacturing output increased by 0.2% in the three months to July 2009 compared with the three months to April 2009 and was 11.4% lower against the same three month period a year ago. Output increased in five out of the 13 sub-sectors and decreased in eight sub-sectors. 9 Sep 2009 09:50:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2573.htm 288A3C6E-27A2-46CD-AEEB-CF7BEE551939 British businesses are now more confident about their future than at any time in the past fifteen months, and are regaining their optimism in the outlook for the wider economy, according to the latest Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets Business Barometer. 8 Sep 2009 11:04:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2570.htm 89CD42AD-F643-4F8C-9625-94A445FDE80B LexisNexis has announced the launch of the 2009 edition of its authoritative tax guide, Tolley's Yellow Tax Handbook. Over the last 12 years, the annual guide has more than doubled in size, highlighting the growing complexity of the UK tax system and the impact of the government's recent attempts to introduce recession busting legislation. 8 Sep 2009 11:03:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2571.htm 90A06F89-AA69-40BE-914E-A38B7496FCCD The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published its September 2009 Economic Forecast. Despite a further downward revision in GDP expectations for this year, the BCC is more upbeat about economic growth in 2010, and has reduced its forecast for peak unemployment. 7 Sep 2009 10:32:25 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2568.htm 22CEED30-BBAD-4339-9F26-D6743CED3B4A The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is urging the government to transform post offices into small business hubs around the country to secure the future of the otherwise under-threat Post Office network. 7 Sep 2009 10:30:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2569.htm 16E2E6A3-3B89-442A-B774-A1483EDB33C9 The total property return in the commercial real estate market returned to positive territory for the first time in two years during July. 4 Sep 2009 11:48:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2566.htm 29CDBFA9-0BAC-4E88-B1F4-78EF133123E6 Commenting on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) cars sales figures, Marc Summers, auto director at KPMG, said: "It's evident that the battery hasn't gone flat in the car industry, today's new car sales data shows that volumes have stabilised at approximately 20% below prior year levels with a clear trend towards smaller more fuel efficient vehicles. 4 Sep 2009 11:47:57 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2567.htm A6A0E149-79A5-4EDE-83B1-36BAAEC8B1B6 HSBC, the international emerging markets bank, is partnering with Markit, the global financial information services company, to provide a unique resource that will improve the economic understanding of the world's emerging markets. 3 Sep 2009 10:20:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2564.htm 2A32CB8A-6B0B-4FAC-93C6-5A0DB054657E The latest approvals data from the Bank of England shows the number of loans for house purchase rose 5% from June to 50,123. This was a 50% increase from a year ago when the housing and mortgage market was in a sharp downturn, but compares to a monthly average of 104,000 in the 10 years to the end of 2007. 3 Sep 2009 10:19:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2565.htm 81429E8B-FF7D-4846-8D67-99613EBF50D4 Small firms are waiting up to four months for invoices to be paid by several big brand names, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) research has revealed. 2 Sep 2009 11:09:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/newsindx.htm F19A2B89-7223-4417-9D99-2307290F9CE8 Expenditure on acquisitions in the UK by foreign companies decreased from £12.3bn in quarter one 2009 to £0.4bn in quarter two 2009, the lowest quarterly value reported since quarter two 1987. The number of transactions fell to 14, the lowest level reported since quarter two 1987. 2 Sep 2009 11:09:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2563.htm 853B16E8-16B3-4C73-AF93-9D0DB29395D7 A poll of turnaround and recovery management specialists in the US has added weight to the opinion of their UK colleagues that a significant economic upswing will be delayed until early or mid-2010, and possibly a lot longer. 1 Sep 2009 10:16:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2560.htm BA25A644-1F27-45FD-B6DC-82562501A6A5 At 49.7 in August, the seasonally adjusted CIPS/Markit UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) moved back below the no-change mark of 50.0. The headline PMI fell from a downwardly revised figure of 50.2 in July (previously reported as 50.8). 1 Sep 2009 10:16:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2561.htm 7186CCC0-1C62-4787-BA72-1497C555E3E7 Business investment, measured in chain volume terms seasonally adjusted (CVMSA), for the second quarter of 2009 is estimated to have fallen by 10.4% from the previous quarter and is 18.4% lower than the second quarter of 2008. The second quarter figure is £29,894m. 1 Sep 2009 10:15:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2558.htm 479F0566-06F8-4E73-B681-F33B2134FC3D High street sales fell for the fourth month running in the year to August, but retailers are no longer feeling pessimistic about the outlook for their business situation in the coming months, the CBI said. 1 Sep 2009 10:15:14 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2559.htm 92862E2F-E75E-4582-8288-86414D498385 New proposals by the government to improve access to rescue finance for distressed businesses could drive up the cost of lending to SMEs as a whole, warns Syscap one of the UK's independent financing providers. 27 Aug 2009 09:47:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2556.htm B244651A-1EC5-4A14-AAF1-F03A027738FA A recent Accountancy Age article highlighted a £2bn increase in amounts owed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and a reduction of £21.7bn in tax revenues. 27 Aug 2009 09:47:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2557.htm 5CF1D5D3-6A75-41BC-8BF0-1A81813421E0 Small businesses are poised for growth despite the recession, with 49% planning to expand in the next 12 months, according to research from the Barclays Have Your Say survey of local businesses. 26 Aug 2009 09:21:47 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2554.htm 6A0D67EE-D1F4-4B06-8211-3A3C2398DCF1 Information technology and managed services provider (MSP), The Claranet Group Ltd has secured a £10.7m refinance package from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). 26 Aug 2009 09:21:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2555.htm B9E2B14D-25C6-4E0F-9FE6-64E01DE812E8 KPMG's nineteenth annual Building Societies Database found 2008 a tumultuous year for the building societies sector... 25 Aug 2009 09:21:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2552.htm 5FC1D311-7407-47C4-A21E-D165D3D94E8D Garanti Factoring increased earnings by 39%, with net profit reaching 5.2m TL for the first half of 2009. 25 Aug 2009 09:20:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2553.htm 9CCCB6FC-F977-48F6-A2B8-D7CDCF970A39 Business levels in the services sector are still below normal, but less so than in the previous three quarters, according to the latest CBI Service Sector Survey. 24 Aug 2009 10:26:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2550.htm E2C42D7A-BD4E-4849-8154-4A3B10973AC3 Commenting on news that the government has widened criteria and dropped charges for its trade credit insurance scheme Edward Rimmer, chief executive at Bibby Financial Services, said: "At last the government has realised more needs to be done to drum up usage of its trade credit insurance scheme. 24 Aug 2009 10:25:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2551.htm 910EF765-3DFF-4B07-BFF5-A14166136F17 Nearly three quarters of UK businesses surveyed in a recent Barclays Commercial Bank poll now describe their attitude towards the economy as either hopeful or excited, while a similar amount are either continuing to grow or predict they will return to growth within the next 12 months. 21 Aug 2009 09:40:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2548.htm A8DE75E7-65BC-4601-BEAB-B65B7CFE9E95 Total sales volume in the three months to July was 1.6% higher than the same period a year ago. Sales volume for predominantly food stores increased by 1.4%, the highest increase since 2007. 21 Aug 2009 09:39:46 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2549.htm A2025BB5-FF58-4886-8C04-7531EE5626FD Financial advisers are optimistic about the UK's emergence from recession, with 65% of accountants and finance brokers expecting to see significant increases in transactional activity within the next 6 to 18 months, according to an independent survey commissioned by Centric Commercial Finance. 20 Aug 2009 11:29:00 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2546.htm 67D95FFE-9146-4DF6-84CE-CD2074728E2F Gross mortgage lending totalled an estimated £16bn in July, a 26% increase from £12.7bn in June but down 36% from £24.9bn in July 2008, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 20 Aug 2009 11:28:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2547.htm 041E1130-29CC-4D33-AEEE-72DFE7D642F8 Commenting on the MPC minutes published today by the Bank of England, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "The minutes highlight an appreciation from the MPC of the severe recessionary threats still facing the economy. 19 Aug 2009 14:31:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2544.htm 0AD729D6-A579-40FE-AB73-4F4AB6803082 Experian, the information services company, has revealed that while the majority (67%) of large UK-based organisations are primarily focused on enhancing business efficiency and reducing costs over the coming six months, payment regulation will also remain high on the corporate agenda. 19 Aug 2009 14:31:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2545.htm AAC90008-A956-49CF-ADA4-FFCB41DB2750 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation was 1.8% in July, the same as June, which is below the government's 2% target. 18 Aug 2009 12:50:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2542.htm 41136AAE-C294-4347-923E-C171C1C4BE5D House prices will grow by 2% between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the end of 2010. Modest growth is likely to continue over the following two years but there is a potential upside due to the huge contraction in house building seen as a result of the credit crunch. 18 Aug 2009 12:49:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2543.htm B73A6C91-0B43-457E-9FE6-25FCA987C579 Octopus Investments Ltd has announced the first investment of £2m from the £30m Octopus Capital for Enterprise Fund into KeTech Group Limited, a leading systems integrator in the transport, defence and industrial sectors. 17 Aug 2009 11:04:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2540.htm 25F32EB0-2DDA-4492-8BDC-81CD66042E1B An increasing number of businesses are taking advantage of operating leasing, according to new asset finance figures published by the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA). 17 Aug 2009 11:04:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2541.htm 0F819263-7E64-4D9F-92AF-29F5C65C54DE A shock return to economic growth in France and Germany during the second quarter of this year has surprised economists and policy makers as the recession ends in two of Europe's biggest economies. 14 Aug 2009 10:49:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2538.htm 21E8481F-E4BC-40E7-9436-793BEB6F967F Chris Lee, head of travel, Barclays Commercial, commenting on the recently released ONS UK travel statistics, said: "Despite positive quarter on quarter figures, the underlying data suggests the overall inbound visitor market remains weak, reflecting the continued impact on international travel of the global recession. 14 Aug 2009 10:48:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2539.htm 0A611DE0-4F06-4180-9785-A507DA366A69 Centric provides £2.5m invoice discounting facility in landmark deal Octopus Investments Ltd has announced the first investment of £2m from the £30m Octopus Capital for Enterprise Fund into KeTech Group Limited, a systems integrator in the transport, defence and industrial sectors. 13 Aug 2009 14:20:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2537a.htm 194A2260-9403-4BA8-93A5-3895F573715C Coordinated action by the world's financial regulators will be the only effective way to reform pay structures in the financial sector, the British Bankers' Association said in response to the FSA's paper. 13 Aug 2009 09:52:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2536.htm 79664208-C500-47B3-8B9D-391C2EACF240 HSBC has completed a mandatory tender offer (MTO) for the remaining 10.11% of the shares of PT Bank Ekonomi Raharja Tbk (Bank Ekonomi) held by the general public. 13 Aug 2009 09:51:52 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2537.htm DC877F90-155F-48F4-A5ED-C5A4C6422FCF Santander Corporate Banking has launched an online factsheet providing SMEs with information on the government-led Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFGS) and the bank's involvement with the European Investment Bank (EIB). 12 Aug 2009 09:55:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2534.htm C40E0083-D30C-4359-A34D-6B113ED680B1 UK retail sales values rose 1.8% on a like-for-like basis and 3.6% on a total basis, from July 2008, when sales had fallen, hit by changeable weather. Thus this July was slightly stronger than June, but the growth was against a weaker July 2008. 12 Aug 2009 09:54:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2535.htm 0664B90D-14E3-4C89-A9CC-9E8F0CE533C0 New data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows further signs of stabilisation in the mortgage market, but transactions are still weak on a historic basis. Lending for house purchase and remortgaging both increased in June, albeit from very low levels. 11 Aug 2009 10:33:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2532.htm 1FAFF2DC-A781-482A-B9FB-E2C457F4465C According to The Insolvency Service, there have been 5,055 compulsory and voluntary liquidations in England and Wales during the second quarter of 2009 - a 2.9% increase on the previous quarter and a 39.1% rise from the same quarter of 2008. 11 Aug 2009 10:32:57 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2533.htm 780D9570-C734-4AEB-ACC3-023626079AA2 Cattles Invoice Finance and Cattles Invoice Finance Oxford (CIF), has agreed conditional terms to be acquired from Cattles plc by financial services specialist private equity fund, AnaCap Financial Partners LLP (AnaCap), in a deal that values the company at £70m. Future funding for CIF will be provided by Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance. 10 Aug 2009 14:18:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2530a.htm 71881DE3-2AD8-4DA6-979D-052D222B26D5 Burdale Financial Limited (Burdale), a member of Bank of Ireland Group, announces the completion of a financing facility of up to £75m for Land Rover. 10 Aug 2009 10:11:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2530.htm 82AF75E9-978E-4FDC-B2F7-939C6B721CD5 Businesses are finding it easier to obtain new credit for the first time this year, and expect the situation to improve at a similar rate over the coming three months, the CBI said. 10 Aug 2009 10:11:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2531.htm BD29579F-91E3-48CE-8583-65D33D1D735A The insolvency statistics for the second quarter of 2009 due to be published are expected to show the results of government measures to lessen the impact of the recession on the cashflows of struggling businesses, according to leading business rescue firm, Begbies Traynor. 7 Aug 2009 10:03:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2528.htm 53B5078F-C86C-4B40-AF8E-DC853949A81D The value of IT businesses is on the rise following the lows of 2008, says Clearwater Corporate Finance. 7 Aug 2009 10:03:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2529.htm F819A099-5898-4CFB-83A9-0B39901AB72B The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.5%. The committee also voted to continue with its programme of asset purchases financed by the issuance of central bank reserves and to increase its size by £50bn to £175bn. 6 Aug 2009 12:14:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2525.htm 6B70E408-7D57-46C3-B44C-08E9C08469F5 Private equity and trade M&A activity declined for the sixth successive quarter with less than half the number of deals being completed in Q2 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, according to new research from accountants and business advisers BDO Stoy Hayward. 6 Aug 2009 12:14:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2526.htm 9B79A9CD-B684-47E8-AC0B-04B5C705D6F8 House prices look set to end the year higher than they started, but will still face significant challenges during 2010, says the RICS housing market update, released today. 6 Aug 2009 12:13:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2527.htm 6CC45E76-F0F5-4FFF-ACEB-6E7764394DA6 Having stalled in June, the recovery of the UK service sector resumed at the start of Q3 with activity growth accelerating to the sharpest for nearly a year-and-a-half in line with solid gains in new business. 5 Aug 2009 09:58:33 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2523.htm 8B0B12F0-B358-41D9-990C-A7C51DB36517 The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (RBS) has entered into a sale agreement with ANZ Group Limited (ANZ) to sell its retail and commercial banking operations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia and the onshore global banking and markets (GBM) and global transaction services (GTS) operations in the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan (excluding securities). 5 Aug 2009 09:58:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2524.htm 43F4FF17-C5F8-4FD0-906F-E719A75468F2 The rate of decline in orders and output among the UK's small and medium-sized manufacturers is slowing, according to the CBI's latest quarterly SME Trends Survey. Moreover, medium-sized companies are predicting a return to growth in the next quarter, thanks to an improvement in export orders. 4 Aug 2009 10:30:52 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2521.htm FE9D8686-6BAB-400D-97C1-03323C601C70 Commenting ahead of the MPC's August meeting next Thursday, David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "It is clear that quantitative easing is not yet fully effective, and we urge the MPC to step up the pace. The size of the programme should be increased without delay, well beyond £125bn, and the proportion of corporate paper purchased by the Bank should be raised. 4 Aug 2009 10:30:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2522.htm 3D4A2D13-9300-4ACF-84E9-43E124D08C22 The seasonally adjusted CIPS/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) posted 50.8 in July, up from an upwardly revised figure of 47.4 in June, to register a level above the no-change mark of 50.0 for the first time since March 2008. 3 Aug 2009 10:41:52 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2519.htm 7918309D-F8FC-49F2-8DDA-3C3BA135FE85 The total value of the UK at the end of 2008 was £6,954bn, down £177bn, or 2%, on the previous year. This was the first drop since 1992. These latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics are published in the Capital Stocks, Capital Consumption and Non-Financial Balance Sheets 2009 report. 3 Aug 2009 10:41:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2520.htm 0116218A-A5F2-4F45-9B47-E6A0371109E9 A third of SME retailers and almost a fifth of large retailers have experienced a reduction in bank lending in the last three months. 31 Jul 2009 09:32:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2517.htm CAB31AAC-47A0-4B32-8D90-0426BA37998B The total number of property returns has almost returned to 0% after eighteen months of uninterrupted decline. 31 Jul 2009 09:31:52 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2518.htm FB6AEC40-C57C-4B00-8DCF-DE31079BE1ED In a sign of improving conditions within credit markets, the value of syndicated bank debt due for maturity within the next five years and successfully refinanced by (74) FTSE 350 companies between April and June 2009 has increased by 76% to £52.3bn, compared to the first three months of the year when 72 companies refinanced £29.8bn, according to a new analysis of Bloomberg data by international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. 30 Jul 2009 09:37:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2515.htm 71C5D7E1-89C9-4CAB-A091-7EC780EFD134 The UK High Street is having a difficult summer as retail sales fell for the third month running in the year to July, and the forecast for August is also weak, the CBI has said. 30 Jul 2009 09:36:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2516.htm 09AE1689-2EC1-4794-9A22-1A19E57A128E The UK M&A market continued to suffer in the first half the year as a result of global economic conditions, says a new study conducted for PKF accountants and business advisers. 29 Jul 2009 10:21:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2513.htm 0C6150F6-5754-4AE4-9076-3E087F5C00E2 Commenting on the chancellor's call to increase bank lending to small businesses, Edward Rimmer, UK and Ireland chief executive, Bibby Financial Services, said: "This is ultimately a catch-22 for small businesses. Statistics from the British Bankers Association and other trade organisations point to an increase in bank lending during June, yet other reports highlight a continued lack of credit availability. 29 Jul 2009 10:20:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2514.htm BCBAFEEF-0CD9-4377-86EB-5AEE70F4883B The FPB is glad attention is being brought to the issue and the plight of its members, many of whom are struggling to survive due to lack of credit. 28 Jul 2009 09:58:59 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2511.htm 55CC9084-B458-4BE5-9A5D-14A837B3C561 The continued rise in mortgage arrears underlines the importance of pre-delinquency debt management, according to Experian the information services company. 28 Jul 2009 09:58:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2512.htm 267EC86D-C031-4B53-B437-B4162D328D58 Richard Lowe, head of retail and wholesale, Barclays Commercial Bank said: "It is increasingly apparent that declining retail sales have arrested. 27 Jul 2009 10:30:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2509.htm 2D801361-5B66-44A7-BCB5-E66864507B6A Lending to small businesses rose by £391m in June, whilst almost 50,000 new small business banking relationships were established. Deposits from small business grew by £577m. 27 Jul 2009 10:30:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2510.htm 8F5F8BAE-E8F2-4139-BF20-81CDE8607638 Commenting on the report by the Business and Enterprise Committee on the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme, Julian Rose, head of asset finance at the Finance and Leasing Association, said: 24 Jul 2009 09:51:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2507.htm E203DCAC-4A0E-47F5-B2A6-7833BA30C23E There were modest increases in gross and net mortgage lending as a result of more new home loans being approved in recent months. 24 Jul 2009 09:51:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2508.htm E5445C0E-9020-4D5D-AF86-522DDF57FF27 Unity Trust is delighted to announce that despite the difficulties in the banking sector, its half year figures show that it has continued to grow its customer base, its retail deposits and its lending. 23 Jul 2009 09:47:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2505.htm 58A815C5-4BE5-46BC-B4C5-9E27D074CE94 Britain's leading restaurant and pub operators are continuing to hold their own despite tough trading conditions. Aggregated figures from 13 major groups show that like-for-like sales in June were ahead 0.4% on the same month last year. 23 Jul 2009 09:47:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2506.htm C76B1B8D-FB45-4E17-8C3F-57ABA6763493 Charlie Bean, the deputy governor of the Bank of England, and one of the country's top economists, speaking in Bristol during a whistle-stop tour of the south west, believes that the worst of the recession has passed and the situation is likely to improve towards the end of the year. 22 Jul 2009 10:45:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2503.htm 815F4F4F-4D38-4A5A-A195-16F5CBD7F494 Battle-damaged by a year of recession and plagued by poor liquidity, the UK's largest firms will be unable to respond to the economic upturn when it emerges, new research by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants reveals. 22 Jul 2009 10:44:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2504.htm 6F3E5343-B1DE-4152-A214-5F2DE1066DDC Leading independent commercial finance company, SME Invoice Finance Limited has today concluded the acquisition of the Challenge Finance Limited (Challenge) business from administrators, Leonard Curtis. 21 Jul 2009 11:45:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2502a.htm 76B8FBF5-F367-41F4-8E92-87CE627AE6B0 Over 160 cases of serious fraud with charges in excess of £100,000 came to UK courts in the first half of this year, according to KPMG Forensic - the highest number of cases in a six month period in the 21 year history of its Fraud Barometer. 21 Jul 2009 09:51:14 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2501.htm A6E8F797-003F-434D-A5C9-40FF6DC70CF1 The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) warns in a new report, The New Landscape for Financial Services, that many financial services firms are poorly equipped to respond effectively to extensive new regulation emerging in the sector. 21 Jul 2009 09:50:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2502.htm C2D1FF7B-F994-44F3-8773-6C9D3CC6AF49 Agreement has been reached on Islandsbanki's capital structure. Under the agreement, Glitnir banki hf. has the right to subscribe for a majority shareholding in Islandsbanki. 20 Jul 2009 12:14:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2499.htm 09BE817A-A61C-4C51-9BD2-4BD99FC5FE92 Gross mortgage lending in June was an estimated £12.3bn, a 17% increase from £10.5bn in May and a 48% decline from £23.8bn in June 2008, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 20 Jul 2009 12:14:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2500.htm 0C55ADBC-DC69-448D-83C2-227E459976C9 Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance is offering a free, online credit rating facility to help businesses identify potential risks in their customer base. 17 Jul 2009 09:52:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2497.htm 71FEBDA7-4405-4139-890A-F2D3EB223F40 A small business support and lobby group has urged policymakers not to forget about London's smaller firms while planning for the capital's economic future. 17 Jul 2009 09:52:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2498.htm 4D1005D5-D4FD-44A0-94E7-6C59430FA7EA Exporters, looking for greater certainty when it comes to payment from prospective customers, can benefit from a new opinion service from Euler Hermes UK, the country's biggest credit insurer. 16 Jul 2009 09:39:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2495.htm A0771362-3728-4BA3-BF97-3992BD7002C7 High street banks' lending to small businesses rose by £153m in May and deposits increased by £250m. Over 45,000 new small business banking relationships were established in the month. 16 Jul 2009 09:38:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2496.htm FFEAFE04-C68A-40F6-876E-D4C3137E6B53 Maurice Craft, managing director of Bury, Lancashire-based Regency Factors, has been elected as the new chairman of the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA). 15 Jul 2009 10:10:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2494a.htm 9888E01F-542E-4421-9BDD-54C07555B8C4 Detailed disclosures of key conversations between the prime minister and Lloyds TSB boss Sir Victor Blank, which led to the takeover of the ruined Halifax Bank of Scotland and may have saved the collapse of sterling, have been demanded by angry shareholders under the Freedom of Information Act. 15 Jul 2009 10:10:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2493.htm 83EE6CD0-060E-495B-9B98-4B2A7762159F Britain's turnaround and recovery specialists have welcomed the cautious communiqu‚ issued by G8 leaders following their Italian summit. 15 Jul 2009 10:09:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2494.htm BFC08CC3-4293-4D95-B18F-F3C386F23E39 Hundreds of thousands of UK small businesses will be affected by new accountancy rules for leasing if proposals in a discussion paper by the International Accountancy Standards Board are adopted. According to a joint response by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) and the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), the impact on small businesses has been ignored. 14 Jul 2009 09:21:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2491.htm 6AB13D17-C1B8-4DC6-B5C8-4553EAD452E3 Mortgage services provider Exact polled 549 mortgage intermediaries as part of their research into the future performance of the buy-to-let sector. 14 Jul 2009 09:20:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2492.htm D9D4B4C6-7FBC-4518-85BF-2F36AF01FF25 Invoice and asset-based lender, Venture Finance, through its specialist division Venture Factors has launched a Fast Track Factoring process to further enhance access to funding for new clients. 13 Jul 2009 11:51:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2489.htm 68BBA6D2-69C6-450B-ABD5-B1F7825027DA Mazars, the international accountancy firm, is warning people to ensure that all VAT-related information provided to HMRC is accurate in future - or face the prospect of a hefty fine. 13 Jul 2009 11:51:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2490.htm 5E0572EE-3305-4600-A87D-F9EB8A5E92EE A FTSE-listed construction company that claims one of its core values is to make its suppliers more profitable is doubling the time in which it pays them. 13 Jul 2009 11:50:43 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2487.htm 67EEC8E1-5A0B-4AE2-A06C-77860748C516 Ashley Commercial is presently enjoying unprecedented demand for its services and new client acquisitions are running at in excess of 20 clients per month. 13 Jul 2009 11:50:14 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2488.htm E08BE3ED-5047-451C-9BCD-FEC7242D4660 Aldermore is the new name in British banking which will provide a range of competitive asset finance facilities for small and medium sized businesses. 13 Jul 2009 11:49:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2485.htm E6729EBA-4380-4418-B841-6B1456C3626E The local impact of the recession could be worsened by funding issues that may severely impact on business expansion plans, according to a regional expert. 13 Jul 2009 11:49:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2486.htm 47E4D07D-B58B-46AD-9F41-C6B8409CCB65 In our June edition we ran an advertisement for Cattles Invoice Finance that made reference to the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. 8 Jul 2009 09:43:33 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2483.htm 10C25DA5-3821-404E-A9F0-B3205ADEA1D7 Experian, the information services company, has announced that it has introduced a new nationwide IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC (Bank Identifier Code) look-up service for all Dutch citizens and corporates. 8 Jul 2009 09:43:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2484.htm 72DF2EAF-3DEC-481A-AD1C-7B14D6556913 The results of the Quarter 2, 2009 British Chambers of Commerce Economic Survey confirm that the worst of the recession is over. 7 Jul 2009 09:32:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2481.htm B10CB243-E324-40D2-9275-B50CFB4E4B2D Monthly corporate insolvency figures from KPMG show a substantial drop in the number of companies going into administration. 7 Jul 2009 09:32:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2482.htm 3BED45EF-435F-4E4A-A480-AC51891F5C13 The administrators of Challenge Finance Limited (Challenge) are pleased to announce that an agreement, subject to contract, has been reached with SME Invoice Finance Limited for the purchase of the Challenge business. 6 Jul 2009 09:31:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2479.htm 4BB8273D-A3AB-400C-9518-66E778E84145 Activity in the UK service sector increased for a second successive month in June, despite a marginal contraction of incoming new business. Higher activity led to the ongoing reduction of backlogs of work, and with spare capacity remaining prevalent, another month of severe job cuts was signalled. 6 Jul 2009 09:30:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2480.htm 0480467C-FC06-4DD6-9823-65D4547B8996 Improved forecasting, planning, budgeting and investor relations; just some of the areas in which many corporates now accept that their finance functions will have to improve their game in the wake of the credit crisis, according to a survey, Thriving, not just Surviving, undertaken by CFO Research Services for KPMG International. 3 Jul 2009 09:59:55 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2477.htm 49AD9DAC-2D01-4786-8657-0E0BA70038B7 Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show total net investment by these institutions was provisionally estimated to have been £10.7bn in the first quarter of 2009, a rise of £36.5bn on the revised fourth quarter net disinvestment figure of £25.8bn. 3 Jul 2009 09:59:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2478.htm 29F01F8B-50F7-40E7-B229-0DFCA28CDD6B The UK manufacturing sector took another step closer to stabilisation in June. At 47.0, up from 45.4 in May, the seasonally adjusted CIPS/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) - a composite index based on data for new orders, production, employment, suppliers' delivery times and stocks of purchases - posted its highest reading since May 2008. However, the headline PMI has now posted below the neutral 50.0 mark for fifteen months running, its longest sequence below this level. 2 Jul 2009 08:33:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2475.htm 71F542C7-8867-44DA-9884-F89F289504C1 Private equity investment in buy-outs in the first half of the year reached a disappointing £3.2bn according to the latest data from the Centre for Management Buy-out Research (CMBOR). This is down from £12.5bn in the same period last year and is the lowest half yearly figure since 1995. 2 Jul 2009 08:33:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2476.htm B8BD666E-2517-4324-A0FE-AA3921C2830E From today, Wednesday 1 July, Abbey and Alliance & Leicester (A&L) will start to rebrand its UK corporate and commercial banking divisions to Santander Corporate Banking. The move will result in the bank's network of 20 regional corporate banking centres being rebranded during the remainder of 2009. 1 Jul 2009 10:16:43 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2473.htm 041517BC-3486-462D-AE71-B32C537EB4EA Small businesses which were hit hard by the worst of the credit crunch and the recession nearly a year ago are starting to experience a tentative recovery, according to analysis by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) which has documented the economic downturn's impact on small firms since last September. 1 Jul 2009 10:16:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2474.htm D1FA91B9-59D1-4A72-8747-41F073482005 Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 0.1 % in the year to May 2009, compared with 0.6 % in the year to April, continuing the sharp fall in annual inflation since its peak of 4.9% in July 2008. 30 Jun 2009 09:43:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2471.htm BBF220D6-BE1A-4240-B6E7-18CD08EDC8DB Instant online credit information provider, Equifax, has released a new report based on research conducted in May 2009 which appears to suggest that British consumers have adapted to changing economic conditions. And many are feeling relatively positive about the future. 30 Jun 2009 09:37:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2472.htm DB984B65-A4F0-4AD0-A1FA-91695D0CFCD5 Many parts of the UK's financial services sector expect business volumes to rise in the next quarter after 21 months of falls, while optimism about the overall business situation has risen for the first time in two years. But banking remains under pressure. That is according to the latest CBI/PwC Financial Services Survey out today. 29 Jun 2009 10:11:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2469.htm 22B52B9E-44AC-45DB-ADBD-E4B8949D1036 The Financial Services Authority must not fail customers by clamping down on where people can get financial advice the British Bankers' Association has said. The BBA said the FSA must ensure its Retail Distribution Review (RDR) builds on the strides the industry has made to deliver better service for customers. 29 Jun 2009 10:10:55 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2470.htm 7AD5CD9B-6F83-4A4B-A888-C9F903EF82FF Figures from the BBA show that 145,000 post office-accessible accounts were opened in the first quarter of the year and 26,000 existing accounts upgraded. 26 Jun 2009 12:05:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2467.htm 2A24319D-508C-419A-A3B3-93F2F50504D7 At the end of May 133,000 tenants faced potential eviction for arrears, equivalent to one in twenty-five renters, according to new monthly research from LSL property services, the property group which owns Your Move and Reeds Rains estate agencies, making it the UK's largest lettings agent. 26 Jun 2009 12:05:11 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2468.htm 85175DFD-182C-46D0-9310-5D2B8725230D Retail sales fell for the second month running in the year to June, following April's brief respite, the CBI has said. The decline, broadly in line with retailers' expectations, was no worse than in May however, and less severe than falls recorded between July 2008 and March 2009. 25 Jun 2009 09:54:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2465.htm 9FAC04E1-5AC7-4D14-AAC1-42CCFAE53B82 Turnaround and business recovery specialists across Europe are bracing themselves for a long battle to rebuild corporate value as the current recession starts to ease. 25 Jun 2009 09:53:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2466.htm 143943A8-0332-48D2-B82D-6EB9AFD013F8 Business Money Plus launches an e-bulletin today on the 16th birthday of parent Business Money, the industry journal in commercial finance and banking. Business Money Plus aims to enhance subscriber contact whilst ensuring that the Business Money message, and that of its sponsors, reaches out to a wider readership. 24 Jun 2009 10:32:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2463.htm BB2AF265-6ED9-4D78-AEC9-6E507E64C934 Nearly two thirds of UK small firms are carrying a credit rating which may negatively affect their ability to obtain credit finance and favourable credit terms from suppliers, according to new research from Graydon UK, a credit risk management agency. 24 Jun 2009 10:31:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2464.htm 86E36857-94E9-47BC-B094-964E1E68146C The banks' net mortgage lending of £2.3bn was the weakest monthly rise since early 2001, although mortgage approvals continue to increase. 23 Jun 2009 10:02:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/newsindx.htm D623903D-C697-45AC-88DC-081770700ECA Government stimulus funding totalling US$5tn has unintentionally introduced new opportunities for fraud and corruption worldwide, according to the latest edition of the Kroll Global Fraud Report. 23 Jun 2009 10:01:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2462.htm A7A5C73C-471F-44D1-8151-22749655F111 The latest Top 50 review from Accountancy Age suggests that many accountants are suffering along with their clients during the recession but a few have made good progress. 22 Jun 2009 09:35:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2460a.htm EFF24556-CE30-4CD7-913D-A83180755158 The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a GBP 100m (EUR 113m) new generation EIB loan for SMEs with the Abbey Group in the UK. 22 Jun 2009 09:35:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2460.htm E5A248F2-A693-4FA4-BF6C-115763043374 John Wright, national chairman Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) welcomes the government's commitment to ensure universal access to fast broadband, but warns the expected 2mbps by 2012 lacks ambition and shows the UK is in a time-warp. 19 Jun 2009 10:58:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2458.htm D0767375-170D-4AEB-B9D8-9A03C1E4263C Although a potential end to the recession may be in sight, times could remain stormy for UK businesses for some time according to the CBI. 19 Jun 2009 10:58:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2459.htm 9F4261EF-66AA-4F9A-819A-8376320109F0 Commenting on the May 2009 retail sales figures from the Office of National Statistics, Richard Lowe, head of retail and wholesale, Barclays Commercial Bank said: "Retail sales are in a holding pattern. With a slight fall in May and growth in the past three months compared to a year earlier continuing to slow, expectations of a positive increase this month have not been met. However, looking at the numbers over the past nine months evidence suggests that retail sales numbers are moving sideways. 18 Jun 2009 11:19:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2456.htm 0F52A438-8FF1-4ADC-BD41-EEB834CDD1EB The Bank of England has selected Nationwide Building Society as the preferred bidder for the social housing loans and related deposits from housing associations (the Business) held by the Bank of England's wholly-owned subsidiary, DBS Bridge Bank Limited. This follows a competitive auction process conducted by the Bank of England, in accordance with the code of practice issued by HM Treasury under the Banking Act 2009. 18 Jun 2009 11:19:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2457.htm CC451AC1-798B-4F5E-815E-7AF285577C8C Responding to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' call for evidence on business access to finance, Stephen Sklaroff, director general of the Finance & Leasing Association said: 17 Jun 2009 12:08:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2454.htm BD7B8910-92D8-4AC5-AB97-48F3F32777C3 Commenting on the announcement by the Insolvency Service that it has opened up consultation on proposed reforms to the insolvency regime, Richard Heis, restructuring partner at KPMG, said: 17 Jun 2009 12:08:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2455.htm 4DA78D4A-6362-475E-B815-E33CB9187CC7 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation - the government's target measure - fell to 2.2% in May, down from 2.3% in April. 16 Jun 2009 11:48:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2452.htm 667BBB87-AC67-4AE4-90BA-F2BE6180C929 Proposed reform of UK banking regulation needs more work and must take account of how British financial services interact with global markets the British Bankers’ Association said. 16 Jun 2009 11:47:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2453.htm 51CDAAA5-04DE-4367-9638-37A673EC933B HSBC Bank plc has sold its 49% holding in HSBC Merchant Services LLP (HMS), the card processing joint venture that serves its UK business clients, to its partner in the venture, Global Payments Inc., for a consideration of US$307.7m in cash. 16 Jun 2009 11:47:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2450.htm 43AE33AD-035A-4732-B36C-91AB71CF109D A new website, www.getmegoing.co.uk has been launched by design company FONDA to help start ups present and promote themselves more effectively. 16 Jun 2009 11:46:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2451.htm 6641E398-AEAE-488E-812D-3C577BAA1C02 Business groups will today publish a guide for firms covered by the carbon reduction commitment (CRC), a mandatory cap and trade scheme that could have significant costs for businesses, government departments or public sector bodies who fail to control their carbon emissions. 12 Jun 2009 10:13:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2448.htm 4A1C788C-DBAF-4762-998C-BD356BD0BE2D Invoice and asset-based lender Venture Finance has provided Sheffield-based coil spring manufacturer, TSL Turton, with a domestic and export factoring facility worth £1.1m to facilitate a management-buy-out (MBO). 12 Jun 2009 10:12:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2449.htm 86EB9E4C-95D0-4C6E-86B6-6C1B3110D2A5 Robert Lefroy, editor, Business Money commented: "The news that Royal Bank of Scotland is to shift £240bn of assets from across the bank into a 'non-core' division is no surprise and we should welcome the distinction between business the bank has to judge profitable, and non-profitable. 11 Jun 2009 11:39:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2446.htm E8C0C2AA-68A3-4518-80AA-8FE6A0285DEC Technology to enable credit agreements to be signed online securely has been made available by leasing specialist GE Capital to its customer base in what is believed to be a first for the UK leasing industry. 11 Jun 2009 11:38:54 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2447.htm DABAD389-2DA3-4D97-9EE2-25B56090D967 UK retail sales values fell 0.8% on a like-for-like basis and rose only 0.8% on a total basis, from May 2008, when sales rose strongly in the sunny weather. 10 Jun 2009 10:00:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2444.htm 769962B5-FFDA-40C8-AE01-8C9469CF5C3E Tiger Tim Products Ltd, Europe's largest manufacturer of domestic firelighter and barbeque ignition products, has received a welcome financial boost during these tough economic times with new banking and asset-based lending (ABL) facilities totalling £8.8m from KBC Business Capital. 10 Jun 2009 10:00:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2445.htm 089F6880-F44E-4B57-85D0-40136EA35EF3 Lending to small businesses by the high street banks rose by £287m in April and there were over 48,000 new small businesses banking relationships established. Deposits from small businesses rose by £119m. 9 Jun 2009 10:35:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2442.htm 4BB3F7F0-6297-42CA-9F20-70828FD008DD Two of the UK's foremost international trade advocates have joined forces to encourage more British businesses to rediscover their mercantile spirit during the recession. 9 Jun 2009 10:35:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2443.htm C01386A4-BDC1-4AA9-803B-A99F7F9C858C Barclays has pledged its full support to dairy farmers following the announcement by Dairy Farmers of Britain that it is to go into receivership. 8 Jun 2009 10:15:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2440.htm F9FED437-D281-4ECD-B9AD-06561F78B5BB The government's proposed credit insurance scheme for small businesses falls well short of the mark according to Bibby Financial Services. 8 Jun 2009 10:14:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2441.htm F4071D45-652A-4620-9C99-87053F38CF4F The total volume of construction output in the first quarter of 2009 was 9% lower compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. 5 Jun 2009 11:26:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2438.htm 2DE55044-1EA3-4F27-8EC7-55D99C759147 The Fair Pint Campaign and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are launching a national campaign to push for government action to refer the unfair tie between the country's pubs and the pub companies that own them to the Competition Commission. 5 Jun 2009 11:26:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2439.htm 2AC75880-71BD-427F-9AFE-6F0DC4663929 International real estate advisor Savills opened its annual financing property presentations in the City of London addressing lenders on whether to buy, sell or hold commercial property assets as Savills estimates the sector has reached £50bn negative equity levels. 4 Jun 2009 09:37:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2436.htm 47894744-E7A7-4D46-A758-4293FC62E69D A post-recessionary mindset is starting to emerge among leasing customers with the result that capital expenditure is once again on the agenda, said GE Capital. 4 Jun 2009 09:36:35 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2437.htm 08CCC868-5C92-4AC4-B151-266D01D603CD The asset-based finance industry has released its latest figures, with the industry showing an expected fall in total finance provided to companies. 3 Jun 2009 10:22:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2434.htm 1DCA7679-81BE-4AD7-94EE-8C59BA731C88 A return to service sector growth was signalled in May, ending a period of contraction that lasted twelve months and that included unprecedented declines in activity. 3 Jun 2009 10:21:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2435.htm 59394F38-EAD3-4DE6-AD9B-79AF590D9430 Business Money editor, Robert Lefroy, having spoken with those concerned, reports: "Challenge Finance Limited was placed in administration on 27 May. Administrators are Neil Bennett, Michael Healy and Paul Reeves of Leonard Curtis. 2 Jun 2009 10:39:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2432.htm 29411CFD-1ECA-4B01-9B66-C2F9CB4FB684 Clifton Asset Management's first anniversary survey shows that fewer than a quarter are paying into a company pension scheme - while the vast majority shun the Enterprise Finance Guarantee. 2 Jun 2009 10:38:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2433.htm 4F3484A7-F496-4472-B396-6B3501BD3EB9 The Keep Britain Working campaign survey of over 1,600 workers (keepbritainworking.com), shows that 26% of financial services workers have had their pay cut since the recession began, 12% have experienced a reduction in hours, the lowest in the UK, and one in three (33%) have lost benefits, the highest in the UK. 1 Jun 2009 09:45:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2430.htm 977200CA-662F-40ED-92F9-DDE9D8AB39DC Retail sales fell again in the year to May, following a brief pause in April, the CBI has said. 1 Jun 2009 09:45:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2431.htm 15BE4789-B428-47FB-AEFF-58940DAD7927 The UK's business landscape is set for its biggest shake up since the industrial revolution, according to HSBC's Future of Business report. 29 May 2009 09:19:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2428.htm AD00D940-4DD1-44AB-BFD1-EF2E478663CF Some £1bn has typically been invested in SMEs annually by Business Angels prior to the credit crunch hitting the UK economy last year. 29 May 2009 09:19:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2429.htm 8B388A41-3303-4811-A7E0-A08B882796F9 The high street banks' net mortgage lending of £2.7bn has not been as low for some eight years and consequently, the trend edged lower. 28 May 2009 09:50:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2426.htm BB2BFDF7-0551-4E45-8E8A-E5CE1E18EE12 Research by Cattles Invoice Finance (CIF) has revealed that only 27% of UK SMEs credit check new customers, putting their businesses at unnecessary risk at a time when just one unpaid invoice could spell failure. 28 May 2009 09:49:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2427.htm 5A8E0384-1A3E-4D18-9822-044E24077477 The service sector is still in deep recession, but there are also some signs that sentiment is improving, alongside indications that the decline in business activity is starting to slow, the latest CBI Service Sector Survey reveals. 27 May 2009 14:41:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2424.htm F3C765A9-31B1-4BB5-A1E0-930946F43E5C Business owners and mangers across the UK are reducing costs, becoming more transparent, and investing in customer service levels in a bid to keep clients happy and avoid losing valuable business, according to new research from independent invoice financier Bibby Financial Services. 27 May 2009 14:40:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2425.htm CB7BD6A9-E104-4B6A-8E40-F37A5BD9B4D5 Base Commercial Mortgages Limited, the specialist commercial mortgage lender which was forced to stop lending last year as a direct result of the credit crisis, is planning to restart lending via a limited panel of commercial finance brokers. 26 May 2009 10:36:46 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2422a.htm 910B8A30-744F-42D8-A165-7F660C28E69D Lloyds Banking Group is making a number of changes to the structure of its wholesale banking division. The objective is to create one industry-leading wholesale bank for the group. The division provides a broad range of banking and financial services to many corporate customers across the UK. 26 May 2009 09:58:47 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2422.htm 7F5BD33C-84A4-4374-B576-BC451640A918 Confidence among business professionals has risen for the first time in two years indicating that the decline in the UK economy has stabilised. The latest UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) from The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) reveals a rise in confidence from -45.3 to -28.2. 26 May 2009 09:58:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2423.htm 29F72172-9AE5-47BF-B723-46BEC9488481 Gross mortgage lending declined to an estimated £10.4bn in April, down 9% from £11.4bn in March and 60% from £26.1bn in April 2008, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 22 May 2009 09:05:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2420.htm D524DEAB-8467-4CA8-866D-A8796A0DD329 The ABFA has released a glossary of basic terms and product descriptions to help to clarify the products available from the asset-based finance industry. 22 May 2009 09:03:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2421.htm B4624332-E250-4C65-9D34-2C521C9C4397 The UK's manufacturing firms expect the pace of decline in output to slow markedly in the next quarter, suggesting they believe the toughest phase of the recession may be behind them. 21 May 2009 11:14:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2418.htm 46010692-21AB-4DA2-B8B3-2542A531472A Last autumn, Unity Trust Bank launched an initiative to encourage customers to use our online bank statement service. For every 50 customers who registered for the service, Unity undertook to purchase a Train a Farmer package from Oxfam Unwrapped. 21 May 2009 11:14:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2419.htm 6991DCCC-F9C1-45B6-B848-670E04EC2216 A report published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) compares the UK and EU regulatory systems, finding them to be worlds apart with no effective communication between them. 20 May 2009 10:46:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2416.htm 64613EC9-B4D8-4BA7-A00D-FF26FEBA55D7 Scottish house prices have continued to fall in the latest quarter, according to the Scottish House Price Monitor from Lloyds TSB Scotland. 20 May 2009 10:45:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2417.htm 0A30925E-2CC9-4CAA-A482-E9A1A47C0E77 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation - the government's target measure - fell to 2.3% in April, down from 2.9% in March. 19 May 2009 10:39:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2414.htm FC4D90FE-94E6-4041-86D1-CC84C14FB223 An analysis of recent cases by law firm Mishcon de Reya and KPMG shows that corporate data theft cases in the UK have doubled between 2006 and 2008. 19 May 2009 10:38:52 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2415.htm D370328C-7391-4EB4-8957-5B89217CB73D New buy-to-let lending fell for the sixth consecutive quarter in the first three months of 2009, reflecting the continuation of extremely challenging funding conditions as well as general housing market weakness, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Buy-to-lending accounted for 6% of all gross mortgage lending in the first quarter, down from 12% a year earlier. 18 May 2009 12:07:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2412.htm 471C9B0A-47CA-4E26-A6F1-2775A889D5BE Entrepreneurial spirit in the UK could be in danger of being dampened by the increase in company failures, despite the fact that the real rate of insolvencies is still significantly lower than the rate seen in the recession of the early nineties. 18 May 2009 12:06:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2413.htm 0BDE7A6D-4CF5-483F-92C0-DEB7969F3DE0 The Treasury Committee's latest report on the financial crisis is right to highlight problems in the City's rules and practices, said the British Bankers' Association. 15 May 2009 12:00:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2410.htm 63DECFDB-7D5D-414E-8367-E8AE46F5C20C FirstAssist Services has launched a new business and legal support product, designed to act as an added value service for financial service providers to offer their SME customers. 15 May 2009 12:00:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2411.htm A17F991D-E7EA-4831-A29A-2441634DF5CD The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) is looking to engage lessors to discuss the main concerns of leasing and asset finance brokers raised at two well attended leasing round table meetings held earlier this year. 14 May 2009 09:53:33 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2408.htm D78AE7A6-D5FA-407D-8C2B-50B1CD8E54DF Unity Trust Bank is delighted to learn that BERR has extended the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme to provide up to £20m worth of additional cover to funders of CDFIs. 14 May 2009 09:53:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2409.htm 3EEBEBE9-D468-4F68-B20A-95C3395AC56E Close Invoice Finance has acquired the factoring business of Ireland's longest running invoice finance company, Ulster Factors, for an undisclosed sum. 13 May 2009 09:49:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2405.htm 81A7453A-A680-4A55-B4E4-D25CDFE65FE5 While 2008 saw banks tighten their lending criteria and company insolvency numbers rise by 56%, Bibby Financial Services, the independent invoice financier, recorded a pre-tax profit of £20.5m for 2008 - an increase of 24% on its 2007 figures - and saw a year on year increase in its client base of 21%. 13 May 2009 09:38:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2405.htm 315544AE-C38B-4971-8682-2486852B6554 Sales in April edged up a little further, albeit from historically low levels, while the net balance of surveyors reporting a rise in new buyer enquires climbed to the highest figure for almost a decade, says RICS' UK Housing Market Survey. 13 May 2009 09:37:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2406.htm 7782D118-1F6F-48FD-BF1D-19E40A74C5FA The UK's deficit on trade in goods and services is provisionally estimated to have narrowed in March to £2.5bn from a deficit of £2.8bn in February. 12 May 2009 10:34:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2403.htm B4834779-1177-42D9-A6EA-91403B0E6013 Companies which reduce their IT support could be risking their long term futures for short term savings this recession. 12 May 2009 10:34:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2404.htm 71EEBDE0-50A8-43FC-A70C-84907B879224 The Bank of England has announced that agricultural borrowing in the UK rose during the first quarter of 2009. 11 May 2009 09:43:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2401.htm 61302B3F-AF08-4372-84C9-9F8CE2A3B116 The jobs market will continue to shrink in the next three months as the number of employers planning to make redundancies continues to exceed the number of employers planning to hire according to the CIPD/KPMG Labour Market Outlook, a survey of more than 500 employers. 11 May 2009 09:42:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2402.htm 99AF04DE-459F-4334-99AC-F43051427AF8 The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rose by eight points to 50 in April, the largest single monthly rise for nearly two years. 8 May 2009 12:11:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2399.htm D5C1DDC7-D78C-49DF-9D8B-595076DF771F Following the re-entry of the retail giant Argos into its Late Payment Hall of Shame, four years after its first appearance, the FPB is urging the UK's biggest businesses to sign up to the Government's Prompt Payment Code. 8 May 2009 12:11:11 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2400.htm C151A632-FDF9-45B5-B6F4-AEB83373E1B9 Further signs of stabilisation in the UK service sector were signalled by April's CIPS/Markit survey. Both business activity and new work fell at much slower rates than seen earlier in the year, while expectations improved to their highest in eleven months. 7 May 2009 10:38:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2397.htm FBF5FB90-DAEA-4A42-80E8-8AADE3CABE0A This month Euroconvention Conferences offers a unique opportunity to focus on the very latest issues impacting on the present day financial services industry. It will help you meet the new challenges and understand the changes currently taking place in the European markets. 7 May 2009 10:38:12 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2398.htm 90FAB1FB-C7E7-4134-B577-073129DFAFDE A recent survey in the London Evening Standard revealed that almost half of the businesses polled have been refused funding from their banks, and one in five were being bullied to repay their existing loans. 6 May 2009 09:11:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2395.htm 0B6363A2-D394-436F-BFB7-99ECFA14423F A £20m short-term lending fund has been launched to help the north west's growth-hungry SMEs, entrepreneurs and property professionals beat the credit crunch. 6 May 2009 09:11:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2396.htm 769A66C8-0D44-4D92-87A8-7C9793A3EC0C Davenham, one of the UK's asset-based finance companies, has shaken-off some of the gloom gripping the financial sector after unveiling a record three months of transactions for its trade finance division. 5 May 2009 10:06:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2393.htm 2DE6BD74-EFA8-4E0C-82B9-5EF14D1862B7 Tenant demand across all sectors continued to fall in the first quarter although the pace of decline eased back. Surveyors expect rental declines to accelerate on the back of a record increase in available floor space says RICS' Commercial Property Survey. 5 May 2009 10:06:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2394.htm 3F5687C2-B525-4986-897B-61F7AD754575 Scottish Widows and Clerical Medical will combine to provide a new single intermediary sales force and product proposition from 1 July 2009. 1 May 2009 09:55:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2391.htm 8422168B-B3DD-483E-AFDA-E805BEB44D10 With HM Revenue & Customs' extended powers now in place, which include the right to enter business owner's homes, new research from Premierline Direct reveals that one in five of the UK's small businesses are living in fear of being investigated. 1 May 2009 09:54:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2392.htm A559BA7C-1340-4B4E-8F90-4B457FBE47CB Lovetts, one of the UK's debt recovery law firms has revealed that companies are going legal a staggering 39 days sooner than a year ago on unpaid invoices. 30 Apr 2009 09:52:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2389.htm 3CEA5212-2F16-4539-BC9D-31FDC7EB5CCC Most small businesses will be negatively affected by increases in fuel and alcohol duty announced in last week's budget, a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses has revealed. 30 Apr 2009 09:51:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2390.htm E99DC61A-C45B-4645-8D95-F60F80ACB86B Half year results. 29 Apr 2009 09:47:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2387.htm 4C932313-0A48-459F-AB08-A624E60A96D8 Figures released by the UK payments industry give an authoritative overview of UK consumers' spending habits last year. 29 Apr 2009 09:47:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2388.htm E9DCFBF0-6317-46E9-9F92-1127AFEE5E48 Companies with between 100 and 250 employees 20% more likely to have ageing debt than their smaller cousins. 28 Apr 2009 09:01:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2385.htm 55092DD0-9BAE-4F1D-89F3-EEA694F7D556 Small firms are shedding staff at an increasing rate in an attempt to stay afloat as sales continue to drop and finance is hard to come by in the recession, according to the latest Quarterly Survey of Small Business in Britain published by the Open University Business School. 28 Apr 2009 09:00:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2386.htm 7BD76DE4-8E16-4C8B-8F3B-F07EDA039E68 In one of the most significant developments in the governance or financing of Britain for a hundred years, local municipal banking has returned with the launch of the groundbreaking Banking on Essex scheme. 27 Apr 2009 11:30:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2383.htm DBFA3925-7166-4875-992B-315A0E14955B The budget should have done more to ensure a scheme designed to help businesses with cashflow problems worked, according to The Corporate Finance Network, a national association of accountants and business advisors. 27 Apr 2009 11:30:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2384.htm 577A6C7B-AB3F-4327-864A-CE136E777882 Barclays intend to increase lending to its UK customers and clients in 2009 by £11bn, an increase of 6% on UK loan balances at the end of 2008. 24 Apr 2009 10:19:45 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2381.htm 9DDDDB05-ACD9-45F4-9697-99581173FFB9 Demand for UK manufactured goods slumped at its fastest rate in thirty years in the past three months as output saw a record decline, the CBI said. 24 Apr 2009 10:19:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2382.htm 1F17FB3F-71F9-454C-B6B2-78C13A10F587 The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) welcomes the budget's raft of corporate proposals, including additional help for loss-making companies and support for payment of business rates. Equally positive was the announcement of the top-up trade credit insurance scheme. 23 Apr 2009 10:58:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2379.htm 9ACAE6C2-9A0F-4FDF-AC2D-DD0EC765287C Commenting on how the budget brings some welcome relief for businesses relying on credit insurance, John Jenkins CEO of GE Capital in the UK, said: "A new study from GE Capital indicates that over a quarter of businesses (26%) say that cashflow management is their biggest challenge, so today's Budget announcement will bring some welcome relief." 23 Apr 2009 10:57:35 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2380.htm CA229634-E620-4DE1-ADCA-01CED10EBC40 Despite the current economic downturn, around half of all respondents in this year's Baker Tilly 2009 Business Perception Survey feel the recession will benefit their businesses in the long term. This will result in them becoming leaner and fitter and better placed to take advantage of new markets and products and less efficient rivals. 22 Apr 2009 09:34:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2377.htm 6FFACB8C-AEBB-4211-941D-E69627153323 A student at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design has won a high profile art competition, which will see her work used in an international advertising campaign for Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance. 22 Apr 2009 09:33:49 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2378.htm 60DC14CE-9384-41EB-99CA-C0A68F4B73B6 Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation - the government's target measure - fell to 2.9% in March, down from 3.2% in February. 21 Apr 2009 10:35:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2375.htm EBB9E28B-6B2B-4FB4-A68B-14D3736B13CF Small businesses need a go-between to help rebuild ailing relationships with the banks and revive the flagging economy, latest figures from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) show. 21 Apr 2009 10:34:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2376.htm 5AA6DBFA-A67B-43B9-909F-ED5C325168D7 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the chancellor to help the UK's embattled private sector when he delivers his budget speech on Wednesday. 20 Apr 2009 10:07:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2373.htm 1551740B-2171-4414-BB5F-1E3B6057F28B With more than two million SMEs saying the issue they'd most like this month's budget to address is the problem of late payments, HSBC Commercial Banking is urging businesses to take action and ensure they have the right financial solutions in place to help manage cashflow over the long-term. 20 Apr 2009 10:06:47 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2374.htm 3045CA79-A17D-4284-8F13-B5DC11E92E87 Ultimate Finance Group plc, the AIM-quoted factoring, invoice discounting and financial solutions provider to the SME sector, has released its half yearly report for the period ended 31 December 2008. 17 Apr 2009 10:11:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2371.htm F4FF75FB-632E-4F7C-8042-573D132D69B6 John Jenkins has been appointed as the new CEO for GE Capital in the UK. John will be responsible for bringing together GE's asset-based lending, fleet and equipment financing operations in the UK to drive performance, create synergies across the business and simplify the offering to customers and stakeholders. The appointment follows a recent restructure of GE's global financial operations under the GE Capital brand. In the UK GE Capital's consumer finance, energy finance and corporate aircraft services businesses will be continue to be managed separately. 17 Apr 2009 10:11:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2372.htm C6AA9AC0-DA68-4376-868E-82808C685F8E Three in five businesses are struggling to maintain cashflow levels due to delays or defaults on the payment of creditors' bills, increasing the risk of a domino effect of collapsing businesses. 16 Apr 2009 09:53:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2369.htm 2C25136C-855A-4620-8794-EF4521080C2E At a time when small businesses are feeling the effects of the recession, MBNA has announced the launch of a new business credit card, designed specifically with sole traders and small businesses in mind. The new MBNA Business Credit Card offers 0% p.a. on business purchases for one whole year from the date the account is opened. The standard rate of interest for purchases will be 15.9% APR (typical) variable. 16 Apr 2009 09:52:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2370.htm FC9939B5-8067-4CF9-8A5C-B5279719EE0B Data released by Barclaycard Payment Acceptance, confirms that people opted to stay at home this Easter. The data shows an increase in purchases in department and DIY stores and garden centres and a reduction in airline and hotel spending, compared to last year. 15 Apr 2009 11:08:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2367.htm 142E5371-5355-476A-A3D3-51D31D35CD02 Business owners struggling to access finance from major lenders are sceptical about support from the government, despite its commitment to scrutinise the behaviour of banks via its Small Business Lending Monitoring Panel. 15 Apr 2009 11:05:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2368.htm A24FF1B0-12AC-4112-88F9-133022DF8CFA The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG Report on Jobs provides the most comprehensive guide to the UK labour market, drawing on original survey data provided by recruitment consultancies. 14 Apr 2009 10:34:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2366.htm 4BE214FE-360D-44B1-AA1B-97530CC374A9 The number of house purchase loans ticked up in February, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. 14 Apr 2009 10:34:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2365.htm 33C10431-D9C5-4395-972C-5C60301D355B The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.5%. The committee also voted to continue with the programme, announced on 5 March, of asset purchases totalling £75bn financed by the issuance of central bank reserves. 9 Apr 2009 12:14:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2363.htm 61E37FB3-1DD0-4F0C-8A1C-AFBD1A5877F6 EU proposals under discussion could result in bank customers receiving over a billion useless VAT invoices alongside their statements unless the chancellor uses his coming budget to commit to reversing red tape, the British Bankers' Association has said. 9 Apr 2009 12:14:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2364.htm 8BF84548-4EE4-49EF-9849-B80D1891CC31 The OFT has launched a consultation on its proposed financial services strategy which sets out its approach to the sector in response to the current economic crisis. 8 Apr 2009 10:08:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2361.htm CC170B7E-85FF-4F48-984F-F20A9034C8E7 Rural businesses continue to struggle in the recession with over eight in ten seeing costs rise and nearly half seeing a decrease in trade, a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) poll reveals. 8 Apr 2009 10:08:25 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2362.htm EABAE888-4D73-4E2C-B414-CBEF5A1E8109 CBI Conference Centre, Centre Point, London, 30 April 2009 Mike Chapman, head of insolvency regulation at the Insolvency Service, will make the case against pre-packs in the debate at the Sixth Business Money All-Asset Finance Conference. PWC’s Karen Dukes is to make the case in favour. 7 Apr 2009 16:06:14 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2359.htm 8196A3BD-DEB7-4A43-9D0C-AB350699A1A5 Subsidies for companies recruiting and training extra staff will not go far enough to protect employees and small businesses hit by the recession, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning. 7 Apr 2009 16:05:49 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2360.htm 9A0C0AEF-7AF3-43FB-9B6C-3D74F80A821A Bank of London and the Middle East plc (BLME), the London-based Sharia'a compliant wholesale bank, has today announced full year 2008 results, reporting an operating profit of £5.8m. 6 Apr 2009 10:13:55 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2357.htm 9B9FE7BC-A702-4806-97F5-EB37D1BAF587 There are signs that the credit crunch may have become less severe for some businesses, according to the latest CBI figures. 6 Apr 2009 10:13:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2358.htm 3C5618A5-EB66-46D3-A504-BC114044EB11 The chancellor has relented to demands and announced a cut to the planned 5% rise in business rates which was threatening to cripple many small firms. 3 Apr 2009 10:16:22 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2355.htm 63459095-8435-4FC6-93C3-F6AE720A9230 March's CIPS/Markit survey indicated a further easing in the rate of contraction of the UK services sector. Both business activity and incoming new work declined at their slowest rates in six months, while confidence hit its highest since the collapse of Lehman Brothers last September triggered an intensification of the global economic downturn. 3 Apr 2009 10:15:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2356.htm D70312D2-21BA-4712-AE7A-866EC7AC0EC4 Research reveals significant increases in credit refusal, driving business owners to seek out alternative funding options. 2 Apr 2009 09:59:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2353.htm F353C070-E75D-479D-A610-BC3FEF9CBD6C Overall conditions in the UK manufacturing sector remained weak in March. Output, new orders and employment dropped at historically marked rates and disinflationary pressures continued to build. However, indexes tracking production and new work rose sharply. Both regained much of the ground lost following the deepening of the manufacturing recession during Q4 in 2008. 2 Apr 2009 09:59:12 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2354.htm 50CDECC3-AA69-4B16-BE3F-35C8B1BC8479 Businesses will be able to spread payment of this year's inflation up-rating to business rates over three years, under new legislation announced by the government. 1 Apr 2009 10:08:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2351.htm 487475BF-AD99-46DE-8C6F-220169F560A6 Last year's overhaul of the UK's capital allowance regime took effect from April 2008 - before the recession and lack of financing really took hold in the property sector. 1 Apr 2009 10:07:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2352.htm 59F8A823-623B-4B54-85B7-4204733DBD14 Blake Lapthorn is pleased to announce the launch of its new asset-based lending (ABL) team. 31 Mar 2009 09:59:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2349.htm 1EE2D616-BCAE-4269-9604-9BD06FAF99C6 The government has delivered on its promise to provide a simplified framework for publicly funded support for businesses. 31 Mar 2009 09:59:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2350.htm 94EC4318-8FA1-474C-9D91-BAE7D21C8522 Forcing banks to behave and solving the problem of rising unemployment should be at the top of the government's to-do list in the most crucial budget in decades, said the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 30 Mar 2009 10:45:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2347.htm 0F7AFD84-5F2E-4443-AFB4-76F0E0C9E1F0 The UK financial services sector has been hit by record drops in income levels while business volumes have continued to fall sharply, a new survey said. 30 Mar 2009 10:44:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2348.htm 7AEF9367-2762-448F-BBA2-2DB7A7DF5780 The Chartered Institute of Marketing is publishing a white paper on the role of marketing in a recession, which will be launched on the 23 April in central London. The paper shows that those organisations that increase their marketing spend in a recession are those who emerge strongest when recovery comes. 27 Mar 2009 09:53:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2345.htm 0D4315AF-8BBC-45F6-9E38-F098AA52D665 Davenham, an independent asset-based lender to the UK SME sector, today announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2008. 27 Mar 2009 09:53:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2346.htm 9CF470D2-8F0F-4680-A300-33933EA55663 Figures released by Barclays show that the number of new businesses remained at high levels in 2008, rising from 432,300 in 2007 to 436,600, although activity weakened in the second half. The estimates also reveal that the total number of businesses increased by 1% to just under 2.9 million firms. 26 Mar 2009 09:52:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2343.htm E909AADC-4B19-4575-AD22-8961B3B95A4D As year end approaches for many small businesses, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) warns SMEs to think ahead and start planning now so they are not faced with any bombshells. 26 Mar 2009 09:51:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2344.htm F0939BCB-E747-4CAD-AFD0-D006E9A15BBC The banks' mortgage lending trend was stronger in February, with a net rise of £3.9 bn, while finance for non-financial companies rose by £1.1bn. 25 Mar 2009 10:07:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2341.htm 9577EC80-EB98-4FAE-BB82-CD73E5776009 PrimeRevenue and Swiss Commercial Capital, leading providers of supply chain finance solutions, have signed an agreement to jointly address the working capital needs that Global 2000 companies, their supply chains and distribution channels face in today's volatile economic environment. 25 Mar 2009 10:07:17 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2342.htm 48D5D6C8-A40E-4B5B-944F-58948E1B5115 Davenham today announces the result of its strategic review and the successful £215m refinancing of its banking facilities to support its new strategy of focusing on its asset and trade finance divisions, whilst optimising recoveries from its property division. 24 Mar 2009 12:34:22 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2340a.htm C717726B-BD2E-452A-814D-30A02E6BBC8A Rising prices for food and drink, recreation and transport pushed Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation - the Government's target measure - to 3.2% in February, up from 3.0% in January. 24 Mar 2009 10:38:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2339.htm 2CE352EB-9A83-4486-AD70-9F4885F5D2F4 The national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has promised to provide shelter for small businesses struggling through the storm of recession. 24 Mar 2009 10:38:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2340.htm 84F6E4E7-062F-4297-A4CF-F0666F29D192 Two thirds (66%) of Britain's small business owners believe that inflation will either flatten out (31%) or possibly decrease (35%) over the course of the year, resulting in a period of deflation, according to research by Bank of Scotland. 23 Mar 2009 09:34:47 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2337.htm 70E581FB-8130-4DBE-AC24-731158ADB76B Reports of the demise of cash are greatly exaggerated. Despite the impression created by some banks, it is the most popular means of payment and the most cost effective for retailers. 23 Mar 2009 09:34:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2338.htm 3D62FECB-0C3E-4311-B862-D19857442969 As the UK again lobbies Brussels for a deal to enable it to continue opting out of European Union curbs on working hours, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) strongly reiterates that the deal originally agreed by member states was a compromise and should still stand. 20 Mar 2009 09:41:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2335.htm 16745067-9F18-4810-B37A-59C0BD3CE0FC New research from commercial credit reference agency Graydon UK, revealed that last autumn's government pledge to ease the cashflow problems faced by small firms through the payment by government departments of trade invoices in 10 rather than the usual 30 days, is taking longer than expected to take effect. 20 Mar 2009 09:40:46 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2336.htm 2DA308B3-198B-4412-A42B-E45E0EC8A271 The CBI's has responded to Lord Turner's review of financial regulation, alongside associated FSA discussion papers. 19 Mar 2009 09:54:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2333.htm EDC50A21-5B8C-4935-891B-B59840538CFD Rents dropped across the residential lettings sector as would-be-sellers continued to flood the rental market with unsellable properties, says the RICS Lettings Survey. 19 Mar 2009 09:53:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2334.htm 3726E1B3-6B26-4233-8306-B312CF5A8EDA Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have highlighted the degree to which public sector pay and employment has remained immune to the impact of the recession. 18 Mar 2009 10:42:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2331.htm 147DDF99-8905-44ED-BC98-4010D09BC6BB The FPB has handed the government proposals for a budget for business survival, focusing on boosting business confidence and lifting the UK's economy out of recession. 18 Mar 2009 10:41:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2332.htm 5803B4DD-642F-4F99-8F7D-6291937E92AF A comprehensive proposal for a new Post Bank to run as part of the Post Office network is launched today by a new coalition of trade unions, a business organisation, pensioner and pressure groups and charities. 17 Mar 2009 09:32:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2329.htm 0B3EFAFD-5810-4C97-9D80-7424CE170AB4 Cashflow and bank credit issues caused by the recession are seeing businesses re-examine their acquisition methods - providing a boost to all kinds of leasing as a result, says GE Capital Solutions. 17 Mar 2009 09:31:49 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2330.htm 849434DD-8B04-4663-A986-17457C4A9ECD Exclusive Connections has bolstered its bridging finance panel once again with the addition of another Blemain Group lending company. 16 Mar 2009 09:04:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2327.htm 095B2F9F-11C2-47F2-B068-A88F84464EE0 More than nine in 10 (91%) SMEs believe that good supplier relationships are critical in times of economic uncertainty or hardship, according to a new business trends report from HSBC Commercial Banking. 16 Mar 2009 09:03:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2328.htm 59E2CB74-FD44-4E66-B63B-2C4DF22560B3 UK consumer spending is forecast to decline twice as fast as other Eurozone countries in 2009, according to Experian's latest European Regional and City level consumer markets report (ERCC). The report, published by Experian's economic forecasting business, predicts that the largest declines will be seen in the car market (down 12.57%) compared with an average decline of 0.82 across the Eurozone. Other UK markets that will see major declines in spending this year include restaurants, entertainment, personal care, telecommunications and fuel. 13 Mar 2009 09:27:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2325.htm 2ABDC43C-8C5D-4F90-BF45-41378E215D2E The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has celebrated a new agreement given by local authorities to include small businesses in decision-making. 13 Mar 2009 09:27:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2326.htm 54677629-F949-40EC-AF9D-B22F52A77DD6 UK M&A activity fell by 47% between the first and second halves of 2008 reflecting the worsening global economic outlook as 2008 unfolded, says a new study conducted for PKF accountants and business advisers. 12 Mar 2009 09:44:57 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2323.htm 872EDF95-519A-43BB-8C77-8339656DF63D The London Development Agency (LDA) announced a further push to ensure London businesses are aware of the support and advice available to beat the downturn. 12 Mar 2009 09:44:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2324.htm 29963C88-FCAC-4D52-A655-F0ED318DC2AD LC Factoring Advisory Service is highlighting trends that are being witnessed first-hand in the current climate. 11 Mar 2009 09:44:22 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2321.htm AC6DACDE-02B9-4800-A41E-5A6FEC84E2C3 Albany Software, has launched Albany ePAY, a new, highly-scalable, intelligent multi-payment routing solution that has the capability to integrate, connect and deliver from any existing accounting infrastructure. 11 Mar 2009 09:44:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2322.htm 085B57B4-0864-4345-BDE3-F11CFDC50088 There are only eight months remaining for payment service providers to prepare for the Payment Services Directive (PSD), a new European law that will impact UK payments, particularly those made into and out of current accounts. 10 Mar 2009 09:45:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2319.htm C73A5B12-7DA4-4025-A277-23F06A7BA3EE You may have seen press coverage earlier this week regarding two important surveys which bring together the firm's findings on how the recession is impacting and will further impact the wider economy. 10 Mar 2009 09:44:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2320.htm 680C0172-FBE6-463F-8B46-EBDB638FFA82 As part of Santander's plans to develop its UK SME business, Alliance & Leicester has joined the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme from 6 March and Abbey has applied to participate in the European Investment Bank's (EIB) EUR15bn fund, which it has set aside to help SMEs throughout Europe, at an initial level of £100m. 9 Mar 2009 09:57:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2317.htm 594CF4D3-460E-4DFB-BC12-2539ACF56618 The Faster Payments Service has beaten its previous daily record, announced in December 2008, of processing nearly four million payments, to a value of nearly £730m, Chaps Co has confirmed. 9 Mar 2009 09:56:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2318.htm CD324C9D-4C80-4478-B030-BF8BAD6664B6 Experts are warning that many businesses are missing out on cash savings worth thousands of pounds by simply overlooking the fact that they could be eligible to deregister for VAT. 6 Mar 2009 10:14:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2315.htm 612ABCCB-92F0-4568-99C6-94DBC3A17D7B The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling on banks to restore decision-making powers to local branches and is launching a code of good practice for banks to follow and to support more lending to small firms. 6 Mar 2009 10:13:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/newsindx.htm 95C60075-9CB6-4622-9814-4406A211ABD7 The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to reduce the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves by 0.5 percentage points to 0.5%, and to undertake a programme of asset purchases of £75bn financed by the issuance of central bank reserves. 5 Mar 2009 12:15:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2312.htm FC3612B0-FC26-411C-9C10-56EEBB01DEE4 European Commission proposals removing the obligation of companies with turnovers below EUR1m to file accounts at Companies House could further reduce access to finance for micro-businesses in the UK, according to commercial credit agency, Graydon UK. 5 Mar 2009 12:14:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2313.htm 2F91B899-C902-4999-956A-1F8B300FAC44 The Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index recorded its first rise since October 2008 in February. Despite the weakening economic conditions, the index increased from 41 in January to 43 in February. 5 Mar 2009 12:14:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2314.htm FA0B42C6-99E3-4CBD-88D0-5BD18E0B9BF6 Barclays Commercial Bank today launches a new initiative to assist its 81,000 business clients in battling recession. The Turning the Corner programme combines practical guidance, workshops, industry discussions and networking events to offer business owners and managers specific skills and knowledge that will help them in meeting the unique challenges, and identifying potential opportunities, the current recession presents. 4 Mar 2009 09:23:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2310.htm 63B8A05F-F617-4D24-9057-B21AB9301C51 Richard Lambert, CBI director-general, has called on government to consider funding an investment corporation like the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation (ICFC) created in 1945, to provide finance to small and medium-sized companies. 4 Mar 2009 09:22:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2311.htm 9BC0584B-E591-4C80-9283-46286D2DC2EE The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has launched a strategic framework outlining the policies required to foster business growth in the short-term and lay the foundations for economic stability in the long-term. 3 Mar 2009 10:19:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2308.htm 0DB8E393-4EE1-40D4-8BFD-2013BA1E48AC Barclays customers will find paying by debit card gets a little easier from this week as they start to receive VISA debit cards with new built-in contactless technology. 3 Mar 2009 10:18:54 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2309.htm C4E64191-5217-4FB0-9F5B-028C0C3B6058 Asset-based finance is proving itself to be a strong source of funding for MBOs, refinancing and acquisitions. 2 Mar 2009 09:58:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2306.htm 236D3272-DCB9-4905-9B22-3AFF7E89BF2B Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has announced that it plans to increase its total lending to small business customers by over a quarter in 2009. This follows record lending from the bank in 2008, which saw total small business lending balances increase by 49%. 2 Mar 2009 09:58:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2307.htm 1003F682-2CE6-4646-9718-B33D636A9E57 Support is growing for a Private Members Bill pioneered by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) with over 100 MPs signing an Early Day Motion calling for rate relief to be made automatic for eligible firms. 27 Feb 2009 10:09:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2304.htm 3D17D0FC-0DBE-4E95-8E81-6A8A0C90B69B The European Commission plans to abolish burdensome rules which oblige small firms to submit audit reports to national authorities. 27 Feb 2009 10:09:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2305.htm F5ED3455-F960-4DA7-A001-69970924CF73 Tenants are enjoying new buying power as an oversupply of rental property, combined with uncertainty in the job market, causes London rents to slip by an average of 15%, reports Cluttons. Those tenants in secure jobs are seizing the opportunity to trade up the lettings ladder, securing bigger, more attractive properties for the same price. 26 Feb 2009 09:53:49 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2302.htm AD255903-BD63-4AFB-9C57-728DFCD159B4 Jobs are being lost in the service sector at the fastest rate in over 10 years as the recession deepens, the latest CBI Service Sector survey reveals. 26 Feb 2009 09:53:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2303.htm FF6F1AD7-C78A-4CAE-8C41-57FF4FE5D47D Britain's small businesses are bracing themselves for the challenges of contracting markets, rising costs, and increased competition, over the next few months. 25 Feb 2009 09:20:57 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2300.htm AE7E2821-866A-4AB6-8D91-1CEBF29F800E IGF Invoice Finance Ltd, the independent commercial finance company specialising in the small and medium sized business market, has responded to the recent Panorama programme (BBC1), in which Theo Paphitis of Dragon's Den fame travelled the UK talking to small businesses about the problems they're having securing credit lines from the High Street Banks. 25 Feb 2009 09:20:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2301.htm C88DFC90-2E22-4AD2-BF64-6B1FEAD6A449 Avoiding loss and unbudgeted costs is a key consideration in the management of all insolvencies but the collapse in the property market is forcing R3 practitioners to take an even closer look at their risk management. 24 Feb 2009 09:40:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2298.htm 7FF3F33C-2956-42FF-90DD-480A76897D52 The Council of Mortgage Lenders observes that the resumption of new mortgage lending by Northern Rock will be another factor that may help to ease the continuing lack of supply of mortgage lending to the market. 24 Feb 2009 09:40:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2299.htm 1FCA5D21-2A84-4C57-8C05-2DD164E0197C The Continental European buy-out market has tumbled to its lowest level for seven years according to the Centre for Management Buy-out Research. 23 Feb 2009 11:44:59 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2296.htm 4691D2F6-AA4B-4F6B-AAA6-7EF36A35E036 A tax expert is reminding businesses they can reclaim VAT incurred on expenditure in other member states of the EU. 23 Feb 2009 11:44:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2297.htm C9E471D6-6DA1-4878-8D4C-C28DEB1A1009 Over 540,000 SMEs across the UK are turning to family and friends for cash rather than the banks - six times as many as when polled in early 2008 - according to research from Close Invoice Finance, part of the FTSE 250 merchant banking group Close Brothers Group plc. 20 Feb 2009 10:40:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2294.htm ED593003-CB15-4A04-9DEC-BB0659FBA705 Figures published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that internet sales now represent 3.7% of total retail sales. 20 Feb 2009 10:39:18 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2295.htm 708612AD-3942-4365-A17F-16D43A7EB980 The board of Potential regrets to announce that, having carefully considered the financial position and prospects of the company, it has appointed David John Standish and Allan Watson Graham of KPMG LLP to act as administrators of the company. 19 Feb 2009 10:19:54 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2292.htm 217B9442-4D6F-4B1F-8183-5E0267ACC9B4 The Office for National Statistics has determined that the Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and Lloyds Banking Group plc (previously HBOS plc and Lloyds TSB Group plc) will be classified in the public sector from 13 October 2008. Prior to this date they, and their subsidiary companies, are classified in the private sector. 19 Feb 2009 10:19:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2293.htm 66CDD49C-C5D8-4997-B39C-A6B4ED8554E9 The productivity gap between the UK and other members of the G7 group of leading industrialised economies in 2007 was smaller than previously evaluated according to revised estimates published today by the Office for National Statistics. 18 Feb 2009 10:34:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2290.htm 0193B088-9C33-4928-928D-A16CDCEC08C9 Small businesses lose up to £800 a year to fraud and online crime, according to a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which is calling for more action to tackle online crime. 18 Feb 2009 10:34:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2291.htm 707B176C-E72E-46FF-A433-EFFCF060C71F Small firms in London have been hit harder by the economic downturn than those in other regions of the country, triggering widespread job losses in the capital, according to a new report. 17 Feb 2009 10:55:24 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2288.htm 65ABA754-6C58-49DE-BE10-E754E1F5E203 Businesses across the country are continuing to reduce their costs and cut back their plans for the future as confidence falls to its lowest level, according to the latest UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Significantly, eight out of 14 key financial performance indicators tracked in the survey are forecast to decline - the first time we have seen contraction predicted since the survey began. 17 Feb 2009 10:55:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2289.htm D67A5CEB-E505-4D73-8243-D6373CE7D316 Business Money editor, Robert Lefroy defended bonus payments to Lloyds TSB personnel. 16 Feb 2009 09:56:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2286.htm D667232A-F66F-4D87-903C-C5571A462EA2 Demand for residential farmland plummeted in the second half of 2008, as life-style buyers all but disappeared, says RICS Rural Market Survey. 16 Feb 2009 09:56:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2287.htm BB0DE16A-12DA-49F5-97CE-EC090D03702F As a lack of lending has caused the automotive industry to grind to a halt with thousands of vehicles waiting to be sold, one of the country's best capitalised retail banks has stepped into the breach with a bespoke finance offering to help kick-start the motor trade. For months, sales of cars have slumped as banks withheld funding, leaving dealerships unable to broker finance deals for customers, and the industry has been crying out for a helping hand as brands including Jaguar Land Rover, Honda and Nissan announced closures and redundancies as a result of the economic decline. 13 Feb 2009 12:04:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2284.htm 37512568-95BF-40F8-97AD-31F2F3FE1741 The UK's economy technically entered recession in January, when the government announced it had contracted for two consecutive quarters. In all, 35% of the small businesses surveyed have noticed that customers are cutting back on the frequency and size of orders. In addition, 25% across the region have experienced a lack of new business and 12% are facing cashflow problems due to delayed payments. 13 Feb 2009 12:03:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2285.htm 86ABC057-CA23-4072-9D19-5CB8CB7B56CB The government must delay passing new laws which could cost small businesses nearly £800m a year, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said. 12 Feb 2009 09:59:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2282.htm B3E6D86C-AD91-4888-88B3-57C610A1D749 VocaLink, the payment transaction specialist, has successfully completed a first SEPA Direct Debit (SDD) pilot with participation from ABN, BAWAG PSK, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and a number of their corporate customers. 12 Feb 2009 09:58:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2283.htm F49EBC33-C8E9-4D1A-B671-366EE84CEA24 British businesses have made huge cutbacks on fleet car numbers since the credit crunch and are using City Car Club pay-as-you-go cars instead as a cheaper alternative. 11 Feb 2009 09:58:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2280.htm A6F92930-7C19-480F-A900-7180AF86555F Following news from the Insolvency Service showing a 51% rise in the number of firms going bankrupt in the last quarter of 2008, Bibby Financial Services, the independent invoice financier, is urging SMEs to consider all options before they face insolvency. 11 Feb 2009 09:58:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2281.htm 041B90C4-59CB-4F6F-8BA2-2DED9CF191C8 Demand for structured leasing deals is growing rapidly in sectors such as industrial, plant and equipment, according to leasing specialist GE Capital Solutions. 10 Feb 2009 09:58:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2278.htm 1D242A71-FEEF-40EC-8AC2-D2E1C6CEE019 On Friday the insolvency statistics showed an 11.9% increase in company insolvencies on the previous quarter, a 51.6% increase on the same quarter a year ago. 10 Feb 2009 09:58:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2279.htm FA17A6EA-19AC-48DF-9D27-D161E4428C05 Activity across all sectors eased back in the fourth quarter with most headline indicators falling to new lows, says RICS' Commercial Property Survey published today. 9 Feb 2009 11:05:25 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/newsindx.htm AB0D7A46-0FAA-4BDB-9354-D2879B2D7F92 Speaking at the IPA's annual president's lecture just over a week ago, Stephen Speed, chief executive of the Insolvency Service, spoke of various initiatives to enhance the efficacy of the UK's insolvency processes and their contribution towards the restructuring of businesses in difficulties and hence the preservation of jobs in those companies. 9 Feb 2009 11:04:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2277.htm 7DDA8056-B5FF-4C80-B094-A1BBAD79C8B0 On the back of its Barclaycard announcement, which gives additional support to UK credit card customers, Barclays has announced cuts in its mortgage and small business interest rates, making repayments more affordable for borrowing customers in the UK. 6 Feb 2009 09:30:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2274.htm 3A612F8A-0AB7-4B93-88AA-F537F29D8105 Businesses across England could face an eye-watering £3.4bn bill for simply using their own car parking spaces. 6 Feb 2009 09:29:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2275.htm F6CC895B-FE60-459A-8EA5-2BA7559D683F The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to reduce the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves by 0.5 percentage points to 1.0%. 5 Feb 2009 12:12:00 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2271.htm 146BA097-1AB3-428C-81D5-F9FFACA83D5C NatWest and RBS today announce that they are to make an additional £3bn funding available to SMEs in 2009. This further commitment to the SME sector will be delivered through twelve regional SME funds in England, Wales and Scotland. Ulster Bank will provide the fund for Northern Ireland's businesses. The funds will provide a comprehensive package of funding choices for SME's in each region right across the UK. 5 Feb 2009 12:11:27 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2272.htm 859CB989-7A49-4AED-AC39-6A2EB2FB9EF9 Leonard Curtis, the national business rescue and recovery specialist, is opening an office in the north east with the appointment of Andrew Hall. The new office, based at Newcastle's Quayside development, will deliver the full spectrum of services by Leonard Curtis, including turnaround, re-financing and formal insolvency advice. 5 Feb 2009 12:11:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2273.htm 1E7B5D69-2912-468D-99C5-084A4EF12742 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling for the Bank of England (BoE) to hold fire on any further interest rate cuts ahead of the Monetary Policy Committee's decision on Thursday (5 February 2009). 4 Feb 2009 10:29:11 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2269.htm C853DD28-CE63-441D-BDEB-91F4BBA18B0C The Bank of England has published information about the use of its Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS). 4 Feb 2009 10:28:45 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2270.htm BD0112DA-D875-450C-AB0C-961FA271DC35 More than £1.1bn of fraud came to UK courts in 2008 according to KPMG Forensic's Fraud Barometer - the highest level recorded since 1995 and the second highest in the twenty-one year history of the survey. 3 Feb 2009 11:51:00 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2267.htm F57DFBF4-1F9E-4874-97EB-D624630A2B9F Britain's turnaround management specialists are warning recession-hit businesses not to rush into a pre-pack administration without first considering other options for survival as a going concern. 3 Feb 2009 11:50:27 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2268.htm 97FB1646-ADA1-4B9B-A1A3-B139C7C97839 Independent invoice and asset-based lender, Venture Finance, has provided Wicked Imports Ltd, a wholesale distributor of gadgets, gifts and toys, with a factoring facility providing the company with a cashflow boost and reassurance of bad debt protection. 2 Feb 2009 11:07:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2265.htm D0128598-5E50-483D-A8DA-68FC06784F84 The UK manufacturing sector started 2009 on a weak footing as PMI data from CIPS/Markit signalled that output, new orders and employment continued to drop at substantial rates. Most noticeably, the performance of intermediate goods producers deteriorated, reflecting the greater exposure of this industry to the downturns in the beleaguered automotive and construction sectors. 2 Jan 2009 11:06:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2266.htm 0AB6411D-5789-4761-AA38-F0C2D7E615E2 This week sees the launch of a new service under the Business Money brand, Business Money Insurance Services Limited (BMIS). BMIS is working with Jason Oakley, former head of business banking at The Royal Bank of Scotland, who has established a state-of-the-art business general insurance brokerage, but one with a big difference. 30 Jan 2009 11:21:35 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2263.htm 93636748-508A-4D68-8631-1B89839C790A Platinum Funding UK Ltd, a premier factoring company, announces the completion of a £13.5m accounts receivable financing facility to Inside Right Ltd a phoenix company recently out of administration. Platinum Funding UK Ltd is an affiliate of the US-based Platinum Funding Group, which also provides invoice financing services to companies in various sectors across the United States. 30 Jan 2009 11:19:41 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2264.htm DBDA7038-E66D-40CE-A5A1-19AD7C682785 Australia's small businesses are feeling the heat - and it's not just the high summer temperatures. "This summer is shaping up as one of the worst for small business bankruptcies. The latest news that big business is taking more than 60 days on average to pay bills illustrates that pressures are growing," Asia-Pacific chief executive of cashflow finance provider, Bibby Financial Services, Greg Charlwood said. 29 Jan 2009 11:09:41 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2262.htm 4CE53B1B-96E2-4581-B281-1CB00D514DBB The Anderson Review was carried out by business owner Sarah Anderson. The FPB welcomed the report's call for the government to take responsibility for its own guidance, to remove disclaimers and encourage discretion over the prosecution of 'reasonable' businesses. 29 Jan 2009 11:07:16 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2261.htm 0FEA43A0-2465-46DA-8164-5B9D8647CA24 Despite the new year sales 2009 got off to a poor start for most UK retailers, who reported that sales continued to fall sharply, and expect that February will be as tough, the CBI has stated. 28 Jan 2009 10:54:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2260.htm CB5F99BB-08B6-4562-A242-46F34A2D8C60 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern that the incoming Business Rate Supplements Bill will impose extra tax burdens on businesses and has suggested a series of amendments to soften the blow of the legislation. 28 Jan 2009 10:52:33 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2259.htm C9F965C2-8DB6-4EDE-86BC-23C390EF0932 The economic climate has led to an increased interest in franchising, according to the organisers of The British Franchise Exhibition. Recent redundancies, job losses and a desire to be self-employed has led to an influx of north west and north Midland residents registering to attend the Manchester event. 27 Jan 2009 09:35:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2258.htm 39156C25-0A71-45A1-BD17-D3DA544E912B In a campaign called Get Started, Regus makes significant investment to get the economy moving by offering free use of business centres for 50,000 entrepreneurs struggling with set up costs. 27 Jan 2009 09:25:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2257.htm 3BBC1AAA-DE91-47E9-A18D-E7AEA85FCB80 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reported a dramatic rise in calls to its legal advice line on redundancies from concerned small businesses, on the same day as the official announcement that the UK is in recession. 26 Jan 2009 11:28:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2256.htm 70EDF42C-A0A3-4B90-A6F0-ECEC60944795 Business confidence is expected to deteriorate further over the next 12 months, according to the latest National Business Survey conducted by the leading independent research company Ipsos MORI on behalf of England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and Invest Northern Ireland. 26 Jan 2009 12:15:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2255.htm CFD1E1DB-C4D3-4898-9BC4-ED97D57DB306 Businesses which do not embrace the online revolution are up to 30% more likely to fail according to estimates from Tenon Recovery, the turnaround, restructuring, recovery and insolvency specialist. 23 Jan 2009 09:41:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2253.htm 19BDEF87-58BD-4AB7-905A-863401E60DA7 As the UK government continues to extend its ownership of many of the country's high street banks, Informatica believes that one of the keys to securing billions in public money lies in untangling the data relating to the complex mortgage-backed securities that the state now owns or underwrites. Ensuring that banks use their data more effectively is critical if they are to curb the uncertainty currently destabilising world markets. 23 Jan 2009 09:40:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2254.htm 7815FE01-7F23-4459-8D7D-6C96F79835BA The launch of Property Portfolio Rescue Ltd, a new property recovery specialist, will offer a lifeline to small businesses, buy to let landlords and developers who need to divest their property portfolio quickly to free up capital and keep their businesses afloat. 22 Jan 2009 10:04:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2251.htm 2570DD26-4849-4EBE-B125-4A7F23219829 2-3 March 2009, Singapore Marriott Hotel, Singapore Website: http://www.informafinance-asia.com/treasury. Special 15% discount for Business Money subscribers. As a special offer, Business Money subscribers are eligible for a 15% discount to attend this event. Simply quote the VIP code 46108BM when registering! 22 Jan 2009 10:03:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2252.htm E95325E0-2799-45FD-A867-84F5B422805C New research by the Asset Based Finance Association shows that beleaguered firms across the UK are increasingly using asset-based lending as a means of raising funds and capital during the credit crunch. 21 Jan 2009 10:43:54 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2249.htm B6123983-96F6-435D-8136-7D19A8BE9620 The current financial turbulence and threat of a global recession will result in an increase in white collar crime as well as significant changes in how fraudsters operate, according to the newly released Kroll Global Fraud Report. Kroll expects to see an increase in full-scale fraud investigations involving legal disputes, regulatory action and prosecution in 2009 as whistleblowing also becomes more common. 21 Jan 2009 10:43:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2250.htm 6186170F-1F6C-4662-86E1-7D8D24D95ED0 Most small businesses expect the recession to last about two years. Small businesses actually collectively predict the recession to last 1 year and 11 months. However, 20% of SMEs fear the recession will last 3 years or more. 20 Jan 2009 10:34:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2247.htm 44789257-EC46-470C-A3FF-F253AE9B0E34 Richard Lambert, CBI Director-General, gave his analysis of the government's announcement on lending in the economy. 20 Jan 2009 10:32:46 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2248.htm B3BDD688-5849-4B8B-9DCC-D1EC2A1BA558 The European Investment Bank's board of directors has approved the EIB's Corporate Operational Plan 2009-2011 (COP), setting out increased lending targets and other practical measures to mitigate the current financial and economic crisis in response to the request of EU member states. 19 Jan 2009 12:29:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2245.htm E50046C2-A64F-4079-90EF-F3E724598955 GDP growth in the European Union is expected to fall by 1.8 % in 2009 before recovering moderately to 0.5% in 2010. This is the result of the impact on the real economy of the intensified financial crisis, the ensuing global downturn manifested in the severe contraction of world trade and manufacturing output and, in some countries, housing-market corrections. Government consumption and public investment, however, will provide relief. 19 Jan 2009 12:28:41 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2246.htm 1C917373-CEEC-4B9F-8E2E-8CFCF360A0A9 The Forum of Private Business (FPB), which represents 25,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the UK, is calling on the banks to increase lending to business customers without delay, following the government's announcement of a scheme to free up funding for small firms. 16 Jan 2009 09:58:35 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2243.htm 32DDD715-3C2F-4B36-854A-7EBE68146A0B The newly launched Transition Fund has helped Craufurd Technology Limited (CTL) take advantage of an export business opportunity despite tough conditions. 16 Jan 2009 09:58:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2244.htm 27BC5032-1DDC-4785-9B23-EDFE6E39E6F8 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) are encouraging firms to look further abroad to seek out opportunities. 15 Jan 2009 10:50:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2242.htm 6642D821-5B1B-4697-B4CA-F756048B6F08 This BBA data series on support for small businesses, now available monthly, shows that in October and November, growth in lending to small businesses slowed towards the 2008 year-end, though it remains above 2007 levels. 15 Jan 2009 10:49:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2241a.htm 39632A19-3B4E-44CF-8DF7-D279D842A71B Shopworkers' union, Usdaw, welcomed the announcements of new jobs to be created in some of the major retail food companies this year. 14 Jan 2009 11:51:25 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2239.htm B8A7F012-E734-4D6B-8496-FDFCB1E4480A Businesses which having been operating from five to nine years are benefiting most from the downturn, according to research by Tenon Recovery, the turnaround, recovery, restructuring and insolvency specialist. 14 Jan 2009 11:50:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2240.htm 24A1B3FA-CE93-4EB7-AFEA-CF8DB3DA8521 Banks have withdrawn unused credit facilities from over a third (34%) of the UK's largest companies, starving them of liquidity, damaging revenues and forcing them to consider job cuts, new research from Roland Berger Strategy Consultants reveals today. 14 Jan 2009 11:50:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2241.htm 249A2E39-FAC1-495C-8D7D-91C648BA6634 A third of small businesses surveyed in the FPB's latest referendum poll of members actively sought finance during the last quarter of 2008. However, despite the government's high-profile bail-out and pressure on banks from the FPB, almost half were either partially or completely rejected by UK lenders. 13 Jan 2009 12:40:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2237.htm 1D990625-A317-4753-B4A7-8AF07FCA9504 The British Chambers of Commerce has published its Fourth Quarter Economic Survey. Nearly 6,000 businesses, employing over 680,000 people, responded. 13 Jan 2009 12:40:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2238.htm DE97018B-5944-42E7-BE02-9DDDD2D626E3 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched its blueprint for tackling rising unemployment with a plan to create 400,000 new jobs. 12 Jan 2009 09:45:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2235.htm DC066E01-1023-48CD-8884-C54B35459F65 UK businesses must develop a clearer understanding of future risks and opportunities to succeed in both the recession and post-recession economy, one of the key findings in a major forward thinking research report released by Barclays Commercial Bank and the Institute of Directors (IoD). 12 Jan 2009 09:44:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2236.htm 60A05B52-1E1E-41C0-BEF9-72A3FA988CD6 Confidence in the rural economy is higher than in the economy as a whole, according to the new quarterly CLA Rural Economy Index - the CLA REI. 9 Jan 2009 10:12:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2233.htm 7288E854-7F16-453C-AAF2-F06D90336156 The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed three new generation EIB loans for SMEs in the UK for a total of GBP 650m (EUR 720m). 9 Jan 2009 10:11:45 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2234.htm 58E3F541-03F7-460F-B985-97FECAE9FB0E The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to reduce the official bank rate paid on commercial bank reserves by 0.5 percentage points to 1.5%. 8 Jan 2009 12:14:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2231.htm 3CB82D31-128A-48C5-815A-1D54C58628D3 As Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, doubles its payment terms to 60 days, potentially driving smaller suppliers out of business and with the amount owing to smaller firms increasing to over £8.3bn Bibby Financial Services is urging owners and managers to make tackling the issue of late payment their number one priority in 2009. 8 Jan 2009 12:14:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2232.htm 752CBE34-54FE-47BC-B835-D8D471CDABBF Lloyds TSB Commercial has pledged to pass on any base rate cut, in full, to all its SME customers. 7 Jan 2009 10:18:14 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2229.htm 75544632-FCF3-41A6-8E38-8F8FECD81741 Experian expects the UK vacancy rate in the high street to rise rapidly from 7% to 10% by February 2009. 7 Jan 2009 10:17:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2230.htm 7D4EEE4C-5FF5-4549-9B23-C1F2516E0644 Barclays customers will soon be able to pay their way with the wave of a card as the bank is set to be the first in the UK to roll-out contactless Visa debit cards to its customers. 6 Jan 2009 10:09:40 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2227.htm 830851CA-9C56-48B7-82EC-CDE34078EEF2 Firms are being urged to start the New Year with a business MOT, to ensure they're in good shape to ride out the current economic downturn. 6 Jan 2009 10:09:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2228.htm 1F5403D3-8E13-4459-AE40-AA8FF3D51ADE UK manufacturing remained in the midst of its deepest downturn in the seventeen-year survey history during December. Output and new orders fell at, or near to, the series record rates posted one month earlier, leading to the most severe cut in employment since data were first collected in January 1992. 6 Jan 2009 10:08:44 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2225.htm 68B80E9F-664C-4F01-AB4B-4C4EC01E2799 Richard Lambert, CBI director-general, commented on the Bank of England's latest Credit Conditions Survey and the need for measures to restore credit flows across the economy, including the car industry. 6 Jan 2009 10:08:12 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2226.htm B2CA37CA-2BA4-45A9-8C4F-989962AA06E7 The outlook for the property market, according to propertyfinder.com, in 2009 is more positive than 2008. 19 Dec 2008 10:23:11 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2223.htm 9AB82AF7-4C1E-47BD-99C2-8A2DAEE751D4 Further enhancements to the current system for producing, checking and verifying the global interest rate benchmark are announced by the British Bankers' Association. 19 Dec 2008 10:22:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2224.htm A3AA9253-EB36-4A3F-A482-E389F6CE5668 On the back of its 65 years' experience in corporate credit risk, Coface is launching a financial ratings service in the UK that will be both more reliable and less costly than existing services. 18 Dec 2008 10:26:33 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2221.htm 7D9A2D4E-524C-4A5E-8766-07931581C878 Healthy companies will struggle to survive unless government takes urgent action to deal with the intensifying credit crunch, Richard Lambert, director-general of the CBI, said. 18 Dec 2008 10:26:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2222.htm 3EDD1A5D-70DD-451D-AC01-77BF318D607E The government has said in a letter to local government that business rates will rise by 5% in April 2009, in line with last September's unusually high RPI rate of inflation. 17 Dec 2008 10:18:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2219.htm F6DA13D6-A7BD-4DDE-85F8-84AD09A3FCBB The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has expressed concern that rural businesses are becoming the silent victims of the credit crunch this Christmas. 17 Dec 2008 10:17:41 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2220.htm 0FE5858F-74A4-439F-A0DE-F90349D2DCC8 The sales market is approaching the bottom of the cycle and prices will have fallen sharply by early 2009, reports London estate agent Cluttons, who is predicting the beginning of a recovery in transaction activity next year. 16 Dec 2008 09:12:45 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2217.htm DD1FB00B-5443-4499-A01E-FFD657292F8D GXS, a provider of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce solutions, and SCC Swiss Commercial Capital have announced details of a new strategic alliance to jointly accelerate the development of the rapidly growing supply chain finance market. The two companies plan to cooperate on a number of levels to deliver innovative solutions to manufacturers seeking to gain visibility into their financial supply chains. 16 Dec 2008 09:12:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2218.htm E4A283A7-619B-4025-8EDA-8F9B47549143 Barclays announced a two-pronged plan to enhance its practical support to SMEs. 15 Dec 2008 11:09:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2215.htm B86CFA5D-B66B-452F-A428-10619E32D33F The smallest businesses are the best employers, but are put off from employing staff by the burden of increased regulation, according to a new report commissioned by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 15 Dec 2008 11:08:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2216.htm 678F2749-4039-4E1A-AAB6-6592E6B79D8D Bank of America Corporation is working on a plan to eliminate a significant number of positions over the next three years reflecting the pending merger with Merrill Lynch & Co Inc and the weak economic environment, which is affecting the level of business activity. 12 Dec 2008 10:28:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2213.htm 4CA08954-5EED-49D7-8AFD-5F0FCC7C7EAC Credit card companies have agreed with government a new set of fair principles that will put an end to overnight hikes in credit card charges and give much needed breathing space to borrowers struggling to repay their debts. 12 Dec 2008 10:27:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2214.htm 4F0D1B51-78BD-4FAB-ACE6-79512E6C7BB5 During November, London's financial services hiring market continued to experience significantly reduced levels of new job growth, registering a 59% decrease in the number of new job vacancies compared with November 07. There was also a 30% drop versus the previous month (October 08). This represents the fifth consecutive month of decline in the number of new job opportunities coming onto the City hiring market. 12 Dec 2008 10:27:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2211.htm A5669D78-95B9-4E8B-AE59-6C4955F7A8C6 A customer reward website that monitors purchases from more than 2,000 mainstream UK retailers to 550,000 shoppers, has revealed online revenue actually went down during Mega Monday (8 December). 12 Dec 2008 10:26:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2212.htm 8BE82CC9-05E4-42B1-B8D5-643D8B27F2C7 The FSA arrived in New York yesterday to examine the US insolvency regime. Partner, Robin Johnson from international law firm Eversheds commented: "The primary aim of the FSA's meeting with Securities Investor Protection Corporation is to encourage more cross-border consistency and teamwork when acting on insolvencies, especially when creditors are global in nature. 10 Dec 2008 11:28:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2209.htm 1E865C2F-373C-4EAE-A0BA-C8437A8C5955 Latest GDP figures from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) show that output fell by 1% in the three months ending in November after a revised estimate of 0.8% for the three months ending in October. 10 Dec 2008 11:28:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2210.htm E5A29D25-E91C-4994-864A-4AF6660DADE7 Job losses in the service sector are expected to accelerate as the economic downturn deepens, according to the CBI's latest Service Sector Survey. 9 Dec 2008 10:05:54 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2207.htm A2B9FF17-9B7E-4FB0-A494-49313247A411 NEW YORK (Reuters) - The head of the arbiter of U.S. economic cycles told Reuters that the US recession will not come even close to the 1930s Great Depression. 9 Dec 2008 10:05:15 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2208.htm 1184105C-EF3A-4CC5-9D54-BDF88E4F689D Only one in ten businesses think London's status as a world city will grow over the next five years, while a third fear the capital's standing will shrink, a CBI / KPMG survey has revealed. 8 Dec 2008 11:55:00 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2205.htm 5BE68B01-66D4-455B-A583-D57E99811FBB HSBC has created a new $5bn global working capital fund for SMEs to ensure that they continue to have access to appropriate credit through the current financial and economic crisis. 8 Dec 2008 11:54:05 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2206.htm 285D4C2B-375F-47DE-93D6-A55343D4EC9F Unity Trust Bank is proud to announce the launch of its new Unity in the Community initiative to tie in with International Volunteer Day (5 December). 8 Dec 2008 11:53:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2203.htm 9E8FBDCD-B1C3-45C9-A22E-E1E1D2E208C3 Woolworths will hold its biggest sale today after entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis, unsurprisingly walked away from the collapsed retail chain. 8 Dec 2008 11:53:07 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2204.htm F761DA37-9B15-4714-8126-3588398D2D85 The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to reduce the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves by 1.0 percentage points to 2.0%. 4 Dec 2008 12:18:35 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2200.htm 280DEF5E-7515-4A41-B68B-624A149A4108 November's CIPS/Markit survey of service providers painted an increasingly gloomy picture of the health of the UK's private services economy. 4 Dec 2008 12:18:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2201.htm EC1B47E3-F33C-4317-A976-5DE54BC508EA Amlin Plc has taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the trade credit market. We remain willing to honour all our obligations under existing policies until they expire. 4 Dec 2008 12:17:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2202.htm B203BEE1-CF79-41DC-AE80-7D9AF0DF9126 With the UK firmly in the grip of recession, official or not, almost three quarters of entrepreneurs in the south are already suffering in the wake of the downturn. 3 Dec 2008 11:02:57 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2198.htm E1481C33-8C54-4474-95A6-1FBD9323CCD8 The continuing downward trend of LIBOR, the rate at which banks lend to each other, will have a bigger impact on borrowers than government initiatives says Base Commercial Mortgages Limited, a specialist commercial mortgage lender. 3 Dec 2008 11:02:13 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2199.htm E5532561-0677-40B7-96BC-4BFB870CEDFB Excessive red tape and national gold-plating will become a thing of the past, after national governments adopted the EU's Small Business Act (SBA). 2 Dec 2008 09:56:27 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2196.htm 54D7AC2D-BCD8-4FFA-9D0D-98F18E7E23F0 UK firms are advised to be particularly vigilant this festive season as vacant properties, more cash in the tills and the pressure to have a good time, heighten crime risk. 2 Dec 2008 09:55:59 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2197.htm B8C14EFF-597D-4742-9FC1-EF66D739FBEB Despite the extraordinary level of pre-Christmas discounting and unprecedented one-day spectaculars, shopper visits remained down in November with the latest monthly Experian Retail FootFall Index recording a decline of 0.9% compared to November 2007. 1 Dec 2008 11:21:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2194.htm BCB17141-1716-44E2-94E2-C67BB5852BAE The number of UK business failures is predicted to increase by almost 50% in 2009, from 2008, according to the latest report by accountants and business advisors, BDO Stoy Hayward LLP. 1 Dec 2008 11:21:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/newsindx.htm 8F436B2E-3F6E-4638-A1B9-F0BBF96A9297 Statement from David Matthews of Grant Thornton, Joint Administrator of Fairfax Gerrard Holdings Ltd ("FGH") and subsidiaries:- 1 Dec 2008 09:25:14 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2193a.htm 6CF770DD-6614-4258-A107-35377B5BC0FA A KPMG survey of chief financial officers (CFOs), conducted by CFO Europe magazine, has found that companies are focusing on short-term fixes to relieve the pressure of the credit crunch, by negotiating longer payment terms with their suppliers (nearly half of respondents) and tightening credit terms. In addition, 92% of respondents said their customers were attempting to stretch payment terms, while 87% were seeing suppliers demand earlier payment of invoices. 1 Dec 2008 09:24:43 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2192.htm 92871558-195E-4B73-9387-9BA843426524 The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has launched a new forum on its website aimed at members who are having problems placing a deal. Current market conditions mean brokers need to diversify and step outside their comfort zone, simply in order to make a living. The Deal Exchange has been developed to help members get together to share their experience and expertise and will be launched, initially for members' feedback, in the next week. 1 Dec 2008 09:24:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2193.htm B15E8689-BCD6-4BCC-86C9-B6460B2B9861 One of the soundest commercial finance operations in the UK is to cease lending. 27 Nov 2008 12:17:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2191a.htm DB88CCDA-76D5-48DE-B4F0-75A2FE6F2268 At the National Business Awards, more than 1000 businesses from small start up companies to large multi-nationals, representing a full range of sectors from across the country, stepped up to answer an on the spot poll about how they felt in the current economic climate. Business leaders taking part in the poll included Sir John Rose of Rolls-Royce, Willie Walsh of British Airways, Paul Walsh of Diageo, Fiona Dawson of Mars Chocolate UK, Harriet Lamb of The Fairtrade Foundation, David Levin of UBM and Tom Alexander of Orange. 27 Nov 2008 10:48:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2190.htm D2CD911A-D16D-4F9C-8884-32B3EC03D6FD A new report by Arthur D Little asks: how can banks manage post-merger integration to realise true value growth in the post-liquidity crisis environment? 27 Nov 2008 10:47:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2191.htm EAC048B7-83BB-4F5F-98FF-C744D7E0B64A According to a study released today by senior executive careers site TheLadders.co.uk, 92% of British bosses predict that the UK is unlikely to be out of recession by the end of 2009. However 37% also believe that their business will stagnate but not recede dramatically next year. 27 Nov 2008 10:47:23 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2188.htm FFD9674A-DFA6-40BA-B9B4-EFC22204E2C6 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) today cautiously welcomed an influential review of government procurement that calls for a fairer deal for small firms when bidding for public sector contracts, and urged the government to respond promptly. 27 Nov 2008 10:46:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2189.htm 8876BF6F-74C0-4313-8F67-35733CF5DF6E In October, net mortgage lending rose by £2.9bn; less than in September and below the average for the previous six months. The number of approvals for house purchase remained low while those for other purposes were similar to September. Consumer credit was subdued, rising by just £0.3bn, and personal deposits were flat. 25 Nov 2008 10:36:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2186.htm 80FF7342-AF83-4AF3-8ADB-C7F0598B2E28 The Chancellor's decision to abolish tax on the foreign dividends of big business is a welcome move, says PKF Accountants and business advisers. Following a consultation process on the taxation of companies' foreign profits, the chancellor announced in his Pre-Budget Report that a tax exemption will be introduced with effect from 1 April 2009 for overseas dividends received by medium and large UK companies in certain circumstances. 25 Nov 2008 10:36:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2187.htm 4A08FDE0-9BAA-4E32-82A2-B30AFB59261E The Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) has been used more and more for helping business in a turnaround situation. State Securities explains that the SLFG can act as a cashflow injection revitalising a business that has suffered a setback. 24 Nov 2008 12:27:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2183.htm FA137209-0ED1-438D-B6BB-28AAD5878F19 Jones Lang LaSalle's latest Global Market Perspective, shows a summary of the economic crisis that continues to threaten the world's financial markets and its effects on commercial real estate. 24 Nov 2008 12:26:57 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2182.htm 2CF5825E-D1B7-4D91-831F-9173BB797A27 As the credit crunch begins to squeeze British business, UK plc is delaying payment of debts well past 90 days according to research by Leeds University Business School's Credit Management Research Centre (CMRC). 24 Nov 2008 12:26:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2184.htm 54054D00-87A5-4F69-9B83-13C7E96B41C7 Landlords of commercial properties should listen carefully to requests made by their tenants for concessions on quarterly rent payments as this can often mean the difference between survival or failure for the tenants' business, warn BDO Stoy Hayward LLP. 24 Nov 2008 12:25:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2185.htm 971EE126-C221-4048-8F4F-6CF66358C1D9 European Commission proposals to allow reduced VAT rates for a wider range of services, could provide the UK Government with an opportunity to boost the increasingly pressurised UK labour market, according to KPMG. 20 Nov 2008 10:10:48 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2180.htm 756D1E97-CA19-493C-9004-B067E290865B The outlook for manufacturing output in the next three months is the weakest for nearly thirty years, according to the latest CBI Industrial Trends Survey. 20 Nov 2008 10:10:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2181.htm 8535267A-4280-4923-BDF8-772944D66339 The government will today launch the Aspire Fund - a £25m investment fund for women-led businesses - to be jointly funded by the government and private sector. 19 Nov 2008 11:08:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2178.htm DAD9B549-94B3-4035-9098-029A895FA666 For the first time British firms wishing to trade and invest in China now have a guide to more than 30 Chinese cities showing them where best to do business. 19 Nov 2008 11:07:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2179.htm 57B0D7CD-59D3-4F71-BA8B-30042B3A3603 Rents dropped across the residential lettings sector during Q3 as would-be-sellers flooded the rental market with unsellable properties, says the RICS Lettings Survey published today. 18 Nov 2008 11:21:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2176.htm EF381238-A67F-479E-9CA8-A2F13313263E Cheaper transport costs saw the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation fall to 4.5% in October, down from 5.2% in September. This deceleration by 0.7 percentage points is the biggest slow-down since January 1997 when official CPI records began and the largest since April 1992, based on constructed historical data. Transport inflation fell to 4.3% in October, from 7.6% in September. This 3.3 percentage point deceleration is the largest slow-down since CPI records began. It was triggered by a sharp fall in the price of crude oil. 18 Nov 2008 11:21:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2177.htm 734EDF02-942B-43ED-A7CD-F767C1CC69B7 The financial turmoil and dramatic drop-off in business conditions over the past two months have darkened the economic outlook for 2009 even further, the CBI has warned. 17 Nov 2008 11:24:11 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2174.htm 093927D9-9162-41E2-961A-C71591A2E546 The government must announce a new £1bn fund for small firms in the pre-budget report, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said today. 17 Nov 2008 11:23:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2175.htm 22C5E6A4-7380-4C16-8765-FB63FBD97AFF Ashley Commercial Finance, the "friend of the smaller business", is pleased to announce record profits of £1,129,606 for the year to 31st March 2008. 14 Nov 2008 11:24:58 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2172.htm 7300B1F1-81C8-48AE-AB77-DA9BDDF3AE62 Nearly half of small businesses that use the internet to advertise their firm increase turnover by one fifth, according to new figures released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). 14 Nov 2008 11:24:31 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2173.htm 554A3327-EE3D-4C30-A267-D4FB83A008AC A new financial market will open Monday where businesses as small as $1.5m in annual sales can borrow against their receivables with prices set in an auction market. New Orleans-based Receivables Exchange opens for trades on Monday (17 Nov) after an 18 month development cycle. 13 Nov 2008 11:34:54 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2170.htm F93A5886-A055-43B0-A091-14CFC9CD70F0 It was 40 years ago during a conference in Stockholm, that Factors Chain International (FCI) was established as the world's first open association of factoring companies, all keen to use each other as correspondents for the offering of cross-border factoring services. 13 Nov 2008 11:34:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2171.htm 2A3161D2-78A2-4DC4-A6B7-A056D5BD59E3 With the UK economy moving into recession during the worst financial crisis in recent history, turnaround professionals are busier than ever and expect to be busier still in 2009 - but options to save businesses are being stifled by the credit crunch. 12 Nov 2008 11:09:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2168.htm 307922E9-A281-408E-A56B-6047245A0B8C Nick Williams-Howes, chief executive of Smartflow Finance, said: "We have been receiving news from some brokers that they understood our email temporarily suspending new business in August as meaning Smartflow Finance has ceased to trade. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact we have restarted taking on new business. 12 Nov 2008 11:09:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2169a.htm 3248962E-E001-4CF0-8161-765724720B80 Firms doing business abroad can now improve their profit margins using I-PAYFX, a new online service from Currencies Direct, the foreign exchange company. 12 Nov 2008 11:08:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2169.htm F5E8BE27-277C-4B08-A560-265E97C36DC8 The average number of transactions per surveyor fell again in October as a lack of mortgage finance continued to stifle the ability of buyers to access the market, but expectations that sales will improve (over the next three months) increased, says RICS' UK housing market survey published today (11 November 2008). 11 Nov 2008 10:07:29 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2166.htm 4AD3DEAC-9934-4D47-910F-97892B8E47A5 In the first six months of 2008, Eurokommerz maintained its leadership in the Russian factoring market, according to Expert Rating Agency's research. The agency has ranked Eurokommerz the largest company among factors and banks offering factoring services in Russia by all key indicators for more than two years. 11 Nov 2008 10:06:59 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2167.htm E1C44FCD-A88C-4714-9C62-C347FEBDBF5E The FSA has announced proposals to make customers of retail banking subject to the same protections that cover people who buy investment and insurance products, says Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP (RPC), the City law firm. 10 Nov 2008 11:44:28 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2164.htm E6E7EA37-64F5-405B-B301-8C33B46CC2A4 With prominent business leaders and politicians now concurring that the UK will be in a full-blown recession by Christmas and the number of insolvencies and defaults set to peak, Bibby Financial Services is advising owners and managers throughout the UK to banish the ghosts of the past 12 months and look towards a less turbulent 2009. 10 Nov 2008 11:44:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2165.htm 4F0CE539-FCAE-4B84-B00F-2EA33E7DA86F Latest figures from the Insolvency Service show there were 4,001 compulsory liquidations and creditors' voluntary liquidations in total in England and Wales in the third quarter of 2008 (on a seasonally adjusted basis). 7 Nov 2008 11:38:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2162.htm 2A59198F-8636-4CCB-A4B3-E464E4818E9B Research by leading invoice and asset-based lender, Venture Finance, has provided a revealing picture of the experiences of UK businesses during the credit crunch. 7 Nov 2008 11:38:04 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2163.htm 04B6F0A3-2280-49C0-A64F-0A876109D9D4 The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee today voted to reduce the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves by 1.5 percentage points to 3%. 6 Nov 2008 12:18:03 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2159.htm 54BD4A66-DE1E-49B8-9B2A-771FDE69E8B8 Ahead of next week's first meeting of the new Small Business Finance Forum, which will address the financial issues affecting small businesses, the British Chambers of Commerce have released some of the key points it will be bringing to the table. 6 Nov 2008 12:17:36 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2160.htm C258C4C5-FE64-444F-86F6-CFD6246A9992 New research from Investec Growth & Acquisition Finance (Investec) reveals that despite the present economic climate senior decision makers at over a quarter (27%) of UK corporates with an annual turnover in excess of £10m believe their companies are likely to make an acquisition in the next 12 to 24 months. Meanwhile, two thirds (66%) of companies said it was likely that they would grow organically over the same period. 6 Nov 2008 12:16:51 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2161.htm 0F3D23B3-7290-471D-B018-2A6CD326D69D New data released by the Centre for Management Buy-out Research (CMBOR) reveals that the private equity market in the north west has been impacted by international financial pressures, with activity levels standing at £259m from just 12 deals in the third quarter of 2008. 5 Nov 2008 16:14:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2157.htm 68785DD2-94EE-4667-87DA-4DC7A5AB16EA IGF, the independent commercial finance company specialising in the SME business market, has announced that it is offering a three month introductory trial period for new customers. 5 Nov 2008 16:13:30 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2158.htm 0C7FC6B0-6514-4803-BECA-0A6DEE5FBF93 Latest data from vehicle auction company, BCA, suggests some confidence coming back into the market 4 Nov 2008 10:40:34 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2156.htm 3B0A0238-0CD8-424D-98A3-63AAA6E4AC9F The boards of Skipton Building Society and Scarborough Building Society have agreed heads of terms for a merger. It is anticipated that the merger will be completed in the first quarter of next year. 4 Nov 2008 10:40:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2155.htm CD192C9B-3E39-4DA1-8546-DED717B4B778 Latest data from vehicle auction company, BCA, suggests some confidence coming back into the market. 4 Oct 2008 10:39:10 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2156.htm 53CE367C-B1C4-43BB-A33F-DFDC698FFC97 Market research company Shape the Future has just completed a survey into the customer satisfaction measurement strategies of UK companies. 31 Oct 2008 10:34:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2151.htm 10A942C6-4867-42C2-9625-899A2ACFB3CA Struggling businesses could be in line-for a helpful VAT windfall thanks to a legal ruling - but they may not even be aware of their right to claim, according to a Blackburn expert. 31 Oct 2008 10:33:45 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2150.htm 55F6E619-1E17-4FDB-9382-BFEB88E46016 Led by Tim Cockroft, chief executive of Singer Capital Markets Limited (formerly Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Capital Markets Limited, KSFCM), agreement has been reached with the administrators of Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Limited to acquire the entire share capital of KSFCM not already owned by its management and staff. With effect from Thursday 30 October 2008, Singer Capital Markets will resume all trading and market making activities under the mnemonic SING. 30 Oct 2008 10:42:01 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2149.htm D5FE9256-1818-4123-BD16-E907EFB0CB46 The website for brokers to speak out has arrived. www.lendertracking.org is a campaign to get the banks lending again to businesses in the UK. 30 Oct 2008 10:41:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2148.htm C5222FA9-C536-4533-83C0-7F8BDC7DB44A The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed calls made by the opposition to open up the £125bn government procurement budget to small and medium sized businesses. 29 Oct 2008 10:35:06 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2146.htm 0113AF16-8173-4FFC-A37D-0BDE73FC158E Sales on the UK high street fell for a seventh consecutive month and retailers see no respite in November, the CBI has said. 29 Oct 2008 10:34:39 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2147.htm ABBC96AC-D3DC-45A4-A14E-2403CA46B8C6 The Bank of England is today publishing its bi-annual Financial Stability Report. The report analyses the developments that have culminated in the turmoil of recent weeks and the actions taken by the UK authorities and other countries. 28 Oct 2008 10:47:52 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2145.htm 4CF49E59-701A-4882-BDD4-D5AF0437091B Following the launch of Sterling Trade Finance Ltd, an independent transactional trade finance company, chief executive, Soheill Sarkoob, said: "The current economic climate has seen a major tightening of lending criteria by the banks and SME's are facing severe financial pressure. Sterling Trade Finance has available funds and a willingness to lend. Our innovative off balance sheet lending facilities are available to importers and exporters." 28 Oct 2008 10:47:21 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2144.htm A62D0596-C718-4A14-B514-C65E4FDE1BFB UK small to mid-size enterprises (SMEs) are losing nearly £900m a year, as a result of the dramatic decline in the value of sterling, according to a new report launched today by World First, one of the UK's leading foreign exchange brokers. 27 Oct 2008 12:24:47 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2143.htm AD9B4879-F03D-4CC3-862C-9DA6857FDE24 The more than 200,000 retail depositors with savings in Icesave UK, the topped up retail deposit business of the UK branch of Landsbanki, will get back their savings through an accelerated process, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme has announced. 27 Oct 2008 12:24:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2142.htm 7EAE464C-25DD-4997-A590-37F9CF799A5D As the government pledges extra help for smaller UK firms, Peter Ewen, managing director of Venture Finance, an independent invoice and asset-based lender, commented: "Speeding up the payment terms to the UK's smaller businesses is certainly a step in the right direction and I applaud the move: cashflow is the number one issue for smaller businesses particularly if we head into recessive conditions. 24 Oct 2008 09:33:27 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2139.htm 5E0886A4-E0BD-4696-B6B3-B5C7DF9C6836 Following the removal of the £25,000 financial limit for CCA regulated loans in April this year Lancashire Mortgage Corporation has advised brokers to be aware of the Legislative Reform Order which comes into force on 31st October 24 Oct 2008 09:33:02 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2140.htm 7F18867E-425A-4DF2-B9D6-1EEC351C97E9 Small businesses have today been given a vital lifeline in the form of a financial helpline responding to all financial enquiries. 24 Oct 2008 09:32:41 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2141.htm 4E0C8A73-AB47-420C-A5BA-49FDC9AB11BE The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a blueprint for stabilising the UK economy and saving threatened jobs with a proposed new £1bn fund for small businesses. 23 Oct 2008 10:10:37 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2137.htm 7EDCC962-7137-4CD3-9785-6DF97AAF9A5A Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has teamed up with Post Office Limited to launch a new scheme for small businesses. Under the new agreement Post Office branches will be able to introduce a range of Alliance & Leicester business current accounts to small business customers. 23 Oct 2008 10:10:11 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2138.htm 6877666D-C2B0-4E55-8F7C-976B0C0523EE The Finance and Leasing Association's (FLA) Pre-Budget Report submission to the chancellor today called for a package of measures to help support continued investment by SMEs. 22 Oct 2008 14:22:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2136.htm B539BD80-6D7B-463D-9644-291B588EA834 The boards of Yorkshire Building Society and Barnsley Building Society today announce that they have agreed heads of terms for a merger. 22 Oct 2008 14:21:56 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2135.htm E0971779-FEAB-4AE9-8D55-EC35B522053E Richard Hawkins of Atlantic Risk Management commented: "The commercial finance landscape has been transformed. 21 Oct 2008 14:34:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2133.htm 1CB3EAA0-596E-44EC-ABAA-E24565453E36 Stock markets may be recovering as world leaders follow Gordon Brown's lead and bail out their banking systems. But although the headlines have been positive, at street level the credit crunch is still a fact of business life. 21 Oct 2008 14:34:09 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2134.htm 5E0BD78A-DB2B-4683-B853-5AF47F3E6B4B Experian, the global information services company, has acquired a 40% minority stake in Singapore's 30-year-old credit and business information bureau, DP Information Group (DP Info). 20 Oct 2008 12:17:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2132.htm 1CAC4931-7801-4E9A-957D-06F4ACFF8D97 IGF, the independent commercial finance provider to businesses in Kent and Sussex, has moved to reassure its clients that the company remains highly liquid despite the global credit crunch. 20 Oct 2008 12:17:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2131.htm F3DD8F9E-B305-4F37-8A3F-C381970CE782 With small businesses feeling the strain of the current economic climate and looking at ways to maximise the service they receive from suppliers, Premierline Direct, the business insurance specialist, has enhanced the support it provides to its UK business customers with the launch of the Premierline Direct Benefits Programme. It's the first business insurance provider to offer such a benefits package. 20 Oct 2008 09:03:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2130.htm A4CC1E1F-64BF-4FDF-8548-5C728396EA13 The threat of regulatory actions or sanctions is the top concern for UK financial services institutions should they lose or compromise information, according to new research published by Ernst & Young. And this is ahead of the negative impact on reputation or brand 16 Oct 2008 14:15:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2129.htm B3315996-E530-440B-97AB-5D9B064DDA5C Research shows 78% of UK SMEs conduct 20% or less of their business online with one in three (35%) saying this is due to fear of online fraud. 16 Oct 2008 10:50:25 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2127.htm 99C0382F-9B74-49FC-B192-7BCB5E6EB810 As the credit crunch continues to bite across the globe and the banking system effectively shuts down in a bid to reduce exposure to risk, leading business finance provider, Bibby Financial Services are advising small and medium-sized businesses to review their finances and ensure they have confidence in their funding facility to carry them through what will undoubtedly be a challenging time over the coming months. 16 Oct 2008 10:49:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2128.htm CDE95E1A-E9AC-46F0-9857-BA58E3909B6F The Council of Mortgage Lenders and Citizens Advice support the Office of Fair Trading's new recommendation that sale and rent back transactions should be regulated by the Financial Services Authority. 15 Oct 2008 11:24:50 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2125.htm CA284CFA-45E2-48CB-87A0-7BCFBC6E79B5 The current economic climate requires businesses that can adapt to change rapidly, an area in which SMEs are adept. 15 Oct 2008 11:24:19 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2126.htm 3721AAB3-9F49-4FA4-90A1-C1CB650AF329 A spokesman for Landsbanki Commercial Finance confirmed to Business Money today that it had the liquidity and capability to continue looking after existing clients though no new business is being taken on at the moment. 15 Oct 2008 10:02:00 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2123.htm 23FE92C3-336D-47B3-93E9-D586B5007DF2 Following its launch in June this year, the Midlands operation of Vantis Business Recovery Services (BRS), a division of Vantis, the UK accounting, tax and business advisory group, is due to double in size before Christmas. 15 Oct 2008 10:01:26 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2124.htm 8FBBD14E-D7F3-4BC2-9E54-2345D7508520 Business information provider, Equifax, has released its latest Business Failures Report. 13 Oct 2008 12:41:47 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2121.htm 9B6FB604-F08C-4360-9283-453FD8FC9B83 Bonuses paid during the main bonus season this year were up £1.5bn on the same period last year, according to new analysis from the Office for National Statistics. 13 Oct 2008 12:41:08 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2122.htm 8B41D4F2-5831-4B2E-8313-A49924F4B9EC With the autumn months now hurtling unavoidably towards us, summer 2008 looks set to go down in history as something of a business black hole. 9 Oct 2008 11:59:59 GMT FF47F49B-E5BF-43FC-8AB5-4DE64725FCFC The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has decided, by means of a teleconference, on the following two measures: 9 Oct 2008 11:59:32 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2117.htm BB4C1EB2-1311-4914-8F63-23312C33B9E9 Central banks across the world have cut interest rates by 0.5%. 8 Oct 2008 16:52:00 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2116.htm 33299451-10E9-4DB4-873F-E085A7094B68 The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (Q3 2008) received over 5,000 responses from businesses of all sizes and sectors. 7 Oct 2008 10:25:20 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2115.htm A372690D-B30E-402F-82DD-7DCFC57E82C4 UK SMEs are being encouraged to take advantage of a major R&D tax windfall which came into effect last month - said Fiona Hotston Moore, managing partner, London, of Mazars, the international accountancy firm. 7 Oct 2008 10:24:46 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2114.htm F15A73D9-EE77-46F6-8141-EA0DA883C174 Experian and N Hunter Limited, the leading anti-fraud data sharing service, have announced significant additional fraud fighting capabilities for mortgage providers and other lenders using the National Hunter anti-fraud data sharing system. 6 Oct 2008 11:56:42 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2113.htm A25884FE-A61F-4B2A-9388-3802D63CAE8F Fortis have announced that the Belgian government has acquired the remaining share (50% + one share) of Fortis Bank SA/NV. 6 Oct 2008 11:55:38 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2112.htm AE24FE67-7559-42AE-9BE5-548F723312FA New figures released by APACS, the UK payments association, show that total card fraud losses increased by 14% in the six months to June 2008 compared with the first half of 2007. 2 Oct 2008 16:26:59 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2108.htm C345B912-71E6-4654-8DBD-314080EE110B Storm clouds are gathering over the UK economy. In response, IGF, the leading independent commercial finance company specialising in the small and medium sized business market, has published ten tips that entrepreneurs and owner-managers should consider to help their business weather the storm. 2 Oct 2008 12:44:53 GMT http://www.businessmoneynews.com/current/page2106.htm 0C66F6FA-1130-4F73-BDE7-542CC2758EDA