Author Archives: Bruce Williams

A guest post from David Hirst – IFG Macclesfield. The Daily Telegraph reported last week that the money supply M4 has shrunk again by 5% in the last year to a record low. This collapse was driven by the banks … Continue reading →

The Olympic Committee have a reputation for protecting their intellectual property quite severely so I am not sure whether I am even allowed to write a blog that uses the word Olympics. Anyway, here goes and if I try to link it … Continue reading →

According to the widely quoted Begbies Traynor quarterly Red Flag report it is manufacturing industry that is leading the economic recovery. Despite the gloom and doom spread by many of the naysayers the UK still boasts a vibrant, world class … Continue reading →

Seasonality is a significant issue for many SME’s. The cricket equipment supplier, Christmas tree seller or music festival organiser have fairly obvious peaks and troughs in their cashflows; many other businesses have a similar problem. Often for nine months of the year … Continue reading →

A perennial problem, cash management, but one that 95% of manufacturing executives in a recent KPMG survey say is a top priority for their business. But it is not just the problem of cash management, it is improving it that … Continue reading →

The recent announcement by government of the SME “credit easing” or National Loans Guarantee Scheme is to be welcomed as it again highlights the plight of SME’s and their access to funding. Is it going to work? Well perhaps, perhaps … Continue reading →

ABFA have just released updated figures for the invoice finance industry. It is available here. For invoice finance companies it makes for good reading and supports the issue we continually bleat on about – invoice finance or debt factoring is … Continue reading →

Two positive pieces of news hit the streets this morning. The accountants BDO released their latest business trends report showing that business confidence is improving and has reached its highest level in nine months. The actual jump in confidence was … Continue reading →

A new phrase to add to my lexicon of terms coined during the “great funding crisis”. Used in a presentation this morning to explain why our banks seem to think they are meeting SME funding needs yet SME’s keep saying … Continue reading →

A question we are continually asked. It will not surprise you as to what we think the answer is but here are some reasons why. Bank overdraft is repayable on demand along with accrued interest, fees and any charges. There … Continue reading →