Really Useful Brokers - 08444 123 172

185,000 SMEs take tax break

2009-08-20T21:05:00.000+01:00

HMRC Business Payment Support Service (BPSS) has helped over 185,000 UK businesses to spread tax payments totalling £3.3bn over a timetable they can afford.

The figures were announced during a visit to the Glasgow centre by Chancellor Alistair Darling.

The service is staffed by 300 HMRC payment advisers and open seven days a week for businesses who need more time to pay HMRC taxes - including VAT, Corporation Tax, Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions (PAYE).

The Chancellor said: “I’m hugely impressed by the team here at Cumbernauld, who are going the extra mile to ensure struggling businesses get the help they need. It’s vital we do everything we can to support people and businesses through this downturn. This service is giving thousands of businesses across the country more time to manage the pressures they’re facing, and helping to keep many people in work."

Source: EN

Late payments hit business

2009-08-20T21:03:00.003+01:00

Late payments to businesses are causing a ‘ripple effect’ impacting on more than half UK businesses which could be costing them as much as £2 billion a year.

New research, conducted among 876 business leaders for Bibby Financial Services, shows that 2.38 million (53 per cent) UK business owners or managers are stalling payments to other parties in a bid to bridge the late payment gap. With 12 per cent of these businesses spending three days or more per month to recover payments, the potential cost to the economy is huge.

The figures highlight this ripple effect and the number of businesses that can be hit by the late payment chain. Indeed, for 1.35 million (30 per cent) UK businesses, just one late customer payment can have a large impact on payments to all subsequent suppliers. And, worryingly, for half a million (12 per cent) businesses one late payment can affect everyone they do business with.

Indeed, the research reveals 52 per cent of UK business owners are spending more time this year chasing late payments than last year, costing vital time and money at a crucial stage for the UK economy. This is supported by figures from Bacs released earlier this year which showed SMEs were owed £25.9 billion after late payments increased by 40 per cent on the previous year’s amount of £18.6 billion.

Source: EN the web

Payment excuses are in the post

2009-07-27T18:01:00.001+01:00

Recession is producing more variation in excuses made by companies for failing to pay bills on time, according to analysts of the 20 most common explanations.

"We're filing for bankruptcy" is one of the most popular in the list of delaying tactics, says Cashflow Protector, the credit control specialist.

It advises callers to respond by asking for the name of the liquidators and checking whether the business has gone under.

To the reply, "that's my wife's bill and she no longer lives here", the caller is advised to ask for the new address. "We've moved address and lost the box with the cheque book in" should be countered by a request for a BACs (automatic banking clearance) payment."

The response to "the cheque book has been destroyed in the flood" should produce commiseration then a request for a BACs payment.

"What? Who do you want? I'm just the babysitter" will have to rely on finding
out when the parents are back.

"Not know, it's the office party" could stump callers. "You're probably on a loser here – just be sure the creditors aren't paying for the party", is the advice tendered by Cashflow.

"You're looking for payment of a July invoice? We're only just starting to pay last December's invoices" calls for a tougher response. "Not funny – threats of legal action will probably only work with this company."

"I was struck by lightning and I'm unable to work," stumped Cashflow. The
counter? "In the end we
had to insist on a doctor's letter."

The old chestnut "the cheque's in the post" is still on the list so "get date of posting (first or second class) and diary forward to call back if it doesn't appear – don't leave it."

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

May SME lending figures for the high street banks

2009-07-16T10:18:00.001+01:00

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.

Commenting on the data, BBA statistics director, David Dooks, said: "The small business sector saw another monthly increase in its borrowing from the high street banks in May, while reduced trading activities and greater control of liquidity were reflected in increased deposits and little-changed overdraft levels. Through the economic downturn, banks are working to support small businesses and more than 45,000 new banking relationships were opened in May."

Source: Business Money

Forshaw Associates Limited - Cash Flow Finance

2009-06-11T12:45:00.003+01:00

Our Invoice Finance Broking service (sometimes refered to asTrade Finance, Invoice Discounting, Invoice Factoring or Confidential Invoice Discounting (CID)) Means that we can help your business improve it's cash flow. By providing an immediate injection of cash against the value of your outstanding invoices which are usually a company's greatest asset. We have an impressive panel of Invoice Factoring or Discounting financiers across Lancashire, the North West and Nationally at our fingertips each with their own specific specialities.

For instance we could assist you with:

Improving your business cash flow
Customers who pay late
Trading with foreign companies with more confidence
Accessing funding to fulfil a specific order
Out-sourcing credit managment

Downloads :

Guide to Business Finance in turbulent times

Invoice Factoring Application

The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) has released a glossary of basic terms and product descriptions to help to clarify the products available from the asset-based finance industry. This document has been put together to help members of the public understand the use of asset-based finance as a generic term to describe the industry as a whole, and the products that come under that banner of, factoring, invoice discounting and asset-based lending. To download your copy click the following link ABFA Glossary

GOMY listing please review this business

2009-06-08T13:20:00.001+01:00

Recommendations from Linkedin

2009-06-05T16:12:00.001+01:00

John Ardern - Really Useful Consultancy

John hired you as a Financial Advisor in 2000 and hired you more than once

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, High Integrity

“Carl provides a financial advisory service "second-to-one". He is friendly and approachable, and listens to your needs, then comes back with ideas and solutions that are appropriate to your situation. I cannot recommned him too highly!” November 21, 2008

Matt Tomkin

, Owner, Blacksheep Business Communications (business partner)

“After meeting Carl at a networking event we met in the hope of growig a relationship to help both of our businesses. I must say Carl certainly knew what he was talking about when it came to a question I was asking myself about how best to finance a product of ours. Would recommend him with no soubts in my mind.” June 4, 2009

Recommendations from linkedin.com Click here to view my profile

Small firms suffer as lending drops by £5bn

2009-06-03T16:15:00.002+01:00

Getting bank loans is still a 'lottery' after lending to cash-strapped companies plunged by £5billion last month, small firms told MPs yesterday.

They said many banks are continuing to starve viable firms of the credit they desperately need to weather the recession.

It means scores of small businesses are going under every week despite Government initiatives designed to increase lending.

Official data showed lending to businesses fell sharply during April, despite the taxpayer piling billions of pounds into Britain's banks.

Phil Orford, of business lobby group the Forum of Private Business, said: 'There's a bit of a bank lottery out there. Getting a loan depends on the risk appetite of a bank.'

He said following the Government bail-outs, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds were among the most understanding of the needs of small businesses.

But he added that smaller lenders were much more reluctant to back Government initiatives, such as the £1.3billion Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme.

The Confederation of British Industry told the Business and Enterprise Committee the scheme's launch earlier this year was marred by 'poor communications', although there had since been improvements.

Commercial Finance Case Studies

2009-05-26T12:27:00.005+01:00

Commercial Case study one

Mr F came to us looking to purchase an existing business. He already ran a business in the same

industry and this would

provide further synergies. The new business also allowed him more office space to run the two businesses from, and to rent some space out to a

complimentary business. In addition he would be able to rent the other offices within the building. Being a normal business, his accounts did n

ot show large profits, and on the surface was not able to afford to service the new debt, and his existing bank were not willing to lend. However, once we became involved we could se

e that the new business could be purchased using the EFG (Enterprise Finance Guarantee) providing a substantial deposit could be raised which we arranged from other sources. Terms were sought from our High Street bank contacts, and the best deal selected.

After discussion with his accountant, she decided to purchase the business in a new limited company name, and we arranged the formation of the new company.

Hopefully this case shows that there is still finance out there for the small businessman, and the benefits of using a broker to place the deal, even if your

client's bank has said no, there may well still be a deal to be done, especially in the current climate. Give us a call to let us help you.

Commercial Case Study

Two

Two partners from a successful restaurant approached me for £100,000 finance to

develop a second location, as their business was only 18 months old, and had not had chance to develop

sufficient equity to borrow against their current high street bank had said no.

We discussed traditiona

l methods of funding a second restaurant including using the EFG, but as the new premises would likely be leasehold this was not feasible.

After extensive research and using our existing contacts I came across the ideal solution with unsecured business finance, using their PDQ terminal turn over to determine what level of funding they could have and how they could pay it back.

Hopefully these cases show that there is still finance out there for the small businessman, and the benefits of using a professional brokers to place the deal, even if your bank has said no, there may well still be a deal to be done, especially in the current climate.

Give us a call to let us help you.

Attention all business!!!! Unsecured cash advances based on merchants' future credit card transactions

2009-05-11T13:42:00.003+01:00

How do business cash advances differ from business loans?
Business cash advances are based on merchants' future credit card transactions. Unlike traditional loan programs, a cash advance is totally unsecured (does not require collateral or a personal guarantee). The program

is available to business with good or bad credit. Because the merchant cash advance is based on future credit card receivables, a good credit score is not required to be approved. Unlike loans, applying for a business cash advance takes literally minutes and approval is typically done within 24 hours.

What can business cash advances be used for?

Merchants are free to use funding from their cash advances for anything they desire. Unlike other financing options available to businesses through banks and private lenders, we do not require a plan for the funding advance and we don't require that it be used for any specific purposes. A cash advance can be used for expansion, renovations, payroll, equipment, general business cash flow, or anything that you decide.

What types of businesses / merchants are eligible for the cash advance program?

Any business that processes a minimum of £3500 per month in credit card transactions and is not a home based business can be approved for a merchant cash advance. Start-ups and home-based businesses are currently not eligible, and businesses must currently be processing credit cards with a physical terminal (paypal and other online payment gateways do not qualify).

How is a business cash advance repaid?

Repayment on business cash advances are simple and easy to manage! The best features of a business advance are: automated and flexible payments. Because advances are based on future credit card sales, your business pays back its advance based on sales volume – making repayment amounts suited to your business ability to make those payments. When receivables are slow, payment amounts are less, meaning we work within your business's cash flow situation.

How easy is it to get approved? How do I qualify? How does it work? How do I pay it back?

Read on the questions to these answers are here!

Do I qualify for a cash advance?

-If you accept credit cards you qualify for our unsecured cash advance program you could qualify subject to certain conditions.

How does a cash advance work?

-We advance your business up to £100,000
-depending on your needs and your current monthly volume of credit card sales.

What if I have bad credit?

-Unsecured cash advances are credit scored.
-Bad credit is usually not a problem.

How do I pay it back?

- This is a total facility that can be drawn down by the client and is reclaimed depending on the term of borrowing starting at a rate of 20% per month

How long is the application process?

-The application only takes a few minutes and or less and in some cases approvals can be within 48 hous.

The advantages of the facility are:

Unsecured
No valuation costs
No lender’s solicitor cost
No borrowers solicitor cost
No broker’s fee
Flexible payback time - extending the payment period does not cost more
No APR % so it has significant advantages over a bridge
Fast decision
Fast payout
LTV irrelevant
Perfect for leasehold

The ideal funding solution for:

Pubs & Guest houses
Hotels
Florists
Restaurants
Wine bars
Hairdressers/Beauticians/Spas
Off licenses
Garages
Pet shops/care
Hotels
Anywhere that uses a card terminal.

For more information call 08444 123 172 or email

NEWSFLASH Consumer Credit Claims Frozen!

2009-05-08T12:33:00.001+01:00

NEWSFLASH 8 May 2009

Judge freezes credit claims!! Consumers overwhelmed with debts are unlikely to be able to write-off credit card debt due to unenforceability. A judge has frozen more than 100,000 claims by indebted borrowers attempting to write-off credit and loan debt by using a loophole in the law which could make the contracts unenforceable

source: Really Useful Brokers

Company liquidations up 56 per cent

2009-05-01T16:08:00.002+01:00

Company liquidations up 56 per cent - 01/05/2009

There were 4,941 compulsory liquidations and creditors’ voluntary liquidations in the first quarter of 2009, a rise of 56 per cent on the same period in 2008.

Figures from The Insolvency Service reveal that these were made up of 1,579 compulsory liquidations, which increased 43.6 per cent from 1,100 year on year, and 3,362 creditors voluntary liquidations which soared 62.5 per cent from 2,068 in the first quarter of last year.

The report also shows there were 1,783 other corporate insolvencies in the first quarter of 2009 comprising 316 receiverships, 1,311 administrations and 156 company voluntary arrangements. These represented a rise of 54 per cent on the same period year.

The statistics also show that personal insolvencies in England and Wales were up 19 per cent in the first three months of 2009, year on year, to 29,774. These were made up of 19,062 bankruptcies, which increased 23 per cent on the first quarter of 2008, and 10,713 individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) which were up 11.8 per cent by the same comparison.

Richard Fleming, UK Head of Restructuring at KPMG, said: "The jump of over 50 per cent on last year’s figures is a staggering reminder of how quickly the recession has knocked down many businesses in its path."

The manufacturing industry made up the second largest number of all insolvencies and saw a rise of 28 per cent in the last quarter (257 up from 201). Paper publishing and printing saw the largest increase at just under double last quarter's numbers (51 up from 28).

Fleming added: "Unfortunately we are seeing companies with nowhere else to go failing as their backers, realising that they are throwing good money after bad, snap the purse closed. The financial sticking plasters which were applied to struggling companies when liquidity was still available are now coming away and lenders are unwilling to reapply them.

"We expect to see the rate of insolvencies gathering pace over the coming months as the Darwinian theory takes effect in the corporate world. Interestingly the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) figures are fairly stagnant (156 compared with 149) but this could change with the approval of the JJB CVA. We may now see more compromise deals being struck between companies and their creditors to avoid insolvency."

This week figures from PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that 5,483 organisations became insolvent in the first quarter of 2009, with trustees in the manufacturing, retail and construction sectors being hit the hardest.

Meanwhile, a survey of the UK’s insolvency practitioners by R3 said they expect a 31 per cent increase in personal insolvency by the end of 2009 compared with 2008. It gave a prediction of around 139,000 personal insolvencies for whole 2009 in England and Wales.

R3 President Peter Sargent said: "Today’s figures show the start of major rises in personal insolvency, which insolvency practitioners, those on the front line, believe will rise quarter on quarter this year. We know personal debtors usually take up to six months to seek a statutory debt solution and by the end of 2009 the figures will reflect this lag."

Source: Credit Today

Insolvencies soar 60pc in retail sector

2009-04-27T15:19:00.002+01:00

Insolvencies in the retail sector soared in the first quarter as businesses teetering on a cliff edge before Christmas finally yielded to deteriorating consumer sentiment and a formidable financing environment.

On average, more than seven retailers went broke every day in the three months to March, with the number of insolvencies for the quarter up 24pc on the previous quarter, according to research by accountancy group PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In all, 705 retailers entered insolvency from January to March – up 60pc from about 440 in the same quarter a year earlier, and up from 569 in the three months to December.

Andrew Garbutt, retail director at Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, said that 2008 was notable for the number of "relatively weak retailers going to the wall".

"However survival of the fittest will be the mantra for 2009. Those with an inappropriate capital structure or a poor proposition will struggle to survive. Even good companies may disappear as they are exposed by low sales volumes and debt burdens".

While many retailers were suffering, their difficulty provided opportunities for chains and "smaller, independent stores to grow market share even in this tough climate", Mr Garbutt said. "Nobody wants to see retailers fail but market shares change the furthest and fastest in times like these. Opportunistic retailers will see these failures as platforms to gain share.

Budget 2009: Key points at a glance

2009-04-22T16:15:00.002+01:00

It has been heralded as the most important, and gloomiest, Budget annoucement since the War: Here are the key points from the Chancellor's speech...

The Economy: Growth

The UK economy contracted by 1.6% in the last quarter of 2008. GDP growth for the year as a whole expected to be -3.5%.

The Chancellor is forecasting growth of 1.25% in 2010. From 2011, the economy will continue to recover with growth of 3.5% from then on. In future years the economy will recover towards a trend rate of growth of around 2.75%.

Inflation is expected to reach 1% by the end of this year. The Bank of England inflation target remains unchanged at 2%. RPI inflation is forecast to remain negative, falling to minus-3% by September, before moving back above zero next year.

The Economy: Borrowing

UK figures for public sector net borrowing will be £175bn this year, 12.4% of GDP. From 2010, borrowing will fall to £173bn, then £140bn, £118bn and £97bn.

As a share of GDP, borrowing will be 11.9% next year, 9.1% in 2011/12, then 7.2% in 2012/13 and 5.5% in 2013/14.

UK net debt, including the cost of stabilising the banking system, will as a share of GDP increase from 59% this year to 68% next year, 74% in 2011/12, then 78% and 79% in subsequent years. It will stabilise and then begin to fall in 2015/16.

The UK's current deficit is expected to halve within four years.

Mortgages and property

Stamp duty holiday on properties sold for less than £175,000 extended until the end of the year. An extra £80m is to be given to the HomeBuy Direct, the Government's shared equity mortgage scheme.

£500m of extra financial support to kick-start building on housing projects stalled because of the credit crunch, including £100m for councils to build new energy-efficient housing. The Chancellor is bringing forward £50m to speed up modernisation of armed forces housing.

£435m of extra support to deliver energy efficiency measures for homes, firms and public buildings. £525m of new support over the next two years for offshore wind projects.

Tax

From April 2011, the Chancellor will restrict pension tax relief for those with incomes over £150,000 so it is gradually tapered to the 20% rate.

No income tax increase this year. However, the planned new top income tax rate of 45% on incomes above £150,000 will be increased to 50% and take effect from next April - a year earlier than planned.

Personal allowances to be fully withdrawn for those with incomes over £100,000 from next April.

Pensions

Chancellor confirms commitment to increase the basic state pension by at least 2.5%, regardless of RPI.

Capital disregard on Pension Credit to be raised from £6,000 to £10,000 from November 2009.

Chancellor confirms commitment to increase the basic state pension by at least 2.5%, regardless of RPI. Pensioners' Winter Fuel Allowance to be kept at higher level of £250 for over-60s and £400 for over-80s for another year.

Motoring

Fuel duty will increase by 2p per litre in September and then by 1p a litre above indexation each April for the next four years.

Car scrappage scheme will be implemented next month to provide motorists with a £2,000 discount on new vehicles bought when they trade in cars over 10 years old. The scheme will end in March 2010.

Savings

Annual limit for tax-free ISAs increased to £10,200, of which £5,100 can be saved in cash. New limit introduced this year for over-50s, next year for others.

From April next year, the child element of Child Tax Credit to increase by £20. Children with disabilities to get extra £100 a year in their Child Trust Fund, with an extra £200 each year for those with severe disabilities.

Tobacco and Alcohol

Alcohol duties will go up by 2% from midnight tonight. There will be an increase in tobacco duty of 2% from 6pm tonight.

Businesses

The Chancellor is extending help allowing loss-making companies to reclaim taxes on profits made in the last three years to November 2010.

Businesses' main capital allowance rate doubled to 40%, giving enhanced tax relief to support investment of £50bn this year.

Jobs

Statutory redundancy pay up from £350 to £380 a week.

An additional £1.7bn for Job Centre Plus and the New Deal is to be provided. There will be additional support for people who have been out of work for 12 months.

From January everyone under the age of 25 who has been jobless for 12 months will be offered a job or a place in training with additional money on top of benefits for those in training

Source: This is Money

Banks cut credit to one in three small firms

2009-03-20T13:08:00.002Z

A third of small firms are struggling to access credit, a report said yesterday.

The research showed banks are reducing commercial overdraft facilities and seeking more security for loans.

Nearly one in five firms said they were being hit by higher charges, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.

In its survey of 6,000 members, two in five admitted to cutting staff numbers or hours in the battle to survive.

A majority said their bank was less helpful now than it had been before the recession began.

Alistair Anderson, the federation's-spokesman, said: 'These figures demonstrate how times are really tough for small firms and how access to finance continues to be a real challenge.

'The majority [are] indicating that the banks are failing to be more helpful - precisely at a time when small businesses most need their support.'

Another lobby group, the Forum of Private Business, said the Government must focus on boosting business confidence and lifting the economy out of recession.

In its survey, nearly two thirds of members called on ministers to prioritise support for businesses in the upcoming Budget.

Forum spokesman Phil Orford said: 'Most business owners are receiving confusing messages from the Government and the banks.'

With business casualties reaching 86 a day, the Daily Mail's Fair Deal for Small Firms campaign has highlighted the plight of what is seen as the 'lifeblood' of Britain's economy.

Firms have been struggling to access loan schemes such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee.

A report by the British Chambers of Commerce revealed just one firm in 250 had secured a loan under the £1.3billion initiative.

Source: Daily Mail

Banks squeeze SMEs

2009-03-20T13:06:00.000Z

Banks are getting tougher on small businesses, despite pressure from the Government to help them, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

In a survey the FSB found a third of small businesses said they had been hit by changes their banks had made, either putting up their fees or reducing their overdraft.

The survey of more than 6,000 of its members showed small firms are still having problems accessing new finance and are not benefiting from tumbling interest rates.

A third of small firms also said their bank was less helpful now than it had been before the economic downturn began.

FSB spokesman Professor Alistair Anderson said: "These figures demonstrate how times are really tough for small firms and how access to finance continues to be a realchallenge, with the majority indicating that the banks are failing to be more helpful - precisely at a time when small businesses most need their support."

Source: EN

Business Failures soar

2009-03-16T09:22:00.003Z

THE number of failures among UK businesses is expected to soar this year as the economy falls deeper into recession.

A survey by accountants BDO Stoy Hayward predicts the more than 36,000, or one in every 56 companies, will fail - a 59 per cent increase on 2008.

However, it added that the worse is yet to come, with one in 50 firms failing in 2010, and the real estate and construction sectors being hit hardest.

Dermot Power, business restructuring partner at BDO Stoy Hayward in Manchester, said: "Business failures are set to worsen before any improvement is seen. UK companies, however, are tightening their belts and taking more measures to adapt to the downturn.

"The government is also increasing its initiatives to kick-start the economy, and both should have an effect.

"However, because of the uncertainty on how long it will take for an upturn to emerge, for some surviving tomorrow will not be possible."

Source: MEN

Have you noticed any of the following?

Business Running out of cash ?
Concerned about how to pay your tax bill ?
Overdraft at its limit or exceeded ?
Cant pay your bills on time ?
Worried about how to pay staff salaries next month ?

Really Useful Brokers provide a fresh view with a professional appraisal of your business. From our experience we can then provide a solution strategy, from refinance to recovery options.

No job is too small, to help get your business back on track call us today on 08444 123 173 or email

Rescue package?

2009-03-14T08:41:00.003Z

What rescue package? Why Gordon Brown's plan to help small businesses survive isn't working!

Just one firm in 250 has been able to get a loan under a flagship government scheme designed to save small businesses from collapse, a report revealed this week. Small businesses blame many of their difficulties in securing loans under the scheme on the fact that it is administered by the banks - despite most of the money coming from taxpayers. Here, continuing The Daily Mail's Fair Deal for Small Firms campaign, we look at some of the victims of the latest betrayal by the banks...

As someone who creates jobs, pays his taxes and is a decent, loyal family man, Stephen Peters is a fine example of the virtues of honesty and hard work. At the age of 58, when others are content to ease into retirement, and countless more are living on benefits, he decided last summer to launch a new business.
A keen cyclist and marathon runner, Mr Peters drew up a detailed business plan for Hampton Court Cycles and Her Gear, two shops dedicated to cycling.
One shop in Hampton Court, Surrey, would cater to families, while the other, Her Gear in West London, would be Britain's first 'cycling boutique' exclusively for the booming numbers of women taking to two wheels.
He took the advice of others in the same field and he spoke to the banks. Their backing was vital - it would take some time before the money started flowing in and he'd need their support to cover his costs until then.
The bankers were so enthusiastic about his proposal and so confident of its success that Mr Peters ploughed almost £100,000 of his own savings into the venture.
'I was excited about it,' says Mr Peters, who has been self-employed, mainly in the fashion industry, since his 20s. 'It was a business, but I also thought I was giving something of value back to the community - good for the environment and good for people's health.'
He employed eight people. It may not sound like many, but Mr Peters and his ilk are the lifeblood of the economy - a total of 13 million people in the UK are employed by small businesses.
Defined as employing fewer than 50 people, there are five million small businesses - including tradesmen, builders, shopkeepers, restaurateurs and farmers.
But when the credit crunch began to bite, the banks upon which these businesses relied suddenly stopped lending. To prevent disaster, at the turn of the year the Government announced that £1 billion would be made available in loans from the Treasury under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme to ensure that small companies stayed afloat.
Under the scheme, which is open to businesses with a turnover of up to £25 million, entrepreneurs are able to borrow between £1,000 and £1 million repayable over ten years. However, the scheme is administered by the banks, which provide a quarter of the loan, with the Government guaranteeing the rest of the sum.
Mr Peters was faced with the sort of cashflow problems encountered by most businesses. The banks which had once been so enthusiastic about his business refused to lend, so he applied for an £80,000 loan under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.
He was turned down - despite seeming to be exactly the sort of business it was designed to help. Why? In his case, he was told that he had too many assets to qualify.
His family home would have to be sold first to prop up the business. Incredibly, one banker admitted that a foreigner without a home would be allowed to borrow £1 million because he had no assets. But a Briton with a home would not be allowed to do so.
He said: 'The gap between the rhetoric and the action is huge. It's like that old sick joke - the operation was successful, but the patient has died.'
All of which has made Mr Peters very bitter. 'I don't sleep,' he says. 'I think about what's going on all the time. I think about the Government and the bankers with their guaranteed salaries, gold-plated pensions - and they want us to trust them? They are immoral and corrupt.
'There are countless people in my position. Everybody - except Gordon Brown - knows what's wrong. The frustration of the middle classes is unbearable. We are too educated and too sensible to take to the streets. But what's the point of going on?'
This is not an isolated case. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses are on the brink of disaster thanks, once again, to the banks. Even the Government admits that so far only around £40 million has been awarded in loans.
Computer company Dot Net Solutions, based in Surrey, which develops software packages for firms, applied to Barclays for £100,000 under the scheme. The bank refused, saying it could not 'take the risk'.
Dan Scarfe, who set up the company in 2004 with his brother, says: 'They are just not interested, and there's no one you can appeal to. The banks are judge and jury.'
They are also executioner. These entrepreneurs will not say so, but many are facing a visit to the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London, where the 'winding up' court sits every Wednesday.
In hushed tones, more than 300 small businesses are put into liquidation by creditors - often the banks - at hearings each week. The numbers going bust have trebled in the past three months. The only beneficiaries are the lawyers, more than 30 of whom were in court this Wednesday as, one after another, businesses were 'wound up'.
In stark legal jargon, I listened as scores of British businessmen and women were left shattered as their livelihoods were destroyed. A 'transaction' takes less than 30 seconds - a brutal denouement to the hopes and dreams of the hard-working entrepreneurial classes.
While the companies varied from carpet weavers to tanning salons, most shared a common problem: credit. In short, many are still viable businesses, but have encountered difficulties finding enough cash to keep going until they, in turn, are paid for their services.
One businessman, who runs a sports company and holiday park, has a turnover of £1 million a year. But he needed a loan of £150,000 to keep going during the winter months. He asked Barclays for a loan under the rescue scheme, but was told that, under the rules, the money could not be loaned to 'cover existing debt'.
To make matters worse, the very banks that are withholding the government money are also imposing punitive interest rates on the businesses for any outstanding loans.
Roy Seaman, who advises small businessmen on how to set up franchises, was told by Barclays Bank that despite interest rates falling to historic lows, his outstanding debts would be charged at 4.95 per cent above base rate - an increase from the 3 per cent which he had been paying.
Countless others told me similar stories. With exquisite timing, the banks claim they have to charge more to make up for the lack of business caused by their punitive rates.
So, while insisting that they still deserve billions in bonuses this year, despite being saved by taxpayers' cash, these very same bankers are deciding the fate of thousands of businesses - and millions of families who depend on them - by increasing the cost of loans.
David Kern, chief economist at the British Chamber of Commerce, says small businesses are in dire straits.
'We need to do everything we can to help these businesses to survive, whether it's by scrapping the minimum wage or regulatory things like maternity leave and national insurance - or else the economy will suffer even more.'
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) also warns that all of the Government's 'initiatives' to ease the crisis - from VAT cuts to the guaranteed loan scheme - have achieved nothing.
In a poll, fewer than one in ten small businesses said banks were making the Enterprise Finance Guarantee available to them. To add to the chaos, many are waiting for longer than ten days to be paid for public sector work, even though the Government pledged that it would work to speed up payment times.
In a separate poll, 97 per cent of small businesses said the VAT cut from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent has had no impact on their trade at all - except to add costs for changing systems.
Back at Stephen Peters' cycling shops, he is contemplating the harsh realities of life without a steady flow of cash. He has already had to lose five members of staff. Two are taking him to a tribunal for unfair dismissal.
He says they are right to do so - but he could not afford to pay them off because the bank would not lend him the taxpayers-funded loans. So he is facing up to the prospect of going bust, too, though he insists he will fight on.
What can be done? More than anything, he says there must be honesty from the Government, not the pretence that schemes have been set up to save millions of jobs when they exist in name only.
'We are at our best when our backs are against the wall,' added Mr Peters. 'We are a creative, determined bunch with values. We need leadership. But at the moment we can't believe anything we are told. Confidence is the key to business.
'What's happening is verging on criminal. At the end of the day, we will all pay for the actions of these banks and this Government. Not just us - but future generations, too.'
Source: Money Mail

Britain's property blackspots revealed: Towns where house prices have fallen by 20% in six months

2009-03-13T10:32:00.002Z

Asking prices for homes in some of Britain's most sought-after towns have plummeted by more than a fifth in just six months.

Stockbroker belt towns such as Windsor in Berkshire, one of the most desirable areas to live in the UK, are among the hardest hit since the recession kicked in.

It is one of 16 towns and cities in the UK where prices have dropped by at least 20 per cent.

The picturesque town of Kendal in the Lake District has seen house price falls of more than 20%.

Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire, the market town of Kendal in Cumbria, and the coastal resort of Exmouth in East Devon, have also suffered badly.

Rising unemployment and the collapse of the housing market are both to blame, analysts said yesterday.

Those who are desperate to sell because they have lost their jobs are finding their properties are worth far less than they were several years ago.

But it is the sheer scale of the drop over such a short period that will strike fear into most homeowners.

In Windsor, the average asking price has dropped by 21 per cent, from £379,975 to £299,950, while prices in Kendal have dropped almost 23 per cent from £229,983 to £177,475.

In Hertford, the affluent county town of Hertfordshire, prices have fallen by more than 26 per cent, from £295,830 to £217,498, according to Globrix, one of the UK's largest property websites.

The steepest falls were seen in Blackpool, where prices are down 28 per cent.

House prices in Blackpool have plunged in the past six months

In some areas potential buyers are still being prevented from getting a foot on the property ladder because of a lack of mortgage funding.

Richard Morea, of mortgage brokers London & Country, said: 'People have become increasingly desperate to sell, perhaps only because of the fear of unemployment. Flooding the market where there are fewer buyers might be pushing prices down.

'Unless those buyers that are out there have got at least a 20 per cent deposit, they are not going to be serviced at all by lenders, so a lot of buyers are being squeezed out.'

Windsor has seen the biggest drop in house prices across the country

Peter Bolton King, of the National Association of Estate Agents, said: 'There is no one reason for prices going down in some areas. The more popular an area was until the top of the market, the more they may be affected.'

Prices may be falling in some areas highlighted by the survey for totally different reasons.

Daniel Lee, from Globrix, said: 'The property slump has clearly hit some towns more severely than others.'

He said homeowners in these areas shouldn't panic, adding: 'For many this will simply be a paper loss.

'Sellers also need to remember that if their property has fallen in value by 20 per cent, the property they're looking to buy will almost certainly fallen in value as well.'

Source: Money Mail

New lending for SMEs, advantages of a family business

2009-03-10T17:58:00.004Z

New lending for SMEs, advantages of a family business, first chief ombudsman for legal complaints, rising claims of unfair dismissal and tougher tax checks.

Santander putting up £100m in new lending for SMEs

Santander, the Spanish bank with Abbey and Alliance & Leicester in its portfolio, says it is providing more than £100m in new lending for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Alliance & Leicester is joining the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme – the government-backed programme carrying a 75pc loan guarantee – while Abbey has applied to take a slice of the European Investment Bank's £15bn fund. (If you are interested in raising commercial finance call Really Useful Brokers today on 08444 123 172 or email )
Family fortunes

Family businesses are in a strong position to survive recession because of a low-risk approach and a long-term view, says a report produced by Barclays Wealth and the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Just over 40pc said money was their main motivation compared with 52pc in other businesses and only 10pc said they would consider selling up.

Strong family support was cited by 48pc as one of the advantages of a family business while 55pc said their most important motivation was the ability to help others.

Legal ombudsman

Patent and trade mark attorneys have welcomed the appointment of the first chief ombudsman for legal complaints.

Adam Sampson, currently chief executive of Shelter, the housing charity, will take up the new post on July 1. He will operate under the umbrella of the Office for Legal Complaints, set up to handle grouses about legal services, including those provided by patent and trade market attorneys.

Dismissal claims up

Unfair dismissal claims are rising sharply as unemployment grows.

Figures obtained by lawyers Eversheds from the Tribunals Service show there were 42,500 claims in the 10 months to end January compared with 40,900 in the whole of the previous year.

The firm predicts that as many as 51,000 cases could be brought by the end of March, producing a year-on-year increase of almost 25pc.

Taxing changes

Businesses are being told by HM Revenue & Customs they have less than a month to get ready to cope with the tougher series of tax checks following harmonisation of powers between the old Customs & Excise and Inland Revenue.

From April 1 HMRC will operate under a single set of powers covering PAYE, VAT, income tax, capital gains tax, Corporation Tax and the Construction Industry Scheme.

HMRC says that with new information and inspection powers, record keeping requirements, time limits for tax assessments and claims and accompanying safeguards, businesses need to be aware of what the changes will mean for them.
Source: Telegraph

If you are interested in raising commercial finance call Really Useful Brokers today on 08444 123 172 or email

Quantitative Easing

2009-03-05T13:24:00.001Z

The Bank of England appears to have a new toy: 'quantitative easing '. Here we chew over this mouthful and make it a bit more digestible...

Never heard of it, is it new?

Ish. The prospect of it has reared its head in the last few months as successive cuts to the bank rate have failed to get the economy moving.

As the Bank of England is running out of rate-cutting bullets, with the bank rate now at 1%, it must find another weapon in its monetary policy armory.

What is this weapon then?

It is the modern way to print money and boost the money supply. Targeting the money supply has been out of fashion as a policy instrument since the mid-1980s, but now that the rates gun is firing blanks, it's been resurrected.

How does it work?

It's not quite so blatant as running the printing presses at top speed. The Bank of England creates some money by electronically topping up its own bank account. It then buys securities - like government debt, mortgage-backed securities or even equities - from banks, insurers and pension companies in order to boost the amount of cash they hold.

As the banks' cash reserves expand, they build up an excess of cash over securities. If they wish to redress this balance (and that's an important if) they have to start lending out money to other banks, individuals and businesses.

This will boost the money supply and inject liquidity into the economy. The Bank of England could make this increased lending a condition of buying the assets.

Does it work?

The US Fed has tried the tactic in the last few months to little effect - but the volumes involved are probably too small to count.

The only significant historical implementation occurred in Japan between 2001 and 2006, when reserves held by banks with the Bank of Japan rose from Y5 trillion to Y35 trillion - or 6% of GDP.

The economy did slowly emerge from its crisis, but it's far from clear whether this was anything to do with the quantitative easing.

The jury is definitely out.

Anything else we should know?

Worryingly, even if it doesn't do the job intended it could dilute the value of sterling and kick-off inflation, which would then require higher interest rates to control it. The printing of money has historically had disastrous effects - in Weimar Germany and modern-day Zimbabwe, for instance.

This would not be a danger to a modern western economy like the US or UK as long as political pressure was not brought to bear on the central bank to keep the taps open.

The hope is therefore that when the Bank of England decides enough is enough, it can act independently from the Government to make the best decision on monetary policy grounds. The trick is knowing how much quantitative easing is enough. With little experience to go on, it would be a guessing game for the Bank.

Source: This is Money

Asset-based funders step in as bank's credit policies tighten

2009-03-03T21:15:00.001Z

Asset-based finance is proving itself to be a strong source of funding for MBOs, refinancing and acquisitions.

Deal flow across corporate Britain has slowed significantly as a result of the credit crunch - as business confidence and sales have dried up, so has bank lending.

But Birmingham-based invoiced factoring company Liquidity is bucking the trend by funding ten deals in January alone.

This is despite some rival funders not apparently willing to commit funds, or to do so on very restrictive and inflexible terms.

According to Paul Varley, business development manager at Liquidity: "In today's market, where finance is more difficult to source, we are very much open for business."

Liquidity's latest deal is the seven-figure management buy-out of a Bristol and London-based digital agency.

E3 Media's original founders, Stuart Avery and Michael Bennett, have bought out the company from private investors, putting themselves back in the driving seat.

Established in 1997, E3 Media provides web and on-line marketing solutions for blue-chip clients including Kia Motors, Disney, Triumph, Toshiba, Siemens and the BBC.

The company employs 45 people across its two sites and last year turned over £2.2m.

E3 received an injection of cash from private investors in 1997 and 2000. According to Stuart Avery, joint managing director of the company, the funds enabled the business to recruit new staff and add new services, whilst the input and the experience of the business angels proved an invaluable sounding board for the founding entrepreneurs.

He said: "We have received fantastic support, but now is the time to take back the reins and move the business forward ourselves."

The buy-out was funded by an injection of invoice financing from Liquidity and debt provided by HSBC in Bristol. The E3 founders also contributed their own cash.

Liquidity's Paul Varley said: "This is a well managed and very successful business, run by two enthusiastic executives. With many companies switching their marketing spend to on-line E3 is well placed to build on its reputation."

Black country law firm George Green & Co advised Liquidity on the deal.

Source: Business Money

Perhaps we should consider who is being rewarded for failure?

2009-02-26T13:26:00.004Z

Having watched the news this morning and discovered the Government bail out plan included a pension payment to the RBS former boss Sir Fred Goodwin totalling £650,000 a year.

This pension will be met by the RBS pension fund (which presumably now we the tax payer own 85% of RBS is funded by us) , even after the prime minister said we would offer no rewards for failure.

How could the Government make such an error? Reports suggest that Sir Fred's departure was delayed so that he would get this pushed through. Shadow Chancellor George Osborne explains that it is a totally irresponsible use of tax payer money.

However, my question is this "If no one is to be rewarded for failure how come all the Ministers and the Prime Minister are still collecting pay, expenses and pension contributions?" considering that they were supposed to oversea the banking practices in the UK and that they where responsible for creating this borrower society?

Banks change guidelines for small businesses

2009-01-29T20:21:00.000Z

The banking industry says it will help small business customers in difficulty during the economic downturn by revising their guidelines for dealing with customers.

The banking industry has come under intense government pressure to pass on cuts in interest rates and help firms who may be running into trouble.

However the new guidelines put the onus on small businesses customers to ask for help early, and warn that banks will still have to protect themselves.

The guidelines have been published by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) and include:

• pro-active contact by banks if they think firms might be in trouble
• banks to offer to discuss all concerns in person
• banks will look to use business assets as security before they consider personal assets as security
• business account switching within 5 working days
• banks helping customers to revise their business plans and forecasts during the recession if necessary.

The guidelines have been revised after consultation with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

However the new BBA guidelines state clearly that a firm in trouble which has agreed a rescue plan with its bank may find that its borrowing costs go up as part of the process - but the bank will explain why.

Posted in Business Planning, Grants & Funding, News |

Source: Business Bable

Business Legislation in 2009

2009-01-29T20:18:00.001Z

Small business legislation is a colossal subject area and new regulations are being introduced in 2009. Below is a summary of some of the main forthcoming regulations that might affect you and your business.
• Extension to holiday entitlement - Parts of the Working Time (Amendment) Regulations 2007 come into force in April 2009, increasing statutory leave from 4.8 weeks’ paid annual leave to 5.6 weeks. Bank and public holidays can be included in a worker’s minimum holiday entitlement; alternatively they can be offered in addition to the minimum entitlement.
• The Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 - The Act comes into force on 16 January and will increase penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who breach health and safety legislation. The Act raises the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaching health and safety regulations and broadens the range of offences for which individuals can be imprisoned.
• VAT Flat Rate Scheme entry - With effect from 1 April 2009, the test that requires a business to check that its total income is less than £187,500 for entry into the VAT Flat Rate Scheme will be removed. Instead, eligibility to join the scheme will be determined solely by the taxable turnover of the business, which must be less than £150,000.
• Corporation tax - The 2008 Budget revealed somewhat controversial plans to raise small business corporation tax to 22% in April 2009, up from 21% in 2008. The Chancellor announced in the Pre-Budget Report back in November 2008 that he would postpone the rise until 2010. The stalemate scenario affects businesses with profits of up to £300,000, which could provide some welcome relief for small firms.
• Extension of trading loss carry back - Usually, a company can carry back a trading loss that occurs in an accounting period for 12 months and offset the loss using profits gained from any source. New rules for 2009 mean that companies can carry back their trading losses for up to three years, in certain circumstances, and for accounting periods that end between 24 November 2008 and 23 November 2009. Unincorporated businesses can make a claim for trading losses for the tax year 2008-09.
• Empty property rate relief - The Pre-Budget Report brought both good and bad news regarding empty property rates. The good news is that properties with a rateable value below £15,000 are exempt from paying business rates. The bad news is that, after months of campaigning by businesses and the property sector to get the unpopular empty property levy scrapped, the tax remains in place, affecting owners of vacant properties that have a rateable value of £15,000 or more.

Source:Business Bable

BARCLAYS SLUMPS ON NEW BANKING FEARS

2009-01-17T15:52:00.001Z

MORE than £2.7billion was wiped off the value of Barclays bank yesterday as fears of a new banking crisis gripped the sector – already reeling by massive losses at US banks Bank of America and Citigroup.

Its shares plunged more than 24 per cent, battered by fears that it may be forced to join other banks in seeking a Government bailout, and worries that it was being targeted by short sellers.

Source: Daily Express

Brand new webiste for 2009!

2009-01-12T12:58:00.001Z

Launch of new website

2008-07-30T23:40:00.001+01:00

Following a review of Forshaw Associates services, we have updated and re-launched the website with some new functionality.

To view it for yourself follow the links below or click the image now!

All feedback is welcome (that's good and bad)!

Click here to view the site

How your business can beat the credit crunch in 2008

2008-07-30T23:36:00.002+01:00

At Forshaw Associates we foresee two possible problems for SME business in the UK in the second half of 2008.

Larger clients are going to extend their payment times.
Will the banking industry continue to support the SME market?

Based on this we have drafted a 3 point plan to combat the effects of the credit crunch for the remainder of this year.

1. Cash Flow Management

Re-consider your invoice terms on goods sold.
Tighten your credit control – put procedures in place & stick to them.
Revise all your expenditure i.e. Utilities, Bank Charges, can a discount be obtained for say paperless billing? Do this for both business & home.
Ensure your management accounts are up to date and precise. This will give you a clear image of your business and where it stands financially.

2. Recover those old bad debts

Review your debtor list especially your 90 days +
Chase your debtors who are outside of your credit terms.
Enforce collections or agree to payment terms.

3. Plan ahead for growth

Consider your future order book and the finance required to make this happen
Re-consider your invoice terms and perhaps reduce the time to pay.
Review your existing clients ability to pay – don’t just rely on their credit report. Consider the past history and look at how and when they pay you.
Plan for any future capital investment or renewal of machinery/equipment.
Looking at staffing and recruitment – perhaps offer overtime to existing staff or consider temporary or contract workers.

If you require any assistance or have any questions please contact us today.

Click here for Forshaw Associates

Newsletter Sign Up

2008-07-14T19:43:00.000+01:00

Commercial Property Finding

2008-07-06T21:25:00.002+01:00

The Future of Buy-to-Let

IMAGINE having one tenant for 5or 10 years, instead a new one every 6 months.
IMAGINE a rental income covering your mortgage with money left to over... instead of you topping it up every month.
IMAGINE your tenants paying the service charges, rates, maintenance costs...instead of having to pay it out of the rent you receive.
IMAGINE your tenant buying their own furniture instead of you having to pay for it, replace it and maintain it.
IMAGINE tenants maintaining your investment to a very high standard as it is their place of business and therefore a reflection of their company image.
IMAGINE a “hands off” investment fully managed on your behalf.
IMAGINE a return equal to or greater than residential - with virtually no costs.

That’s exactly what you get with Really Useful Brokers property partners and their newest investment opportunities. Click here for more information and details of the fabulous discounts avaialable

Free software to all customers !!!!!

2008-07-01T14:43:00.000+01:00

Barclays to offer complete free online security software to all its customers

1 July 2008

Barclays has become the first UK bank to offer all its two million online banking customers free internet security software covering not only anti-virus software but also spyware, adware, firewalls, parental controls and spam filters.

The offer is available to all Barclays customers who sign up for its online banking. The software provided by leading internet security firm Kaspersky normally retails for £51 for an annual subscription, but Barclays will offer it completely free of charge with customers able to download it from its online banking website.

This follows on from Barclays becoming the first UK bank to roll out its two factor authentication system, PINsentry, in 2007 which protects customers against phishing attacks and fraudsters getting hold of customer security information. Over one million PINsentry readers have already been sent out to customers.

Sean Gilchrist, director of Digital Banking for Barclays, said: "For the last two years we have offered customers free anti-virus software, but as internet fraudsters become more sophisticated it is important that customers protect their computers from all threats and not just viruses. Kaspersky has one of the best reputations in the business and together with PINsentry we believe Barclays online customers will have one of the best security packages of all online banks."

Barclays has signed a two year agreement to provide the Kaspersky software which will be worth £102 to customers. Barclays will also allow customers to download the software on up to three personal computers for each licence so that customers can protect all the computers in the same household.

Barclays customers that are not banking online can register by going to Barclays.co.uk. Non-Barclays customers can gain access to the free software by opening a Barclays current account in branch or online.

Taken from.

http://www.businessmoneynews.com/

Secret of Success taken from EN magazine

2008-06-26T13:08:00.000+01:00

Secret of Success

Insolvency specialists are warning directors of struggling businesses they could face tough penalties if they fail to promote the “success” of the company before entering into insolvency procedures.

Under one of the most ambiguous changes to directors’ duties outlined in The Companies Act 2006, directors must act in the way they consider, in good faith, to be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole.

Entering insolvency is an obvious indication that the company has not succeeded and, therefore, presents a raft of potential problems for directors of businesses in financial difficulty. And as “success” is not defined in the act, many SMEs are uncertain of how the duty should be enforced.

Directors may need to demonstrate that they had considered the effects of their decisions on the future of the company by producing board minutes or feasibility studies or showing that they have sought external advice when a company is in danger of insolvency.

http://www.entheweb.co.uk/red-tape/secret-of-success-500.html

Project Management - Video

2008-06-15T21:37:00.003+01:00

Project Management

Specific outcomes: Products or results

Definite start and end dates: Projects don’t go on forever - setting schedules and keeping them

Established budgets: Required amounts of people, funds,
equipment , facilities and information

Project management is the process of guiding a project from its beginning
through its performance to its closure. Project management includes three
basic operations:

Planning: Specifying the desired results, determining the schedules, and
estimating the resources
Organizing: Defining people’s roles and responsibilities
Controlling: Reconfirming people’s expected performances, monitoring
actions and results, addressing problems, and sharing information with
interested people

Successfully performing these activities requires:

Information: Accurate, timely, and complete data for the planning, performance
monitoring, and final assessment
Communication: Clear, open, and timely sharing of information with
appropriate individuals and groups
Commitment: Team members’ personal promises to produce the agreedupon
results on time and within budget

Forshaw Associates Limited - Cash Flow Finance

2008-06-15T20:38:00.003+01:00

Cash Flow Finance:

Fast business and commercial loans, including Invoice Discounting and Factoring.

Both Disclosed and Non-Disclosed finance available up to 90% of invoice value paid within 24 hours.

From Start up to well Established business across the North West.

Personal Service call today 0870 755 0271

Initial 1 hour business appraisal FREE.

Quote ref: FREEBLOGGER10608

For more information visit www.forshaw-associates.co.uk

Really Useful Brokers

2008-06-01T22:55:00.004+01:00

Many new services added at consumer request

2008-06-01T22:53:00.002+01:00

Many new services have been added following consumer demand such as:

Document collection and delivery
Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVA)
Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA)
Debt Management and Company or Business Rescue Services

Contact direct by msn messenger NEW

2007-04-29T21:52:00.000+01:00

add carl@oldskoolravers.co.uk to your msn messenger account and speak direct

reallyusefulloans the beginning!

2007-04-29T21:01:00.000+01:00

About Carl Bradshaw & reallyusefulloans.co.uk

Carl Bradshaw was an Insurance / Residential Mortgage broker and Independent Financial Adviser for 16 years, following demand from clients that where dissatisfied with the high street banks for commercial finance solutions including bridging finance, commercial / business loans.

Forshaw Associates Limited was formed in 2004 in order to supply a fast and efficient service to clients who wished to look outside of what their existing bankers could offer..

In 2006 the demand for fast and efficient bridging finance and second charge homeowner loans prompted the launch of www.reallyusefulloans.co.uk. And thus this story continues....

Really Useful Brokers - 08444 123 172

185,000 SMEs take tax break

Late payments hit business

Payment excuses are in the post

Recession is producing more variation in excuses made by companies for failing to pay bills on time, according to analysts of the 20 most common explanations.

"We're filing for bankruptcy" is one of the most popular in the list of delaying tactics, says Cashflow Protector, the credit control specialist.

May SME lending figures for the high street banks

Forshaw Associates Limited - Cash Flow Finance

GOMY listing please review this business

Recommendations from Linkedin

Small firms suffer as lending drops by £5bn

Commercial Finance Case Studies

Attention all business!!!! Unsecured cash advances based on merchants' future credit card transactions

NEWSFLASH Consumer Credit Claims Frozen!

NEWSFLASH 8 May 2009

Company liquidations up 56 per cent

Insolvencies soar 60pc in retail sector

Insolvencies in the retail sector soared in the first quarter as businesses teetering on a cliff edge before Christmas finally yielded to deteriorating consumer sentiment and a formidable financing environment.

Budget 2009: Key points at a glance

Banks cut credit to one in three small firms

Banks squeeze SMEs

Business Failures soar

Rescue package?

What rescue package? Why Gordon Brown's plan to help small businesses survive isn't working!

Britain's property blackspots revealed: Towns where house prices have fallen by 20% in six months

New lending for SMEs, advantages of a family business

New lending for SMEs, advantages of a family business, first chief ombudsman for legal complaints, rising claims of unfair dismissal and tougher tax checks.

Quantitative Easing

Asset-based funders step in as bank's credit policies tighten

Perhaps we should consider who is being rewarded for failure?

Banks change guidelines for small businesses

Business Legislation in 2009

BARCLAYS SLUMPS ON NEW BANKING FEARS

Brand new webiste for 2009!

Launch of new website

How your business can beat the credit crunch in 2008

1. Cash Flow Management

2. Recover those old bad debts

3. Plan ahead for growth

Newsletter Sign Up

Commercial Property Finding

Free software to all customers !!!!!

Barclays to offer complete free online security software to all its customers

Secret of Success taken from EN magazine

Project Management - Video

Forshaw Associates Limited - Cash Flow Finance

Cash Flow Finance:

Really Useful Brokers

Many new services added at consumer request

Contact direct by msn messenger **NEW**

reallyusefulloans the beginning!

Contact direct by msn messenger NEW