Raising finance

If you are thinking of expanding your business, or starting a new one, you will need to raise finance. This requires careful planning and good professional advice.

Raising finance for your business

Raising finance for businesses following the credit crunch and the recession is challenging to say the least. If you are thinking of expanding your business, or starting a new one, you will need to raise finance.

How to present a request for finance to your bank

We recommend you tell your bank manager what is required, and ensure that you present him or her with a proper proposal for consideration. Banks are in business and make a considerable profit from lending money.

Finding the money to develop your business

Are you looking to start a business, or in need of capital to expand? We discuss here a number of options other than bank funding.

How would the euro affect your business?

The economic and political debates over whether adopting the euro would be in Britain's best interest have abated. However, some commentators believe that the UK's eventual membership of the eurozone is inevitable.

Alternative ways of extracting profit

Your company pays corporation tax on its profits, but you are only taxed personally on what you draw out of the company as a salary, bonus, or by other means. The dividends you receive from your company are effectively tax-free in your hands, if your total income for the tax year is less than about £37,000.

Business plans: the foundation for success

Any business, whether it is just starting out or is considering the next stage in its development, will need a business plan.

Government grants and loan schemes

The government offers a number of business loans and grants, as do Regional Development Agencies and local authorities.

Annual financial planning

Planning is all-important in business. By planning for the future, a business can focus on how best to boost profit margins, to manage costs and to set achievable, realistic targets for growth.

Business debit and credit cards - pros and cons

Using credit and debit cards for your business saves the inconvenience of a chequebook and the risk of cash.

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