News
Banks reject loans to a third of firms
July 10
One in three businesses have been rejected by their bank when they asked for a loan or an overdraft, research reveals today.
Squeeze on credit eases
April 10
The credit squeeze is at last loosening its grip in the Midlands following the worst economic downturn for decades, a new survey shows.
Midlands deals fall in first quarter of 2010
April 10
Deal values in the Midlands fell by 35.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2010, down from £1.48bn in the final quarter of 2009 to £956.3m, according to Nottingham information services company Experian.
Bailed-out banks have betrayed small firms
Jan 10
Banks have broken promises to lend money to small businesses, stifling growth and pushing many to the brink of collapse, a report warns today.
Birmingham leads on Sharia banking expertise
Jan 10
Birmingham's Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB) has received the highest available industry recognition for its knowledge of Sharia-compliant auditing and finance principles following certification from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).
Government Proposal to Help Fund Business Growth
Dec 09
The Government today welcomed the publication of Chris Rowlands’ independent review into the availability of growth capital to small and medium sized businesses.
Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme Extended
Dec 09
The government has just announced the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme will be extended for another 12 months
VAT Increase
Dec 09
The rate of VAT will revert back to 17.5%
Corporation Tax increase deferred
Dec 09
The increase in corporation tax has been deferred. The planned 1p hike in corporation tax for profits under £300,000 to 22p in the pound has been delayed. The small companies rate will remain at 21% for the financial year commencing 1st April 2010.
Santander snaps up Liquidity
Nov 09
Banking group Santander has bought Liquidity,
West Midlands small firms still unable to get bank loans
Sept 09
There is still huge funding gap for small businesses in the West Midlands despite the recovery from the banks, the head of the community lending organisation has said.
Bank bailout has created a damaging monopoly on lending. say small firms
Aug 09
Government support for the domestic banking industry in the wake of the credit crunch is stifling competition and creating a monopoly on lending that leaves small businesses with nowhere to go if their own bank refuses credit, it has been alleged.
Banks in the dock as lending crashes
Aug 09
Lending to businesses has dropped by a record amount in the last three months - exposing the emptiness of banks' promises to kick start the economy.
Survey finds bad debt on the rise
July 09
A new study carried out among accountants in Birmingham found almost three-quarters have seen an increase intheir clients suffering with bad debt in recent months.
Cautious banks 'must start lending again'
July 09
Banks are slowing down Britains economic recovery by not lending, it was claimed.
Over 50 + start up finance
July 09
Prime business club have teamed up with Zopa Limited and the Bank of America to create a loan scheme to help people age 50 + to rise capital of up to £15,000 to start up businesses.
Owners begin to feel pain as recession hits borrowings
May 09
Nearly half of all owner-managed businesses in the West Midlands are feeling the pinch of restricted borrowing, according to a survey
Start-ups
May 09
Online support package aims to help new businesses to survive
UK financial services sector vision
May 09
A reformed financial services sector will play an important role in Britain’s economic recovery, according to a report published today by the Financial Services Global Competitiveness Group, co-chaired by the Chancellor Alistair Darling and former Citi Chairman Sir Win Bischoff.
Rise in company Insolvencies
May 09
The official Insolvency Statistics for the fourth-quarter 2008 show a further rise in company insolvencies in England and Wales. The total of 4,525 liquidations represents an 11.5 per cent increase on the third quarter figures, and a 54.5 per cent rise on the corresponding quarter last year. Significantly, the number of liquidations increased in each quarter in 2008.
Hundreds of innovation grants are up for grabs
May 09
New funding worth more than £300,000 has been announced to help encourage innovation in businesses in the Midlands.
Small Companies without a website
May 09
New research suggests 46 per cent of Britain’s smallest enterprises are still without a website.
A Third of EFG Applications being rejected
13.05.09
Business Minister Baroness Shiti Vadera revealed that a third of loan applications under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme have been turned down by banks.
Business Link Helpline Extended
30.04.09
Business Link is extending its credit crunch helpline until the end of the year due to demand from across the region.
Launch of Straight Financial Services
01.04.09
As business and financial advice are so closely connected Straight Business Solutions have forged a strategic working alliance with AFH Independent Financial Services Limited a long established Midlands based IFA firm.
Captial Tax on Company Cars Reformed
01.04.09
With effect from April 1, 2009 for corporation tax purposes (6 April 2009 for income tax) the capital allowance treatment of all cars will be reformed.
Straight Business Solutions Team Premier Networking Event
12.03.09
To mark the launch of its new Head Office at Grosvenor House, St Paul’s Square Straight Business Solutions held a premier networking event with Edge Creative at The Rectory Bar Restaurant in Birmingham on 12th March 2009.