Financial Guides and Articles
Plain-English guides on business banking, insurance and more.
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What Is Invoice Finance?
Invoice finance lets you release cash tied up in unpaid invoices without waiting for customers to pay. It comes in two main forms, factoring and discounting, each suited to different business types and situations. Here is how to work out which one fits yours.
Why Timing Isn't the Whole Story for Startup Finance
James Robson argues the SME finance industry has spent a decade chasing the wrong problem: it's timing, not access. He's right, for established businesses. But for startups and first-year companies with no trading history to time, access is still very much the real issue.
The Comparison Site Now Competing With the Products It Compares
MoneySupermarket has launched its own business bank account. Not a comparison of other banks' accounts. Their own. This is a significant moment for the comparison market, and it raises a question every small business owner should ask before using any comparison site to find a bank account.
The Comparison Site Now Competing With the Products It Compares
MoneySupermarket has launched its own business bank account. Not a comparison of other banks' accounts. Their own. This is a significant moment for the comparison market, and it raises a question every small business owner should ask before using any comparison site to find a bank account.
Are Free Business Bank Accounts Worth It?
Most small businesses do not need to pay a monthly fee for a business bank account. Free accounts cover the basics well. This guide explains what they include, what the limitations actually are in practice, and when paying genuinely makes sense.
Multi-Currency Business Bank Accounts Explained
If your business sends or receives money in currencies other than sterling, a standard UK business account will cost you more than it should. Multi-currency accounts are built to fix that. Here is how they work and whether your business needs one.
Digital Business Banking Explained
Digital business banking has grown up. The main providers now cover overdrafts, lending, accounting integrations, and payment tools that many high street banks cannot match. Here is what you get, what you give up, and who it suits.
Limited Company Bank Accounts Explained
A limited company is a separate legal entity from its directors. That means its money needs to be kept separately too. This guide covers why you need a dedicated account, what to look for, and which providers are worth considering.
Business Bank Account for Startups
A dedicated business bank account is one of the most useful early steps for any startup. Here is what to look for, what you need to open one, and how to choose between digital and high street options.
How to Open a Business Bank Account
Opening a business bank account is quicker than most business owners expect, provided you have the right documents ready before you start. Here is what sole traders and limited companies each need, how long approval takes, and whether a free account is good enough.
Business Overdraft vs Business Loan
A business overdraft and a business loan both provide access to external finance, but they are built for different situations. The right choice depends on what you need the money for, how long you will need it, and how predictable your cash flow is. Here is how to tell them apart.
How Does a Business Overdraft Work?
A business overdraft is one of the most flexible short-term finance tools available to UK businesses. Unlike a loan, you only pay for what you use and there is no fixed repayment schedule. This guide explains how overdrafts work, what they cost, and when they are the right choice.
Do Sole Traders Need a Business Bank Account?
There is no legal requirement for sole traders to have a business bank account. But in practice, most will benefit from one, and with Making Tax Digital now in effect, the case has never been stronger.
How to Switch Your Business Bank Account
Switching your business bank account is simpler than most businesses expect. Here is how the Current Account Switch Service works and what to check before you start.