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.
How to Form a Limited Company in the UK
Forming a limited company in the UK is simpler than most people expect. The online process takes less than a day and costs £100. This guide covers how to do it yourself, when a formation service adds value, and what to sort out once the company is registered.
What Do I Need to Set Up a New Business?
Setting up a new business involves more than registering a company and opening a bank account. This guide covers the practical things you actually need to sort, in the order that makes most sense to tackle them.
What Business Insurance Do I Need?
Business insurance is not a single product. It is a collection of different covers, each protecting against a different type of risk. This guide explains which types are legally required, which most businesses need regardless, and how to think through what the right cover looks like for your situation.
Invoice Finance for Small Businesses
Invoice finance is not just for large companies. For small businesses with B2B customers and payment terms of 30 days or more, it is often the most practical way to keep cash flow steady without taking on traditional debt. This guide covers how it works in practice for smaller operations.
Learner Driver Insurance
There are three ways to insure a learner driver and each suits a different situation. The right choice depends on whose car you are using, how often you practise, and whether protecting the car owner's no-claims discount matters. This guide explains which option is right for you and what it will cost.
Trade Finance Explained
Trade finance is the collective term for the products that make international trade work. It manages the payment risks and cash flow gaps that arise when buyers and sellers operate across different countries and currencies. This guide explains how the main products work and which businesses use them.
Van Insurance for Couriers
Standard van insurance does not cover courier or delivery work. If you are getting paid to carry goods for others, you need a specific type of commercial cover. This guide explains what courier van insurance is, what it costs, and what to watch out for.
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.
Van Insurance for the Self-Employed
If you use a van for work as a self-employed person, social use cover is not enough. The type of business use cover you need depends on how the van is used, and getting it wrong can invalidate a claim. This guide explains what self-employed van drivers need to know before they buy.
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.
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.