Another month, another slew of reports showing a rise in small business confidence. But how does this business confidence become business growth? Invoice finance has a vital role to play.

Only a few weeks ago, the latest Business Factors Index was telling us that SME confidence and customer numbers were growing – the latest in a growing number of reports on small business buoyancy in 2013. Fast forward to July and we can read similar statements from, among others, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

According to the FSB Small Business Index, small business confidence has reached its highest level in three years. Among those businesses with an increasingly optimistic outlook are small manufacturers.

So, how does this confidence become something more concrete? Invoice finance is the increasingly popular answer. The FSB has called on the government to further help improve SME finance and one of its key requests has been the provision of better advice to small firms on alternative finance. Invoice finance has led the marked growth of alternative finance in recent years as traditional lenders have restricted access to their SME finance services.

As recent Bank of England lending data shows, the small business lending landscape has changed – traditional lenders remain cautious despite the government’s various SME funding schemes. As a result, alternative finance, a sector led by invoice finance, has a prominent part to play in maintain cashflow and nurturing the small business growth that is essential to wider economic growth.

To find out more about A&T Business Associates services, contact us on 01903 602211 or info@atbusinessassociates.co.uk.