Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) has done its job according to the U.S treasury reports. Lending to small businesses increased significantly by $3.5 billion to over $35.9 billion.
The SBLF is a dedicated investment fund that has been enacted as part of Small Business Jobs Act in 2010. It is designed to encourage lending to small business by making capital available to community banks and community development loan funds (CDLFs) with less than $10 billion in assets. This program is an encouragement for smaller firms having lower dividend or interest rate structure.
Small business lending has increased as a result of lowering of rate by participating institutions. SBLF participants have played an active role to increase lending to small businesses. This includes community banks, CDLFs and private lenders.
UK small business confidence has increased since the end of 2010, new research suggests.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), confidence among small businesses has made a complete turnaround in 2011. The FSB’s ‘Voice of Small Business’ index measured +6.7 for Q.1. After falling every quarter of 2010, this is the first increase recorded for a while.
On the other hand, it has also been established that a balance of -6.5% of liability insurance holders had made staff redundant in the first quarter. Despite having to make a number of tough decisions, small businesses in the UK feel positive about the future ahead. Only -1.7% claimed they would be reducing headcount.
The FSB has called on the Government to give small businesses a surge of support by extending the National Insurance Contributions (NICs) holiday.
John Walker, National Chairman of the FSB said that while questions still remain about the strength of recovery the overall picture suggests that liability insurance holders are bouncing back from a harsh winter.
Many small businesses in the UK are not overly enthusiastic about the new paternity laws, new research suggests.
From the 3rd of April 2011, fathers with a baby born on or after 3rd April could be eligible to take up to 26 weeks of paternity leave.
A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) highlighted that businesses with liability protection are concerned that the new law will cause them a number of potential difficulties. According to the survey, 52% of small businesses believe the additional paternity leave requirement is likely to be detrimental to their business.
David Frost, Director General of the BCC said:
“In the face of promises by the government to listen to the needs of business and cut red tape, this new piece of employment regulation will hit businesses hard.”
“Our survey results show that employment law changes are causing great concern among employers, who, instead of concentrating on running their business, have to cope with more and more shifts in employment law. Unles
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The Mayo Wynne Baxter Corporate Challenge has been set up for Sussex-based organisations to race against each other in the Brighton Marathon.
To date, 14 businesses have signed up, including official sponsors, law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter. Head of marketing Jason Edge, said: It doesn’t matter how big or small your organisation is the race will be just as tough.”
With 15,000 competitors and an estimated 100,000 spectators, Brighton Marathon is fast becoming a landmark event for the county. Individual places for the marathon on April 10 have sold out so the Mayo Wynne Baxter Corporate Challenge is now the only way of entering the race.
To qualify for the Corporate Challenge, organisations must have a base in Sussex and enter a team of a minimum of three employees.
There is a cost of £ 45 per team member.
To find out more about entering the Mayo Wynne Baxter Corporate Challenge, email corporatechallenge@brightonmarathon.co.uk.
Argus Business will be following the Corporate Challenge. Let us know if you are in the running.
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