Light At The End Of The Tunnel!

Friday 13th March saw an  increase in the international markets with the FTSE 1oo up 1.1pct due to firmer oil prices and hopes of a recovery in the U.S banking sector steadied investors nerves. This good news was welcomed after the four week slump in the FTSE and was followed by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke predicting that the recession could end this year.

Many would say this was overly optomistic as we are all still seeing the price of our houses falling, the rates of savings accounts dropping and talks of yet more cover ups by our leading banks being discovered. But the markets on Friday did not lie the increase throughout the world was a step in the right direction and the hope is that the recession will end this year and 2010 will be a period of growth.

Officially In Recession!

The 30th January 2009 saw Britain officially enter recession for the first time since 1991, following the last quarter if 2008 which saw Britains economy shrink at its fastest pace in 30 years.

Analysts believe the downturn will continue throughout 2009 and will be more painfiul the the 90′s recession.

How bad is it going to get, nobody knows but comparisons to the Great Depression have been drawn in recent weeks due to the collapse in the stock market and consumer spending. Most are writing off 2009 and looking to 2010, we are going to have to ride this one out and hope that the banks start lending sooner rather than later!

Asset Finance Funders Falling Like Flies

Thursday 22nd saw the fall of yet another provider of Asset Finance within the UK the thrid in as many weeks!

With the pool of funders diminishing daily businesses are starting to really struggle to obtain any kind of asset finance. There is now more than enough room within the market for a new funder and this would be the perfect time for a funder to enter the UK leasing market.

2009 is going to see a new Asset finance provider enter the market, the question is when……. watch this space!

Franchise Explosion!

The UK franchise sector is witnessing an explosion in new enquiries from the recently unemployed. 

The rising unemployment numbers has created thousands of potential new franchisees. People are turning to the UK franchise market en-mass to find new business ideas and opportunities.

There are a number of franchise shows held on a regualr basis in the UK. These are a great chance to view multiple franchises in one place. There are also three franchise magazines published on a monthly basis.