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Picture of Niall O'Grady CEO of Linked Finance

Businesses growing cautious, reducing forecasts - survey

Business activity in the Irish SME sector has edged into negative territory for the first time since 2020, according to a new business confidence survey by lender Linked Finance.

Business • 14 Aug

66% of SMEs concerned about trade war - Linked Finance

The turmoil of high US tariff announcements - and subsequent pauses - has increased uncertainty among Irish small and medium sized businesses (SMEs).

Business • 28 May

Linked Finance hits €350m milestone in lending to SMEs

Non-bank lender Linked Finance said it has now loaned €350m to SMEs since its launch in 2013, adding that over 4,500 SMEs have now benefitted from its funding.

Business • 14 May

Niall O'Grady, the CEO of Linked Finance

Optimism among SMEs at strongest levels in four years

A new survey shows that optimism levels at SMEs in Ireland are at their highest levels in four years, with businesses based in Dublin more upbeat in their outlook for this quarter.

Business • 05 Mar

Optimism among SMEs at highest level in over a year

Optimism within the Irish SME sector is at its highest level for over a year, according to the latest SME Confidence Index from non-bank lender Linked Finance.

Business • 05 Dec 24

Those businesses involved in exporting reported strong trade

Microbusinesses facing profitability pressures - survey

Microbusinesses with three or less employees are under severe pressure, particularly when it comes to profitability, a new survey has found.

Business • 21 Aug 24

Micro-SMEs outpaced by larger businesses - Linked Finance

A new survey from non-bank lender Linked Finance shows that despite inflation, rising interest rates and geopolitical events, Irish SME businesses continue to show "remarkable" resilience.

Business • 25 Jun 24

Linked Finance hits €300m milestone in lending to SMEs

Non-bank lender Linked Finance said today that it recently passed the milestone of lending over €300m since its launch in 2013.

Business • 28 May 24

The Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme (UCGS) allows eligible customers to receive working capital loans up to €250,000

Linked Finance to offer €50m in low-cost loans to SMEs

Linked Finance is to offer low-cost loans of €50m to SMEs across Ireland in partnership with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).

Business • 20 Feb 24

The survey from Linked Finance found that 54% of businesses have taken measures beyond pricing to mitigate the effects of inflation

52% of SMEs up prices to counteract inflation squeeze

52% of Irish SME businesses have taken the step to raise their prices, according to the latest Linked Finance SME Confidence Index.

Business • 24 Aug 23

David Kerr, CEO, and Niall O'Grady, Non-Executive Director, bonkers.ie

O'Grady new non-executive chairperson of bonkers.ie

Comparison and switching website, bonkers.ie, has announced the appointment of Niall O'Grady as Non-Executive Chairperson.

Business • 16 Aug 23

Linked Finance hits €250m Milestone in Lending to SMEs

Non-bank lender Linked Finance said today that it has hit the milestone of lending over €250m to Irish SMEs since its launch in 2013.

Business • 03 Jul 23

Optimism lifts among Irish SMEs as recovery continues

Optimism among businesses in Ireland's SME sector increased in the final quarter of last year, according to new research from Linked Finance.

Business • 29 Mar 23

Andy Byrne, co-founder of Schoobooks.ie and Niall O'Grady, chief executive of Linked Finance

Linked Finance hits €200m lending milestone

Non-bank lender Linked Finance has announced that it has hit the milestone of lending over €200m since its launch in 2013.

Business • 22 Sep 22

Price pressures a concern for SMEs - Linked Finance

Irish SMEs are demonstrating a strong ability to weather the current storm with improving levels of activity, increasing operational profits, and a positive outlook for the rest of the year.

Business • 01 Sep 22

Firms finding it difficult to access credit - Linked

Peer-to-peer lender Linked Finance almost doubled the value of loans it issued in 2021 compared to the previous year.

Business • 17 Feb 22

Linked Finance launches Open Banking Service

Linked Finance, a peer-to-peer digital lending platform, has launched a new 'Open Banking' platform service for Irish SMEs who need secure and efficient access to finance to drive business growth as the economy reopens.

Business • 19 Jan 22

Linked Finance's CEO Niall O'Grady warns SMEs on the effects of double-digit inflation

Linked Finance warns of dangers of inflationary spiral

A new survey has revealed that nearly a third of Irish SMEs charged their customers higher prices in the third quarter of this year.

Business • 23 Nov 21

1 in 5 SMEs expect to pass on higher costs

Over a fifth of SMEs expect to pass higher prices on to their customers as a result of inflationary pressures, according to a survey of SMEs by the peer to peer digital lending platform Linked Finance.

Business • 08 Sep 21

Niall O'Grady, chief executive of Linked Finance

Linked Finance lent record €5.5m to businesses in July

Peer-to-peer lending platform Linked Finance lent €5.5 million to businesses in July - a record month for the non-bank lender.

Business • 09 Aug 21

Linked Finance secures extra €5m to lend to SMEs

Non-bank lender Linked Finance has secured an additional €5m in funds to lend to businesses as part of the Government's Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme.

Business • 10 Jun 21

Niall O'Grady, the chief executive of Linked Finance

Linked Finance tops €150m milestone in lending

Peer-to-peer lending platform Linked Finance said it has now issued over €150m in loans to Irish SMEs.

Business • 15 Apr 21

Linked Finance has named Niall O'Grady as its new CEO

Linked Finance appoints O'Grady as its new CEO

Peer-to-peer lending platform Linked Finance has named Niall O'Grady as its new chief executive.

Business • 03 Feb 21

Linked Finance approved as Covid credit scheme lender

Peer-to-peer lending platform Linked Finance has been approved as a lender for the Government's Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS).

Business • 05 Jan 21

Linked Finance CEO Niall Dorrian said it is vital the Government moves quickly to expand lending supports to SMEs

Covid-19 support for SMEs must look beyond pillar banks

Peer-to-peer lender Linked Finance has said that alternative lenders should be included alongside the pillar banks as channels for the expansion of the Government's lending support for SMEs amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Business • 01 May 20