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Mark O'Rourke, Managing Director of Bibby Financial Services Ireland, warns of a tough reality lies ahead for the countrys SMEs

Cashflow main obstacle facing SMEs - Bibby

A quarter of small and medium sized businesses surveyed by the financial services provider Bibby say they will only be able to cover their business costs for the next three to six months in the current environment.

Business • 25 Aug 20

51% of Irish SMEs are feeling optimistic about the future of their business, a new survey shows today

Irish SMEs 'cautiously optimistic' about the future

A new survey reveals that despite enforced business closures, challenging restrictions and loss of revenue, 51% of Irish SMEs are feeling optimistic about the future of their business.

Business • 15 Jul 20

The amount of new loans to all SMEs during the first three months of the year stood at €1.1bn

Lending to small firms fell significantly during Q1

Total new lending to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) here fell to its lowest level since 2016 during the first three months of this year, according to new data from the Central Bank.

Business • 16 Jun 20

An Post said its new initiatives complement the range of recently-announced Government supports to help SMEs get back to business

An Post commits €2m funding and expertise for SMEs

An Post said it is committing €2m worth of practical supports to help SMEs get back to business and to enable them to sell online successfully and sustainably.

Business • 20 May 20

The group is seeking low cost liquidity schemes worth up to €6bn

New SME coalition calls for €15bn in recovery supports

The government must show solidarity with small businesses here by agreeing a comprehensive recovery plan for the SME sector worth €15bn, including compensation for losses.

Business • 28 May 20

The 'Covid-19 Supply Suspension Scheme' opened for applications on May 1 and is available to SMEs

Scheme suspends business energy charges during crisis

Small and medium sized businesses will not have to pay energy or network charges for their closed premises during the Covid-19 emergency under a new scheme agreed by gas and electricity suppliers and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

Business • 06 May 20

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

Banks have agreed a further three-month extension to the current payment break scheme

Banks agree to extend loan repayment breaks

Banks and other lenders have today confirmed a further three-month extension to the current payment break will be made available to customers that continue to be directly impacted by the fallout from Covid-19.

Business • 30 Apr 20

So far the Government has unveiled liquidity measures for firms worth around €1bn

SMEs could require up to €5.7bn in liquidity supports

Small and medium sized firms here could need up to €5.7bn in liquidity supports over the coming months as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

Business • 23 Apr 20

Hazel Mitchell, site lead for eBay Ireland

eBay to help small Irish businesses during Covid-19

EBay is offering Irish SMEs the chance to sell their products on its platform for free.

Business • 20 Apr 20

AIB said the fees can be applied in the third quarter of the year and can be spread equally over September, October and November

AIB to defer fees for SMEs affected by Covid-19

AIB said it will shortly make an option available to its SME customers to allow them defer the maintenance and transaction fees applied to their accounts on March 31 if their businesses have been affected by Covid-19.

Business • 02 Apr 20

A new survey has found that 70% of companies had Brexit on the agenda of their top management

50% of small enterprises impacted by Brexit - survey

A new survey has found that more than half of small and medium-sized Irish enterprises are experiencing some or significant impact as a result of Brexit.

Business • 16 Dec 19

11.1% of SME loan balances at the three main small business lenders were non-performing in December of last year, the Central Bank said

Level of SMEs' bad loans continue to fall

New figures from the Central Bank show that the level of non-performing loans among the country's SMEs continue to fall.

Business • 17 Oct 19

The manufacturing sector has come under pressure in recent months with Brexit uncertainty playing a role

Challenging conditions for SME sector

The environment for the country's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is showing signs of strain, and will likely continue to do so irrespective of the outcome of Brexit.

Business • 15 Oct 19

Niall Dorrian, CEO of Linked Finance, says the company offers SMEs a 'refreshing alternative'

Linked Finance plans to double headcount

Peer-to-peer lending platform Linked Finance said it has now issued a milestone €100m in loans to Irish SMEs as it plans to double its headcount over the coming months.

Business • 14 Jun 19

The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland's CEO Nick Ashmore

SBCI's loans total €1 billion for the first time

The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland said its lending levels had passed the €1 billion mark by the end of March this year.

Business • 27 May 19

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys urges SMEs to think about their long-term investment plans post Brexit

New €300m Future Growth Loan Scheme for SMEs

A new loan scheme for SMEs and farmers will see €300m being made available for them to support their strategic long-term investment plans after Brexit.

Business • 27 Mar 19

SFA Director Sven Spollen-Brehens, Vodafone Ireland Director of Enterprise Regina Moran and Abodoo Chief Digital Officer Louise O'Conor

Only 9% of SMEs embracing remote working - survey

Almost 90% of small and medium sized business owners say they see growth in their business over the next three years.

Business • 06 Nov 18

The SME Digital Health Index finds that nearly three quarters of businesses polled have websites, but just 3 in 10 can take orders on those sites

Only three in ten SMEs can take orders through websites

Only three in every ten small and medium sized business in Ireland can take sales orders through their website, new research shows.

Business • 20 Sep 18

14% of Irish SMEs rate their internet connection as 'poor' or 'very poor'

Broadband hampers small businesses' web presence

Inadequate broadband service is keeping up to a fifth of small businesses here offline.

Technology • 08 Dec 17

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said it was good to endorse the Enterprise Ireland scheme for SMEs

EU approves Enterprise Ireland scheme for SMEs

European Union competition regulators said they have approved a €10m Irish support scheme for the restructuring of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs).

Business • 30 Nov 17

The rejection rate on bank finance applications increased from 11% to 13% between Q1 of this year and the same period in 2016

Rise in number of SMEs being rejected for bank credit

There was a rise in the number of SMEs being rejected by banks for credit during the first three months of the year, according to new figures from the Central Bank.

Business • 25 Jul 17

The morning business news with Adam Maguire

Facebook EMEA VP outlines new Irish SME Council

Facebook is to establish an SME Council in Ireland - as it aims to grow its usage amongst small businesses here.

Business • 19 Jul 17

SBCI's chief executive Nick Ashmore said the lender's focus remains squarely on powering SME growth

SBCI lends over €0.5 billion to SMEs

The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland has advanced €544m in loans to small and medium enterprises here since its inception in March 2015.

Business • 01 Mar 17

Capitalflow's new €300m fund will be offered through a number of products including invoice finance and asset-based lending

New financing of €300m offered to SMEs

Finance company Capitalflow has announced plans to offer €300m in lending to small and medium-sized businesses in Ireland.

Business • 17 Oct 16

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