Graydon in the news
BIS joins industry bodies to fight late payment
February 7, 2012 - Credit Today, credittoday.co.uk
The government has announced an investigation into late payments between businesses as part of a campaign to tackle the issue.Business Information Providers Association (BIPA) launches website
February 1, 2012 - Business Credit Management, Creditman.biz
The Business Information Providers Association (BIPA), an association of the five principal Commercial Credit Reference Agencies in the UK, has today launched a new website www.bipa.uk.comCompany failures continue to slide as economic storm clouds gather
December 20, 2011 - CCR Magazine, ccrmagazine.com
Company failure rates during the final three months of 2011 are set to slow further to a level 16 per cent below the same time period two years ago (2009), with the fall between October and December this year being 1.4 per cent compared with the previous three month period. This is according to the latest Graydon Insolvency Predictor.Government urged to do more to tackle late payments
December 14, 2011 - Business Credit Management, Creditman.biz
Late payments are a persistent problem for small and medium sized businesses in the UK. More than three quarters of credit managers polled in a new Graydon UK survey do not believe that the Government is doing enough to protect businesses from the burden of late payments and the potential damage it can do to their financesChecklist for spotting the signs of a successful business
November 18, 2011 - Business Moneyfacts
As the economy threatens to take another turn for the worse, securing sales will prove vital to the survival of many businesses, though making sure that trade invoices are actually paid could prove to be even more crucial.UK SMEs pessimistic about economy
November 7, 2011 - Credit Today, credittoday.co.uk
Nearly three quarters of small businesses believe the UK economy will re-enter recession in 2012, according to new research from credit reference agency Graydon UKNew bank launched for SMEs
October 21, 2011 - Credit Today, credittoday.co.uk
A new bank aiming to offer a lifeline to small businesses has been welcomed by UK firms, but commentators have claimed more needs to be done. Shawbrook Bank launched this week with a promise...The Chancellor announces a credit easing scheme for business as Graydon predicts corporate insolvencies fall
October 7, 2011 - Director of Finance online, dofonline.co.uk
The Chancellor, George Osborne, has announced a credit easing plan that will see billions of pounds being lent to UK businesses. The rate of company failures slowed during the third quarter despite an increase in corporate insolvencies during the first half of this year, according to the Graydon Insolvency Predictor.Businesses seeking to step up protection against their clients’ non payment of invoices
September 1, 2011 - Business Credit Management, Creditman.biz
The lack of availability of credit and the fall in consumer spend are viewed by UK businesses as posing the biggest threats to their clients' ability to settle their invoices, according to research by Graydon UK, the commercial credit referencing agency.
ICM urges Government re-think on microbusiness plan
August 22, 2011 - ICM - Credit Management Magazine
The Institute of Credit Management (ICM) has launched a petition with Graydon UK, the commercial credit referencing agency, to prompt a Government rethink on plans to exempt micro-businesses from having to file accounts at Companies House – plans it believes will seriously hamper the economic recovery rather than encourage it.Massive rise in reseller-specific fraud
August 18, 2011 - CRN - Channelweb.co.uk
Fraud cases in channel have risen steadily every month this year, according to the credit reference agency Graydon UK. Channel fraud levels have rocketed by 130 per cent in the first six months of 2011 when compared with 2008, and resellers are the primary target...Fraud a growth sector as UK economy stalls
July 27, 2011 - Channel Register, channelregister.co.uk
Stats from credit reference agency Graydon UK reveal a massive spike in fraud attempts, up 130 per cent for the first five months of 2011 to 214 cases, with company hijacking and cloned websites the primary methodsEx-Graydon MD Martin Williams passes away
June 23, 2011 - Accountancy Age
MARTIN WILLIAMS, former UK managing director of Graydon, has passed away on June 22nd aged 56, following a short battle with cancer.Corporate insolvencies to rise this year
June 22, 2011 - Accountancy Age
Although business insolvencies are due to decrease 6% in the second quarter compared to the same period a year ago, a 3% increase on the first quarter of the year.Exempting micro-businesses from filing accounts "will cause damage"
June 20, 2011 - Real Business
An "overwhelming majority" of finance professionals believe the government's proposals to exempt micro-businesses from filing statutory accounts will make it harder for firms to access trade credit. Research by credit reference agency Graydon shows ...Why banks are not meeting their lending targets
June 3, 2011 - Director of Finance
According to the banks, SMEs have lost their appetite for borrowing. The shortfall in bank lending to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) was more than £2 billion ... The evidence points to the fact that too many SMEs choose not to retain profit in their business in order to build up shareholder fundsSimple steps ease payment woe as small firms get tough with late payers
April 27, 2011 - The Telegraph
Research by credit agency Graydon has found that 66pc of small businesses claim they are taking a tougher line when dealing with debtors this year. Graydon's survey of credit managers found that despite increased watchfulness among small businesses over late payers, 88pc are turning to alternative methods in place of issuing a winding-up petition.Treasury’s scaled back GDP forecasts overshadow Budget’s positive measures for growth
March 24, 2011 -
Almost half of credit risk managers believe the economy has fallen back into recession during Q1. Number of measures contained in today’s Budget designed to bring relief to SMEs but still no clear path back to growth.Company failures down 13 per cent on Q1 2010
March 17, 2011 -
The rate of company failures has continued to slow during the first quarter of 2011, down 1.4 per cent on Q4 2010 according to the Graydon Insolvency Predictor, based on data from commercial credit reference agency Graydon UKGovernment continues to send mixed messages on SME financial transparency
March 11, 2011 -
The Government’s intention to reduce still further SMEs' statutory filing requirements in order to reduce red tape is likely to prove to be counter productive by making it harder for small businesses to secure growth funding, says Graydon UK, the commercial credit referencing agency.Secured lending plummets by almost half in three years
December 31, 2010 - Daily Telegraph, Telegraph.co.uk
Research conducted by credit referencing agency Graydon UK, which looked at the number of successful finance deals recorded by limited companies over the last ten years, revealed that there were 88,000 fewer mortgages and secured loans registered in 2010 than in 2007Small businesses suffer late payments by hospital trusts
November 29, 2010 - Financial Times, FT.com
NHS hospital trusts have become the latest bete noire of small business owners angry about late payment from large organisations. Although some hospitals have cut the time they pay bills... small business groups have noted an increase in complaints about hospital trusts moving in the other directionSpending Cuts: impact likely to be felt locally rather than nationally
October 25, 2010 - Businesscomputingworld.co.uk
The impact of the public sector cuts announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)... likely to be felt locally rather than nationally and businesses will need to take this in to account when assessing risk in their supply chainEU offers Whitehall way out on payment time limit
October 25, 2010 - Financial Times, FT.com
The European Union directive, which is expected to be introduced in the UK in 2012, sets a maximum cap of 30 days for the public sector to settle its bills, with a limit of 60 days for business-to-business transactionsBusinesses not expecting government help over late payments
September 29, 2010 - TaxAssist Accountants
Small businesses across the UK are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to tackling late paymentsCorporate insolvencies to fall in third quarter
September 28, 2010 - Accountancy Age
Credit reference agency Graydon UK predicts company failures to fall in Q3 of 2010, however, 2011 could see corporate insolvencies increaseReport on bank small business lending decisions 'a pointless exercise'
September 14, 2010 - Telegraph Media Group
Britain's six biggest banks had commissioned pH, a subsidiary of research company Experian, to analyse the credit profiles of small businesses that are being refused debt funding in a bid to lend credibility to their claim that only risky small business customers are being turned down for lending ...
XSeption fraud prevention service shortlisted for the Credit Excellence Award in Risk
September 2, 2010 - CCR, Credit Collections & Risk
XSeption from Graydon UK, a fraud-prevention solution that tracks and compares over 6 million businesses, hunting for any suspicious patterns or signs that exhibit 'unusual' corporate activity, was shortlisted for the Credit Excellence Award in Risk 2010. The CCR Credit Excellence Awards are made up of eight separate awards. Winners are to be announced at the inaugural event on the 5th October
Nearly 1 in 3 UK firms targeted by fraudsters in past 18 months
September 1, 2010 - CCR Magazine
Almost a third of UK businesses have been targeted by fraudsters over the past 18 months, reveals recent research carried out by Graydon UK, the commercial credit referencing agency. The survey also finds that 22 per cent of firms believe that the problem of commercial fraud is getting worse
Fewer fraud successes in the courts
August 1, 2010 - This is Money
Authorities are failing to stem the tide of fraud in Britain. Fewer cases go before the courts despite a clampdown promised by the 2006 Fraud Act. Official figures from the National Fraud Authority ... show that the crime costs the economy more than 30bn a year
Unilever turns the screw on small suppliers
July 4, 2010 - Financial Mail, This is Money
Unilever has joined the rush of big businesses putting the squeeze on suppliers. The consumer products giant has ruled it will take 90 days to pay instead of 30, starting within weeks
Graydon Goes Interactive
June 17, 2010 - CCR Magazine
A new comprehensive credit report service that has been developed using the latest interactive PDF and Flash technology is being launched this week to credit managers in the UK, by leading credit reference agency Graydon UK. The latest report, called interactivePlus, contains full credit information, plus additional data and useful interactive features
Three SME resellers rocked by fraud
June 15, 2010 - Microscope.co.uk
The channel has been warned to lookout for suspicious orders following a spate of costly long term frauds perpetrated against resellers... We have seen a spike in attempted frauds, and unfortunately resellers are getting hit as they are seen as easy targets compared to distributors which have the manpower and controls in place
General election: the party's over
May 6, 2010 - Accountancy Age
The victor will soon find that the trouble stored up in the UK economy could result in one massive hangover ... over a third of business owners have had to take on personal financial risk because of a shortage of alternatives to bank funding. This is proof that the current system cannot be relied upon to do its job during times of economic stress
Small businesses call for more local lending facilities
May 1, 2010 - Financial Times, FT.com
Business heads have said that whoever wins the general election should create more viable local lending facilities to improve access to credit for companies. Credit reference agency Graydon UK said the Liberal Democrats' pledge to re-establish regional stock exchanges should be adopted whichever party forms the next government
New Government must create viable alternative to bank lending to address ongoing funding issues
April 29, 2010 - CCR Magazine
Graydon UK points out that re-establishing a network of regional stock exchanges ... would help to provide finance for businesses unable to take on additional debt but too small to attract private equity investment or access capital via the London Stock Exchange
Coface initiative makes it easier for businesses to obtain credit insurance cover
April 19, 2010 - Credit Today
Businesses can provide regular updates by submitting monthly management accounts online via CreditPal. The information is validated by CreditPal and is then shared with credit reference agency Graydon, who provide a credit rating which businesses can then submit to Coface. Regular financial updates will provide insurers with a clearer idea of the risk of providing cover
European Parliament votes for less financial transparency
March 25, 2010 - CCR Magazine
Micro businesses to be exempt from the EU financial reporting ... Less financial information on limited liability companies, however small, may well lead to that crucial door to trade credit being more difficult to open
Worries over access to finance
March 5, 2010 - Financial Times, FT.com
One in five companies that has been refused a bank loan does not know why the lender rejected the application, according to research carried out by Graydon UK, a commercial credit reference agency. Its study of more than 750 businesses found that 21 per cent of those refused finance were offered no reason
Graydon shortlisted for the Most Innovative Product Award
January 29, 2010 - Business Moneyfacts
Graydon UK's new Level 3 Including Management Accounts Report, which incorporates standardised and validated monthly management accounts into the credit scoring process for the first time globally, was shortlisted and commended for the Most Innovative Product Award at the Business Moneyfacts Awards 2010
Slow progress on paying bills
January 18, 2010 - Financial Times, FT.com
The public sector has become even worse at paying its suppliers promptly during the last year, according to research by credit reference agency Graydon UK. A survey of 512 businesses supplying local and central government departments found that 63 per cent had to wait more than the standard timescale
Should businesses care about their credit scores?
October 21, 2009 - Accountancy Age / Financial Director
With access to credit tighter than ever before, how important is your credit rating to securing the best deals from banks and suppliers? This audio podcast will shed light on what determines a business credit rating, and what businesses can do to improve it while also addressing how other methods are increasingly being used to gauge the financial viability of a business. Learn useful advice on ensuring the information held on you is up to date and offering strategies for presenting your business in the best possible light
Graydon launches a 'world first' service
October 13, 2009 - Credit Today
Commercial credit reference agency Graydon has launched what it claims will be the world's first credit report service based on monthly company financial information
Late-payment law backfires on small business
September 3, 2009 - FT.com Financial Times
Legislation intended to help small businesses punish late payers is instead being used against them by large companies seeking a reward for settling bills promptly. A few large companies have been trying to help small suppliers with financial assistance, according to Martin Williams of Graydon credit
Don't be shy to gain better credit ratings
August 6, 2009 - Financial Mail / This is Money
The state of a firm's credit rating could make a big difference to the deals it can get from banks and suppliers, yet many bosses are unaware of how poor that record may be. So what determines a business's credit rating, how can a firm improve it
Britain's SMEs face battle to secure credit
July 2, 2009 - Accountancy Age
A lack of timely and detailed accounts is hurting vast numbers of smaller businesses. A staggering 1.8m businesses have poor credit ratings largely because they do not file timely or detailed accounts
SMEs must show financial transparency
June 25, 2009 - Accountancy Age
Confidential financial information may have to be disclosed by small and medium sized companies if they want to avoid lending decisions being based on accounts compiled during the recession ... It will be seen as being more in their interest to do so, because it will give them a chance of better credit terms.
Insurers demand more transparency
June 16, 2009 - The Daily Telegraph
Credit insurers have said businesses need to become more open about their trading performance if they want to improve their credit rating and use trade credit insurance. The three leading insurers, Euler Hermes, Atradius and Coface, have all said that the credit crunch and resulting recession has focused their efforts on collecting quarterly, monthly and in some cases even weekly sales forecasts from large and small companies in their efforts to price the risk associated with those companies
The credit reference community is formulating a new approach for the post crunch economy
June 8, 2009 - The Economy News
Credit seekers are demanding that Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) base their company assessments and accompanying recommendations on current management account information. ...new methods by which credit-seeking companies can ensure validated monthly management account information is able to be factored into credit reference agency recommendations.
Credit information service to assist SMEs
May 6, 2009 - Real FD, Real Business
The Federation of Small Businesses ...new credit information service for SMEs ...will help firms needing finance. The companies say the new initiative will allow SMEs to seize greater control over the information provided about them to prospective creditors by credit reference agencies, and that this will improve their access to finance and credit insurance cover
Government Departments struggling to deliver on PM's 10 day payment pledge
March 24, 2009 - CreditToday
New research from commercial credit reference agency Graydon UK reveals that last autumn's Government pledge to ease the cashflow problems faced by small firms through the payment by Government departments of trade invoices in 10 rather than the usual 30 days, is taking longer than expected to take effect
Graydon UK warns against European Commission account filing proposals..
March 5, 2009 - Sourcewire
European Commission proposals removing the obligation of companies with turnovers below 1m euros to file accounts at Companies House could further reduce access to finance for micro-businesses in the UK, according to commercial credit agency, Graydon UK
Credit Insurance still a genuine option for UK firms despite criticism.
February 27, 2009 - CCR Magazine.com
Less than one in ten UK businesses that use credit insurance have stopped using the service as a means of safeguarding their cashflow amidst the economic downturn, despite an increase of up to 40 per cent in premiums during the last twelve months, according to new research from commercial credit agency, Graydon UK
UK businesses ill-prepared for downturn
January 24, 2009 - Financial Times
UK businesses were ill-prepared for the downturn long before the credit crunch took hold according to Graydon ... Using its credit scoring rules, Graydon this month allocated high or above normal risk ratings to 59 per cent of all active UK incorporated companies. Only a 5th of the companies surveyed were awarded low risk ratings
