Small businesses and the credit crisis in 2009

The FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) released their New Year's message indicating that the government's strategy to face the credit crisis in 2009 should begin by helping smaller firms avoid having to face closure due to late payments, an expected decline in trade and increased difficulty in accessing financial help for the year to come. The message continues to say that the government should present a light legislative programme for 2009 and a Budget focused on "getting the economy running again".

John Wright, Chairman of the FSB points out that small business represent over half of the private sector turnover and that the innovative, enterprising and flexible nature of these businesses will help see the UK out of recession in 2009 and into recovery. Consumers will also play an important role in the New Year and will be urged to Keep Trade Local, this also goes for government departments and local authorities who shouldn't let their global thinking stop them from buying locally.

The FSB New Year's message calls for an extension of the Small Business Finance scheme into a wider business loan guarantee, access to working capitals to help with cash flow problems and guaranteed overdraft facilities. John Wright also indicates that bank managers lacking experience in dealing with a recession must undergo training to reduce the risk of having to close their offices unnecessarily and points out that there are 10,500 branches in the UK that could be affected by this lack of preparation.

One of the main concerns for small business in 2009 will be that of late payment from their service consumers as this would affect their cash flow and, in turn, their ability to pay business credit card balances on time. This is why the FSB has released the Prompt Payment Code; its purpose is to provide policies related to the payment of "B2B" bills focusing mainly on 3 areas:

- Paying suppliers on time; following terms previously agreed by their contract, without changing payment terms retrospectively or on unreasonable grounds.

- Providing suppliers with clear guidance; giving suppliers easily accessible guidance on payment procedures and a system for dealing with complaints and disputes whilst also ensuring suppliers are promptly advised of reasons why an invoice wouldn't be paid in time.

- Encouraging good practice; requesting main suppliers to implement the code of practice down their own supply chains.

With many high street retailers closing down, it's important to take precautions to avoid a similar fate. Considering that some companies rely greatly on the capital buffer coming from their business credit card, it's important to take some measures to ensure it can still be relied upon in 2009. To avoid jeopardising your credit or being hit by higher rates you can resort to online banking to pay your business credit card balance in time, no matter where you are, find a low or 0 percent interest credit card and consider transferring some of your existing balance into it. In general, avoid leaving balances unpaid as low rate credit cards may prove harder to come by in the New Year.