Open for business

As we near the end of the financial year, business owners are entering a pivotal period of heightened activity. It’s a time marked by last-minute sales pushes, strategic tax planning.

For brokers, this juncture presents a golden opportunity to provide indispensable support to SME clients and help them remain open for business. In this edition, we plunge into the depths of business finance, offering a comprehensive exploration of the latest trends, breaking news, and insightful analysis.

Our feature on commercial mortgages (page 20) sponsored by Thinktank   takes a deep dive into the trends shaping commercial property. After talking to Thinktank’s head of partnerships and distribution Belinda Wright, it’s clear that while there are some pockets of concern, there is still plenty of opportunity in the commercial property space.

Equipment and asset finance is also expected to be on the brink of a boom, as we explore on page 26. With technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences driving demand, understanding the nuances of equipment finance has never been more crucial for SMEs looking to scale and expand. Plus, with potential changes to the instant asset write-off on the horizon, time may be of the essence!

Elsewhere, we’re considering what SMEs are preparing for in the year ahead, particularly when it comes to cash flow finance. Check out the feature on unsecured business finance trends on page 32.

And of course, we cannot overlook the invaluable insights shared by leading finance brokers, such as Scott Rumble from Yakka Finance, who was named the Best Finance Broker NSW/ACT 2024 earlier this year. You can find out his top tips for success, offering a roadmap for aspiring finance professionals looking to make their mark in the industry, on page 14.

There is also a plethora of knowledge to be gained from the company and innovation spotlights from our partners, including a series of Q&As with some of our recent podcast guests. For those of you who love to listen to content on the move, be sure to scan the QR codes and line up some insightful podcasts to help you understand the lay of the land for SME finance.

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Adviser and do reach out if there’s anything you’d like to see included in future editions: [email protected]