ALTERNATIVE funding options have increased rapidly in recent years.

They were a major theme at BITE 2017 (Business, Innovation, Technology and Efficiency) which was held at the Amex on Thursday.

I reported on alternative finance and was on the panel at the conference.

It was good to share my expertise with local business leaders.

The alternative funding market is still small when compared to traditional banks but it can provide a faster and more flexible option for businesses.

For example, it’s a route increasingly used for unsecured loans of £50,000 to £70,000.

One major provider of alternative finance – Funding Circle – is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace that allows investors to lend money directly to small and medium-sized businesses.

It currently has a total loan book of £1.2 billion, £820 million of which was lent during 2016 alone.

Small and medium sized businesses are accessing peer-to-peer finance in increasing numbers to help them deliver their strategies for growth. BITE helped businesses to develop an understanding of a funding market which offers more options than ever for raising finance but which can also be complex.

With the support of experts in this field local businesses gained expert insight into a growing marketplace that offers a wide range of opportunities.

  • Andy Davis is a former editor of FT Weekend and author of the Beyond the Banks report on alternative finance