2025 Mid-Year Review

2025 Mid-Year Review: How Finance Has Helped UK SMEs Navigate H1 – and What to Expect in H2

As we reach the halfway point of 2025, it’s a good moment for UK business owners to take stock. H1 brought a mix of opportunity and pressure — with growth in some sectors, but persistent challenges in cash flow, inflation, and supply chain disruption. For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), access to the right finance at the right time made all the difference.

At Secure Business Finance, we’ve seen first-hand how strategic funding has helped clients not just survive, but scale and invest despite market uncertainty.

H1 Recap: Finance as a Driver for Growth

Throughout the first half of the year, we saw a clear trend: SMEs were proactive in reviewing their finance arrangements — particularly those looking to unlock growth or protect working capital. Key areas of activity included:

• Invoice Finance – Businesses looked to improve cash flow and reduce reliance on late payments.
  
  

• Working Capital Loans – Many used short- and mid-term funding to invest in staff, stock, and systems.
  
  

• VAT and Tax Finance – Demand rose sharply as businesses sought to manage HMRC obligations without draining reserves.
  
  

Behind all of this has been a shift in mindset. Business owners are more aware of the power of tailored finance — and they’re prioritising flexibility, speed, and lenders who understand the SME space.

Looking Ahead: H2 and the Road Ahead for SMEs

The second half of 2025 will come with its own set of challenges:

• Interest rate volatility could affect borrowing costs.
  
  

• Tighter payment terms from customers may increase pressure on cash flow.
  
  

• Market unpredictability, particularly in consumer-facing industries, may slow decision-making.
  
  

What does this mean for business owners? Planning ahead is essential. Whether it's reviewing existing facilities or setting up new funding lines as a contingency, having the right finance in place before it’s urgently needed is a smart move.

Why Now Is the Time to Review Your Finance Strategy

At Secure Business Finance, we work with over 90 trusted lenders to offer:

• Quick access to capital when it’s needed most.
  
  

• Competitive, negotiated terms based on your business profile.
  
  

• Straightforward, relationship-led support with no pressure or jargon.
  
  

If you haven’t reviewed your funding arrangements in the past 6–12 months, H2 is the perfect time to do so.

Let’s Make H2 a Success.
If you’re thinking about growth, concerned about cash flow, or just want expert advice from a team that knows the market — we’re here to help.

Secure Business Finance – Supporting SMEs with smarter funding solutions since 2015.