Financial difficulty

Find support and guidance if your business is experiencing financial difficulty.

We’re here to support you

We understand that businesses sometimes face financial problems that call for extra support. If you are worried about your business, we want to help.

Telling us or asking for help will not impact your credit score or how we treat you.

Find support and guidance if your business is experiencing financial difficulty.

65 % of businesses

reported in 2024 that they were experiencing challenges that would impact their turnover (Office for National Statistics).

  • Need our support?

    If your business is experiencing financial difficulty, you can email us to discuss your situation and find out more about the options available to you.

    Email: supportingSMEs@co-operativebank.co.uk

  • Learn about the early warning signs

    If you cannot pay your bills, are struggling to pay loan repayments or are not making as many sales, you may be in financial difficulty.

    Learn the early warning signs

  • Find the right support for you

    Find charities and organisations that can offer support with the areas you need help with.

Top tips to help yourself

Tools

  • Budget calculator

    Our budget tool is a spreadsheet that helps you manage your cash flow. You can look at both your business finances and your personal expenditure to help you manage and control your cash.

  • Download our budget calculator

Get help with money worries from Citizens Advice

Our partnership with Citizens Advice means you can get free, quick and confidential advice about any money worries you are experiencing.

They can help with employment, benefits, debts, health and problems with a product or service you have bought.

Fill in their online form and someone will be in touch within 48 hours.

Find out more about Citizens Advice

citizens advice logo

Find the right support for you

If you need further guidance, there are also other charities and organisations that can offer help and support.

Areas you might need help with


Cash flow

Improving your cash flow
(our Business Exchange)


Cost of living

Cost of living support for the self-employed
(MoneyHelper)

Cost of living library
(Business Debtline)

Growth hubs
(The LEP Network)



Delays in receiving payments

Go Get Paid
(in our business tools)


Energy prices


Grants or support schemes


Income

Increasing your income
(Business Debtline)


Insurance and risk management

AXA Business Insurance
(in our business tools)


Legal advice


Mental health and wellbeing


Speak to someone online or on the phone

Money worries: Citizens Advice

Business support: Get help and support for your business
(GOV.UK)

Small business support: Federation of Small Businesses
(for members)

Debt advice: PayPlan

Debt advice: StepChange

Financial Support for Business webinar

We collaborated with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Small Businesses, Go Get Paid and Zellar to host a free financial support webinar for businesses in March 2023.

Find out more and view the webinar