Growth needs more than ambition, it needs financial means

 

Bibby Financial Services Ireland has been the funder of choice for SMEs for over 20 years now. Trusted by many of Ireland’s most successful business owners, we take a relationship-focused approach to finance, providing the stability and partnership businesses need, to grow with confidence. 

Our survey showed the confidence to invest is greater among those using external sources of finance, demonstrating the additional helping hand external finance can give businesses with ambition to expand.

Staying closely connected to the opportunities and challenges of small and medium-sized enterprises is a big part in how we operate. 

Balancing growth ambitions with cost challenges

In our recent survey of 250 SME business leaders, Inflation and cost of doing business are the top challenges, cited by 45% of businesses. Growth is still the main agenda for SMEs into 2026, with 62% expecting sales to grow in the next six months, but despite optimism, SMEs are pressured financially to manage cashflow and maintain competitiveness in a high cost business environment. To read the full report download the the SME Confidence Tracker Q4 Report.

The financial challenges of growth

Winning customers is essential for growth but it comes with upfront costs. From servicing new contracts to covering staff and overheads, cashflow can quickly become a barrier. Our survey show 37% of SMEs lack the working capital to grow and manage day-to-day operations, with late payments and bad debt also squeezing margins. Stable cashflow is a key driver of profitability and financial strain isn’t just a short-term challenge, it’s a threat to your growth ambitions and profit margins.

Overcoming financial barriers to seize opportunities

SME businesses are amongst the most resilient and their ability to capitalise on opportunities will partly depend on their capability to leverage funding effectively. 52% of SMEs report that access to finance has become more difficult, especially in manufacturing (63%) and among female-led businesses (43%). Cashflow stability is a major differentiator. Businesses with steady cashflow are 3x more likely to expect growth than those without.  For many businesses, ambition is not the issue, funding is! The right funding can support both your immediate needs and long-term scalability. What matters most when choosing a funding source is ensuring it offers the flexibility to do both. We understand the financial pressure of growing a business, our solutions help you stay competitive and confident. 

About Us

• Flexible - We understand the demands of moving from one stage of growth to the next, our sector expertise allow us to shape support that aligns with your ambitions to help you advance with confidence.
• Relationship focused - We care about your ambitions and success, and take time to understand your needs. You’ll know who in the team to call, not just a number.
• Trusted - We are Ireland’s most trusted SME Finance partner and were awarded the Financial Services Company of the Year 2025 for our dedicated support to some of the leading Irish businesses for close to 20 years.