NACFB in Europe
The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) attended by invitation yesterday (Dec 2nd) the EU Conference on SME Funding and Bank Relations in Brussels. This is part of a wider debate across all the EU states to help small businesses get better access to finance. It gave the Association a chance to highlight how well the UK market operates with the Broker market offering easier access to finance for SMEs than any other European country.
Adam Tyler, chief executive officer, NACFB said: “This was a great opportunity to represent the UK as their sole spokesperson not only on behalf of the NACFB, but also as a member of the Genesis Initiative that represents 1.4 million SMEs. This is a Europe-wide initiative and I spoke alongside individuals from Germany, France, Finland, Austria, Italy, Belgium and Greece to name just some of those present.”
The overriding feeling was that the UK market is doing much better that any of the other except possibly Germany. There were some really difficult lending conditions in a number of countries and it was pleasing that the UK was recognised as showing real positive growth in lending to SMEs.
This was also an opportunity to show how the Commercial Finance broking sector is really penetrating the small business community in the UK. It was also rewarding to point out that the NACFB with members in every town, village and city across the country has helped new lenders to business grow and expand in the UK.
Adam said: “It would not have been complete if we had not touched upon the Consumer Credit Act. So this was our big chance to highlight in this European environment how our broker model has really helped SME lending and that further regulation could only hinder our growth.”
The next meeting for the NACFB is with the Head of Business lending at HM Treasury, all designed to ensure that the NACFB broking community continues to gain the recognition it deserves, now not only at home but also on the Continent.
