In this month’s cover feature NACFB managing director, Norman Chambers, delves into the closed conditional selling practices of some vehicle dealerships and estate agents and explains why these practices are not only detrimental to customers but, crucially, to commercial finance brokers and lenders too. He also shares what the Association is doing to create a fairer market.

NACFB compliance manager, Charlotte Mathieson, explains why, during periods of market instability, lenders should focus on stress testing, operational resilience and the practical steps they can take to ensure their business can withstand market shocks.

Professor Trevor Williams, chief economist at the TW Consultancy, provides insight into some recent decisions and comments from the Bank of England. Dean Needham from Catax (a Ryan company) explains how capital allowances work during the sale of a property and shares how brokers can help their clients to maximise the opportunity.

Lucy Painter, director at NACFB Member firm FundingRound comments on why she believes that commercial lenders should strike a balance between quantity and quality with brokers. We hear from Theodora Hadjimichael, CEO at Responsible Finance on the power of community-based lending. And we have an update from Martin Richards of Tower Insurance Brokers on how the NACFB Mutual is performing almost one year on since launch.

Readers can also find thought-provoking contributions from NACFB Patrons Allica Bank, Arbuthnot Latham, Funding Circle, Mercantile Trust, Shawbrook, Paragon Bank, Farm Finance and GB Bank as well as NACFB Partner Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance.

Last but by no means least, we spend five fun minutes with Alex Bennett of NACFB Patron Haydock Finance.