In this month’s cover feature, we’ve collated a selection of highlights from the long-awaited return of the NACFB Commercial Finance Expo 2021 which was held on 30th September at the NEC Birmingham.

The October issue also features insight from a host of NACFB Patrons including headline sponsor Lloyds Bank on card acceptance solutions, as well as Monument on how their team backs-up words with actions, Together on why in makes sense investing to evolve, Just Cashflow on improving the lender-broker relationship, Nucleus Commercial Finance on asset-based lending (ABL) and the liquidity crisis, Paragon Bank on the rise and rise of buy-to-let, Aldermore on what’s next for the self-employed, Recognise Bank on why so many SMEs are using potentially costly means of borrowing, Haydock Finance on the benefits of structured finance, and Swishfund on its mission to lobby for government-back green loan schemes.

Our expert this month is James Piper, founder at NACFB Associate Patron, Lightbulb Credit. We question him on the link between credit ratings and funding for SMEs, and ask how brokers can get in on the action.

In our Broker Voice feature, Marc Champ, managing director at Wharf Financial discusses the true value of using a broker and looks at the role they play in underpinning client successes.

We also hear from NACFB compliance officer, Nina Morgan who addresses inconsistencies in onboarding and assessing new clients, alongside external experts at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on their menu for recovery in the hospitality sector, and law firm, Greenhalgh Kerr, on how brokers can avoid commission-related claims.

Last, buy by no means least, we spend five minutes getting to know Linda Martin of Unity Trust Bank.