In this month’s cover feature, Norman Chambers explores the landscape for SME housebuilders in the UK, the challenges they face and what can be done to support their growth.

The September issue also features insight from a host of NACFB Patrons including headline sponsor Lloyds Bank on how asset finance can be used to maximum effect, C&M Wealth on building positive momentum and the value of moving with the market, Avamore Capital on breaking the mould in the property development space, Assetz Capital on how developers and brokers can navigate the shortage of construction materials, and Devon and Cornwall Securities on when bridging finance is not the best option.

In this bumper issue, we also hear from NACFB Patrons One Savings Bank on landlords acquiring a taste for investing in mixed-use property, Cynergy Bank on reviving the UK’s hospitality sector, Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance on how personal guarantee insurance can be used as a safety net, Black & White Bridging on embedding the culture of Treating Customers Fairly, Praetura Asset Finance on how brokers can source finance for M&As, MBOs and MBIs, and White Oak on finding the right funder for asset finance deals.

In our Broker Voice feature, Gary Cain, director at Reach Commercial Finance explains on how the British Business Bank is helping to support NACFB Members and the UK’s network of advisers.

Our expert this month is Joe Phelan, solicitor at NACFB Associate Patron, Phelan Independent. We question him on the future of the commercial mortgage market, the increasing use of personal guarantees and where legal advice is heading for SMEs and landlords.

Also, in this issue NACFB’s compliance officer, Dean Williams unravels the FCA’s use it or lose it approach to credit broking permissions. James Piper, managing director at Lightbulb Credit explains how credit repair services can help businesses as well as individuals to access finance. Joe Arnold, managing director at Arnold & Baldwin Chartered Surveyors dispels the myth of down valuations, and Neil Pringle of Neil Pringle Productions looks at the ways in which drones are revolutionising the way SMEs do business.

Last but not least, we have all the fives; we hear from Andy Button, head of investment finance at NACFB Patron Hodge on five ways to improve a property’s EPC rating and we spend five minutes with Ed Rimmer, chief executive officer at Time Finance.