In this month’s cover feature, NACFB managing director Norman Chambers considers how businesses, and in particular, the SMEs we serve, are coping amid rising costs and rates.

The issue also features insight and opinion from a host of NACFB Patrons including Allica Bank, Triodos Bank, Precise Mortgages, Assetz Capital, Paragon Bank, MFS, Ortus Secured Finance, SWIG Finance, and Lendhub.

Into the mix, we have two contributions on the FCA’s new Consumer Duty. Suzanne Taylor, partner at legal firm Shoosmiths looks at its impact on commercial finance brokers, and NACFB senior compliance officer, Charlotte Mathieson, considers how brokers will implement the Duty.

In Broker Voice, we hear from Andy Munson, managing director of Yorvick Business Finance who questions whether asset based lending will steady the current economic crisis.

We also have insight from two NACFB Partners. LDS Sales Guarantees’ relationship director Mark Robert questions the viability of housebuilding for SME developers amid rising rates and costs. James Piper, managing director at Lightbulb Credit looks at how the funding application experience can be improved.

We hear from Gavin Dick, policy officer at the National Residential Landlords Association who asks if landlords will respond to the carrot or the stick when improving the energy efficiency of their properties.

Prof. Trevor Williams, chief economist at the TW Consultancy shares his opinion and sound reasoning on how high he believes UK interest rates will go.

Lastly, we spend five minutes with Daniel Sproull of Devon and Cornwall Securities who shares how he makes a difference in the workplace, his favourite place in the world, as well as the best live music he’s ever experienced.