An introduction to FIBA

By Adam Tyler, FIBA Chairman

The Financial Intermediary & Broker Association was incorporated in November 2017 and was formed from the Association of Bridging Professionals Limited (AOBP), a company limited by guarantee and incorporated in September 2010.

So, this is not a new Association. It may now have an investor, but the Members and Lenders are essentially still those of the AOBP. The work that has gone into this organisation previously, by preceding Chairmen, the Executive Committees, the Affiliates and the Lenders makes up the foundations of FIBA.

However, the control of the organisation is not the same. A new Executive Committee was appointed in late 2017, a Lender Committee has been formed and SimplyBiz Group are providing the investment required. We want this association to continue to provide support to financial brokers and intermediaries of all types currently working in the specialist lending sector.

FIBA has emerged from the AOBP and has a uniquely diverse range of brokers and intermediaries from across the financial spectrum. The existing membership has been traditionally aligned to the bridging and development sector and its wide range of lenders. This forms a strong base of support and the intention is to reach out and attract brokers, lenders and tertiary service providers involved in the specialist lending sector, who have seen the benefits of this association in the past but now want more support and this is reflected in our mission statement.

It is always the substance behind any statement that is important and so the following is a list of our aims and objectives.

We want:

1. To be a central representative body to put the views of Financial Professionals to the FCA, UK Finance, British Business Bank, HM Treasury and any other relevant Government body or organisation which impacts on the operation of the financial intermediary and broker industry.
2. To provide members with information to enable them to keep up to date with matters affecting the finance industry.
3. To work closely with other financial services trade bodies and to mitigate in any disputes between individual members or firms.
4. To promote a forum for the exchange of non-competitive information.
5. To encourage members to deal with customers in a clear and transparent manner and to treat them fairly.
6. To provide a range of benefits for our members that are real, worthwhile and exclusive.

But, overall, we want to be a traditional trade association that serves its Members and Partners.