May 2018
By Adam Tyler, executive chairman at FIBA
As an adviser in today’s market, there has never been so much opportunity to provide world-class service to SMEs and individuals. However, in a sector as vibrant as this one, the value of being a member of a trade body like FIBA has also never been so important.
Why? FIBA mMembership gives you a strong voice to represent you as a professional adviser, along with access to a suite of services that will be the envy of the industry.
As your trade body, we represent you and your colleagues to the FCA, UK Finance, British Business Bank, HM Treasury and any other relevant gGovernment body or organisation which impacts on the operation of the financial intermediary and broker sector. We are already working very hard, in association with these other parties, to provide our Members with a powerful voice to help shape the development of SME finance and how it can be delivered.
In addition, FIBA also provides access to the kind of support services that every modern adviser needs to build their business. These include training, guidance and assistance, access to a comprehensive network of lenders, detailed product knowledge, industry- expert advice and dedicated compliance resources.
Intermediary- inspired lending is one of the success stories of the post- credit crunch market. The expansion in the number of lenders and the growing understanding by business owners of the importance of unbiased, whole of market advice is the springboard from which advisers can flourish. With SMEs increasingly looking beyond their own banks for advice and funding, advisers are in the pole position to provide the service SME’s need –, and, with FIBA as a partner, Members give themselves even better opportunities to succeed.
The future of SME funding is a key focus for FIBA. Via our work in association with government and other bodies, we are working to improve access to funding for SME’s and therefore reinforce the vital role played by professional finance advisers.
Your FIBA mMembership is enhanced by having access to the kind of benefits package that would be impossible to replicate on your own, in terms of scope and cost. As a recognised trade body, we can provide every Member with the tools they need to compete and succeed in today’s market.
We want to improve your business environment as a broker and give you the support and back up expected. That could be in the form of online training via the development portal, but equally it could be in adopting cloud- based CRM software to help manage your business. The regulatory and compliance provision is, of course, already available and includes the new GDPR Hub. But what about pProfessional iIndemnity iInsurance? A new block scheme is now in development, should you decide that you want this for your brokerage, and this sits alongside our free website design service.
You can choose to adopt a combination of tailored resources from FIBA, which – along with our established services to Members – , have already proven to be popular. These include the AML verification platform for iIndividual and business searches – in the - UK and i& Internationally, , exclusive business premises insurance for brokers, free subscription to online resources, will writing, estate planning and probate services for brokers and referral solutions for a range of business types.
This is just the beginning. The FIBA Member benefits package will continue to evolve. We will be launching our overseas mortgage proposition very soon as well as a lead generation and sourcing tool.