17.04.2018 In an effort to uncover better solutions to the capital access challenges facing American and UK small businesses and entrepreneurs, Responsible Finance partnered with US-based CDFA to examine the financing strategies pursued by public and… Continue reading
Category: News
Responsible finance providers are key to tackling the ‘poverty premium’
18.04.2018 The average cost of the ‘poverty premium’ in 2017 was £490 per household per year, according to research by Bristol University. The poverty premium is when low income households pay more for essential goods and… Continue reading
Responsible Finance 2018 Local Elections Manifesto
Ahead of the 2018 local elections Responsible Finance calls on local councils to commit to building wealth through an inclusive local finance ecosystem. This will boost prosperity and engage the SME community in the local area.… Continue reading
The cost of an unregulated business lending market
Amongst firms with a viable business plan, external finance is often a key requirement for business creation, survival and growth, particularly where personal and family-based resources are insufficient and a business cannot generate sufficient surplus… Continue reading
CIC Blog: Penny for your thoughts? ATMs & the future of cash
Recent changes by LINK to its interchange rate means that thousands of free-to-use cash machines in the UK are threatened, potentially limiting access to cash for hundreds of communities. Its plans mean that the fee banks… Continue reading
Watch Michael Sheen’s speech at Responsible Finance 2018
Actor and activist Michael Sheen launched the End High Cost Credit Alliance at Responsible Finance 2018 on 20 March in Glasgow. The event brought together many Alliance and Responsible Finance members, all focusing on providing… Continue reading
Do several buses equal a sustainable funding regime for enterprise lending responsible finance providers?
Last week I was kindly invited to the launch of Richard Roberts and Steve Walker’s report on the future of responsible finance business lending. For me, there are four key messages that I take away from… Continue reading
Michael Sheen launches End High Cost Credit Alliance at Responsible Finance conference
Actor and activist Michael Sheen gave a rousing address at Responsible Finance’s annual conference as he launched the End High Cost Credit Alliance and pledged support and resources for “fair finance” providers. The Alliance, “a movement… Continue reading
UK-wide winners announced in Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards
Four British firms awarded £7,500 prize in microentrepreneurship awards celebrating their success and support from responsible finance providers An artisan fish smokehouse, a maker of cajon percussion instruments, a chocolatier and a firm manufacturing and selling… Continue reading
Academic report published on future funding for business lending responsible finance providers
An academic report ‘The Future of CDFI Business Lending’ has just been published (6th March 2018) and recommendations will be discussed at a Best Practice Workshop, hosted by one of the co-authors, at the Responsible… Continue reading