CDFA’s Sean Dennis was a guest on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme on Monday 25.06.2012. The segment looked at the growth of “microfinance’ and alternatives to mainstream banking finance for businesses. Continue reading
Category: News
Financial Services Bill amendment: support community reinvestment in the UK
CDFA has drafted a letter to Lord Sassoon asking him to support Lord Sharkey’s ‘deprived communities’ amendment to the Financial Services Bill – and we need your support. Continue reading
As Startup Loans are Go!, CDFIs can help – and can Make Business Your Business
CDFA’s chief executive Ben Hughes today welcomed a new package of loan finance and mentoring for young people wanting to start their own businesses – and said community finance providers are logical delivery partners for the scheme.
And CDFIs feature within a new report on supporting start-up and small business development by the Prime Minister’s enterprise adviser, Lord Young, which was launched today. Continue reading
BUFFY “will help business find finance”
BUFFY is a new website launched by the British Bankers’ Association which brings into one place a wide range of finance providers including CDFIs Continue reading
People struggling to pay for food and bills caught in a payday loans debt trap
Over 60% of people who took out payday loans were using the money to pay for household bills or buying other essentials like food, nappies and petrol, a survey by Which? has revealed. CDFA’s Chief Executive Ben Hughes comments on the figures below. Continue reading
Now Wonga wants business’ blood sweat and tears
Ben Hughes, chief executive of the Community Development Finance Association today said news that high-cost lender Wonga is starting to offer loans to businesses confirms CDFA analysis of how large the gap in mainstream finance is – and shows that the Government needs to plough more support into community finance. Continue reading
Give it back, George: CITR needs to be extended, not capped
Community Investment Tax Relief should be extended, not capped. CDFA says including CITR in the tax relief cap will suppress social investment and voices its support for the Give it Back, George campaign. Continue reading
BCC say results encouraging but access to finance a real problem for many firms
John Longworth, director general of the BCC (British Chambers of Commerce) today called for more action on access to finance for business as the BCC published its latest Quarterly Economic Survey. Continue reading
We need full disclosure to fully understand unmet need for finance
Ben Hughes, CDFA’s chief executive, today reacted positively to a new Private Member’s Bill calling for greater disclosure in the banking system. 370,000 businesses, 3,300 social enterprises and 3 million individuals face ‘financial exclusion’. To serve them, we have to know who they are and where they are. Continue reading
As report ignores community finance, CDFA says Chancellor must act
CDFA today expressed disappointment at the lack of acknowledgement of community finance in a new report about widening business access to new and alternative sources of finance Continue reading