29.11.2017 For many people on low incomes, Christmas is far from a time of cheer. This year, the combination of rising inflation and an increase in interest rates while incomes continue to stagnate will place even… Continue reading
Category: Opinion
What makes an outstanding loan officer?
03.11.2017 Recent banking scandals may have caused small business owners to be wary of seeking finance. The HBOS Reading fraud caused many small businesses – including that of Noel Edmonds – to close. RBS faced huge… Continue reading
Is a local finance partnership for you?
A practical toolkit for local finance partnerships 26.10.2017 Partnerships between local finance organisations have many benefits, evidenced by existing collaborations between some responsible finance organisations. The ‘Creating Local Finance Partnerships Toolkit’ was created as a… Continue reading
Following the business dream: showcasing success
10.10.2017 Small businesses and the entrepreneurs that create and grow them are the backbone of the UK’s economy. Many people dream of running their own business but it requires a leap of faith to follow the… Continue reading
Responsible finance is critical to supporting small businesses and underpinning London’s economic success
How the Mayor of London could play a critical and innovative role in supporting small business success 03.10.2017 London is the undisputed economic engine of the UK economy and the most prosperous city in the country.… Continue reading
Solving the consumer debt problem: why we need a tax relief for responsible lenders
The Responsible Finance sector remains a critical but under-resourced source of responsible credit for hard pressed families 29.08.2017 In June, almost exactly 10 years after the start of the banking crisis, the Bank of England ordered… Continue reading
How do you set up a local finance partnership that works?
Working together to do more 22.08.2017 Local organisations across the UK are working together to find new and more effective ways to create and market complementary financial products, coordinate and simplify customer journeys and reduce… Continue reading
Walking the Talk
The Quality of Responsible Finance 11.07.2017 In 2015 the Community Development Finance Association became Responsible Finance. We knew that the first question many people would ask is ‘So what makes you responsible?” It is a question… Continue reading
The financial services of the future
Clear goals in uncertain times 27.06.2017 Like many recent votes, the general election on June 8th didn’t produce the expected result. The Prime Minister has lost her majority and gained a tough workload. As the Queen’s… Continue reading
Tackling Financial Exclusion Through Local Finance Partnerships
In 2016, responsible loan funds lent £20 million to 37,000 people and helped their customers deposit £3 million into savings accounts. Local finance organisations are innovative, responsive and resourceful but, at the moment, they don’t have… Continue reading