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1 Short Term / Bridging Finance 1 Development Finance 1 Commercial Mortgages 1 Specialist Buy-to-Let
1 Secured seconds for business purposes only .
In addition , the FIBA team are also beginning to develop a wider commercial finance portfolio amongst all member types and different types of business funding , which also supports the work that we undertake within Westminster , where we are able to lobby for better access to business finance for SMEs across the UK .
As FIBA approaches its third anniversary , how has the journey from standing start to now unfolded ?
If you want to sum FIBA up in a single statement it would read something like this , FIBA is a not for profit trade association , wholly owned by The SimplyBiz Group , representing and providing benefits to all those involved in the specialist property finance industry . Since launch in January 2018 , FIBA has been steadily and consistently growing and has developed a great reputation within its own segment of our industry , seeing month on month member growth and very pleasingly , a 50 % increase in numbers through 2020 , which followed a 67 % growth in 2019 .
1 1,200 registered on the FIBA database 1 700 full individual Members 1 46 Lender Partners 1 29 Professional Partners 1 67 % increase in Members in 2019 1 50 % increase in Members in 2020
1 Membership has increased for 30 months
1 30 % of our Members are fully regulated
The most striking achievement is industry recognition , FIBA a new name to the industry is now well established and seen as an influencer , but also as modern forward-thinking organisation that uses technology to benefit the industry .
How could a firm , mainly focussing on the residential space , benefit by being involved with FIBA and specialist lending where commercial lending may be an area that traditional mortgage firms have avoided ? Why should they consider opening up this service as an option ?
As part of the wider Group , FIBA is designed with this very much in mind , giving new members and specifically those new to the Industry , the opportunity to deal with specialist lending . In our competitive market , it may be surprising to know that our Lender partners are very keen to meet new introducers . In particular , those looking to expand their portfolio of lending through either their own client bank or those opportunities that have landed on their desk in the past and have been dismissed as too commercial . Our Lender Partners and also our members are more than happy to work with those in the residential space to create more lending prospects for their business ,
What do you have planned for the year ahead for FIBA members ?
We want to continue to do much of the same and to also grow our membership and our Lender Partner Panel further .
There is real advantage to FIBA , as an Industry representing body , siting within the structure of The SimplyBiz Group in that we have been able to create focussed support designed specifically for this segment of the industry and this will continue to be enhanced with :
1 A designated search platform for Commercial , Bridging and Development lender
1 Exclusive products that are increasing – the latest being a Customer for Life proposition
1 Our own industry event programmes that also help those new to the sector to learn more including webinars and an annual conference
1 FIBA Advantage Online – a free to contribute 20 + page online magazine
1 A dedicated lender and partners interview series , which in 2020 introduced At Home with FIBA TV and a Special Features section
1 Exclusive market leading block PI scheme with Commercial Finance rates at a sensible level
1 Regulatory and Compliance updates tailored for Specialist Property Finance
1 Lobbying in Westminster and involvement in the Government ’ s future plans for the industry improving access to finance for all SME ’ s
1 A defined Member Benefit area offering exclusive and discounted access to selected services
1 An industry standard Code of Practice .
How do interested parties explore more ?
At FIBA , our multi-disciplined broker members have become an attractive source of business for our Lender Partners as we have a diverse mix of established commercial finance brokers , residential mortgage brokers and fully regulated advisers , alongside those seeking to gain a foothold in the commercial finance world . We can provide a home for all of those at different stages in our industry and we would like to make sure that all SimplyBiz Group Members take advantage of this free to join entity .
To find out more visit the website or call our membership team on 0330 002 0987 .