Christmas message from our chairman

2015 was the first full year for ABF as an operational and “live” resource for business owners looking for funding, and funders looking to support them. During that time we have had over 50,000 site visits (bearing in mind that we do not advertise), thus conclusively proving that the collaborative model of funders referring their own rejects to the site for the benefit of others works brilliantly.

We have also launched ABF 1.2, allowing our funder partners to log into their own accounts, change their signposting parameters and view their traffic stats. This seems to have been exceptionally well received and will be followed by yet more sector-leading innovation.

As I write we are still very much involved in the designation process under the SBEE bank referrals regs, having successfully, albeit nervously, jumped through the hoops so far. Fingers crossed on that one, nobody is counting any chickens but we do feel that we have a good case to make.

Of course, for both neutral platforms and finance providers, 2015 was the year that the whole mandated referral thing became a reality (in legislative terms, anyway) and thus might well have set the stage for a long-term radical transformation of the way business owners seek financial support in the future. We’ll see.

Busy stuff, and, as always, it is a genuine pleasure to work with our ever-expanding community of funding providers, many of whom show extraordinary enthusiasm and support for what we are doing, and really buy into the outcome-led ethic of the site.

So to everyone, from founding participants to the newest listed, here at ABF we wish you a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas, and a prosperous new year.

Adam