Like previous years, the Expo had a huge volume of quality brokers asking all the right questions and I must say it was great to see lenders refer and advise others on which lenders intermediaries should go to if they themselvels were unable to accommodate for it.

The day kicked off with the first seminar entitled, Find out how the NACFB plans to help fund UK SMEs.

During the day Adam Tyler, Chief Executive, and Marcus Grimshaw, Chairman, spoke passionately about where the Association is heading over the next two years and made a personal plea to patrons about how they can help the NACFB and the UK SME market move forward.

Marcus Grimshaw, Chairman, said: “Over the last 21 years an amazing amount has been achieved. However, the next three to five years are potentially the most important years that our industry will have seen. We have a responsibility to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there and make sure that we become that chosen place for SMEs to find commercial and asset finance. It’s a question of being bold and taking advantage of the conditions we face.

“We, as a collective, are on a journey to help SMEs and to share expertise and leads. Businesses are asking for support but don’t know who to turn to. It is critical that we get this right.”

The work the Association is doing with Andrew Van der Lem, Deputy Director of the Business Bank, and the Government is vital in cementing those relationships and foundations for the future.

The NACFB recently brought together a number of UK commercial lenders and the Business Bank to support its plans to answer the Government’s call to provide more funding to SMEs across the UK. A result of which was the backing and official launch of the UK Small Business Finance Directory in Whitehall earlier this month.

Andrew said that the Business Bank hasn’t launched yet but it will become the first UK economic development bank, which will be state-owned. It’ll act as a funding guarantee agency and in regards to the relationship with the NACFB, Andrew said: “We are fully behind initiatives like the NACFB and we are so keen to work with the Association and its members.”

The Association called out to its Patrons to further support it with its "future plans at this critical moment in time". At the crux of the plans is finalising the Small Business Finance Directory portal, more lobbying of leading politicians, a national PR and marketing campaign, and the need for additional members off staff.

Andy Bishop, Head of Business Development, Commercial Banking at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "I see it as a team performance in which there are benefits for everyone. We’re all individual voices but under the NACFB umbrella, which is the “glue”, all our views are heard and the NACFB is the most respected voice in the market place. Let’s help to kick-start a huge opportunity in SME lending and increase the accessibility to SME plc with expert delivery. I fully support the NACFB and its plans.”

The NACFB is currently working with the Treasury, BBA, Bank of England, and Genesis Initiative (which represents 1 million SMEs in the UK) to name but a few, and its goal of self-regulation and code of conduct will always be at the heart of the Association.

Adam summed up the day and where the NACFB is currently: “We’re on the cusp of something great, but we need to grasp it. This year’s conference was bigger and better than ever. I’ve been told by many here today that “last year was great, but this year you’ve just smashed it”. We had all varieties of commercial vehicles of finance represented as exhibitors to compliment every option for the broker.

“It is a taste of what we can do and what the NACFB is all about. We’re excited about the future of the Association and how we can help SMEs and in turn Patrons and members. We’re now focussed on delivering an even bigger event at the Finance Professional Show in London, being held on 6th November 2013, which will feature all aspects of finance.”

The biggest question on the day was: “How do we get SMEs to listen?” This is something that the Association has been campaigning for over a number of years, and once again the Expo was a huge success from all corners to help to address this issue. It's astounding to think that 80 per cent of businesses still solely source finance through the high street, when there is such a variety on offer via the NACFB.

The next few years will determine whether the NACFB can become the body and voice of SME finance throughout the UK. All the tools are there, there's backing, the connections with the Government and the FSB are there; it is now time for everyone to spread the word about the amazing work this Association is doing, and how it can be the key to all SMEs in the UK.