The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has partnered with disruptive data analysts Red Flag Alert in a bid to help protect brokers and lenders against billions of pounds in fraud.
The Association of more than 2,200 brokers and lenders has agreed a three-year exclusive partnership with the financial insights and business intelligence firm to provide members with access to quick and accurate Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and company credit checks that save time, money, and reputations.
NACFB managing director, Norman Chambers, explains: “Criminals are exploiting the pandemic to illegally access cash. According to some estimates, last year alone, around £26 billion was lost to Bounce Back Loan Scheme fraud and defaults. Brokers and lenders need protecting against these financial losses, whilst still being able to meet borrowers’ demands for quick, seamless services.
“The rich data and easy-to-use platform provided by Red Flag Alert will help empower our Members to beat fraudulent applications and effectively satisfy genuine requests for finance.”
Red Flag Alert has been collecting data about the financial performance of every UK business since 2004. Its unique service enables users to check the financial health and credit ratings of companies quickly and comprehensively.
The agreement with the NACFB sees the organisation funding access for its members to Red Flag Alert’s AML, compliance, and risk management tools. This includes company monitoring and director due diligence checks, as well as being able to run 6,000 free AML searches and reports, with subsequent searches heavily discounted.
Managing Director of Red Flag Alert, Richard West, comments: “COVID has accelerated digital transformation within borrowing and lending, and transactions will become increasingly faceless. It’s critical that brokers and lenders can quickly and comprehensively complete Know Your Customer and Business checks to mitigate risk and enhance customer experience. Our partnership with the NACFB is very much geared towards this.
“It’s incredible to be partnering with such a leading organisation and we’re looking forward to developing the benefits we can offer members. Looking beyond risk management, data and insight has the potential to help brokers optimise sales and marketing through better verifying prospects. This is a forward-thinking, disruptive approach that’s already being embraced by the NACFB.”
Via the easy-to-use Red Flag Alert platform, NACFB Members will also be able to exclusively access insolvency and bad debt data, Companies House records and commercial credit reports on all companies.
Norman Baker concludes: “Financial crime and fraud is a relentless virus that’s becoming more and more sophisticated. We need disruptive tech and data, which has the power to tackle this, without making borrowing and lending cumbersome and time-consuming for all parties.
“We’d heard many positive things about Red Flag Alert’s services and how these were being successfully used by brokers and the finance community to enhance AML practices and compliance. It was natural choice for us to invest in bringing their services to our members and embrace these in the fight against fraud.”
To find out more about how Red Flag Alert’s data and insight can enhance risk management and sales and marketing, visit www.redflagalert.com
Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.