Regional finance roadshows

Credit for small businesses is becoming more and more of an issue: and CDFIs are continuing to fill the market gap created by mainstream financial institutions. As the recession bites, so the importance of our work is thrown into relief. If you have an interest in supporting small businesses, you will need to come to one of our regional seminars to find out about how we can help you in your work. These events will be of great importance to you if you run a business, provide support to businesses, work in regeneration or economic development or if you work in a policy body or statutory authority. It is vital we continue to provide credit which is the lifeblood of so many businesses as, without it, the economic welfare and social wellbeing of our communities will die with severe short- and long-term consequences for everyone of us.

Our seminars, which are supported by Barclays and free to attend are being held in Bristol on 5 May, London on 6 May, Birmingham on 13 May and Manchester on 15 May. You can find more information on our website.

Plans for our conference are moving on apace: I have been in contact with our international speakers and know they will be providing us with really helpful and challenging insights into the impact of the recession in their countries. We have created an Open Space session where delegates can pitch to run a workshop, making the event as up to date and lively as possible. You can book your place here. I look forward to seeing as many people as possible there as the time is right for rigorous discussion about the way forward for the sector.

There has been a lot of talk recently about running banks through the Post Office: in many ways a great idea, as the Post Office is a known and trusted brand with reach into the right communities (although this reach has shrunk with its recent branch closures). But the skills, systems and procedures needed to run banking services differ markedly from those currently on offer by the Post Office. Perhaps there is a case for partnering with CDFIs, so that our members can use Post Office premises - that way we have a win-win situation: there will be quality banking services available and accessible for those who need it most.

On the home front;
I am embarrassed to admit that I had a great time when I went to see a Beatles tribute band at the weekend. It was quite shocking to note that the audience were mainly septugenerians – although it did make me feel rather young, which is a rarity these days. I met up with a Japanese friend who was telling me that the Beatles are still hero-worshipped in Japan, even by the younger generation. Perhaps one day they will come back into fashion here and I will at last be a trendsetter!