On the night of the 12th November at the home ground of Chelsea football club – Stamford Bridge, the winners of the NACFB 2008 Commercial Finance Industry Awards, were announced at the NACFB Gala Dinner. The ceremony was held at the end of an evening of entertainment, with comedy from the superb Dominic Holland, and musical entertainment from the Abba Girls. The winners were nominated by NACFB members in its annual survey.
 
Chief executive of the Association, Adam Tyler, said: “It’s been a tough year for brokers and lenders alike and we were absolutely thrilled by the number of members and Patrons who took the time to come along. The aim for this year’s Gala dinner was, for just one evening, to forget the troubles faced by the commercial finance industry and have a good time – and those who attended, did! Those lenders and funders who were nominated tin this year’s awards are to be congratulated on supporting brokers in a hugely difficult market.”

Nominations in alphabetical order:
 
Business Bank of the Year
Abbey Commercial  
Barclays Bank 
Lloyds TSB - winner 
NatWest Bank 

Commercial Mortgage Lender of the Year 
Abbey Commercial 
Barclays Bank - winner 
Lloyds TSB 
NatWest Bank 

Lessor of the Year 
Arkle Finance Ltd 
BNP Paribas Lease Group 
ING Lease (UK) Ltd - winner
SG Equipment Finance 

Factor/Invoice discounter of the Year 
Ashley Commercial Finance 
Bibby Financial Services - winner 
Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance 
Ultimate Finance Group Plc 

Vehicle Finance Provider of the Year 
Arval 
ING Lease (UK) Ltd - winner 
Lloyds TSB Autolease 
Santander 

Buy-to-let mortgage Provider of the Year 
BM Solutions - winner 
Cheltenham & Gloucester 
NatWest Mortgage Services 
The Mortgage Works 

Short term Funder of the Year 
Affirmative Finance Ltd - winner 
Cheval Property Finance Plc 
Excel Securities Plc 
Tiuta Plc 

Specialist lender of the Year Business Lending 
Close Brothers - winner 
Hampshire Trust 
The Co-operative Bank

ENDS