Software for commercial finance brokers to be launched

The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has been working with Bristol-based MortgageKeeper to develop CommercialKeeper – the first back office customer management system designed especially for commercial finance brokers. The system is designed to be simple – and allow brokers to keep track of their both their clients and their cases.

CommercialKeeper has been developed with the NACFB, but is designed to be flexible to allow individual brokers to change the system to suit the way their business works. This flexibility includes being able to set their own work flows or changing the details required on client profiles.

Adam Tyler, chief executive of the NACFB, said: “At a time when many brokers are faced with having to cut back their staff as a result of the downturn, while still having to comply with data protection rules and keep track of all their clients and cases, we thought that by working with MortgageKeeper, the NACFB could help. I am delighted to say we have managed to negotiate extremely competitive rates for NACFB members, and the software should help to relieve at least one headache. Feedback from the brokers who have tested the system for us has been excellent.”

Rick Watkin, MD of MortgageKeeper, said: “This is the first back office system designed especially for commercial finance brokers. CommercialKeeper will provide NACFB members with an easy to use tool to manage their clients more efficiently. The system will also improve case handling, automate document production and increase sales opportunities. CommercialKeeper will be remotely hosted and brokers gain access via the internet. Brokers can work from any location, potentially enabling them to cut office costs.

“Brokers will also benefit from having a highly secure remote storehouse for the system and their client data. We have chosen one of the UK’s major data centres to provide a secure hosting environment, releasing brokers from the responsibility and expense of their own computer infrastructure. This also removes the cost which comes with storing old and existing client files in wasted office space.”

The Association has negotiated several exclusive options for NACFB members. These include no upfront payments for the software, a small monthly maintenance cost for system use, support and remote document storage.