The quick and the dead
Networks rode into brokers' lives at a time when regulation and consolidation were threatening the existence of many independent firms but, as Martin Friel discusses, the network model appears to be facing its toughest challenge yet
Back in the day, this fine green land was teaming with independent brokers all working away happily, providing a local service that communities appeared to value. Then the dark clouds of regulation appeared on the horizon and the landscape changed.
How would small, independent brokers manage under this new regime? They hardly had time to run their businesses as it was, never mind having to complete the reams of paperwork that the regulator demanded. Not only that, there was much to learn about
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