Oh networks, where art thou?

Following the news that Total Broker Solutions has distanced itself from the broking network jamboree, the question that must be on many people's minds is how many others may follow? After the flurry of start-up activity late last year, during which brokers were bombarded weekly with different propositions, few are forthcoming about how many bums are actually on seats.

The months pass and regulation draws ever nearer, but speculation persists about how many will make it to the implementation stage soon. Of course, it is conceivable that revealing how many brokers have signed up to a particular network could be market-sensitive, but cynics would no doubt suggest that some outfits have no seats - let alone bums to fill them.

Whether or not the cynics are right is yet to be seen, but is also beside the point, which is that in the absence of tangible information tongues wag.

And there is an almost eerie silence following the initial fanfare from these start-ups. Isn't now the time that new networks should be fighting for column inches in the press, putting on roadshows and hospitality and other such promotional activities to woo the membership that will yield critical mass?

But, maybe this cannot be laid entirely at the networks' rented office doors. It may well prove to be the case that you can lead a broker to a roadshow but you can't make them join the network.

Concern from various quarters that many smaller brokers will tick the boxes, cross their fingers and pray they don't get an Arrow visit is starting to emerge. One such voice is that of a recent survey by professional services firm Grant Thornton. It found that, of 160 brokers surveyed, 11% intended to continue trading without authorisation. If this is truly representative of the market, it would mean a considerable number of brokers in the UK intend to trade illegally.

In all probability, most of the new networks are implementing in earnest, building credible and sustainable businesses. Indeed, IMAS claims that networks now control £700m worth of premiums - a significant increase from £250m in 2000.

However, given the pregnant pause in communication, facts like these are being overlooked in favour of speculation. Added to this the moral concern about those who intend to trade illegally and it would seem that silence, in this case, is not golden.