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2014 was a big year for rebuildingsociety and the markets we operate in - here are a few of our highlights! January – Our first Roadshow event in Leeds. 150 friends, members, future members, advisers and fellow alternative finance entrepreneurs joined us for a day of insightful presentations, networking and raising awareness of this exciting new sector. We published recorded content from the day throughout the next months, including Viv Parry, owner of Exquisite Handmade Cakes on how rebuildingsociety’s lenders propelled her business forward. February – We were named in a 14 Crowdfunding Businesses to Look Out For list in Forbes magazine. Our diversification strategy of building white-labelled sites to supplement our growth was highlighted as a strength. March – The first AltFi Summit took place in London. Looking back, it was a huge event for the industry. It was the first event that brought the UK, European and US markets together. Networking was high quality and it gave us renewed belief in the long-term growth of the sector. April – Regulation of the UK P2P market began. It was also when Hippoprint won our interest-free loan competition. Anthony Wood really rallied his personal contacts to make sure his auction was the most over-subscribed during the month, which is what we want every borrower to do. Bringing contacts to the market results in lower rates and better connections. May – One of our most popular loans hit the press. Mr Whitehead’s Cider was hugely over-subscribed and Angus’ interaction with lenders was probably one of the best examples we have seen from a borrower. It was also proof of how much our lenders want alcohol producers to succeed… June – We showed you how Netwise Hosting has transformed a new space to build its own hosting centre after securing a loan through rebuildingsociety several months earlier. July – A record month for loan volume. We funded over £600k in one month, breaking our own record for our largest loan with £315,000 advanced to GRA Project Management. August – We expanded our team. Maria, Pawel, Nick Newton and Huw’s appointments were announced. Since then, we’ve been able to expand our White Label Crowdfunding offering significantly, while adding valuable resource to customer service and skill to our own financial operation. September – Our first London event in conjunction with recent borrower, Electric Star Ltd. We had over 40 of our members and professional contacts join us for drinks, (spicy) streetfood and a chat on a really warm and enjoyable September evening. Check our Rob talking about his new venture and why he’s moving away from the banks. The rebuildingsociety team completed the Spartan Yorkshire Sprint at Ripon and got very muddy in the process! October – Puns were aplenty as Candy Hero was all over the press, including the Mail on Sunday and a host of regional papers. We’re expecting big things for Yorkshire’s premier global sweet retailer in 2015… November – Nesta and The University of Cambridge published “UK Alternative Finance Industry Report 2014." It reported that funding doubled in 2014 from 2013’s numbers – dramatic progress for Alternative Finance. December – The Chancellor delivered the Autumn Statement. There was good news for lenders as the much-requested ability to offset returns against losses was granted. Businesses also enjoyed news that business rates are to be reviewed and National Insurance for apprentices was abolished.