New qualification launches for the specialist lending sector

The Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance (CPSP) has now launched, following a joint initiative between the Association of Short Term Lenders (ASTL), Financial Intermediary & Broker Association (FIBA) and the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF).

CPSP is an optional e-learning programme that will cover bridging, short term finance, development finance and specialist buy-to-let.

It provides a definitive and targeted education programme for the short term and specialist lending sector and participants who complete the modules will be awarded an LIBF digital badge and accredited for CPD purposes.

Registration for CPSP is available at: https://www.libf.ac.uk/study/professional-qualifications/mortgage-advice/certified-practitioner-in-specialist-property-finance.

Vic Jannels, CEO at the ASTL, said: “The launch of CPSP is the culmination of a long and exciting journey and an excellent example of trade associations working together for the benefit of the industry and our customers. The close collaboration between the ASTL, the LIBF and Adam at FIBA has been instrumental in making the first qualification in our sector a reality. This is a major steppingstone in continuing to enhance standards, increase professionalism and advance the reputation of the specialist finance sector.”

Adam Tyler, consultant to FIBA, commented: “After nearly two years of work from so many of our industry colleagues and the support of Vic at the ASTL and our colleagues at the LIBF, I can confidently say that we have a learning programme we can all be proud of. It has been a great pleasure to see so many already signing up to the CPSP and receiving the learning material we meticulously put together for the benefit of our industry.”

John Somerville, head of financial services and professional education at the LIBF, said: “It has been a great pleasure to bring together a learning programme alongside FIBA and ASTL. This is a major step forward in supporting the industry with professional standards and complements the need to embed the higher standards required from Consumer Duty. The programme has been designed with lenders and brokers in mind. Ultimately it will help them improve outcomes for clients in an ever-complex lending world.

Martin Reynolds, chairman at FIBA, added: “The launch of these qualifications is a fantastic step forward for the market. The level of work that Adam Tyler, whilst executive chairman of FIBA, Vic, the ASTL team and John and the team at LIBF have put in to create this is phenomenal. I know how passionate they all are about this and whilst Adam may have recently stepped down as executive chairman his continued drive and support of this will still be evident in the market. I look forward to seeing all parts of the industry embrace this and begin to enroll both themselves and their staff on to the course.”