The certified practitioner in specialist property finance award — an optional online educational programme for property professionals that covers bridging, short-term finance, development finance and specialist buy-to-let loans — has been launched by a trio of bodies.  

The programme has been jointly devised by the Association of Short Term Lenders, the Financial Intermediary & Broker Association and the London Institute of Banking & Finance.  

Advisers who complete its modules will be recognised with a London Institute of Banking & Finance digital badge and accredited for continuing professional development purposes.  

The bodies say the first students have already started working on the course, while “a significant number more have registered” for the programme.  

Association of Short Term Lenders chief executive Vic Jannels says: The close collaboration between the ASTL, the LIBF and Adam [Tyler] at FIBA has been instrumental in making the first qualification in our sector a reality. This is a major stepping stone in continuing to enhance standards, increase professionalism and advance the reputation of the specialist finance sector.”  

Financial Intermediary & Broker Association consultant Adam Tyler adds: “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.”  

London Institute of Banking & Finance head of financial services, professional education, John Somerville points out: “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.”