The Importance of “Continuing Professional Development” for Mortgage Brokers. The UK lending landscape evolves at pace, requiring brokers to keep their knowledge up to date. Political and economic shifts, fluctuating interest rates, new regulations, and emerging technologies all bring fresh challenges and opportunities. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to refine its responsible lending rules while encouraging digital innovation and the adoption of open banking.
Specialist sectors such as bridging, development, and later-life lending are on the rise. Meanwhile, landlords face growing regulatory pressures, and a new wave of younger investors is entering the market.
Why CPD Matters
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is more than a box-ticking exercise—it’s a regulatory obligation for most mortgage and insurance brokers in the UK.
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FCA Requirements: Advisers involved in mortgage or retail investment activities must complete 35 hours of CPD annually, with at least 21 hours being structured learning (e.g., courses or seminars). Activities must be measurable and independently verified.
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Professional Bodies: Organisations such as the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) adhere to this benchmark, requiring their members to dedicate 35 hours per year.
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Insurance Directive: Under the Insurance Distribution Directive, anyone selling protection or general insurance must complete at least 15 CPD hours annually, covering topics like product knowledge, claims handling, and ethics.
These requirements ensure that brokers remain competent, up-to-date, and competitive. Even advisers without a set minimum often aim for 35 hours a year to advance their careers and stay market-ready.
How to Structure Your CPD Year
| Step | Focus Area | Description | Key Actions for Advisers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set annual learning goals | Identify development areas for the year, such as regulation, specialist lending, soft skills, tech systems or business growth. Goals should be realistic and measurable over 12 months. | Define 3 to 6 core goals and align them with your role, client needs and market changes. |
| 2 | Plan structured hours | Structured CPD includes interactive learning such as webinars, workshops, accredited events, training sessions and structured online courses. | Aim for at least 21 structured hours. Schedule quarterly commitments and register early for key events. |
| 3 | Schedule unstructured learning | Unstructured CPD includes reading market updates, industry articles, lender communications and listening to relevant podcasts. | Spread these hours across the year to maintain ongoing market awareness. |
| 4 | Monthly regulatory and lender updates | Stay aligned with FCA expectations and product changes affecting client outcomes. | Dedicate time each month to review FCA releases, policy updates and lender criteria changes. |
| 5 | Use a digital CPD log | Accurate records are essential for compliance and audits. Digital logs help track hours, outcomes and certificates. | Record learning outcomes, dates, hours, links to evidence and any certificates. Review logs each month. |
| 6 | Mid-year review | Evaluate progress halfway through the CPD year and adjust plans where needed. | Check completed hours, reassess goals and identify new learning areas based on regulatory or market changes. |
| 7 | Finalise and reflect | Complete outstanding hours and reflect on how your learning supported your advice process and compliance. | Ensure records are complete. Document your reflections and use the insights gained to shape the next CPD cycle. |
Compliance and Fair Lending
Adhering to fair lending practices is central to the role of a broker. The FCA expects firms to act in the customer’s best interests and ensure affordability checks are accurate.
Key Areas of Focus:
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FCA Consumer Duty – Act in good faith, prevent foreseeable harm, and empower informed decision-making.
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Equality in Lending – Advice must not be influenced by age, gender, disability, or ethnicity.
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AML Compliance – Training, Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) where necessary, and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
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Know Your Customer (KYC) – Accurate documentation and thorough fact-finding are vital for compliance and ethical practice.
Continuous training supports compliance, strengthens professionalism, and protects both clients and firms.
Top CPD Topics for Mortgage Brokers in 2025
| Topic Category | Description | Key Learning Areas for Advisers |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory change and FCA expectations | Understanding evolving Consumer Duty standards and expectations for evidencing good outcomes. | Fair value, vulnerable customers, file quality, and suitability evidence. |
| Digital transformation in mortgage advice | Growth of digital systems that improve the advice journey. | CRM optimisation, automated fact finds, digital ID checks, open banking, and sourcing system updates. |
| Specialist lending growth | Increasing demand for non-standard and complex cases. | Bridging, development finance, semi-commercial, complex income, adverse credit, holiday lets. |
| Buy-to-let market developments | Shifting landlord requirements and lender appetite. | Stress testing, portfolio rules, EPC expectations, and limited company lending. |
| ESG and green lending | Growing focus on energy efficiency in property finance. | Green mortgage incentives, retrofitting, EPC requirements, and sustainability funding. |
| Commercial market insights | Expansion opportunities for advisers entering commercial finance. | Business loans, trading premises, commercial investment, and cash flow analysis. |
| Client communication and soft skills | Essential skills for delivering positive outcomes and building trust. | Active listening, suitability explanations, conflict management, and supporting vulnerable clients. |
| Market risk and economic conditions | Keeping clients informed and understanding market movement. | Interest rate trends, inflation pressures, lender pricing strategies, and risk factors for residential and investment borrowers. |
Technology and Digital Transformation
The mortgage sector is embracing technology to enhance speed, accuracy, and customer experience.
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Open Banking: Enables secure data sharing for more accurate affordability assessments.
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Automated Decisioning: Lenders utilise algorithms, so brokers must understand the system’s outputs.
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Client Portals & CRMs: Streamline onboarding and improve client communication.
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Digital ID & e-Signatures: Support faster compliance and secure transactions.
Adoption of these tools saves time and improves outcomes, but must be balanced with strict adherence to GDPR and data protection rules.
Sustainability and Green Mortgages
Environmental considerations are becoming integral to lending decisions.
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Green Mortgages: Preferential rates for properties with high EPC ratings (A or B).
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Sustainability Training: Brokers should be able to explain the benefits of eco-mortgages and retrofitting options.
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Regulatory Direction: Government and FCA initiatives encourage lenders to support the net-zero transition.
With specialist CPD, brokers can confidently advise on green products and government-backed incentives.
Specialist Lending: Bridging, Development & Commercial Finance
Complex finance areas require advanced expertise.
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Bridging Loans: Short-term funding with a focus on exit strategies and LTV limits.
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Development Finance: Involves staged drawdowns and project planning.
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Commercial Mortgages: Assessment requires understanding lease agreements, tenant profiles, and business performance.
Specialist CPD prepares brokers to serve niche clients and handle higher-risk transactions with confidence.
Buy-to-Let and the Private Rental Sector
Despite regulatory changes, buy-to-let remains a major market.
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Portfolio Landlords: Stress testing, SPV structures, and tax considerations are essential.
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Regulatory Shifts: EPC targets, Section 21 reform, and licensing requirements all shape the obligations of landlords.
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Limited Company BTLs: Growing in popularity, requiring knowledge of tax and lending rules.
CPD ensures brokers remain competitive in this ever-changing sector.
Later-Life Lending and Equity Release
Later-life finance requires sensitivity, compliance, and specialist knowledge.
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Lifetime Mortgages: Advisers must explain inheritance implications, interest roll-up, and early repayment charges.
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Retirement Interest-Only (RIO): Assessments rely on retirement income.
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Vulnerability Awareness: Older clients may be vulnerable, requiring careful handling and clear documentation.
CPD ensures advisers can provide suitable, compliant, and compassionate advice.
Improving Your CPD Journey With Connect Network
Keeping up with your CPD requirements does not have to be time-consuming or stressful. When you join Connect Network, you gain access to a complete learning and development pathway through Connect Academy, our structured training platform designed specifically for mortgage professionals.
Our network members benefit from regular workshops, live webinars, specialist masterclasses, and recorded training sessions that contribute to their CPD hours. All content is created by industry experts who understand the challenges advisers face in a changing market.
Why CPD Is Easier With Connect Network
| Benefit | What You Receive |
|---|---|
| Structured CPD Hours | Access to planned learning sessions covering residential, buy-to-let, commercial and specialist lending. |
| Live Training and Webinars | Engage with experienced trainers and stay up-to-date with regulatory updates and changes in lender criteria. |
| Connect Academy Portal | Track your learning, complete modules at your own pace, and record your CPD hours in one place. |
| Compliance Support | Receive guidance on what counts as CPD and stay aligned with FCA expectations. |
| Exclusive Adviser Events | Attend ConnecTED tours, industry days, and in-person workshops that contribute to your professional development. |
Take the Next Step in Your Career
If you want more support with your CPD or are looking for a network that helps you grow your skills and your business, we are here to help.
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Learn more about our training opportunities at Connect Academy
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See how we support advisers through our Join the Network page
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Explore our adviser events, including ConnecTED tours and regional training days
Ready to Meet Your CPD Requirements With Confidence?
If you want support that saves you time and helps you stay compliant throughout the year, Connect Network can give you a complete CPD framework built for mortgage advisers.
Start your journey today.
Visit Join Connect Network to speak with our team and explore how we can support your learning and long-term progression.
Thank you for reading our “Continuing Professional Development for Mortgage Advisers UK.” Stay “Connect“-ed for more updates soon!