Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

New Chartership Route Launched for Mortgage Advisers via LIBF and LFBF

Experienced mortgage advisers now have access to a new pathway to Chartered Member status, following a partnership between the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) and the London Foundation for Banking and Finance (LFBF). This development introduces a modernised Chartered Member designation specifically for mortgage professionals, which was not previously available.

Qualified mortgage advisers listed on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register, with evidence of at least 3-4 years of relevant continuing professional development (CPD), are eligible to apply for the new Chartership route. The application process also requires completion of a new ethics e-learning module. In addition to mortgage advisers, experienced trade and transaction banking specialists are also eligible to apply.

The initiative is designed to support the FCA’s ongoing efforts to improve standards and customer support, including through initiatives such as Consumer Duty. The LIBF, which is part of Walbrook Institute London, has confirmed that its criteria for Chartered Associate and Chartered Fellow designations remain unchanged. Under the new arrangement, Charterships are awarded by the LFBF and administered by the LIBF.

This new route may be of interest to UK letting agents and inventory clerks who work closely with mortgage advisers, as it aims to raise professional standards and promote ethical practice within the sector. The development could also support greater trust and professionalism in property transactions involving mortgage advice.