However, over a third (38%) of mortgage professionals said they do not plan to attend any seminars or conferences over the next three months, the Mortgage Solutions poll revealed, and an enthusistic 6% of Mortgage Solutions readers plan to attend more than five events in the next three months.
Associate director of Chapelgate Private Finance, Colin Payne, said it was worrying that so many brokers appeared disinterested in seminars that could offer further CPD development.
“After one conference I attended last year it was clear from the event that there are many brokers that do not have regular access to lender BDMs, and need to attend such events to simply keep up to date with changes in lenders criteria. The lack of knowledge was concerning,” he said.
Payne added that a conference on the upcoming Mortgage Credit Directive and information on how the securitisation market works for the mortgage industry would be beneficial.
“I find that when I am able to have a detailed conversation with a client and can demonstrate I know what I am talking about it can be the difference between securing business or not, so pick and choose what will work for you and your business and you’ll certainly see the benefit.”
Group executive chairman of All Types of Mortgages, Vic Jannels, emphasised that it was important to ‘seek out’ events that related directly to the individual or firm’s business.
However, Dominik Lipnicki, director of Your Mortgage Decisions pointed out that the commercial interest involved in many industry events meant it was sometimes difficult to decide what to attend.
“Personally, it is quite rare that I attend a seminar or a conference unless of course I can see a real benefit to the business. FCA roadshows can be very useful, especially if there are upcoming regulatory changes,” he said.
David Hollingworth of London & Country agreed: “With a busy market it can be difficult to take time out so it’s no surprise that brokers rightly pick and choose what is right for them.”
