Major industry figures to debate Fintech and FCA to provide key-note address at FSE London

By Bridging Loan Directory 23rd August 2017

Front Events, organisers of Financial Services Expo (FSE) London, the premier exhibition for the financial services industry in London & the South East, has today (23^rdAugust 2017) announced the full seminar programme for the event.

FSE London will take place once again at Old Billingsgate in the heart of the City of London on Wednesday 13^th September, with a selection of major industry players lined up to debate key issues.

One of the key debates will be on ‘Residential mortgages and the advent of Fintech – the future for mortgages in a digital age’. This will be a debate between five major players in the mortgage industry – those with the power to make a difference.

The participants will look at how technology can be embraced to improve the consumer and broker journey, what is being delivered, why digital is here, what firms need to do to prepare for the future and is there a realistic prospect for genuine robo-advice? Taking part are, Peter Brodnicki (Mortgage Advice Bureau); Miguel Sard (Santander); Esther Dijkstra (Lloyds Banking Group); Ian Andrew (Nationwide); and James Tucker (27Tec).

Also included in the seminar programme is key-note speech by David Blunt, Head of Conduct Specialists at the FCA on ‘Accountability 2 – the proposed new Senior Managers and Certification Regime’. Having announced plans to replace the Approved Persons regime during 2018, David will use this presentation to outline the FCA’s proposals, take questions on the new system and discuss how this should reduce harm to consumers and strengthen market integrity by making individuals more accountable for their conduct and competence.

The two other sessions will also take the form of panel debates with many of the industry’s leading names discussing a wide range of topics and answering questions on those areas. The other debates are:

Later life lending – is it more than equity release? This will bring together a mix of lenders and brokers to discuss the product future, consumer needs and the advice environment for those looking to pursue the later life lending market opportunity. Taking part are: Steve Cox (Hodge Lifetime); Maeve Ward (Shawbrook); Dean Mirfin (Key Retirement); Adam Carnal (Age Partnership); and Marie Catch (Legal & General).
Buy-to-let – its future in a more interventionist world. This is a session on the challenges facing the buy-to-let market based around the stamp duty increases, taxation changes and the forthcoming PRA’s portfolio lending underwriting rules. It will look at where the opportunities still are but also what are the risks and how brokers can take advantage of this significant period of change. Participants include: David Whittaker (Mortgages for Business); Adrian Moloney (One Savings Bank); Richard Tugwell (Together); Louisa Sedgwick (Vida Homeloans); and Liz Syms (Connect Mortgages).

All sessions are CII-accredited and delegates can earn CPD hours.

FSE London will also be hosting the inaugural National Mortgage Adviser Awards ceremony, in association with Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), which will recognise the top firms throughout the UK across 12 regions and three specialist awards.

The exhibition space for FSE London provides adviser visitors with access to over 70 exhibitors including lenders, distributors, networks, insurance providers, technology companies, and many more.

James Prosser, pictured, Managing Director of Front Events, organisers of FSE London, commented:

“We are now just a few weeks away from this year’s FSE London at what is a pivotal moment for the mortgage market and all practitioners. With much talk of a subdued housing market, plus the spectre of the Brexit negotiations looming large over the whole economy, it is imperative that advisers make the most of the opportunities that do exist in order to build value in their firms.

“There are however many positives for the intermediary market to take on board, not least its continued pre-eminent position as the number one mortgage sales channel and the growth in niche/specialist areas and continued lender appetite across the piece.

“One of the most industry sessions is likely to be on Fintech where we have assembled some significant industry big-hitters from the largest lenders in the UK. They will be there to discuss how Fintech might shape the mortgage adviser market in the months and years to come.

“We are also delighted to welcome back the FCA, with David Blunt providing the key note address on ‘Accountability 2’. Regulatory change is a constant and I’m sure many visitors will be wanting to hear what the regulator has planned next. At the end of September we will also see the introduction of the PRA’s underwriting changes for lending to portfolio landlords which looks set to change the landscape for the buy-to-let market, and a highly esteemed panel will be discussing the issues this raises. Finally, we will also look at the growing later life lending market which now extends far beyond equity release.

“All in all, it promises to be a highly informative day for attendees, plus we have over 70 exhibitors and the presentation of the inaugural National Mortgage Adviser Awards. If you have yet to register please do, and join us for all of the above and much more.”