Three trade associations have confirmed the joint launch of an e-learning programme covering the bridging, short-term finance, development finance and specialist buy-to-let (BTL) markets.

The initiative, the Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance (CPSP), has been introduced by the Association of Short-Term Lenders (ASTL), the Financial Intermediary & Broker Association (FIBA) and the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF).

CPSP aims to provide a “definitive and targeted education programme” for the short-term and specialist lending sector, and participants who complete the modules will be recognised through the award of an LIBF digital badge and accredited for CPD purposes.

CEO at the ASTL, Vic Jannels, described the launch of CPSP as the “culmination of a long and exciting journey”, as well as an “excellent example” of trade associations working together for the benefit of the industry and our customers.

“The close collaboration between the ASTL, the LIBF and Adam at FIBA has been instrumental in making the first qualification in our sector a reality,” Jannels said. This is a major steppingstone in continuing to enhance standards, increase professionalism and advance the reputation of the specialist finance sector.”

With the programme now launched, the first students have already started working towards achieving a CPSP accreditation while a significant number have also registered to start the course.

Consultant to FIBA, Adam Tyler, said: “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.

“It has been a great pleasure to see so many already signing up to the CPSP and receiving the learning material we meticulously put together for the benefit of our industry.”

Head of financial services, professional education at the LIBF, John Somerville, called the programme a “major step forward” in supporting the industry with professional standards, adding that it complements the need to embed the higher standards required from Consumer Duty.

“Ultimately it will help them improve outcomes for clients in an ever-complex lending world,” Somerville said.

Chairman at FIBA, Martin Reynolds, added: “The launch of these qualifications is a fantastic step forward for the market. The level of work that Adam, whilst executive chairman of FIBA, Vic, the ASTL Team and John and the team at LIBF have put in to create this is phenomenal.

“I know how passionate they all are about this and whilst Adam may have recently stepped down as executive chairman his continued drive and support of this will still be evident in the market. I look forward to seeing all parts of the industry embrace this and begin to enrol both themselves and their staff on to the course.”

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