A representative of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is to speak at the Association of Short Term Lenders’ (ASTL) annual conference.

The inaugural conference for the ASTL – ‘Bridging Today and Tomorrow’ – will take place on Thursday 10th October and have a detailed look at the impact of the MMR on the bridging sector.

The ASTL says much has been discussed about the impact of the MMR on mainstream loans, with tailored rules applying to the bridging sector and the FCA will present their view on how bridging firms must adapt to comply with the MMR, following implementation in April 2014.

Benson Hersch, chief executive of the ASTL, said: “The ASTL inaugural conference is likely to have a significant impact on the bridging market and how it is perceived. The aim is to better equip every professional within it to cope with the impending changes to our market.

“One role of the ASTL is to encourage a higher level of professionalism in the market and the quality of our speakers will play a significant part in that.

“Having the FCA to speak at the conference will give conference attendees a unique insight into new developments in regulation, including proposed EU directives. New legislation will play a huge role in changing the shape of the market as we know it and the FCA will be presenting the challenges and objectives from the perspective of the regulators and how it may affect everyone at the conference.”