The Financial Intermediary and Broker Association (FIBA) has unveiled a new educational initiative in the form of the FIBA Academy, developed in partnership with Competent Adviser, a specialist in financial services training.
The launch marks a significant step forward in structured learning for those pursuing the Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance (CPSP) qualification.
Originally launched in 2023 by FIBA and the BDLA and now overseen by the London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF), the CPSP designation is designed to raise standards in the specialist property finance sector.
The newly created FIBA Academy forms part of the wider FIBA Knowledge Hub, an online learning and development portal aimed at both new and experienced professionals in the industry.
NEW & EXISTING TALENT
Open to the entire market, the academy is intended to attract fresh talent into the sector while also providing existing brokers with structured support to advance their knowledge and qualifications. With a growing focus on professionalism and education in specialist finance, the initiative is seen as a response to increasing complexity in client needs and lender expectations.
Martin Reynolds, chair of FIBA, said the academy’s launch was part of a broader vision. “The delivery of FIBA Academy was an intrinsic part of our wider plan when we released our new FIBA Knowledge Hub earlier this year,” he said.
“This extensive online resource is open to anyone with an interest in learning more about specialist property finance, whether they want to expand their existing skills or enter our vitally important sector.
“The Academy provides a vast array of learning and test modules which really bring to life the knowledge a broker in our industry requires to meet the – often very exacting – needs of their clients.”
The academy’s structure and content have been developed by Competent Adviser, which has worked closely with FIBA to create a programme designed to maximise the chances of students passing the CPSP qualification at the first attempt. The content includes targeted learning modules, practice assessments, and structured pathways that reflect the day-to-day challenges faced by advisers in the field.
Gillian Tait, founder of Competent Adviser, added: “We were pleased to be approached to support individuals studying for the CPSP, and built a programme of focussed modules to ensure learning had additional structure and that students are best placed to pass first time.
“In coming months, we hope to further extend this learning opportunity to ensure the Academy can support ongoing industry learning and further strengthen the educational focus across the sector.”
The CPSP was developed to address a clear gap in formal accreditation for brokers and advisers working in specialist property finance, a fast-evolving area that includes bridging, development, and commercial investment funding.
