The Specialist Finance Academy has formed a new partnership with Knowledge Bank, the mortgage criteria search platform, with the aim of giving brokers greater confidence in tackling the specialist lending market.

With regulation tightening and client needs becoming more complex, advisers are under increasing pressure to provide tailored solutions. The collaboration will allow brokers to combine the Academy’s training resources with Knowledge Bank’s real-time search tools, including Notify, which enables brokers to send case enquiries directly to lenders even where no business development manager or account manager is in place.

Academy members will also gain access to exclusive training and direct support from Knowledge Bank’s team, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of lender requirements across bridging, development, multi-unit freehold blocks, commercial and other specialist areas.

Shane Chawatama, sales director at Knowledge Bank, said: “The Specialist Finance Academy is a timely and valuable initiative for brokers looking to deepen their understanding of an increasingly complex market.

“While sourcing systems like ours provide critical support, there’s no substitute for knowledge. The Academy will empower brokers to deliver even greater value to their clients.”

Kim McGinley (pictured), founder of the Specialist Finance Academy, said: “This partnership just makes sense.

“We’re here to help brokers say yes to more clients – and having Knowledge Bank alongside us gives our members a real advantage.”