Stonebridge, the national mortgage and insurance network, has become the first mainstream mortgage network to be recognised as an Associate Firm of the Society of Mortgage Professionals (SMP).

Becoming an Associate Firm means Stonebridge is aligned with the principles of the SMP, which strives to build public trust in financial services and elevate the importance and value of financial wellbeing through mortgage and protection advice.

The core principles of being an Associate Firm of the SMP are to:

• Act in the best interests of clients, using a customer charter to aid transparency.
• Demonstrate integrity, probity and fairness by aligning with the code of professional ethics & conduct.
• Invest in your people by funding a policy of ongoing training and professional development.
• Operate a clear diversity and inclusion policy, for both staff and clients.

The SMP is part of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), and as an Associate Firm member, Stonebridge will work with the SMP/CII community to raise the levels of professional knowledge and technical competence within the advisory space.

Rob Clifford (pictured), chief executive of Stonebridge, said: “Stonebridge has always been committed to the raising of professional standards within our business, our individual firms, but also in terms of the entire mortgage sector. This is why we’re very pleased to be announcing our membership of the SMP as an Associate Firm which will allow us to leverage the collective knowledge, expertise, support, and resources that come with it, and for us to share that with our member firms.

“We’re looking forward to playing a contributory part in everything the SMP has to offer in the months and years ahead.”

Alan Vallance, chief executive of the Chartered Insurance Institute, added: “I am delighted Stonebridge is now able to further evidence its existing and clear commitment to clients through our Associate Firm mark. It is important members of the public are able to easily identify providers that demonstrate integrity, probity, and fairness aligned with our code of professional ethics and conduct.

“We are looking forward to working with such a significant mortgage and protection network to further advance public trust in holistic mortgage advice and supporting their members’ professional development.”