The mortgage market never stands still. Regulatory shifts, new technology, changing consumer expectations, and the introduction of new products and rates all require brokers to be responsive and agile. Which is why personal and professional development is key for brokers wanting to stay ahead.
In this blog, we discuss why it’s important for mortgage brokers to invest in their personal and professional growth. We’ll reveal how much time brokers should dedicate to ongoing professional development and share practical tips on how to incorporate it into their daily work routine.
We’ll also highlight how Mortgage Brain supports brokers, from continuing professional development (CPD) learning events to online masterclasses and more.
Why ongoing professional development matters more than ever
Today’s clients expect their mortgage broker to provide personalised services, delivered quickly and with the least amount of fuss. To meet those expectations and stand out, brokers must regularly refresh their knowledge and stay on top of market changes and trends. It’s a lot to fit into the day job!
But investing in personal and professional growth has direct business benefits. For example;
- Improved client outcomes. Staying up to date with lender criteria, product information, and third-party services (such as protection providers and products) ensures clients get the best and most accurate advice.
- Stronger business performance. Brokers who adapt to trends and are open to new ideas tend to generate more leads, win more referrals, and retain more clients.
- Compliance and credibility. Regular CPD keeps brokers compliant and boosts their professional reputation.
- Greater resilience. Brokers who prioritise professional development are better equipped to tackle challenges and become more agile in the face of change, such as economic downturns, regulatory shifts, or rate volatility.
How much time should brokers invest in personal and professional development?
Setting aside time for learning isn’t a new concept. It’s thought that Benjamin Franklin suggested the 5-hour rule back in the 1700s, whereby we should take one hour of every work day to spend on purposeful learning, whether that’s honing a new skill, reading, reflection, or setting new goals.
There is also the ‘Find 15’ idea, developed by trainer Julie Wedgwood, which focuses on dedicating 15 minutes out of every workday to professional growth. Or, Google’s “20% time” rule, where employees are encouraged to invest 20% of their work hours in their own projects.
While there’s no set rule, the general consensus is that businesses benefit from employees who invest in professional growth. Deloitte found that companies with a strong learning culture were:
- 92% more likely to develop innovative products and processes
- 52% more productive
- 56% more likely to be the first to market with their products and services
Some ideas for staying on top of professional development include:
- Keeping up to date with market and regulatory trends
- Expanding product knowledge (e.g. protection, specialist lending)
- Improving technical skills (e.g. CRM systems, sourcing platforms)
- Growing marketing capabilities, especially social media
- Attending CPD-accredited training and events
Time management is key. Scheduling development time into your calendar, just like you would client meetings, ensures it remains a consistent priority and will hopefully become a regular habit.
Discover how our mortgage broker tools can help improve time management for brokers in our article ‘How mortgage broker tools help brokers work smarter, not harder’.
Practical ways mortgage brokers can invest in self-development
Attend webinars and online training
Virtual learning means that brokers can now access industry insights and training from anywhere, at any time (if pre-recorded). Webinars offer a convenient, low-cost way to keep up with trends, compliance changes, and product updates.
Mortgage Brain regularly hosts online training events and masterclasses. Our resources library is home to a whole range of refresher videos designed to help brokers get the most out of their technology, from mortgage sourcing tools to CRM systems.
Nurture professional relationships
Having peers and colleagues to bounce ideas off, share best practices, or just catch up on the industry chat with is invaluable, especially for those who work independently. Great businesses are not just about being on top of rates and products; they rely on human relationships.
Building partnerships with other brokers, protection advisers, lenders, or estate agents can offer fresh perspectives and even lead to referral opportunities.
Attend in-person industry events
Nothing beats the energy and insight of face-to-face events. They offer a chance to:
- Network directly with lots of people all together in one room
- Attend panel sessions and expert talks
- Discover new tools, products, and strategies
- Open up new business channels
Mortgage Vision, hosted by Mortgage Brain, is one such event. It combines expert speakers, CPD-accredited content, networking opportunities, and insights into the latest industry trends, all under one roof. We visit multiple locations around the country, making it accessible for brokers from all corners of Britain.
Keep your mortgage broker CPD requirements up to date
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a regulatory requirement for mortgage brokers, with a mandatory minimum of 35 hours of training per year expected. Completing regular CPD activities is also a sign of a committed, informed, and credible adviser. All attendees to Mortgage Vision will earn 3.5 CPD hours towards their CII/PFS scheme.
Watch tech refresher videos
Technology has significantly helped mortgage brokers to transform the way they work, but it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with tech rather than bravely explore new features. This means that many brokers don’t make the most of their systems.
For users of Mortgage Brain Hub, our extensive resource library of refresher videos helps brokers get the most out of their tools, whether it’s refining sourcing skills, managing pipelines, or automating tasks to save time.
Explore alternative revenue streams
Have you thought about venturing into new areas of lending? Perhaps you’ve been approached by a client requesting a service you don’t offer but would like to. By diversifying your services, you could grow your revenue whilst increasing client value. For instance:
- Offering protection advice alongside mortgage services
- Understanding specialist finance options such as bridging or self-employed solutions
Training and development in these areas, or any others that you’re interested in, can open new doors, especially as customer needs evolve. You could also offer these services up to peers for a referral fee, helping to boost professional partnerships too.
Marketing and self-promotion
Many consumers today will start their search for mortgage advice on the internet, so being visible online is crucial. This could be through your website or social media.
If you’re a broker who struggles with promoting your business, or you simply don’t know where to start, there are plenty of online videos and courses to help. If you prefer a bedtime read, then Rosalia Lazzara-Tilley’s book, ‘Social Media Guide For Mortgage Brokers: How to Grow Your Brand on Social Media’ has some fantastic, actionable tips to get you noticed on social media.
Spending a bit of time improving your social media skills, from creating engaging posts to understanding algorithms, can help attract new business leads and reinforce your brand. And once you’ve mastered a great TikTok or LinkedIn post, a broker CRM system, such as CRM Brain, will help you manage all of the new leads (hopefully) that you’ve gained!
Prioritise personal wellbeing
Workplace stress is a real risk, especially for self-employed or solo brokers who don’t have teams behind them for extra work support or even just a chat and a cup of tea.
Investing in yourself means taking regular breaks, making time for some physical exercise (even a 10 minute walk outside can help), building support networks, and maintaining work-life balance. Whether it’s informal peer meetups or quiet time for reflection, personal wellbeing directly impacts your professional performance.
If you’re a mortgage broker needing support with your mental health, please take a look at The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC).
You can also read our article ‘Beware of broker burnout‘ for information on creating a better work/life balance.
How Mortgage Brain can help you with your professional development
Mortgage Brain can help mortgage brokers through the following:
Mortgage Vision
Our annual, nationwide roadshows bring together industry experts, lenders, and brokers for a fun day of learning and networking. It’s:
- Free to attend
- CPD-accredited
- Focused on trends and challenges
Online masterclasses
Our online masterclasses, held in partnership with lenders, explore specific themes to give you a greater understanding of products, rates, and criteria, so that you can make the most of your sourcing journey. These sessions are designed to be practical, interactive with Q&As, and actionable to make sure you end the session with tips to put into practice, which will improve your client services. Previous themes have included long-term fixed-rate products with Perenna and complex affordability with Accord Mortgages.
Refresher videos and resource library
If you’re short on time, one of our on-demand videos might be just what you need. All videos are in the resource library on Mortgage Brain Hub which features content that is designed to be dipped into whenever it suits you. Our resources are ideal for brushing up on your tech or refreshing your knowledge in between client appointments or when you have a spare five minutes.
Why ongoing professional development and mortgage broker training matter
Being a successful mortgage broker isn’t just about knowing today’s best rates. You need to invest time and commitment to your own personal growth for the success of your business.
Whether it’s attending webinars, networking at events like Mortgage Vision, exploring new revenue channels, or simply taking time to reflect, development gives you a competitive edge and a greater customer experience.
