NACFB Broker Academy

Nurturing the next generation of commercial finance brokers

Raising standards, improving quality and attracting new talent, the NACFB, in conjunction with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has launched its own Broker Academy. Designed by the professional association of choice the Academy caters for the whole of the SME financing community.

As part of the NACFB’s ongoing commitment to raising industry standards, the Broker Academy will develop the knowledge and professionalism of new and established brokers and create future leaders within the commercial finance space. Delivered in partnership with In Professional Development and the CMI the programme addresses the technical skills required to operate effectively in the commercial finance sector.

Complemented with leadership and management development the course allows delegates to obtain a professionally recognised qualification. Attendees will also benefit from being able to access the NACFB’s pool of mentors who have been selected from the Association’s most experienced and successful Member firms.

Hear from the 2022/23 Broker Academy Graduates

Course programme and content

All

An introduction to Commercial Finance for Intermediaries

This module develops the student’s understanding of the NACFB, SMEs, regulation and the UK commercial lending market. It also provides insight into data protection, financial crime, complaint handing, consumer credit regulations, as well as guidance on treating customers fairly.

Choose

Asset, Leasing & Business Finance

An understanding of how businesses, especially SMEs, can leverage assets and raise finance to maintain cash flow and day-to-day operations, fund purchases and support growth.

Commercial Property Finance

An understanding of commercial and buy-to-let mortgages, short-term and development finance, and the property funding requirements of SMEs, developers and landlords.

All

Sales Negotiation Skills Training

A workshop based module that enables students to develop how they negotiate successfully with customers. It provides an overview of key sales techniques, common negotiating and influencing skills, as well as objection handling.

All

Understanding the Transaction

A workshop based, case study-led module outlining the basics of writing a transaction proposal. Students will learn fact-finding, understanding a credit file, reading a balance sheet and how to utilise lender resources. It will culminate in the drafting of their own transaction proposal.

All

Leadership & Management

A workshop based module giving students the building blocks to develop their leadership and management skills. Students will learn the principles of great leadership and management whilst developing their understanding of culture and governance.

Certify

Assessment & Exit Interview

Students will be assessed at the end of each module.
Students will also be required to attend an exit interview before a panel of industry experts to assess technical competence.

CMI Level 3 Certification

Students will submit a 3,000-word assignment
on the topic of leadership and management. Students will be assigned CMI-qualified tutors to help guide them through the assignment writing phase.

Course outline and registration

The course comprises of seven facilitated virtual classroom sessions and one in-person classroom session spread over six months, online modules and tutorials, professional mentoring, assessments, exit interview, and a CMI Level 3 qualification (upon course completion and successful assessment).