With a huge rise in bridging exhibitors and nearly double the number of exhibition stands compared to previous years, the industry’s largest mortgage expo is this year set to be bigger than ever with a confirmed key note speech from the FSA and 20 per cent rise in visitor registration.

Mortgage Business Expo Manchester 2012 is one of the leading exhibitions for financial intermediaries based in the North West, taking place on the 23rd May 2012 at the Lancashire County Cricket Club, from 9.30am – 5pm. 

Addressing the event, the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) has confirmed that the FSA’s Policy Manager, Lynda Blackwell, will be speaking at midday. On the agenda for discussion will be the Mortgage Market Review (MMR), where Lynda will be outlining the direction of responses the FSA has received to the latest consultation paper, which was published last December. 

Attendants will be invited to ask Lynda any questions they may have about the proposal or impart their views at the end of the address.  

Commenting on the event, James Prosser, MBE Manchester 2012 Show Director, told B&C: “Not only are we above where we were last year in terms of registration by 20 per cent, but we also have over 40 exhibitors, instead of last year’s 23; we have nearly doubled the number of stands.”  

James also gave us an exclusive insight into the unveiling of some exciting new event highlights, which will be revealed in the full event programme to follow.  

He added: “MBE has always forged a strong relationship with the regulator and has always sought to provide a platform for the FSA to outline its current thinking on market matters to our intermediary audience.  We are therefore particularly pleased to announce that our Manchester event will be no different and delegates will have a chance to listen, and put questions, to Lynda Blackwell about all the key MMR issues.  

“Coming so quickly after the end of the consultation period for the last MMR paper and proposals, this should give the market an early understanding of the FSA’s on-going thinking and perhaps outline some of the potential new rules we can all expect from the next MMR publication.” 

Robert Sinclair, Director of AMI, said: “I am looking forward to hearing what the emerging thinking on MMR is from the FSA. This event allows brokers in the North, who are having a much tougher time than their Southern counterparts, to come together and debate the issues of the day.”