The Manchester Mortgage Business Expo on 17 and 18 May bought together a host of intermediaries, lenders and product providers to discuss the market; how it has changed and the future of the sector.
Now in its third year, the Manchester Expo gave trade bodies, the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), the opportunity to meet its members, while also giving lenders and product providers the opportunity to highlight their offerings and meet potential clients.
Seminars
Attended by over 2,400 people during its two days, the event included seminars from the CML and AMI.
With the CML seminars focusing on topics including Home Information Packs (HIPs), self-certification, non-conforming lending and the buy-to-let and commercial mortgage markets, AMI hosted seminars focusing on regulation and the move to a principle-based approach, lead generation and the future of distribution.
Secured lending, and the equity release market were also highlighted by AMI in its seminar sessions.
Rob Griffiths, associate director at AMI said the event gave the trade body the opportunity to meet its members and show the work it has done, and continues to do.
He said: “From an AMI perspective it is important to have a clear visibility at mortgage events. Members and non-members expressed interest and support. The seminars were well attended and had thoughtful and interesting discussions.
“The show provides a valuable networking opportunity for all mortgage intermediaries and AMI will continue to exhibit and support the Mortgage Business Expo.”
The event also highlighted new entrants into the market, such as db Mortgages and Interbay, while also giving other organisations the opportunity to enhance their client base and discuss their market offerings.
Daniel Nwaokolo, show manager at the Mortgage Business Expo, explained: “The show proved to be a stimulating environment for brokers and exhibitors to do business in. It speaks volumes that companies such as Interbay, db Mortgages and Bridgebank Capital chose Mortgage Business Expo as the platform to launch into the intermediary market.”
‘Catching up’
With over 100 exhibitors over the two days the event provided the opportunity to discuss changes to the market, with technology and HIPs high on the agenda, as well as providing an opportunity for intermediaries, lenders, trade bodies and other organisations to ‘catch up’ and judge market competitors.
However, with new entrants and new topics up for discussion, Vanessa Blount, head of paaleads.com, admitted the Manchester Mortgage Business Expo had a different focus, but said it still had a significant role to play in the mortgage market, for intermediaries.
She explained: “The Manchester Expo is, and remains, one of the main industry events of the year and 2006 was no exception. However, it appeared to attract a different crowd to usual. It felt as if there were fewer attendees than in previous years, but those in attendance were a much more dedicated crowd, intending to take home with them more than just a year’s supply of pens, mouse-mats and notepads.
"I felt I had more quality time to spend with individuals who were genuinely interested in lead generation. My thanks go to AMI and the CML for arranging the speakers as I am aware of the time and effort that goes into such events, and personally I look forward to November when the event moves to London.”
Payam Azadi, head of corporate relations at Mortgage Times, agreed the expo had changed, but said it was in response to the constantly evolving marketplace.
He said: “The Expo has been good for us and brokers could gather to see the market under one roof. The Expo has changed and should be called the ancillary product show, which is just a reflection of how the market has changed. Brokers are looking to expand what they offer, which has led to the influx of insurance and commercial providers at the Expo.”
Paul Hunt, head of marketing at Platform, agreed the event gave intermediaries, lenders and other organisations the opportunity to gather together, but admitted the Expo and the mortgage community may be better served as a one-day event.
He said: “Altogether the event was very well run and was extremely useful, but there must be an argument for condensing it into a one-day event. Although it was busy at times, there were moments when the volume of visitors tailed off significantly. Organisers could also maybe look at changing the venue in the future. Although the actual venue was suitable, its city centre location was difficult with parking and this also caused overall access issues. Maybe in future years Birmingham’s NEC could be looked at instead?”
Changing environment
Now in its third year, the Manchester Mortgage Business Expo has changed since its inception – a wider market focus is evident, with the addition of secured loans and insurance providers to the roster this year.
The Manchester Expo highlighted the changing environment and just how far the mortgage market has expanded in recent years.
The London Expo, to be held later in the year, should further show the diversity of the market and its competitiveness.
