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Clear thinking.
Better-informed brokers.

Practical guides for the decisions behind your business, from preparing for direct authorisation to the everyday work of running your firm.

FCA authorisation · Guide15 September 2026

How to become a directly authorised mortgage broker

The application, permissions, evidence and operating responsibilities. Choose a reading path, then explore 17 topics on one page, practical tools and seven downloadable checklists.

Explore the guide

Put it into practice

One task. A clearer next step.

For small mortgage firms, from a sole adviser to a growing team. Fictional worked examples, a routine to adapt and free downloads.

Find a practical guide

6 practical guides

Daily workflow · 3 min read

A calmer daily and weekly case review

Give each open mortgage case an owner, a next action and a date. A worked routine for a small brokerage.

Read the guide Filled example + blank CSV included

Client communication · 3 min read

Reduce document chasing without losing the human touch

A clearer request, a visible review step and a useful client update. Includes a completed communication log.

Read the guide Filled example + blank CSV included

Oversight · 3 min read

A Consumer Duty review: from a number to a decision

An illustrative small-firm review that connects customer feedback, a decision, an owner and a follow-up check.

Read the guide Filled example + blank CSV included

Case evidence · 3 min read

Build a mortgage case file someone else can follow

A worked evidence map showing what happened, why a decision was made and what remains open.

Read the guide Filled example + blank CSV included

Moving systems · 3 min read

Move CRM with a rehearsal, not a leap of faith

Scope, sample, reconcile and plan a controlled switch. A practical migration checklist for a small mortgage firm.

Read the guide Filled example + blank CSV included

Connected working · 3 min read

Join up client information without losing control

A system-neutral field map and handover exercise for mortgage teams using a CRM, documents and reporting tools.

Read the guide Filled example + blank CSV included

New to structured casework? Try this five-part starter route.

Find the next action. Give five fictional cases an owner and date.
Write a clear request. Ask a colleague to explain what they would upload.
Practise a handover. Find the evidence and unresolved work without asking the previous owner.
Trace a change. Identify the maintained record, reviewer, destinations and deputy.
Review an outcome. Turn a sample finding into a decision and follow-up.

Use fictional cases. A team lead can check each exercise and record gaps before a new colleague works independently. Adapt this learning route to your firm's training and competence arrangements.

Looking for regulatory detail? The FCA guide keeps the full references and reading paths together. The examples here help you apply a process; they do not replace your firm's or principal's requirements.