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Which firm has continued to expand and show improvement in its buy-to-let operation, from both an advice and a customer service point of view?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Expertise as an adviser in the buy-to-let space
2. A proven record of successfully navigating regulatory changes
3. Enhancements to the business to improve both customer and staff experiences
4. Commitment to TCF

Which firm excelled at either integrating technology into its everyday business, developing its existing technology, or both? How did it make use of social media and other online initiatives?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Successful implementation of a digital solution that benefits the business and clients
2. Metrics to support the above stipulation
3. Use of social media

Which firm gave a top-quality performance in protection advice and conversion rates during the eligibility period, ensuring appropriate cover for customers and demonstrating passion for this area?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Expertise as an adviser in the mortgage protection space
2. Evidence of improvements to services and systems
3. A clear focus on what is best for the customer

Which small firm stood out last year by improving its advice offering, navigating market change and delivering the best customer service?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Expertise as a mortgage adviser
2. Growth and innovation within scope
3. An offering that differs from those of other brokers

Which firm, with eight to 50 advisers, improved all elements of its business during the eligibility period, demonstrating growth, innovation and excellent customer service?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Knowledge, and the ability to provide mortgage advice, on a range of areas
2. Business growth and investment to the benefit of staff and customers
3. A significant contribution to the industry

Which firm, with more than 50 advisers, improved all elements of its business during the eligibility period, demonstrating growth, innovation and excellent customer service?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Knowledge, and the ability to provide mortgage advice, on a range of areas
2. Business growth and investment to the benefit of staff and customers
3. A significant contribution to the industry

Which newly established broker firm (founded on or after 1 January 2023) has shown the most promise, professionalism and progress in its early years? This category is for new firms making an impact on the market through equally strong advice, service standards and business development.

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Date of establishment (1 January 2023 or later)
2. Strong early performance across advice, service and growth
3. Evidence of innovation or differentiation
4. Culture, values and a client-first approach
5. Plans for future development and scale

Which firm excelled at improving diversity and inclusion (D&I) last year, both internally and across the industry?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Internal training and education for brokers
2. Understanding of issues some communities face in relation to mortgage applications
3. Provision of an inclusive workplace where all are welcome and equal
4. Efforts to improve and promote D&I in the industry

Which firm demonstrated the strongest focus on client retention last year? Who successfully built lifetime value through repeat business, ongoing communication, proactive customer care and long-term client relationships?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. A structured customer retention strategy
2. Clear evidence of repeat business and re-engagement
3. Use of technology or communications to maintain client relationships
4. Customer service excellence and post-completion care
5. Business growth directly attributable to retention efforts

Which mortgage club provided the best overall proposition for DA firms during the eligibility period? 

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Adding value, information and education for members
2. An honest, open approach, putting members first
3. Efforts to improve processes and experiences in the industry

Which network has done the most to expand sales, improve communication and enhance its proposition for both ARs and lender partners?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Growth during the eligibility period,with plans to improve further
2. Adding value to ARs and lenders
3. Providing value-added services
4. Efforts to overcome challenges in the sector
5. Offering something different to members

Which network has done the most to expand sales, improve communication and enhance its proposition for both ARs and lender partners?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Growth during the eligibility period, with plans to improve further
2. Adding value to ARs and lenders
3. Providing value-added services
4. Efforts to overcome challenges in the sector
5. Offering something different to members

This category covers both telephone BDMs and those on the road. It takes account of a team’s entire performance in its support of brokers. Which lender's BDM team provided outstanding service during the eligibility period?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Teams should demonstrate:

1. Expertise across the mortgage industry
2. Consistent production of fast, reliable and clear responses to queries
3. High service levels and availability
4. Demonstrable training provided by the lender

Which building society provided the strongest intermediary proposition last year? From product innovation to relationship management, who has supported brokers and demonstrated a long-term commitment to the intermediary market?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. A competitive and relevant product range
2. Investment in broker relationships and support teams
3. Commitment to service and communication
4. Innovation in criteria or underwriting
5. A differentiated and broker-centric proposition

The large-loan market is an important area for many brokers. Which large-loan lender best understood this space - as demonstrated through its products and services - and went the extra mile?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. A product line uniquely suited to this lending type
2. Dedication to the client, evident at every step of the mortgage application process
3. Unparalleled service
4. Commitment to TCF

Which lender excelled in its use of technology during the eligibility period? How did it streamline its application processes and improve its digital offering?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Teams should demonstrate:

1. Use of desktop valuations
2. Speeding up and simplifying all stages of the mortgage process
3. Offering digital rather than paper options
4. Provision of the same high level of service by remote workers

Which lender introduced the most impactful innovation for intermediaries? This could relate to product design, process improvement, technology or service delivery that has materially benefited brokers and their clients.

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Clear explanation of the innovation 
2. Measurable impact on broker experience or customer outcomes 
3. Broker or market feedback on its effectiveness
4. Evidence of original thinking and problem solving
5. Potential for long-term industry benefit
   

Which mainstream buy-to-let lender showed consistency in delivery of their service during the eligibility period, through products, underwriter contact and intuitive systems? Who has shown innovation and provided the best service to you and your landlord clients during this time?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Service that goes beyond expectations
2. A regular stream of innovative and genuinely useful products
3. Clear communication and updates on cases
4. Commitment to TCF
   

Which lender excelled and unquestionably led the market last year, taking service, products and all-round intermediary proposition into account?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. A well-rounded variety of products, at competitive rates
2. Evidence of a customer-focused ethos at all business levels
3. Superior intermediary support
4. Fast response to broker queries

Which protection provider delivered outstanding support to brokers and customers? Who led the way in innovation, service and training, and in raising awareness of protection within the mortgage market?

Entry Form Criteria

Submissions should be completed by an internal senior staff member working directly in the sector.

Firms should demonstrate:

1. Product innovation and service improvements 
2. A clear and consistent support proposition for brokers
3. Evidence of increased awareness or uptake of protection 
4. Contribution to education and training for advisers
5. Commitment to customer care and long-term value
   

Who is a respected pillar of the industry, widely admired for their knowledge, expertise and initiative, and for their support of colleagues, both experienced and new to financial services? Whose contribution to the profession deserves recognition - from industry peers - with the prestigious Mortgage Strategy Outstanding Contribution Award?

Please note that nominations for this category will open during the entry phase of the awards process, commencing on Monday Mid-December.

Who stands out for having made a significant and positive impact during the eligibility period? Did they share useful insights in the media? Did they start an initiative to help their colleagues or the entire industry? Or are they generally a ‘good egg’ who is great to be around? Nominate them for the recognition they deserve.

Please note that nominations for this category will open during the entry phase of the awards process, commencing on Monday Mid-December.