Mortgage Strategy Podcast

Mortgage advisers frequently encounter clients with complex, modern income streams. In this episode of the Money Talks podcast, host and digital content manager Kimberley Dondo sits down with Royal London’s Gregor Sked and CIExpert’s Paul Roberts to discuss CIExpert’s Critical Thinking 2026 report. They dive into how to overcome advice friction for self-employed and contract workers, and how to align protection products with the changing realities of client retirement timelines.

AI is transforming the mortgage industry at pace, but are brokers fully aware of the risks?
In this special Mortgage Strategy podcast, Mortgage Brain CEO Zahid Bilgrami joins James Prosser to discuss the launch of the Mortgage Brain AI Charter and the four pillars every broker and firm should understand before adopting AI: Cost, Intellectual Property, Consistency and Speed.
From client data risks and Consumer Duty concerns to the difference between purpose-built mortgage AI and public AI tools, this episode explores the opportunities, pitfalls and practical realities of AI in mortgage advice.
Mortgage Strategy Podcast
If you’re a broker, network, lender or firm principal looking to adopt AI safely and strategically, this is essential listening.

In this episode Shelley Reid from Royal London discusses the rise of economic and financial abuse, explains the difference between them, and shares real-life examples showing how control over money, property, benefits and mobility can be used to coerce victims.She outlines which groups are at higher risk, the effects on mortgages, protection products and debt, and practical red flags for advisors, friends and family to watch for.The episode closes with clear, compassionate advice on how to respond—listen, believe, signpost support services and ensure staff are trained to identify and help those experiencing economic abuse.

In this episode of Money Talks, Kimberley Dondo is joined by Stacey Penn (The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries) and Shelley Reid (Royal London) discuss why positioning protection conversations earlier in the mortgage journey increases uptake.
They cover practical ways advisors can embed these discussions — using clear language, leveraging mortgage documents as prompts, asking what clients want to happen rather than focusing on fears, and emphasizing the human value of advice.
The episode also highlights FCA nudges, referral opportunities, and the importance of supporting advisors with provider coaching.

Kimberly Dondo interviews Will Hale, CEO of Key Equity Release and Answers in Retirement, about the coming inheritance tax changes in 2027, rising pension withdrawals, and the role of property wealth in retirement planning.They discuss lifetime mortgages, advice silos, referral pathways for brokers, and practical steps advisors should take to include homeowners' equity in holistic financial plans.

In this episode Shelly Reid (Senior Protection Technical Manager, Royal London) and Stacey Penn (Head of Policy, AMI) discuss findings from the 2025 AMI Protection Viewpoint research and focus on how advisors can better serve renters—an underserved and growing segment—through income and lifestyle protection.
They cover practical opportunities for advisers, including building long-term client relationships, using internal and external referrals, protecting deposits and credit scores, educating younger clients about income protection, and timing protection conversations around remortgages and product transfers.

In this episode of Money Talks, host interviews Gregor Sked from Royal London to unpack the FCA's Pure Protection Market review. They discuss how the review is a signal rather than an intervention, the engagement and protection gaps affecting many households, and the growing importance of consumer duty, claims outcomes, trusts and clear explanations of income protection.
Gregor offers practical advice for advisers: embed protection in everyday planning, use client stories to explain outcomes, document value and review policies regularly, and prepare for the FCA's final conclusions while continuing to focus on delivering fair value and good customer outcomes.
For practical guidance on wider technical and regulatory protection topics, visit Royal London’s Technical Central:https://adviser.royallondon.com/technical-central/protection-guidance/ 
Money Talks

Chris Lynch from Source Insurance joins Kimberley Dondo to unpack what AI really means for mortgage advisers in the general insurance space.
From practical tools already making a difference to the challenges of integration and regulation, Chris shares where AI can enhance advice and where the human touch remains essential.
He also tackles concerns around job security, vulnerable customers, and how advisers can cut through the hype to focus on what actually works.
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