The Cornerstone Finance Group Podcast addresses key challenges and opportunities in the mortgage and protection market, highlighting how top-performing mortgage advisors can turn customers into clients and build a successful and scalable business.

The series features insights from Cornerstone’s senior team, funders and finance providers as well as advisors who share best practice on client conversations and relationships. Guests tackle topics including being ready for the record numbers of fixed-rate deals due to expire in 2025 and 2026, supporting first-time buyers, buy-to-let borrowers and foreign nationals, and helping clients with protection products and bridging finance.

Episode One:

The Fixed-Rate Mortgage Expiry Surge

With a high volume of five-year and two-year fixed-rate mortgages expiring in 2025 and 2026, how can mortgage advisors prepare to best support their clients? Host Gemma Casey is joined by Phil Emanuel, Director of Network Growth at The Cornerstone Network, Jo Brown of Lloyds Banking Group, Gareth Gale of Halifax Intermediaries and Ceri Evans of Remoo Limited to discuss the opportunities around the fixed-rate expiry surge.

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Episode Two:

Turning Your Customers into Clients

2025 and 2026 are landmark years in the mortgage industry, as a record number of fixed-rate deals are set to expire. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Jo Brown of Lloyds Banking Group, Gareth Gale of Halifax Intermediaries, Rachel Ramsay of Ramsay Financial Ltd and Matthew Lindsey of Amber Shield Finance Ltd to discuss how proactive client engagement and strategic planning can benefit clients and a mortgage advisory business itself.

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Episode Three:

Unlocking Doors for First-Time Buyers

Host Gemma Casey is joined by Graeme Lewis, Head of Network Engagement, Cornerstone Finance Group, Gareth Gale, Corporate Account Manager, Halifax Intermediaries, and David Huckle, Head of Infimo Ltd to discuss how the market is currently looking for those trying to get their foot on the housing ladder, and how mortgage advisors can best support them.

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Episode Four

Bridging Generations - Intergenerational Funding and Equity Release 

Host Gemma Casey is joined by Graeme Lewis, Head of Network Engagement, Cornerstone Finance Group, Gareth Gale, Corporate Account Manager, Halifax Intermediaries, and Wayne Donovan, Mortgage & Protection Advisor, Cornerstone Finance Group, to consider how families can work together to achieve homeownership via intergenerational funding and equity release.

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Episode Five:

Understanding the Buy-to-Let Landscape

Buy-to-let remains an important part of the UK property market but changing tax rules, interest rate pressures and evolving regulation have shifted the landscape significantly. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Jonathan Needham of Needham Financial, Roger Morris of Chetwood Bank and Mike Powell of Mike Powell Mortgages to explore the outlook for the buy-to-let sector and how mortgage advisors can best support new and experienced landlords.

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Episode Six:

Navigating Tax and Structuring for Buy-to-Let

With growing interest in limited company buy-to-let and increasing complexity around tax liabilities, host Gemma Casey and guests Roger Morris of Chetwood Bank, John McCaffery of Alexander & Co Chartered Accountants and Sarah Hopkins of Cornerstone Finance explore what mortgage advisors need to know to best support landlord clients.

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Episode Seven:

Personal Protection in Mortgage Advice

Personal protection insurance is a crucial part of any financial plan - not just a tick-box alongside a mortgage. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Rob Jackson of Trust Mortgage, Steve Evans of Scottish Widows Protection and Phil Emanuel of Cornerstone Finance to discuss how life cover, critical illness, and income protection can provide long-term security for clients and peace of mind for advisers.  

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Episode Eight:

Advising on Business Insurance Needs

Having the right insurance cover in place can protect a business itself and can also provide security for an owner’s family. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Paul Morgan of Cornerstone Finance and Jude Reynolds of UK Life to discuss the role of a mortgage advisor in ensuring that business owners understand their options and are properly protected from a range of risks.

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Episode Nine: 

Supporting Home Moves with Regulated Bridging

Delays in selling, broken chains, and time-sensitive purchases are common challenges for home-movers. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Haydn Thomas of Cornerstone Finance Group, Ross Williams of OSB Group and Jodie Beck of Mortgage Maison to explore how regulated bridging loans can provide a flexible solution, allowing buyers to proceed with confidence, and how advisors can guide them through this short-term finance option.

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Episode Ten: 

Supporting Property Investors with Non-Regulated Bridging

From auction wins to major refurbishments, experienced property investors often need funding fast. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Haydn Thomas and Loui O’Brien of Cornerstone Finance Group and Tony Gilbertson of Signature Property Finance to discuss non-regulated bridging loans - what makes them different, when to use them, and how mortgage advisors can provide valuable insight and access to specialist lenders.

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Episode Eleven: (COMING SOON)

Secured Loans: When to Choose a Second-Charge Mortgage

Secured loans – also known as second-charge mortgages – could be an option for property owners considering additional finance. Host Gemma Casey is joined by James Rainbird and Sarah Stroud of Truffle Specialist Finance and Liam Schewitz of Lima Money to discuss when they are an appropriate solution, how they differ from re-mortgaging or further advances, and the practical steps involved in arranging them.

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Episode Twelve: (COMING SOON)

Later Life Lending: Meeting Rising Demand

Later life lending – including equity release and lifetime mortgages – can support people who are planning for longer retirements or have complex financial needs. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Ryan Mansell of Cornerstone Finance, Will Hale of Air and Dave Harris of More2Life to discuss what mortgage advisers need to know to confidently support clients in this area.

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