The latest Mortgage Solutions People’s Poll asked readers whether the anticipated rise in lending in the next 12 months would largely come through direct channels, brokers or a mix of the two.
The results were split, although 37% of respondents thought extra lending would come through brokers while 33% felt direct channels would see the biggest benefit.
The remaining 30% of voters predicted that increased lending would be split evenly.
Andy Wilson, mortgage broker at Andy Wilson Financial Services, told Mortgage Solutions that he expected more lending to come through the intermediary channel because lenders had no desire to increase branch staff at present.
“I would expect the lenders who have used brokers to a good extent will continue to support the intermediary channel well this year.
“Funding for Lending has stimulated lending and lenders will usually find it easier to put any extra new lending through brokers who have the capacity to take it on rather than having to recruit new staff themselves.
“A lot of problems remain regarding perception of the industry as lenders need to make sure people know they are lending. They’ve had a lot of bad press and we need a lender to start putting its head above the parapet and saying they’re open for business.”
