Each week, Mortgage Solutions and its sister title Specialist Lending Solutions run a Star Letter feature, in which we collate the top comments posted under our articles.
All the comments this week were in reference to fees charged to broker firms during the coronavirus pandemic. The first came from Corby Macdonald, who responded to the article: SimplyBiz gives members three-month fees payment holiday.
He said: “Nice to see a network thinking about their brokers, though it would be better if they waived their fees, not just postpone a debt.”
Macdonald also had something to say earlier in the week, with regards to the regulator supporting smaller firms, as he replied to the article: FCA preparing fees support package for smaller firms – exclusive
He said: “This shouldn’t be just about the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), what are the networks doing for their brokers? Whilst our business is curtailed, with the withdrawal of products etc, is it right that networks are still charging broker fees?”
Bria Gibson replied to Macdonald, and said: “I can’t see the networks reducing their fees as the income and commission skim will also reduce due to less broker activity. On balance, the network’s primary concern will be focused on their own self survival and profits for shareholders.”
Macdonald responded: “If they lose too many brokers, then the shareholders may regret a profit first attitude.”
Shekina is the deputy editor at Mortgage Solutions and commercial editor at Mortgage Solutions and Specialist Lending Solutions. She has nearly eight years of experience in the B2B publishing market, having previously covered the hospitality, retail, pet, accounting and jewellery sectors.
Shekina has worked for Mortgage Solutions and Specialist Lending Solutions for almost five years. Here, she covers the market’s breaking news stories, engages with professionals in the sector, and oversees any commercially agreed content in partnership with mortgage-related companies.
This includes presenting webinars and hosting roundtable discussions on developing themes in the mortgage sector.
She is an NCTJ-trained journalist and was nominated for the Headline Money Awards Mortgage Journalist of the Year in 2021.
In her spare time, Shekina likes to read, travel, listen to music and socialise with friends.
She currently reports on current events in the mortgage market and liaises with financial clients to produce sponsored content.
Follow her on Twitter at @ShekinaMS
