Mortgage Insider

Who are Gen Z, and why are they rewriting the financial advice rulebook?

In this episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by two industry thought leaders to explore how Gen Z navigates financial education through the digital world, their engagement with Finfluencers, and how brokers can use social media platforms to build trust and extend their reach to younger customers.

Joining the conversation are Dr Erika Anderson, Research Associate at the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab, University of Glasgow, and Tayo Oguntonade, former financial adviser, broker, TV presenter, and founder of Bricks with Tips.

Together, they examine the factors influencing Gen Z’s financial decisions, their approach to evaluating trustworthy advice, the role of social media in shaping their knowledge base, and how the intermediary market can adapt.

Tune in to this insightful discussion to discover how brokers can adapt, connect, and thrive in the Gen Z era.

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For many first-time buyers, the homeownership dream feels increasingly out of reach, with rising house prices and affordability challenges making it harder than ever to step onto the property ladder. As a result, gifted deposits from family - often referred to as the ‘Bank of Mum & Dad’ - have become a crucial source of support. But what about those who don’t have parental help? From high LTV mortgages to Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor arrangements and Shared Ownership, there are a range of available options.

In this episode of the latest Mortgage Insider podcast, host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Simon Betteridge, CFO of Kensington and Barclays Mortgages, and Paula Higgins, founder and CEO of the Homeowners Alliance to explore the different types of mortgages designed to help first-time buyers for those with, and without this financial support, including solutions for freelance and self-employed borrowers.

Within this discussion, the trio also assess the role of specialist mortgage brokers in guiding clients through these choices, ensuring they find the right path to homeownership and the key trends which are likely to shape the first-time buyer market in 2025.

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Ever wondered how Phil met Kirsty or what he really thinks about the UK housing market? In this special episode of the Mortgage Insider Podcast, Phil Spencer takes the hot seat as Barclays Business Development Manager Claire MacPhail flips the script and puts him under the spotlight.

Phil tackles your burning questions from across the intermediary market, covering topics such as tips for first-time buyers, current property trends, the state of the buy-to-let sector and the great north/south divide.

He also shares his opinion on the best and worst home improvements, shifts in demand and homeownership aspirations, the impact of AI, and the value of the advice process.

But that's not all, Phil reveals how he got into TV, reflects on his history with Kirsty Allsopp, and even settles the age-old debate: jam or cream first on a scone?

Tune in for expert insights, candid moments, and a few laughs with one of the most relatable voices in property.

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The Mortgage Mum is a business that has achieved impressive growth by embracing open dialogue, fostering an inclusive culture, leveraging flexible working, and adopting an innovative social media approach.

In this episode of the Mortgage Insider Podcast, Sarah Tucker, founder and CEO of The Mortgage Mum, joins host and property expert Phil Spencer to share her inspiring journey from competing on The Voice to leading a thriving team of nearly 30 female brokers. She candidly reveals the realities of managing a business with a family and addresses the unique challenges facing women in the mortgage industry.

Sarah also discusses her passion for finance education, aiming to embed mortgage literacy in schools to create healthier relationships with money. As a leader, she emphasises the importance of listening and adapting her approach to empower each team member, reflecting on how the industry is evolving to support female brokers more effectively. Championing a “lift as you climb” philosophy, she advocates for elevating women in finance and breaking down barriers.

Looking ahead, Sarah shares her vision for The Mortgage Mum in what proves to be a highly insightful, illuminating and inspiring conversation.

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The performance of the UK housing market in 2024 has largely exceeded many people's expectations, although challenges remain for first-time buyers due to house prices increasing and a testing rental market for many. Regional disparities, such as the North-South divide, also continue to influence housing accessibility and affordability for many buyers in pockets of the country.

In this episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast, host Phil Spencer is joined by Zoopla's Executive Director of Research, Richard Donnell, to discuss the intricacies of the UK housing market over the course of the year and explore what lies ahead in 2025.

They delve into its resilience amid high interest rates and inflation, exploring key topics including the current state of the residential and buy-to-let purchase markets, house price trends, and the rising prominence of professional landlords. They also cover the supply gap, the

impact of affordability checks, and the two-tiered mortgage market, highlighting refinancing, remortgaging and the influence of swap rates.

This instalment offers essential insights to help brokers stay informed on market developments as they prepare for the year ahead.

This episode was recorded on 30th September 2024.

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Allyship is a vital component in advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, as it involves using our privilege to support underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those within the neurodiversity spectrum. By actively participating in DEI initiatives and mentoring, allies help normalise conversations around representation while providing guidance and opportunities for marginalised communities.

Creating a more equitable world where everyone can thrive through allyship is at the heart of the latest episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast. This sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Sidney Wager, head of intermediary market development at Barclays, and Aleka Gutzmore, award-winning financial adviser and educator, to discuss how allyship can be defined, perceived and implemented.

As well as covering topics such as the upcoming Barclays Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and Awards, reverse mentoring and what actions brokers can be taking, the trio outline the importance of curiosity, empowerment, unconscious bias and being active rather than passive.

This makes for an informative, challenging and important discussion on an often underrepresented area of the DEI conversation.

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With a new Labour government in place, an autumn budget and the US election fast approaching, the old suspects of inflation and tax rises still generating much debate, there’s plenty to discuss from an economic standpoint. 

To help break down this complex economic landscape and explore its implications for the intermediary mortgage market, by popular demand, Will Hobbs, Head of Multi-Asset Wealth at Barclays UK Wealth Management, returns to share his insights, clarify key trends and offer expert analysis on what the future holds for the industry. 

With his characteristic optimism and boundless enthusiasm, Will joins host and property expert Phil Spencer to chat about the UK’s position in the global market, the upcoming budget, technological advancements, the lasting impact of the pandemic, housing supply challenges, public sector wages, and why he remains positive about the UK’s economic outlook. 

This detailed assessment provides brokers with valuable perspectives and essential indicators on how to navigate the current economic climate and what to expect in 2025. 

This episode was recorded on 3rd September.

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During a cost of living crisis, the additional expense of life insurance, critical illness, income protection and even protecting a mortgage may seem like an unnecessary burden for homeowners. However, this protection is arguably more crucial than ever.

According to ONS figures, 2.5 million people in the UK are unable to work due to long-term illness, and Cancer Research data indicates that half of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime. So, how can mortgage intermediaries help their clients prepare for worst-case scenarios without coming across as if they're making a sales pitch?

Host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Barry Kellegher, performance manager at Legal & General, to discuss these three pillars of protection—life insurance, critical illness, and income protection. They explore how these protections differ, how individuals can better safeguard themselves, their loved ones, and their mortgages, and highlight just how tough these conversations can be.

Barry also shares his personal experience of suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage despite being fit and healthy. He explains what brokers can learn from his experience and how they can build deeper client relationships by offering tailored advice on these sensitive topics.

All of which proves to be an emotional, insightful and thought-provoking listen.

This episode was recorded on the 22nd of November.

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Machine learning in finance, the adoption of AI and technology regulation are all hot topics in their own right. Then throw into the mix the potential of automated mortgage advice and what an AI mortgage broker may look like and it's little wonder that intermediary firms across the UK are considering how the role of a broker may change as the AI revolution continues to gather pace. 

So, what exactly does the mortgage intermediary market need to know about AI and how is it going to change the way they do business? This is the question posed by host and property expert Phil Spencer to guests Stuart Cheetham, CEO of Mpowered Mortgages, and Lilia Christofi, Microsoft's banking lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in the latest episode of the award-winning Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast. 

This leads to an enlightening discussion which explores the differences between machine learning AI and generative AI, the reliance on cultural adoption, how the banking industry is coping with the adoption of AI, the challenges facing legacy platforms, and the ability of AI to increase workflows and enhance customer relations. 

And this is certainly an episode which no forward-thinking broker can afford to miss. 

This episode was recorded in April 2024. 

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So, what are green mortgages?

 

Green mortgages come in many different forms, but all aim to incentivise buyers in the purchase of energy efficient homes or make energy-related improvements.

 

Through increased innovation and rising environmental awareness, green mortgage products are being launched at an ever-increasing rate to incorporate important factors such as decarbonisation, EPC ratings and retrofitting.

With this in mind, the latest episode of the award-winning Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Kieran Campbell, head of sustainability & customer experience at London and Country and Rachael Hunnisett, associate director for built environment at the Green Finance Institute to help break down exactly how green mortgages work, who can get one, how they are financed and what brokers need to know about them.

The discussion also explores the history of the sector, how brokers can help stimulate demand, the nuances connected with green finance, the state of the current green mortgage market and what the future might look like.

In short, the green mortgage is here to stay and it should be heralded as a good thing. And, as a rapidly evolving area of the mortgage market, it’s imperative for brokers to stay informed about its potential benefits.

We hope this episode helps arm you with the information required to provide your clients with valued insights into this fascinating sector.

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