Mortgage Insider

Mortgage brokers have long been experts in dealing with new challenges. Be this in the form of regulation, technology – especially AI –, a worldwide pandemic, rising interest rates and heightened cost of living pressures.

That’s quite a list, but it still doesn’t cover a fraction of the questions being asked of them by their clients in the current financial climate. So, how can brokers adapt their businesses to deal with this ever-changing world? Will AI replace mortgage brokers? And how important is greater collaboration in the industry to ensuring a more seamless homebuying and mortgage journey?

Joining host Phil Spencer to examine how brokers can overcome these testing times is Max North, director at Strategy&, the strategy consulting arm of PWC and Liz Syms, owner and founder of brokerage Connect Mortgages and mortgage network Connect for intermediaries.

The trio talk about the key factors which are impacting brokers’ daily lives and the advice they are giving. This highly illuminating discussion incorporates the magnitude of managing client expectations, the influence of Consumer Duty, the role of intergenerational wealth transfer, the opportunities attached to AI and how brokers can demonstrate their value now, and in the future.

This is an expansive topic which provides many valuable touch points for the intermediary community when it comes to assessing client requirements, as well as the needs of their business going forward.

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In recent times, there’s been much talk around the financial challenges facing the UK population. However, it’s important to remember that financial circumstances can also improve.

Additional, and often unexpected, funds can come in differing forms such as inheritance, insurance payout(s) or even winning the lottery. With inheritance being the most likely scenario, and paying off a mortgage high on the financial planning agenda of many homeowners, this often leads to the question - should I use this inheritance to pay off my mortgage?

The answer to this important question is one of the key talking points in the latest instalment of Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast which sees host Phil Spencer joined by mortgage broker Carly Cheeseman and content creator, financial adviser and partnership development manager at The Openwork Partnership, Robyn Allen.

This discussion evaluates the options available to people when it comes to planning their financial future, the importance of the advice process, the strength of client relationships and the value of honest communication. It also focuses on the impact of Consumer Duty, how to adopt a more holistic approach and the benefits of attached to offset mortgages.

All with the intention of helping clients to look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on a small window.

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The buy-to-let market has undergone some major challenges and changes in recent years, all of which have impacted landlords and property investors to varying degrees.

Rental yield has long been a vital component within landlord calculations but another increasingly important consideration in recent times has been whether to set up a limited company.

To incorporate or not to incorporate is one of the key talking points in the latest episode of Barclays award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast. This discussion on the nuances of the current buy-to-let market sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Emily Mays, founder of The Mortgage Stuff and Gina Peters, partner and head of landlord and tenant law at Dutton Gregory Solicitors.

Within this, the trio focus on the stamp duty surcharge, the Renters Reform Bill, opportunities for property investors, short-term and holiday lets, ongoing tax implications, rent-to-rent, how brokers can help buy-to-let clients in 2024 and where to aim their advice.

All of which demonstrates the additional thoughts and planning required by landlords and property investors, as well as the value attached to the advice process in such a complex and fast-paced sector.

This episode was recorded on 22nd November 2023.

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For almost 10 years, the Help to Buy scheme proved incredibly successful in helping over a quarter of a million borrowers across the UK to buy a home. But, with this scheme now having ended in England and Scotland, this leads to the question of what – if anything – can replace it.

In the latest episode of Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast, host Phil Spencer is joined by Mobeen Akram, New Homes Director at the Mortgage Advice Bureau and Mitch Atkins, director at Michael Usher Mortgage Services as they delve into the history of Help to Buy, why it worked, why it ended, alternative buying schemes and the challenges facing young house buyers.

The conversation also highlights some of the government-backed and private schemes currently available to help first-time buyers, including Lifetime ISA’s, the First Homes Scheme and shared ownership. It also touches on individual mortgage products such as Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor, the increasingly prominent role being played by the Bank of Mum and Dad, intergenerational lending and the Barclays Springboard mortgage.

So, what might replace Help to Buy in the future?

This episode was recorded on 24th October 2023 prior to the Autumn Statement and the latest Bank of England base rate decision.

Mortgage Insider is a Fresh Air Production for Barclays created by Julie-Anna Needham and Annie Day with Helen Carter and Sophie Devonport from Barclays. 

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The mortgage market is currently experiencing growing demand for long-term mortgages – otherwise known as marathon mortgages - with some lenders even offering up to 40-year terms to help attract more young buyers onto the property ladder.

So, will marathon mortgages be THE 2024 trend for first-time buyers? Or, with mortgage rates falling, is it simply a passing phase?

To answer these questions and more, James Tucker, CEO at Twenty7Tec and Lewis Shaw, owner of Shaw Financial Services join host and property expert Phil Spencer in the latest instalment of Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast - now brought to you on a monthly basis.

This discussion delves into attitudes towards longer-term mortgages from within the UK and overseas, lending approaches from a risk perspective, the ability for such a product to prop up the housing market and how vital it is for borrowers to fully understand the potential implications.

It also examines the impact of age, occupation and conditions best suited to working beyond potential retirement age. And focuses on how crucial it is for any borrower contemplating such a product to seek ongoing support from advisers to ensure they are making the right decision for both their present, and future, needs.

This episode was recorded on 22nd November 2023.

It’s a Fresh Air Production for Barclays created by Julie-Anna Needham and Annie Day with Helen Carter from Barclays. 

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The past few years have seen the relentless rise of the Bank of England base rate dominate lending and borrowing decisions across the mortgage market. This significant uplift has led to an even more complicated picture around affordability, stress testing, the influence of mortgage swap rates and generated a flurry of future interest rate forecasts amid some lingering economic uncertainty.

To add some clarity to these shifting market dynamics, the latest episode of Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Charles Roe, director of mortgages at UK Finance.

With a huge number of moving parts involved in the lending and advice process,

Charles carefully evaluates the different funding mechanisms, outlines the subtle variations between traditional building society and banking models and explains the impact of Consumer Duty.

He also broaches the current Table Mountain interest rate approach as opposed to the more recent Matterhorn effect, emphasises the importance of the relationship between lenders and the intermediary market in generating good outcomes and highlights what brokers should be watching out for in 2024.

All of which makes for a detailed and illuminating analysis of past, present and future lending conditions.

This episode was recorded on 24th October 2023 prior to the Autumn Statement and the latest Bank of England base rate decision.

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The UK's housing market remains in a state of flux. Interest rates are at their highest level for 15 years, house prices are faltering, and the UK economy is still feeling the lingering aftermath of last year’s mini-budget.

On a more positive note, following a period of swap rate turbulence, mortgage rates are slowly but steadily coming down, inflation is falling and we continue to see a very different regional picture, especially in and around the London housing market.

This all leads to ongoing uncertainty. So, to help lift the lid on the UK housing melting pot, the latest instalment of Barclays award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast sees Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank join host and property expert Phil Spencer to evaluate some of the most prominent influencing factors.

The episode focusses on topics such as ongoing affordability issues, transaction volumes, the performance of the buy-to-let sector, new build and the impact of a changing political landscape.  The discussion also tackles the complex world of mortgage swap rates to determine why they are so important to the housing market, how brokers can better support their clients over the coming weeks and what they should be keeping an eye on going forward.

Meaning there is plenty to digest and dissect.

This episode was recorded on 24th October 2023. 

It’s a Fresh Air Production for Barclays created by Julie-Anna Needham and Annie Day with Helen Carter from Barclays. 

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The UK economy continues to dominate conversations across the country in the wake of the transition to a higher interest rate environment, rising cost of living pressures, an increased focus on unemployment figures and shifts in the labour market.

In a bid to unpick the current economic position and help us understand what it all means for the intermediary mortgage market, the latest season of Barclays award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast kicks off with host and property expert Phil Spencer being joined by regular guest and Chief Investment Officer, Barclays Private Bank & Wealth Management, Will Hobbs.

In his own unique style, Will highlights the importance attached to positive real wage growth, how historic interest rate conditions relate to the current economic climate and the ongoing performance of European and US markets. He also tackles the question of whether interest rates have peaked and outlines why he remains so optimistic about UK economic conditions.

This in-depth discussion offers some exclusive insights and indicators into what mortgage brokers should, and shouldn’t, be paying attention to and how to avoid the doom narrative around the UK economy.

This episode was recorded on 24th October 2023.  

It’s a Fresh Air Production for Barclays created by Julie-Anna Needham and Annie Day with Helen Carter from Barclays. 

References

• Jeremy Hunt said the UK’s financial situation is definitely worse than in spring, in an interview with Sky News.
• Latest ONS data on owner-occupied houses with mortgages available here.
• Excess savings are clustered in the top 40% of households, according to this speech by economist Gerjan Vlieghe based on data from NMG Consulting and Bank of England calculations. Latest ONS data on household savings available here.
• Eight Centuries of global real interest rates by Paul Schmelzing available to read here.
• Information on average base rates available here using data from the Bank of England.
• Information on business confidence in the UK available here.

• Institute for Fiscal Studies predicts a moderate recession in 2024 here.

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Returning soon, a new series Mortgage Insider, Barclays' award-winning podcast for mortgage brokers.

Hosted by TV presenter and property expert Phil Spencer, the new series will see leading industry experts, brokers and Barclays’ own team of experts continue to delve deep into the pressing issues that are shaping the mortgage and housing markets.

The conversations will cover topics such as the performance of the UK economy, the intricate processes behind rate-setting and potential alternatives for the help to buy scheme.

The new series returns on the 14th November so hit follow now so you don’t miss any future episode.  

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Despite the need for financial advice growing exponentially in an increasingly complex economic landscape, many perceived barriers remain for all too many people across the UK.

The final episode in Season 4 of Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast evaluates where these barriers appear, the progress being made by the mortgage industry to overcome them and what more brokers can be doing to make the advice they offer more inclusive, more accessible and easier to understand.

Host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Jodi Spreadbury, Senior Mortgage & Protection Adviser at The Mortgage Broker Ltd,  Sidney Wager, Mortgage Intermediary Partnership Director at Barclays and media commentator, financial adviser and author of ‘Get Your Money Right’ Emmanuel Asuquo.

They dissect a plethora of topics including the perils of unregulated advice, how to identify vulnerable clients, the influence – both negative and positive – of social media, Consumer Duty, breaking perceptions around the advice process, the importance of financial education and what it feels like to be excluded.

It certainly proves to be an authentic, enlightening and inspirational discussion.

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