Over thirty industry experts gathered in London this morning at the networking event where Montlake spoke of some of the challenges and opportunities facing the market this year.
The Coreco director predicted the mortgage market would hit the £215 billion mark this year, with a flatter first half followed by a more active market in the second half of the year.
Acknowledging that there were 'some big unknowns' having an effect on the market - namely, the recent drop in oil prices, the recent election of an anti-austerity party in Greece and the problems with Swiss currency - he cited the general election as 'the biggest unknown'.
He predicted a slowdown prior to the election followed by a rebound after the uncertainty about the political landscape for the following 5 years has been settled, noting that 'everything depends on the results'.
Speaking about the year ahead for intermediaries, he noted that brokers were 'needed more than ever' and that the rise in procuration fees were now reaching 'sensible' levels.
Montlake added:
"With more brokers involved in second charge and buy to let, as well as the growing equity release market, there's a lot of business to be done. What is more important than ever is the relationship between lenders and intermediaries - we really do need each other."
Today’s event is the first in a series of Networking Breakfasts to be hosted by Barcadia Media and Financial Reporter throughout 2015. These morning events will promote face-to-face networking and education for financial services professionals. They also offer the opportunity for firms to sponsor the event and offers aa platform to speak about their product or business with Financial Reporter inviting a select group of our readers to attend based on their core function.
The next Financial Reporter Networking Breakfast events will be held:
6 Saint Chad's Place,
London WC1X 9HH,
(2 minutes walk from Kings Cross Station)
8:00am Wednesday 25th February 2015
8:00am Thursday 26th March 2015
To become an event sponsor and personally invite 30-50 Financial Reporter readers, and to showcase your business or product, please contact James Lucas by email: james@barcadiamedia.co.uk or by phone 01253 476 319.
If you are interested in attending either of these events please email: breakfast@financialreporter.co.uk
