Financial Reporter | Latest News

'We'll see a gradual increase in activity, however, this won't be a boom market': Adam Butler, Avamore

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Adam Butler, sales and marketing director at Avamore Capital, about the importance of providing certainty of funding as early as possible in a challenging market, the current issues facing the development finance market, and why having a credible refinance or development exit strategy is more vital than ever.

The missing middle ground in later life lending

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

David Lownds, head of products and marketing at Hanley Economic Building Society, says as retirement continues to evolve, so too must the conversations surrounding it.

When prediction fails, execution wins

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Jonathan Rubins, director and chief commercial officer at Alternative Bridging Corporation, says in an environment where certainty remains elusive, brokers who can navigate complexity and deliver well-executed outcomes will continue to provide the greatest value to their clients.

How being the UK’s Prime Minister became ‘the impossible job’

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Steve Cox, chief commercial officer at Fleet Mortgages, says the next Government will inherit a housing market and PRS that increasingly values certainty, clarity and consistency.

The hidden cost of long rallies

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Vaughan, head of customer management at e4 Strategic, says that while tennis fans appreciate a marathon rally on Centre Court because it demonstrates skill, determination and resilience, the mortgage market tends to benefit from a different outcome.

Will AI be a D.I.V.O.R.C.E or a new start for advice?

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Richard Howes, managing director at Paradigm Mortgage Services, says information is becoming easier to access, but trust remains difficult to automate.

Why remortgaging is no longer a routine conversation for brokers

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Roger Morris, group distribution director at Chetwood Bank for CHL Mortgages, says the role of the broker has shifted as conversations about mortgage products need to consider a landlord’s entire portfolio and financial position.

Perhaps it’s time to stop calling us brokers?

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Sebastian Murphy, group director at JLM Mortgage Services, says if the regulator itself is now describing a profession that helps consumers navigate financial decisions from their first home purchase through to retirement, perhaps it is time to acknowledge that the modern adviser/consultant has become much more than a traditional broker.

Navigating the general insurance conversation during a remortgage

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Scott McLoughlin, head of intermediary sales and distribution at LV= General Insurance, explains why home insurance conversations matter, how to ensure that clients’ home insurance cover stays aligned with their evolving needs, and why the remortgage process is a perfect tool to open the door to GI.

How brokers can open up specialist funding for ambitious SMEs

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Neil Rudge, chief banking officer at Shawbrook, says brokers are in a critical position to bridge the gap between ambition and execution, helping mid-sized businesses access the funding solutions they need to pursue their goals with confidence.

Building societies aren’t the alternative anymore

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Chris Blewitt, head of mortgage distribution at Darlington Building Society, explores how building societies offer a level of flexibility, common sense and individual assessment that many brokers are looking for, while still providing the familiarity, trust and long-term relationships traditionally associated with the mainstream market.

'We’re seeing a market that has adjusted rather than retreated en masse': Jason Wilde, Paragon

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Jason Wilde, head of sales at Paragon Bank, about how brokers should be considering the volume of buy-to-let mortgages reaching maturity this year, how landlords are responding to the higher rate environment, and what role brokers can play in supporting landlords to improve their properties.

First-time buyers remain the market's most important customers

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Simon Chapman, group head of marketing at Vida Bank, explores why first-time buyers remain the most important cohort within the UK housing market, the key affordability challenges affecting them in the current lending environment, and the role specialist lending can play in helping borrowers with complex circumstances.

The buy-to-let landlord is becoming a portfolio manager

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, says rather than focusing solely on growing portfolio size, many landlords are becoming far more strategic about how they manage, finance and optimise the assets they already own.

How the arts and financial planning can intersect

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Jessica Chantler, a financial planner within Quilter Financial Advisers, explains how advice can be entirely sound on paper and still fail if it does not engage the client as a person.

'A strong capability for finding a lending solution that works for all': Eddie Trahearn, GB Bank

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Eddie Trahearn, CEO at GB Bank, about how the bank has evolved since obtaining full permissions, how its bespoke funding solutions give a strong platform for long-term relationships, and what brokers can expect to see from the Bank in 2026.

Why commercial judgement matters in specialist lending

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Alex Upton, managing director of specialist mortgages and bridging finance at Hampshire Trust Bank, says many conversations with brokers now sit around how borrowers intend to structure, refinance or reposition assets over the long-term, rather than simply whether the property itself fits appetite.

The case for assessing income like people actually earn it

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Grant Hendry, director of sales at Foundation, says understanding how income is earned, how long it has been sustained and which lenders are best placed to assess it properly has become an increasingly important part of securing good customer outcomes.

The cheapest hour in your diary is the one you never booked

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Ash Borland, mortgage business coach at Ash Borland Consulting, explains why the mortgage industry hasn't got a lead problem, it's got a triage problem.

Mythbusting Blog #16: Myth – Journalists are scary and should be avoided at all costs

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In the latest of his 'Mythbusting' series with Financial Reporter, Harpal Singh, CEO at conveybuddy, says the idea that journalists are somehow scary figures waiting to catch individuals or businesses out is one of the most persistent misconceptions, yet bears very little resemblance to reality.