Financial Reporter | Latest News

'If we’re trying to create an inclusive culture, people should have a say in what that looks like': Jessica Tonczynski, OMS

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Jessica Tonczynski, customer relationship manager at One Mortgage System (OMS), about what she has learned since joining the business earlier this year, how attitudes towards D&I have changed during her career, and why firms should look beyond the calendar when deciding what inclusion means for their people.

Commercial property needs finance that fits the plan

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Jonathan Rubins, director and chief commercial officer at Alternative Bridging Corporation, says a healthy appetite for commercial lending means there is less reason to tolerate a proposition that doesn’t fit simply because it happens to be available.

The best time to speak to your BDM is before you need them

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Rhys Powell, interim head of distribution at Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries, explores how brokers can get far more from the relationship by bringing a BDM in earlier.

Redefining the role of the EWS1

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Peters, associate director of technical services at Countrywide Surveying Services, says brokers should increasingly find that external wall issues do not automatically limit the mortgage options available to their clients.

Helping SMEs build on their resilience

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Luke Watson, director of intermediary sales and lending at Recognise Bank, explains why challenging conditions do not necessarily remove the appetite to grow.

Why advisers should bring auction into probate property conversations earlier

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

A probate property can be the largest asset in an estate and the hardest to turn into usable funds. Nick Kalms, founder of Probate.Auction, explains why financial advisers should encourage families to assess auction at the start of the disposal process.

Age should not be a barrier to better borrower outcomes

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Simon Chapman, group head of marketing at Vida Bank, explores why good lending decisions depend upon understanding the individual borrower rather than using age as a proxy for financial resilience.

Your First Home: Why a smaller deposit shouldn’t become a bigger spending target

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

James Lucas, director at Barcadia Media, says the government's new mortgage scheme could help first-time buyers purchase the same home with less mortgage debt, or take the same mortgage and buy somewhere more expensive - but warns brokers will need to make the consequences of that choice explicit.

Five minutes before you post: a social media check for brokers

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Gemma Harvey, founder of Box Socials, says brokers should be asking themselves three questions before posting to social media: Would a stranger learn something? Does the post stand alone and read clearly on a phone? And does it sound like me?

'The strongest applications of AI will augment people rather than simply replace human interaction': Steve Burnard, Bath BS

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Steve Burnard, chief digital officer at Bath Building Society, about what brokers can expect from the Society in terms of digital transformation, how AI is shaping the its strategy, and why speed isn’t the only measure of good service.

Your First Home scheme: does it change the case for shared ownership?

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Alasdair McDonald, head of mortgage distribution at West Brom Building Society, explores whether some first-time buyers may now bypass shared ownership altogether, and where shared ownership will still remain essential for those constrained more by borrowing capacity than deposit size.

The later life lending opportunity hiding in plain sight

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Dave Harris, CEO of more2life, says a product feature only improves outcomes if customers know it exists, and a lending solution only changes lives if advisers feel confident discussing it.

Act now on property wealth to help clients and advisers

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Will Hale, CEO of Key Equity Release, says there is a growing issue with retirement income shortfalls and, in housing wealth, a credible solution available which can support good outcomes for customers and represents an opportunity for advice businesses to build a significant new income stream.

"It opened doors to new opportunities": FR 30 Under 30's class of 2025, one year on

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:20:00 GMT

As entries for the Financial Reporter 30 under 30 class of 2026 close on Friday, some of last year’s cohort share the impact it has had on them, as well as their words of advice for those applying this year.

Are advice firms ready for the next generation of first-time buyers?

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Nathan Reilly, chief customer officer at Twenty7tec, says providing the digital experience younger buyers increasingly expect, backed by access to a trusted adviser when they need it, can help firms serve more clients while preserving the human relationship.

Being predictable is underrated

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:13:00 GMT

Chris Blewitt, head of mortgage distribution at Darlington Building Society, explains why consistency can be useful - the broker already knows the client, and if they also understand how a lender approaches that type of business, they are not starting again with a blank sheet of paper.

Five things advisers should know when recommending regulated bridging

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Lesley Saint, underwriting manager at LendInvest, outlines five things mortgage advisers and intermediaries should work through on every regulated case.

Why the remortgage market is putting client retention back in focus

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Nakita Moss, head of lender at Twenty7tec, says when large numbers of existing borrowers are actively reviewing their options, the value of the relationships firms have already built becomes increasingly clear.

Unlocking the 91%: Why capital raising is the hidden need in your client bank

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Paul McGerrigan, CEO of Loan.co.uk, says while remortgage activity has slowed, homeowners haven't stopped needing capital, and secured loans are increasingly becoming part of the advice conversation.

Why assisted voluntary sales are becoming an essential tool in mortgage risk management

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMT

David Miller, divisional sales director at Spicerhaart Corporate Sales, explores how AVS can form an important part of that strategy where a customer is no longer able to sustain their mortgage and other forms of forbearance are not viable.