Financial Reporter | Latest News

'Brokers want speed, certainty and clear answers as early as possible': Alan Davison, Foundation

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Alan Davison, chief commercial officer at Foundation, about the lender's recent rebrand, which area presents its biggest opportunity for growth, and what brokers most need from specialist lenders in 2026.

FCA redress guidance puts customer vulnerability in sharp focus

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Andrew Gething, managing director of MorganAsh, outlines how firms can ensure that everything from everyday interactions, right through to exceptional processes – like a redress exercise – are designed with the customer in mind.

Shifting sands in the buy-to-let market

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Laura Sneddon, sales and distribution director at Hinckley & Rugby for Intermediaries, explores how broker support and lender flexibility can make a real difference for buy-to-let borrowers in the current lending environment.

Our word, our pledge

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Aimie Jo Shutt, national key account manager at Santander, explains how lenders can demonstrate integrity and give confidence that they sit firmly behind brokers in times of uncertainty.

Making Tax Digital: what brokers need to know for landlord clients

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Anna Lewis, commercial director at Castle Trust Bank, says advisers who understand Making Tax Digital rules will be better placed to support landlord clients, spot where extra preparation is needed, and have more informed conversations around portfolio management, property structures and operational readiness.

Planning uncertainty is now shaping development as much as planning delay

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Neil Leitch, managing director of development finance at Hampshire Trust Bank, says it is no longer simply a question of how long planning will take, but how much confidence can be placed in the outcome itself.

Bank Base Rate and the gap between narrative and reality

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Sebastian Murphy, group director at JLM Mortgage Services, says the assumption higher inflation automatically leads to higher interest rates is not one that necessarily holds in the current environment, and relying on that link alone risks missing the bigger picture.

'There’s a fair bit of broker frustration about how difficult some lenders have become to deal with': Michael Thompson, LHV Bank

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Michael Thompson, lending director at LHV Bank, about how commercial lending is shifting in a slower growth environment, what brokers are really saying on the ground, and why common sense and direct relationships are becoming more important again.

Why legal documents secure the success of SMEs

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Rebecca Kelly, founder of shizl, explains why legal documentation is non-negotiable for financial businesses and what financial advisers should be telling their business customers.

Scotland’s private rented sector remains open for business

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Rob Stanton, sales and distribution director at Landbay, explores why landlords who are well-capitalised and properly advised continue to see Scotland as a viable long-term investment location.

If even the golden generation of pensioners are struggling what does that mean for everyone else?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Adam Cole, retirement specialist at Quilter, says for many savers who fall between generic information and full advice, targeted support could bridge a long standing gap in the system.

Ensuring there is no housing wealth blind spot

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Dave Harris, CEO at more2life, explains how the later life lending opportunity is already present within the conversations advisers have every day with older clients.

Maximising opportunity for SME funding amid economic uncertainty

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Gary Thompson, sales director at Asset Advantage, says clear communication, transparency around funding appetite and credit decisions, and a truly collaborative approach will help brokers guide their SME clients through the current lending landscape.

'I’m really excited about how evolving lending technology is changing the way we work': Sarah Millard, Precise Bridging

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Sarah Millard, head of bridging underwriting at Precise Bridging, about the most critical factors when assessing a short term loan, how technology will continue to shape the future of the industry, and her one piece of advice to someone starting a career in underwriting.

Regional diversification: why it’s moving higher up the agenda for property investors

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Anna Lewis, commercial director at Castle Trust Bank, says that with forecasts suggesting a widening performance gap between regions, geographic diversification may begin to play a more prominent role in portfolio strategy.

An elevated view of later life lending

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Nakita Moss, head of lender at Twenty7tec, explores how advisers interpret their role as clients approach retirement with more complex financial positions than previous generations.

What lenders really look for when underwriting a refurbishment case

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Constantinos Savvides, head of underwriting at London Credit, explores the most common reasons refurbishment cases stall and why careful preparation is what turns a viable refurbishment idea into a funded project.

Brokers turn to AI to manage surge in mortgage applications amid rate volatility

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Ifthikar Mohamed, co founder of MortgagX, says that with lenders continuing to adjust pricing and interest rate expectations shifting frequently, technology that improves efficiency will become increasingly important.

Housing remains bright spot in dark times

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Kate Davies, executive director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, says global events will always inject uncertainty into economic forecasts, but uncertainty should not distract us from the underlying strength of the UK mortgage market.

'A return to the ultra-low rate environment of the 2010s appears highly unlikely': Chris Kirby, Shawbrook

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

We spoke to Chris Kirby, head of field sales for retail mortgages at Shawbrook, about his view of the current housing market and the key pressures shaping it, how borrower confidence and behaviour has changed in a higher-rate environment, and why speed, certainty and consistency matter more than ever for intermediaries.