Knowledge Bank: Criteria searches up 68%

Brokers’ searches have increased by more than two-thirds (68%), according to Knowledge Bank’s mortgage criteria activity tracker. 

The increase was especially pronounced in the residential market, with searches up by nearly four-fifths (79%).

The terms brokers searched for most frequently showed less fluctuation than usual, as COVID-19 dominated for the third month running.

COVID-19 continues to dominate broker searches

Across the residential, buy-to-let (BTL) and bridging categories, the top five searches were the same as in May, albeit with changes in the order.

In the main residential category, searches for temporary maximum loan-to-values (LTVs) and furloughed workers featured heavily; the ‘temporary maximum LTV’ term was also strongly represented in broker searches in the buy-to-let, second charge and bridging categories.

There was slightly greater fluctuation in the second-charge, commercial and self-build markets, but only in the traditionally volatile equity release category was there wholesale change in brokers’ criteria searches, with four of the top five searches changing compared to May, and ‘early repayment charges’ resuming the top spot it last occupied in March.

Knowledge Bank has responded to this increase in demand by establishing a weekly Criteria Clinic, enabling brokers to discuss the issues they are most concerned about with a panel of experts from a cross-section of lenders.

The next Clinic will be held on 13 July, and will focus explicitly on first-time buyers and higher LTVs.

Matthew Corker, lender relationship manager at Knowledge Bank, said: “Lenders have been very active in June, withdrawing and then reintroducing higher-LTV products.

“Many have also adjusted their affordability and allowable income criteria, as details of the extension to the government’s furlough scheme become clearer.

“It is no surprise to find that brokers are searching more frequently for these criteria. As demand returns to the market, lenders and brokers are having to move fast to stay ahead of the curve.

“Brokers cannot expect to keep up with the huge number of criteria changes without deploying technology.

“A criteria database like Knowledge Bank is invaluable to brokers operating in the new normal.”