The Intermediary – May 2025 - Flipbook - Page 5
From the editor. . .
uch has happened since the
last time The Intermediary
dedicated a Focus Issue to
the second charge mortgage
market.Chief among
the developments from
our perspective, of course, was the success of
our inaugural National Mortgage Awards –
Second Charge.
We are now deep in the process of organising
the next event, and November 2024’s glamorous
evening feels like a lifetime ago.
The reason we chose to launch an awards
event, in an industry where there are some
well-established events that make for stiff
competition, was in large part because we saw
that there was a group crying out for it.
More oen than not, second charge market
players get a somewhat cursory look-in – a few
categories, at best – as part of a wider picture.
This is prey starkly symbolic of the way this
sector has been viewed in recent years. It feeds
into a prevailing misconception that this is
a niche product, with only a few uses in in
circumstances that make it absolutely necessary.
The message of the Second Charge Focus
Issue, then, has not changed hugely since last
year. Between this, the awards, and all our other
content focused on this market, we are still
shouting about this product’s many uses, and
the fact that, whether or not it’s right for every
client – spoiler alert, it won’t be, and that’s fine
– brokers must consider all the options for their
clients to ensure the best outcomes.
M
www.theintermediary.co.uk
www.uk.linkedin.com/company/the-intermediary
This time last year we were speaking to new
entrant Interbridge about plans for taking the
scene by storm, while hearing from other market
experts and established lending leaders, who
gave us a prey uniform picture of steady growth
that nonetheless felt like it could have been more
meteoric had people understood the real value of
this product.
At the time, we had a lot of discussion around
market conditions being perfect for seconds to
come into their own, but receptiveness among
clients and first charge brokers potentially
muting the sector’s success.
This year, while the old debate around geing
more ‘whole of market’ players to engage
meaningfully with seconds continues, the
conversation does feel generally more positive.
New entrants are seeing smashing success,
while established lenders and distributors are
speaking with a greater sense of optimism about
progress and growth in 2025.
Indeed, according to Pepper Money’s analysis
of Bank of England and FLA data, this is the
fastest growing segment in the post-pandemic
property market.
It seems that those who might have dismissed
this product before are coming around. Perhaps
all the talk – and the celebration – of this
market’s recent successes is having an impact.
Considering this sector’s potential for further
growth, it’s worth keeping an eye on. ●
Jessica Bird
@jess_jbird
@IntermediaryUK
Contributors
The Team
www.facebook.com/IntermediaryUK
SECOND CHARGE
FOCUS ISSUE
INTERVIEWS Interbridge
and Equifinance look ahead at
a changing seconds market
FEATURE The evolving use
of tech in a sector focused on
speedy problem-solving
The
Intermediary.
www.theintermediary.co.uk | Issue 28 | May 2025 | £6
THE RIGHT
Jessica Bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor
Aimee-Jo Shutt | Alex Upton | Alistair Nimmo
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