Emma Cox

63% of commercial brokers are confident about lending environment




Shawbrook's most recent broker barometer has revealed that, despite the impact of Covid-19, broker confidence in business growth and the lending environment remains high.

Nearly two thirds (63%) of commercial brokers and 66% of second-charge brokers stated that they were confident about the lending environment as coronavirus restrictions ease.

Similarly, when asked about their businesses, 42% of commercial and 45% of second-charge brokers said they were confident about business growth post-pandemic. 

Other findings showed: 

  • 45% of commercial brokers thought that investors/landlords would look to increase their portfolio in response to the pandemic
  • 34% of second-charge brokers believed that investors/landlords would look to increase their portfolio in response to coronavirus 
  • 25% of second-charge brokers said they had seen business volumes go up or stay the same when comparing to pre-pandemic levels, while 17% of commercial brokers said the same.

Emma Cox, sales director of property finance at Shawbrook Bank (pictured above), commented: “It’s difficult to predict the outlook for the property market as we emerge from Covid-19 — there are so many variables. 

“However, [despite] future uncertainty, it is positive to see that many brokers are optimistic when it comes to business growth and the lending environment.

“Of course, we understand that the current landscape presents a number of challenges, and some brokers will be feeling that more than others.”

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