Employment rises up the criteria ranks as broker search trends shift

Knowledge Bank’s July 2026 data revealed significant movement among the criteria most frequently searched by mortgage brokers.

The two most popular residential mortgage criteria remained unchanged in July, according to the latest search data.

“Maximum age at end of term” retained the number-one position, while “Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor” remained second.

There was significant movement immediately below them, however. “Time in current employment” climbed to third place, displacing “Defaults registered in the last three years”, which dropped from third to fifth.

“Lending in Scotland” also continued to rise through the rankings, having entered the top 10 for the first time in June.

The increased interest in Scotland may reflect the growing number of lenders entering or expanding their presence in the Scottish mortgage market.

Among the criteria to watch is “Mortgage/Secured loan arrears or defaults”.

Searches for this phrase have risen steadily during the past three months, moving from 26th place to 17th and then reaching 14th in July.

This sustained increase could indicate that brokers are handling a growing number of cases involving historic or current credit difficulties.

In contrast, “Interest only” continued its decline. Having begun 2026 as one of the five most-searched criteria, it finished July in 17th place.

“Ex-local authority flats” recorded one of the month’s most notable movements. The search term was only just inside the top 100 in June but climbed to 80th overall by the end of July.

The scale and pace of change across the mortgage market were also reflected in lender activity on the Knowledge Bank system.

During July, lenders made more than 3,000 amendments to existing criteria, while a further 1,500 criteria were added.

Shane Chawatama, sales director at Knowledge Bank (pictured above), commented: “July’s results demonstrate how quickly brokers’ priorities can change.

“Employment history has become markedly more prominent, while the sustained rise in searches relating to mortgage or secured-loan arrears and defaults is an important trend for the industry to monitor.

“The volume of criteria changes being made by lenders also highlights the speed at which the market is evolving.

“With more than 3,000 amendments and a further 1,500 criteria added in July alone, brokers need access to accurate, up-to-date information if they are to identify the right solutions for their clients.”