Delays biggest challenge for brokers following MCD

By Bridging Loan Directory 22nd July 2016

Delays to mortgage applications have caused brokers the most difficulty following the implementation of the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD), according to bridging lender MTF’s latest Broker Sentiment Survey.

Some 39% of the 101 brokers questioned in the quarterly survey said delays to attaining a mortgage caused the most difficulties since MCD, followed closely by 31% of brokers who blamed complications with new affordability models. Almost a quarter of brokers (22%) said changes in consumer Buy-To-Let rules had caused their business the most difficulty.

The new MCD rules were implemented by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in March, designed to foster a single market for mortgages and protect consumers.

Some 40% of brokers said borrowers looking to remortgage had been most affected by the new MCD rules. The second most affected by MCD were landlords at 21%, followed by low income borrowers at 17% and self-employed borrowers at 16%, data shows.

In the run up to MCD, many brokers feared the new rules would lead to a decline in loan volume however, only 15% of brokers surveyed said they had experienced an actual drop in business since it was introduced. 46% of brokers said they had experienced an increase in volume across the board, while 39% said volume remained the same.

Specifically, 62% of brokers questioned experienced a rise in bridging loan volume in the second quarter of 2016, while 38% said bridging volume remained the same. No one questioned saw a decrease in bridging volume during the quarter.

Development projects were the main reason broker’s clients took out a bridging loan during the second quarter at 42%, followed by mortgage delays at 25% and purchasing an investment property at 16%.

43% of brokers surveyed think the new MCD rules have not improved the market, while 21% said there was an improvement. 36% were undecided.

Tomer Aboody, Director of MTF, comments on the results:

“The results reflect the introduction of stricter affordability and stress testing, which may be leading to delays on mortgage applications. Equally, the introduction of the Consumer Buy-to-Let has led to a transitional period, during which brokers and borrowers alike become familiar and comfortable with this new regulatory class.”

“The MCD creates an opportunity and a challenge to both the mainstream and bridging finance markets, which both sectors seem more than well placed to face.”