COMMENT
By Grant Bather
The loans market has grown considerably over the past 12 to 18 months, and intermediaries are now realising the opportunities available in this niche market area.
As Matt Cottle, director of Yes Loans & Mortgages, explains in his article on page five, ‘Secured loans are an exciting place to be right now. We are facing a time of great change and important challenges. We are also in an area of rapid growth with highly-rewarding prospects for mortgage brokers wishing to develop their secured loan business.’
This supplement looks at the opportunities for brokers and the changes the market has undergone, from the emergence of the bridging finance opportunities, to increased regulation on the market, whether imposed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) or via self-regulation in the form of ‘codes of conduct’ implemented by firms looking to set an example of best practice.
This supplement also looks at the future for the loans market and what intermediaries can do to maximise their earning potential in this growing market sector.
What is clear is that the secured loans sector presents a unique opportunity for brokers keen to expand their offerings and expertise, adding another string to their bow.
However, as with any new area, an element of risk remains and it is up to intermediaries to be certain that the path being followed is the right one. The formation of the trade body the Association of Finance Brokers (AFB), as a sister trade body to the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) should help the sector rid itself of the stigma that has become attached to it in recent times.
