It found over four out of 10 of all brokers surveyed work seven days a week, breaking the traditional 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday, office hours mould. A further 41 per cent are working outside usual office hours 3-6 days of the week, while 14 per cent work outside normal office hours 1-2 days a week. Just 4 per cent of those intermediaries who responded said that they continue to work 9am-5pm, 5 days a week.
Gus Park, director of intermediary sales at Mortgage Express, said: “With traditional work patterns changing lenders have adapted their systems to suit, ensuring that their online offering provides brokers with more choice and the ability to work the hours that suit them.”
In addition, the survey demonstrates that brokers are keen to reduce the paperwork they produce, with 96 per cent of respondents believing it is key that the mortgage industry continually strives to cut down on paperwork. To further support this, the survey also reveals that 95 per cent of brokers now do their mortgage application business online, allowing them to reduce their paperwork.
Mortgage Express has recently further enhanced its online offering with the launch of a new online binding decision facility, minimising paperwork and providing a smoother, faster application process for brokers.
Gus Park continued: “In this age of twenty-four hour technology, intermediaries are increasingly working more flexible hours. Online services make it easier for intermediaries to work the hours that suit them, fitting in around their individual needs and that of their clients. As such, it is vital that lenders cater for this shifting social trend by listening to the needs and suggestions of intermediaries.”
