SBG saw over £26.1 billion of mortgage applications in 2011 (an increase of £1.9 billion on 2010). This represents a 13.8% share of the entire UK mortgage market (2010: 13.3%) according to the Group.
The Group generated trading profits in 2011 of £2.2 million, with an “encouraging” second half of the year after breaking even in the first half.
SBG said the trading profit in 2011 of £2.2 million (2010: £5 million) came in challenging market conditions.
Plus it has made significant investments in its technology infrastructure and new services for customers.
The Group is undertaking a multi-million pound investment programme to support advisers ahead of the Retail Distribution Review and Mortgage Market Review.
This is enabling firms to re-engineer their business so that they can operate efficiently and responsibly in the future, it said.
The Group said: “SBG’s successful performance in 2011 has continued into 2012. In January 2012 there were over 100 Sesame adviser authorisations, the best monthly performance in over seven years.
“As the advice profession looks ahead to the new world being created by the RDR and Mortgage Market Review, SBG will become the home for all types of professional financial advisers, whether they are independent, restricted or a combination of the two.
“This will enable SBG to consolidate its position as the UK’s largest distributor of financial advice through directly regulated intermediaries and appointed representatives, across life, pensions, investments and mortgages.”
