The average number of mortgages placed per year by intermediaries reduced slightly in Q1 2022 compared to the previous quarter.

A new report published by the the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) confirmed the average fell from a record peak of 103 at the end of last year to 97 – matching the rates for Q3 2021, which at the time was a record year.

Despite the slight reduction in the average number of cases, IMLA’s report suggests the confidence of intermediaries in the business outlook for their own firms has remained high.

The report revealed that 62% of intermediaries said they were “very confident” about the outlook for their firm, maintaining the same rates of confidence reported at the end of Q4. It also showed that 98% of intermediaries were confident overall, with only a small minority (2%) describing themselves as “not very confident”.

Furthermore, more intermediaries in Q1 reported higher rates of confidence in outlook for both the broader intermediary sector and the mortgage industry.

When asked about the intermediary sector, 54% of intermediaries were “very confident”, increasing from 52% in the previous quarter. Similarly, a “very confident” outlook for the mortgage industry grew to 45% of intermediaries in Q1, almost matching the record high of 46% achieved in Q3 2021.

“Q4 of 2021 was a record peak for the average intermediary case load and evidence from Q1 suggests that, despite a slight drop, advisers are maintaining their momentum,” commented IMLA executive director, Kate Davies. “The data from the first quarter of 2022 shows a strong level of activity and a solid underlying demand underpinning the mortgage market.”

IMLA’s report also stated that the average number of decisions in principle (DIPs) processed by intermediaries in Q1 increased by 2 when compared to the final quarter of 2021.

Despite a drop in January, to 28 per intermediary, the following two months saw a strong rebound with February reaching 32 per intermediary, and March hitting 37, a two-year high. This rise comes alongside homeowners returning to the market, aiming to remortgage or secure new fixed-rate mortgages.

In Q1, the conversions of DIPs to completions fell slightly by 2% and was seen across almost all business segments. The report showed that the largest decrease, of 10%, was seen in mover business, which IMLA said suggests “a greater shift in focus towards remortgages”, which saw 72 cases of conversion from full application to completion, a rise of 3 from Q4 2021.

Davies added: “With inflation expected to reach 8% by the beginning of summer and possibly even higher later in the year, and with interest rates raised to their highest in 13 years, demand in the mortgage market should match the rates of 2021 as borrowers aim to secure new fixed rate deals.

“Throughout 2022, as volatile macro-economic trends impact personal finances, advisers will continue their work and play a crucial role in helping borrowers to find an appropriate, affordable and sensible deal.”

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