香蕉福利直播

Guest blog: Closing the gaps in mortgage technology

John Tilzey, Sales Director at finova, outlines key learnings from two pieces of work designed to analyse the challenges and opportunities in the mortgage market.

John Tilzey, FinovaEarlier this year, we conducted two in-depth surveys to uncover the current challenges and opportunities in the mortgage market. The first report explored the perspectives of borrowers and brokers, while the second, our , provided unique insights from lenders. Together, these findings reveal a complex but promising landscape where technology has made significant strides but still has a long way to go. Here’s what we learned—and what the future holds for mortgage innovation.

Borrowers: Balancing digital with the human touch

Our survey of 500 borrowers aged 20-50 revealed that while 80% have benefited from digital solutions like online applications and e-documentation, 20% felt no improvement at all. This suggests that while technology is streamlining parts of the process, it isn’t universally impactful.

Interestingly, the human element still plays a vital role. Phone calls remain the preferred communication method for 42% of respondents across all demographics, emphasising the enduring importance of brokers. Yet, digital-first tools like chatbots showed promise, particularly among those completing online applications.

Self-serve platforms for existing customers also emerged as an area for growth, with 47% of borrowers already attempting online product switching. Solutions like Apprivo’s Product Switch Portal, enabling quick and informed mortgage decisions in under 10 minutes, showcase how tech can foster loyalty while simplifying complex processes.

Brokers: Simplifying rate changes and document handling

Among 500 brokers surveyed, manual rate changes and paper-intensive workflows stood out as major pain points.

Flexibility is critical in today’s financial landscape, and tools like Apprivo’s Broker Portal address this need. Its configurable product rules engine and real-time updates remove the burden of manual rate adjustments, giving brokers more time to focus on clients.

Next-gen solutions like intelligent character recognition (ICR) and optical character recognition (OCR) also hold promise. These tools can automate document scanning and validation, reducing time spent on tedious, error-prone paperwork.

Lenders: Prioritising internal efficiency

Through video interviews with over 40 lenders for the Mortgage Efficiency Survey, we gained deeper insight into their priorities.

Sustainability themes like green mortgages (tied to EPC ratings and new builds) were prominent, but many lenders viewed current schemes like mortgage guarantees as commercially unviable. Instead, reinstating programs like Help to Buy and removing stamp duty were cited as better solutions for improving housing affordability.

AI and cybersecurity emerged as game-changers, particularly for niche lenders, though legacy systems remain a significant barrier to progress. When asked where they’d allocate a £5 million investment, lenders prioritised streamlining underwriting processes, improving internal systems, and modernising back-end architecture.

Key takeaways and the road ahead

Improving the digital application process and enabling seamless online product switching represent huge growth areas for mortgage technology. However, success will require a balanced approach—combining human expertise with cutting-edge tools to deliver efficient yet personalised experiences.
For lenders, prioritising internal systems and architecture remains essential to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation. By addressing these challenges head-on, the mortgage industry can create a more seamless and accessible journey for all stakeholders.

Explore the full findings and insights from our and by visiting our .
 

You may also be interested in...

香蕉福利直播 Card
  • 香蕉福利直播.Event Event
  • Audit & Taxation

Risk, regulatory, audit and accounting seminar

After a successful in-person event in 2024, and responding to delegate feedback, this year's annual update will once again take place in Birmingham. ...

香蕉福利直播 Card
  • 香蕉福利直播.Event Event
  • Audit & Taxation

What Labour’s Autumn 2025 Budget means for financial services

A free webinar hosted by 香蕉福利直播 Associate, MHA With Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to unveil Labour’s Autumn 2025 Budget in November, this promises to b...

香蕉福利直播 Card
  • 香蕉福利直播.Event Event
  • Mortgages & Housing

Shaping the Future of the Mortgage Market: Insights on DP25/2

Join PwC and the Building Societies Association for a timely discussion on the FCA’s recent Future of the Mortgage Market discussion paper (DP25/2). ...

香蕉福利直播 Card
  • 香蕉福利直播.IndustryResponse Industry Response
  • Conduct Risk & Regulation

香蕉福利直播 responds to FCA CP25/17 - Targeted Support

The 香蕉福利直播 welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation, which gives a use case of consumers with significant savings held in cash, and some ...

香蕉福利直播 Card
  • 香蕉福利直播.Event Event
  • Audit & Taxation

HMRC 3rd party data reporting requirements

A free webinar hosted by 香蕉福利直播 Associate, PwC We will provide an update on the 3rd party data consultation that was announced in the Spring Statement...

香蕉福利直播 Card
  • 香蕉福利直播.Event Event
  • Mortgages & Housing

Annual meet-up for mortgage professionals

The 2025 Annual Mortgage Meet-up will be taking place in London on Thursday 25th September. Exploring some of the biggest issues shaping the futu...