Broker criteria searches surge as shared ownership and expat queries rise: Knowledge Bank

Knowledge Bank saw over 100,000 broker searches conducted on its system in April, with notable rises in shared ownership and expat searches.

Knowledge Bank says shared ownership is now on the verge of breaking into the top 10 most searched criteria categories. 

Searches for expat consumer buy-to-let mortgages have also continued on a steady upward trajectory. 

In contrast, searches for non-EU foreign national criteria are on a downward trend. Knowledge Bank says this may indicate a consolidating lender landscape where clear favourites have emerged, reducing the need for exploratory searches. It may also reflect changing demand or evolving broker expectations in this space.

April was also exceptionally busy behind the scenes. A total of 166 new criteria were added by lenders, pointing to a wave of innovation and responsiveness to market needs. On top of that, over 1,200 existing criteria were updated.

Knowledge Bank’s sales director, Shane Chawatama, said: “The market is continuing to shape itself into a more specialist landscape. We’re seeing new lenders looking to join the platform with clear areas of focus and specialism. It’s more important than ever for brokers to build their knowledge and consider where they can carve out the best niche. The right expertise, supported by tools like Knowledge Bank and Notify, will be a major differentiator in the months ahead.”

Michael Craig, managing director at Brilliant Group, commented: “We’ve certainly seen a clear rise in enquiries from our broker network regarding expat clients, which aligns with the ongoing increase in search activity around expat consumer buy-to-let mortgages, as highlighted above. The growing interest in this niche really emphasises the need for brokers to remain focused and adaptable to the evolving needs of both the expat segment and their wider client base. We believe it’s vital to stay ahead of changes in the market — not just in the expat space, but across the industry as a whole.”