The UK mortgage intermediary market in 2026

The UK mortgage market is the largest retail credit market in the country, with more than £1.6 trillion in outstanding residential mortgage balances. Intermediated distribution — where consumers access products through an FCA-authorised broker rather than direct from a lender — now accounts for approximately 80% of new residential mortgage business.

For borrowers, this reflects a simple reality: the product landscape has become too complex to navigate alone. With over 90 active lenders and thousands of live products differentiated by rate type, term, loan-to-value, fees, portability and underwriting criteria, independent advice is no longer a nice-to-have.

What defines a firm on The Desk

A mortgage broker profiled on The Desk is an FCA-authorised firm whose record has been reviewed against three public registers before publication. We check live FCA authorisation status, Companies House trading status, and — where relevant — network affiliation and professional indemnity cover.

Profiling is editorial. We report. We do not regulate.

Core disciplines we cover

• Residential purchase — first-time buyer, home mover, high loan-to-value, new build
• Buy-to-let — portfolio landlord, limited company structures, HMO and MUFB
• Commercial mortgages — owner-occupier, investment, semi-commercial, mixed-use
• Specialist lending — adverse credit, self-employed, foreign nationals, large loans
• Bridging and development finance — residential, commercial, light and heavy refurbishment

A broker's value lies not in access to lenders, but in judgement about which lender will say yes — and at what rate — given your specific circumstances.

How to read a mortgage broker profile

Every firm on The Desk carries its FCA reference number, Companies House number, registered office, and a summary of disciplines covered. The FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk is the definitive source for regulated status.