IMLA’s latest Intermediary Lending Outlook research shows a similar number of lenders (71%) take the same view as MCD implementation approaches, with a six month window from 21st September to 21st March to adopt the new rules.
Unlike last year’s Mortgage Market Review (MMR), many of the MCD changes are of a technical nature: involving new approaches to disclosure and documentation rather than major changes to advice, affordability criteria or lending decisions for residential mortgage borrowers.
Nevertheless, two fifths of brokers (40%) believe a smooth implementation of the MCD will be more challenging for the industry as a whole than MMR, including 11% who believe it will be significantly more challenging.
The majority of lenders believe it will be at least as challenging for industry to implement MCD (71%). This includes 21% who believe it is more of a challenge, although 28% feel it will be less challenging.
Few expect MCD changes to benefit the UK mortgage market
The UK government has openly questioned the benefits of MCD to UK consumers beyond the high level of protection offered by the existing FCA regime, and its approach to the negotiation and implementation of the MCD has been to minimise the impact on the UK market as far as possible.¹
IMLA’s research also shows industry remains sceptical about a number of incoming changes in the lead-up to implementing the MCD. Just 5% of brokers felt the introduction of a second APR will benefit the UK mortgage market, while 70% disagreed – as did 86% of lenders.
Similarly, just 9% of brokers feel that replacing the Key Facts Illustration document (KFI) with the European Standard Information Sheet (ESIS) is a beneficial move while 68% disagree. Lenders were again stronger in their opposition with 86% disagreeing that the switch from KFI to ESIS will benefit the market.
Standard borrowers and first time buyers see access improve under MMR
Broker sentiment about market conditions at the midway point of 2015 was broadly consistent with the start of the year, with 50% feeling conditions are improving (compared with 51% in January). This is slightly improved from July 2014 when 46% felt the same.
Two thirds (67%) of lenders feel conditions are currently improving, up from 53% at the turn of the year and just 44% last summer.
