The UK mortgage market has shown strong resilience despite renewed economic uncertainty, according to the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association.
In his first keynote as chair, Jonathan Stinton, Head of Intermediary Relationships at Coventry Building Society, told industry leaders that while geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices have clouded the outlook for interest rates, underlying market fundamentals remain robust.
Speaking at IMLA’s annual lunch in London, he pointed to a sharp recovery in lending activity following the market disruption seen in 2022, with total gross mortgage lending reaching £288bn in 2025, up 19% year-on-year.
House purchase lending increased by 18% over the same period, while remortgaging activity rose 20%. Buy-to-let lending held broadly steady despite ongoing pressures including higher taxation, additional stamp duty costs and the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act.
FASCINATING CROSSROADS
Stinton said: “These are not just figures, they represent families moving, landlords adjusting, buyers returning with confidence and advisers supporting them through uncertainty.”
He added: “We have seen demand rebalance, credit quality remains resilient and, critically, the fundamentals of homeownership in the UK remain as strong as ever.”
Looking ahead, he described the mortgage sector as being at a “fascinating crossroads”, shaped by rapid advances in technology and evolving regulation.
Stinton highlighted the growing role of data and automation in improving customer outcomes but warned that innovation must be matched by strong governance, particularly around cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
COMPETITIVENESS, NOT CONFORMITY
He also stressed the need for a balanced regulatory environment, adding: “We must work together to ensure regulation supports competitiveness, not conformity.”
Calling for greater collaboration across the market, he said the industry must act collectively to support access to homeownership.
“As we look to the rest of 2026 and beyond, I genuinely believe this is a moment of opportunity,” he said.
He concluded: “Let’s embrace technology with urgency and rigour, not fear… and lead, not follow, in shaping how homeownership is financed in the UK.”
