We spoke to Melanie Merchant, client account manager in the high net worth and specialist property team at OSB Group, about her role, how it differs from a traditional BDM position, and how client needs are evolving in a more complex market.
Burnham has ruled out property tax changes in the short term – but the Budget offers a huge opportunity
Sebastian Murphy, group director at JLM Mortgage Services, says Burnham may have ruled out major property tax reform in the short term, but he should not mistake that for a reason to do nothing until every detail of any long-term system has been decided.
Cohabitation reforms: what advisers need to know
Emily Brand, head of family law at Boodle Hatfield LLP, explores the significant impact proposed cohabitation reforms could have on financial advisers, their relationship with clients and coordination with legal experts.
Why Making Tax Digital is about more than compliance
Grant Seaton, head of intermediary lending at Cumberland Building Society, says Making Tax Digital may have been introduced as a change to tax reporting, but its biggest impact could be on the way landlords manage their businesses.
Why is my Net Promoter Score declining? Turning insight into action – Part 2
Jake Sandford, head of data and analytics at Smart Money People, says by grouping negative comments into themes such as communication, customer service or the process, you can quickly identify recurring pain points and understand the context behind a decline in NPS.
'Rates will always matter, of course, but confidence is becoming just as important': Chris Blewitt, Darlington BS
We spoke to Christopher Blewitt, head of mortgage distribution at Darlington Building Society, about why the Society has introduced ‘Confidence in Every Case’, what brokers are really looking for from lenders today, and why consistency, honesty and reliability have become just as valuable as competitive pricing.
Smaller landlords still have opportunity post-Renters’ Rights Act
Paul Huxter, head of intermediary sales and distribution at West One, reflects on the opportunities that remain for smaller landlords despite the Renters’ Rights Act and other recent legislative changes – and how brokers can provide value for smaller landlords in a professionalising market.
Using misconduct reporting data as culture intelligence, not simply to tick a compliance box
Gemma McCall, co-founder and CEO of Culture Shift, argues that by the time someone makes a formal report, it’s often already too late – the real value is in using reporting data to spot and stamp out bad behaviour before it gets that far.
Slow house price growth creates opportunities for property investors
Martin Sims, distribution director at Molo Finance, explores why a period of slower house price growth can give investors the chance to focus more on the basics.
Mythbusting Blog #18: Myth – Nothing has changed in conveyancing in the last two years
In the latest of his ‘Mythbusting’ series with Financial Reporter, Harpal Singh, CEO at conveybuddy, says over the last two years, technology has improved, integration has become increasingly important, client expectations have risen and the pressure to make buying and selling property quicker and more transparent has intensified.