Insights & stories
The MAT Insights Blog
Practical articles for brokers, firms and networks on using AI to grow, stay compliant and run a modern mortgage business.
Latest articles
25 articles
Best Mortgage Products 2026 for Brokers (UK) | Smarter Comparison & Tools
The best mortgage products 2026 are defined by speed, criteria fit, and execution not just rates Brokers still spend up to 90 minutes per case on product matching Fragmented tools remain the biggest inefficiency AI-driven systems like myCriteria and AutoBook reduce workload and improve accuracy Faster workflows directly increase conversion rates
Why Mortgage Spreadsheets Are Costing UK Brokers 10+ Hours a Week – 2026 Comparison
Mortgage spreadsheets are costing brokers 10+ hours per week Hidden cost: £3,000+ monthly productivity loss Major risk: weak audit trails for compliance Manual workflows create errors and delays Modern systems improve speed, accuracy, and scalability Tools like myCriteria and Spently streamline mortgage workflows
Manual vs Automated Mortgage - Pros and Cons for Brokers
Manual mortgage processes offer control but are slow and resource-heavy Automation improves speed, scalability, and conversions In 2026, response time expectations are shifting from hours → minutes Brokers lose significant opportunities due to lead response delays AI-driven systems help engage, qualify, and convert leads instantly The best-performing brokers use a hybrid + intelligent automation approach
Mortgage Lending Changes UK: What Brokers Need to Know in 2026
Mortgage lending changes are accelerating in 2026 Manual tracking now creates compliance risk Traditional tools lack real-time decision support AI tools like myCriteria and Collibry improve speed and accuracy Brokers adopting AI are seeing measurable efficiency gains
Automate Product Transfers: The Broker’s Guide to 100% Client Retention in 2026
Product transfer mortgages are the #1 retention opportunity for UK brokers Most brokers lose revenue due to manual workflows and missed expiry windows Traditional tools create friction and delay decisions AI tools like myCriteria and Draftlee reduce processing time from 60 minutes to under 5 minutes Automation + timing = higher retention, better client experience
Stop Losing Remortgage Clients | Automate Rate Checks & Retention for UK Brokers
Brokers lose remortgage clients due to slow, manual processes Checking remortgage rates is fragmented and reactive Clients expect faster, proactive communication AI-driven workflows improve retention and efficiency Modern tools can be both fast and FCA-compliance-ready
Is Interest Only Mortgage a Good Idea? 2026 UK Broker Guide + AI Tools
Interest-only mortgages = situational, not universal 2026 regulations (Consumer Duty + CP26/12 LTI rules) demand data-backed decisions Biggest failure risk = repayment strategy validation Brokers lose 2–4 hours per case manually AI tools like myCriteria & Spently deliver instant clarity + compliance confidence
Affordability Stress Testing Mortgage - Preparing for Edge Cases
Affordability stress testing mortgage is becoming more complex due to non-standard borrower profiles Traditional tools struggle with edge cases like self-employed or variable income borrowers Brokers face manual recalculations, fragmented workflows, and slower decision-making AI-driven systems like Spently & myCriteria enable real-time, dynamic affordability modelling Result: Faster decisions, improved accuracy, and better client outcomes Stop losing complex cases to manual errors. See the AI difference below.
Self-Employed Affordability Mortgage: How Brokers Assess Income in the UK
Self-employed affordability assessments are complex and time-intensive Brokers must interpret net profit vs salary/dividends and align with lender-specific affordability Traditional workflows are fragmented and manual AI tools streamline income analysis and documentation Brokers using modern workflows are significantly increasing capacity and efficiency