Process, not pricing: What really drives intermediaries’ choices in 2026

If you ask Kate Le Prevost what tips the balance in Skipton International’s favour, she doesn’t hesitate: for most brokers, it’s confidence.

“Confidence that the case will move, that communication will be clear, and that we’ll be pragmatic when something unusual comes up,” says Le Prevost, Assistant Manager, Business Development at Skipton International. “Brokers tell us they value lenders who make the experience straightforward and consistent - and that’s exactly what we’re focused on delivering.”

Certainty, speed, and transparency trump rate or LTV

That confidence is rooted in Skipton International aligning itself with market trends. Smart Money People’s Mortgage Lender Benchmark H1 2025 Summary Report, for example, shows brokers now prioritise speed and ease over rate and LTV. According to a recent article in Mortgage Introducer, transaction delays are a top pain point for brokers and the recent Broker Market Research Report from Optimus, looking at the third quarter of last year, found that 80% say automation and modern software will define the future of mortgage lending.

Lenders are feeling that shift on the ground, and it marks a sea change that Skipton International is ready to evolve alongside as a provider of UK buy to let mortgages for expats and non-UK nationals living overseas, supporting both purchases and remortgages on properties in England, the Scottish mainland and Wales.

Le Prevost notes that brokers repeatedly tell Skipton International that knowing where a case stands and how long each stage will take is paramount. They want a clear yes or no, as early as possible. Pricing will always be important, but the intermediaries the team works with are clear that it’s no longer the deciding factor for most cases; instead, they’re increasingly more concerned with the experience.

That feedback has Skipton International heading into 2026 with a simple priority: remove friction. From tightening up communication and standardising requirements to improving turnaround consistency, the lender is looking to make tangible improvements brokers can feel in their day-to-day work. It all comes back to what sets Skipton International apart: the confidence it gives brokers. And that’s what matters most heading into the new year.

Operational performance: 2026’s key differentiator

“Brokers choose lenders who make the process easy and reliable - and that’s exactly where we’re investing,” Le Prevost explains. “Our goal is to deliver a faster, clearer and more predictable journey so brokers can place cases with confidence, without losing the personal touch and competitive pricing that have always defined who we are.”

Skipton International is methodically tackling common problems to streamline its services. Take the familiar frustration of transaction delays. Addressing it requires a multi‑pronged approach, and in practical terms that looks like clarifying document requirements, so brokers know upfront exactly what’s needed, and being more proactive with valuation and legal partners to keep cases moving even when they hit a snag.

Improving case triage so anything straightforward moves through the system faster is another priority. This is supported in part by cutting-edge software, with many early stage checks now automated. Integrations are also a big focus for Skipton International, because they’re one of the easiest wins for efficiency.

“We’re already working on deeper connections with key sourcing and CRM partners, so brokers can send us richer case information directly from the systems they already use,” Le Prevost says. “In addition, we’re registered on all the main sourcing systems, so brokers can easily find our products and criteria by searching within those platforms.”

The overall benefit is consistency. Brokers will encounter fewer variations in how long a case takes, less back and forth conversation, and a more streamlined experience overall. As Le Prevost explains, it’s about making the process easier, not just faster.

“We’re smoothing out the bumps that slow a case down, not just speeding up the easy parts,” she explains, adding that this is an ongoing mandate. Automating the entire application process is the next goal on the list, for example, but Le Prevost is clear that digital shouldn’t replace people - it should free them up.

Striking the right balance between tech and the human touch

The mortgage market is one of near‑constant flux, but there’s always one steadfast value left standing: access to real people when things get tricky. That’s something brokers appreciate, and it’s the gold standard at Skipton International.

Any technology improvements are made to allow the team to focus on areas where they genuinely add value. While automation does the heavy lifting in the background, when a case needs judgement or context, “we make sure a real person steps in quickly,” Le Prevost says.

“Our BDMs and underwriting teams remain fully accessible for support and resolution, and brokers tell us that being able to pick up the phone to someone who understands the case is still one of the main reasons they choose Skipton International. The aim is to blend digital efficiency with genuinely helpful human support.”

In a market where pricing can be matched overnight, it’s that combination - with Skipton International’s trusted human expertise underpinning everything - that Le Prevost believes will really drive intermediaries’ choices in 2026 and beyond.

“If the last year taught us anything, it’s that investing in the process pays off,” Le Prevost says. “Brokers have been very clear about what they want: speed, transparency, and fewer surprises. Whoever delivers that consistently will win the long-term trust of brokers, and Skipton International intends to do just that.”

 

To learn more about Skipton International - and how the team can help you help your clients - visit the lender’s UK mortgages page.