Since 2004, the median value of a mortgage advance for a home purchase in the UK has more than doubled. In 2023, the average mortgage advance stood at 185,000 British pounds. The increase has been a direct result of the overall rise of house prices in the UK.

The average value of mortgage loans granted in the UK since 2016 ranged between 156,000 British pounds and 203,000 British pounds. In the third quarter of 2024, the average mortgage loan amounted to nearly 196,390 British pounds - the second-highest figure on record after the third quarter of 2022. The overall increase in the average value of mortgages granted can be explained by the accelerated increase in house prices since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The first-time buyer average mortgage increased across all regions in the United Kingdom in 2023. London had the largest average mortgage size at over 383,386 British pounds. This was because it was also the region with the most expensive hosing.

Mortgage rates increased at a record pace in 2022, with the 10-year fixed mortgage rate doubling between March 2022 and December 2022. With inflation increasing, the Bank of England introduced several bank rate hikes, resulting in higher mortgage rates. In September 2023, the average 10-year fixed rate interest rate reached 5.1 percent. As borrowing costs get higher, demand for housing is expected to decrease, leading to declining market sentiment and slower house price growth. How have the mortgage hikes affected the market? After surging in 2021, the number of residential properties sold declined in 2022, reaching close to 1.3 million. Despite the number of transactions falling, this figure was higher than the period before the COVID-10 pandemic. The falling transaction volume also impacted mortgage borrowing. Between the first quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, the value of new mortgage loans fell year-on-year for fourth straight quarters in a row. How are higher mortgages affecting homebuyers? Homeowners with a mortgage loan usually lock in a fixed rate deal for two to ten years, meaning that after this period runs out, they need to renegotiate the terms of the loan. Many of the mortgages outstanding were taken out during the period of record-low mortgage rates and have since faced notable increases in their monthly repayment. About five million homeowners are projected to see their deal expire by the end of 2026. About two million of these loans are projected to experience a monthly payment increase of up to 199 British pounds by 2026.

Business mortgages, or buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages, are a loan sold to property investors, rather than to people who want to purchase a home to live in. As of the second quarter of 2012, multi-unit freehold blocks (MUFB) saw the second-highest average loan size at over 553,000 British pounds. Nevertheless, this was a decrease from the third quarter in 2021, when the average loan size for this property type was close to 536,000 British pounds.

Average weekly household expenditure on goods and services in the UK. Data are shown by region, age, income (including equivalised) group (deciles and quintiles), economic status, socio-economic class, housing tenure, output area classification, urban and rural areas (Great Britain only), place of purchase and household composition.

Most mortgages for recent first-time buyers in England had a loan term of over 30 years in 2024. Nevertheless, the share of mortgages with a loan duration of over 30 years decreased from 55.5 percent in 2022 to 54.5 percent in 2024. Additionally, mortgages with a shorter duration of up to 19 years became slightly more common.

The average cost of buying a property with a mortgage in Camden, London, was about twice as high as in Croydon in June 2024. Despite experiencing one of the highest declines in property prices in the past year, Kensington and Chelsea remained the most expensive borough for residential real estate. The average cost of buying a new residential dwelling with a mortgage is usually higher than the original asking price. The amount of the down payment, interest payments placed on the repayment of the loan, and other added costs on can amount to thousands of British pounds. Property prices in other cities in the UK Cambridge, Oxford, and Bristol were some of the other cities with costly housing markets. Despite the slowdown in the residential sector, many of the major cities in the UK continued to see house prices increase in 2023. Though the housing boom witnessed during the pandemic has come to an end, prices show little volatility, due to the high demand and chronic shortage of affordable housing. To buy or to rent? Buying has long been the better option for those who can afford it. Homebuyers can achieve monthly savings of several hundred British pounds, depending on the region. Nevertheless, the soaring mortgage rates and house prices in recent years have led to a narrowing gap between purchase and rental costs.

The mortgage term length on about 28 percent of new mortgage lending in the UK was 30 to 35 years in September 2023. That includes first-time buyers, repeat buyers, and remortgages. Mortgages with a term of over 35 years were the least common. Nevertheless, they gained increased popularity between 2022 and 2023, rising from 7.3 percent to 12.5 percent of new lending. Longer terms imply lower monthly principal repayments. Nevertheless, they result in a higher interest payment over the life of the mortgage.

Key information about United Kingdom Non Performing Loans Ratio

• United Kingdom Non Performing Loans Ratio stood at 1.0 % in Dec 2022, compared with the ratio of 1.0 % in the previous year
• UK Non Performing Loans Ratio data is updated yearly, available from Dec 2005 to Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 4.0 % in Dec 2011 and a record low of 1.0 % in Dec 2021

• In the latest reports, Money Supply M2 in UK increased 0.7 % YoY in May 2023
• UK Foreign Exchange Reserves was measured at 116.0 USD bn in May 2023
• The Foreign Exchange Reserves equaled 1.9 Months of Import in Apr 2023
• The country's Domestic Credit reached 4,978.3 USD bn in Apr 2023, representing an drop of 3.3 % YoY
• Household Debt of UK reached 2,756.4 USD bn in Mar 2023, accounting for 88.0 % of the country's Nominal GDP

Expenditure on rent by renters and mortgages by mortgage holders, by region and age from the Living Costs and Food Survey for the financial year ending 2022. Data is presented as a proportion of total expenditure and a proportion of disposable income.

Business mortgages, or buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages, are a loan sold to property investors, rather than to people who want to purchase a home to live in. As of the second quarter of 2022, the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of rental properties in the United Kingdom was between 62 percent and 68 percent, depending on the property type. Flats had the highest LTV ratio at 68 percent, meaning that the amount of the loan for the purchase of a rental flat amounted to 68 percent of the property value. In the same period, flats had the second-lowest average loan size from all property types.

In 2023, the number of mortgage sales (PSD) in the UK stood at 888,000 million for the year. Of these, mortgage loans valued between 120,000 and 250, British pounds were the most sought after. This is unsurprising, given the average house price in the UK.

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Unsecured Business Loans Market Size 2025-2029

The unsecured business loans market size is forecast to increase by USD 4,023.4 billion at a CAGR of 11.3% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing number of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) seeking financing solutions. These businesses often lack the collateral required for secured loans, making unsecured loans an attractive option. Strategic partnerships between market participants are also driving market growth, as they enable lenders to expand their reach and offer more competitive pricing. However, the market faces challenges related to compliance and regulatory requirements, which can make it difficult for lenders to navigate the complex regulatory landscape. Ensuring adherence to these regulations is crucial to maintain trust and transparency in the market. However, there are concerns regarding consumer preferences, potential predatory lending practices, and the impact of automation and data analytics on underwriting and credit scoring algorithms. Overall, the market is poised for continued growth, with SME financing needs and strategic partnerships fueling expansion, while regulatory compliance remains a key challenge.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

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Unsecured business loans have become an essential financing option for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) seeking working capital to fuel their growth. Unlike secured loans that require collateral, unsecured business loans are based on the borrower's creditworthiness, credit score, income, and business financials. The risk associated with unsecured business loans is generally higher than secured loans due to the absence of collateral. Lenders assess the borrower's ability to repay the loan based on their credit history, income, and business financials. First-time borrowers may face additional scrutiny during the loan application process. Regulatory issues play a crucial role in the market.
Furthermore, governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing stricter regulations to protect consumers and ensure fair lending practices. digital lending platforms have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional lending institutions, offering convenience, flexibility, and faster loan processing times. Consumer preferences have shifted towards unsecured loans due to the convenience and flexibility they offer. While secured loans require collateral, unsecured loans do not, making them an attractive option for businesses that do not have assets to pledge as collateral. Interest rates for unsecured business loans are typically higher than secured loans due to the increased risk. Credit cards offer an alternative form of unsecured financing for businesses.

How is this market segmented and which is the largest segment?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

End-user

  SMEs
  Large enterprises


Type

  Short term loan
  Medium term loan
  Long term loan


Geography

  North America

    Canada
    Mexico
    US


  Europe

    Germany
    UK
    France


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Brazil


  Middle East and Africa

By End-user Insights

The SMEs segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Unsecured business loans have become an essential financing solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) seeking funds without collateral. The adoption of these loans has increased due to the limitations of traditional banking options. Unsecured business loans offer flexibility, quick access to funds, and alleviate the need for collateral. SMEs can utilize these loans for various purposes such as working capital, new projects, and expansion plans. Online enterprises and new firms particularly benefit from unsecured business loans due to their convenience and speed. Loan servicing companies facilitate the process, ensuring a seamless experience for borrowers. The length of these loans varies, with EMIs (Equated Monthly Installments) allowing for manageable repayment plans based on cash flow. Unsecured business loans are a valuable financial tool for SMEs, providing a viable alternative to traditional banking options.

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The SMEs segment was valued at USD 3,168.7 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

North America is estimated to contribute 37% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained

This statistic displays the distribution of average amount of debt resulting from loans in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017, by age group. Adults aged between 35 and 44 years of age had the highest amount of debt in loans, with an average of over 2.6 thousand British pounds. Those aged over 75 years had the lowest average debt in personal loans, with an average of 240 British pounds in 2017.

In 2019, mortgage advances valued at over one hundred thousand British pounds accounted for over one third of all mortgages in the UK. With the simple average house price of all dwellings in the UK valued at 277 thousand British pounds in 2019, there is a clear correlation between the size of mortgage advances and the ongoing rise of house prices.

UK adults aged 35 to 44 were most likely to have a mortgage loan in 2022, with more than half of the respondents in a nationally representative survey sharing that they held one in their own name or joint names. The average for the country stood at 28 percent at that time. Among older generations, the percentage of mortgage holders declined, as these were more likely to have already paid off their mortgage.

This statistic displays the average household amount outstanding on mortgages from 2006 to 2019 in the United Kingdom (UK). As displayed, the average outstanding amount went from 103,657 British pounds per household to 142,183 British pounds. Overall the graph shows a steady increase in the amount owed per household on average.