The 10 largest mortgage lenders in the United Kingdom accounted for approximately 81 percent of the total market, with the top three alone accounting for 41 percent in 2023. Lloyds Banking Group had the largest market share of gross mortgage lending, with nearly 36.8 billion British pounds in lending in 2023. HSBC, which is the largest UK bank by total assets, ranked fourth. Development of the mortgage market In 2023, the value of outstanding in mortgage lending to individuals amounted to 1.6 trillion British pounds. Although this figure has continuously increased in the past, the UK mortgage market declined dramatically in 2023, registering the lowest value of mortgage lending since 2015. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the market to contract for the first time since 2012. The next two years saw mortgage lending soar due to pent-up demand, but as interest rates soared, the housing market cooled, leading to a decrease in new loans of about 100 billion British pounds. The end of low interest rates In 2021, mortgage rates saw some of their lowest levels since recording began by the Bank of England. For a long time, this was particularly good news for first-time homebuyers and those remortgaging their property. Nevertheless, due to the rising inflation, mortgage rates started to rise in the second half of the year, resulting in the 10-year rate doubling in 2022.

Lloyds banking group topped the list as the largest mortgage provider in the United Kingdom in 2020 and 2021, when accounting for the value of mortgages outstanding. In 2021, Lloyds Banking Group accounted for almost 20 percent of the market. In the same year, the market share of the top three lenders (Lloyds, Nationwide BS, and Santander UK) exceeded 42 percent of the total market.

The European mortgage and loan broker market, valued at €8.79 billion in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.12% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is driven by several key factors. Increasing demand for mortgages and loans from both businesses and individuals, fueled by rising real estate prices and a growing need for financing various business ventures, is a significant contributor. Technological advancements, particularly the rise of online platforms and fintech solutions, are streamlining the loan application process, enhancing customer experience, and increasing market accessibility. Moreover, favorable government policies aimed at stimulating the housing and commercial sectors in certain European countries are further boosting market growth. The market is segmented by enterprise size (large, small, mid-sized), loan type (home loans, commercial and industrial loans, vehicle loans, government loans, others), and end-user (businesses, individuals). Competition is fierce amongst established players like Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Nationwide BS, HSBC Bank, and others, alongside emerging fintech companies. While the market shows strong potential, challenges remain. Fluctuations in interest rates, regulatory changes, and economic uncertainties can impact market growth. Furthermore, concerns about data security and consumer protection within the online loan brokerage sphere need careful consideration by both brokers and consumers. The market's regional composition shows variations in growth trajectories. The UK, Germany, and France represent significant portions of the overall market, reflecting their larger economies and developed financial sectors. However, the “Rest of Europe” segment also demonstrates substantial growth potential, suggesting opportunities for expansion into less saturated markets. Future growth will hinge on adapting to evolving consumer preferences, leveraging innovative technologies, and effectively managing the inherent risks associated with the financial services industry. Proactive risk management strategies and robust cybersecurity protocols will be essential for sustained and responsible growth within this dynamic market. Recent developments include: January 2023: OneDome, a UK end-to-end challenger, acquired CMME Mortgage and Protection Ltd. from CMME Group for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition, which involves the integration of CMME Mortgages 65-person team into OneDome, will enable OneDome to dramatically expand its mortgage brokerage capability and support its online clients., June 2023: Barclays (BARC.L) has agreed to buy specialty lender Kensington Mortgage Company for approximately 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion), boosting its presence in the UK property sector.. Notable trends are: The Housing Market's Expansion Drives Up Demand for Mortgage Brokers.

Over the five years through 2024-25, UK banks' revenue is expected to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.7% to £128.6 billion, including an anticipated hike of 2% in 2024-25. After the financial crisis in 2007-08, low interest rates limited banks' interest in loans, hitting income. At the same time, a stricter regulatory environment, including increased capital requirements introduced under the Basel III banking reforms and ring-fencing regulations, constricted lending activity. To protect their profitability, banks such as Lloyds have shut the doors of many branches and made substantial job cuts. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the Bank of England adopted aggressive tightening of monetary policy, hiking interest rates to rein in spiralling inflation. The higher base rate environment lifted borrowing costs, driving interest income for banks, who reported skyrocketing profits in 2023-24. Although profit grew markedly, pressure to pass on higher rates to savers and fierce competition weighed on net interest income at the tail end of the year, the difference between interest paid and interest received. UK banks are set to continue performing well in 2024-25 as the higher interest rate environment maintains healthy interest income, aiding revenue growth. However, net interest income is set to dip marginally due to higher deposit costs and narrow margins on mortgage loans. With further rate cuts priced into markets, savings rates will drop in 2024-25, stemming the drop in net interest income. Over the five years through 2029-30, industry revenue is forecast to swell at a compound annual rate of 3.3% to reach £151.1 billion. Regulatory restrictions, tougher stress tests and stringent lending criteria will also hamper revenue growth. Competition is set to remain fierce – both internally from lenders that deliver their services exclusively via digital channels and externally from alternative finance providers, like peer-to-peer lending platforms. The possibility of legislation like the Edinburgh reforms will drive investment and lending activity in the coming years, if introduced. However, concerns surrounding the repercussions of less stringent capital requirements and the already fragile nature of the UK financial system pose doubt as to whether any significant changes will be made.

The Monetary Intermediation industry has experienced a significant change in recent years. It previously contended with the ultra-low interest rate environment following the financial crisis of 2008 and is now benefitting from aggressive rate rises in the face of spiralling inflation. Industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.2% over the five years through 2024 to €392.4 billion, including an estimated growth of 3.7% in 2024, while the average industry profit margin is anticipated to be 34.3%. The rising base rate environment allowed lenders to raise the interest charged on their loans, ratcheting up interest income in the two years through 2023 and supporting revenue growth. This was particularly beneficial to retail investors who earn a large chunk of their revenue from lending. However, banks must also contend with rising deposit costs, as customers put pressure to pass on greater savings rates in the rising base rate environment, threatening profitability. Revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.2% over the five years through 2029 to €415.5 billion, while the average industry profit margin is forecast to reach 36.3%. Challenger banks are set to chip away at demand for traditional lenders as they emphasise the customer experience and personalised services. Profitability will also be hit by intensifying deposit competition in the coming years.

Over the five years through 2024-25, the Home Insurance industry's revenue is anticipated to remain flat over the five years through 2024-25, standing at £6 billion. Revenue is comprised of premium income and investment income. Insurers must maintain enough capital reserves to meet liabilities in the event of a claim; insurers invest premium income in a diverse range of asset classes to gain a return. Despite strong demand for home insurance, supported by a rising number of housing transactions and a strong rental market, the home insurance industry has endured challenging operating conditions in recent years, including intense competition from other financial institutions like retail banks, downward pricing pressures and a tightening regulatory environment. According to ABI, premiums plummeted by 6% in 2022 amid fierce price competition and the FCA's new pricing reforms. This was despite a rise in claims following numerous severe weather events and inflated building material costs. Premiums eventually jumped in 2023-24 as insurers sought to mitigate intense cost pressures amid the inflationary environment, supporting revenue. However, a downturn in the housing market due to rising mortgage rates eroded demand for insurance, partially offsetting higher premiums. In 2024-25, premiums will continue to rise as insurers desperately try to boost profit. The UK housing market is also positioned for a strong recovery, supported by falling mortgage rates and improving economic sentiment, contributing to revenue growth of 6.6% in 2024-25. Home insurance revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.7% over the five years through 2029-30 to reach £6 billion. Although premium growth is set to slow as inflation normalises, the housing market is set for solid growth in the coming years thanks to the lower interest rate environment, lifting demand for home insurance. All insurers are set to be compliant with the Solvency II reforms by December 2024, which will unlock £100 billion of investment, lifting revenue growth over the coming years. Insurtechs will continue to lead the way in innovation offering greater personalisation for customers thanks to AI and big data.