New findings from Santander show that mortgage brokers remain essential to the homebuying process, even as digital tools and AI become more common.
According to Santander’s first Broker Perception Barometer:
- 65% of homeowners said they couldn’t have completed the homebuying journey without a broker.
- 85% would use a broker again, and 9 in 10 of Santander’s mortgage transactions now come through brokers.
- Borrowers who recently purchased, remortgaged or switched products reported saving an average of £125 a month thanks to broker advice, rising to £155 in the South East.
The research highlights that clients value both the financial and emotional support brokers provide.
While saving money (29%) and saving time (26%) were top benefits, 82% said their broker reduced stress, and one in ten turned to their adviser for emotional reassurance.
Even with the growth of online tools, borrowers still prefer human guidance.
More than half (52%) said they would choose a broker over AI at every stage of the process, and 63% selected their broker based on personal recommendations, compared with just 5% who found one using AI.
Santander says that in a changing rate and lending environment, brokers continue to play a stabilising role — offering clarity, experience and trusted judgement that technology can’t fully replace.