Knowledge Bank’s criteria activity tracker has revealed that brokers’ searches have increased by 68%, with residential searches up by 79%.

The terms brokers searched for most frequently showed less fluctuation than usual, as Covid-19 continued to dominate for the third month running. Across the residential, buy-to-let and bridging categories, the top five searches were the same as in May, albeit with changes in the order.

In the main residential category, both ‘Covid-19: Temporary Maximum LTV Restrictions’ and ‘Furloughed Workers’ featured heavily for the third month running. The ‘Temporary Maximum LTV’ term was also strongly represented in broker searches in the buy-to-let, second charge and bridging categories.

There was slightly greater fluctuation in the second-charge, commercial and self-build markets, but only in the equity release category was there wholesale change in brokers’ criteria searches, with four of the top five searches changing compared to May, and ‘Early Repayment Charges’ resuming the top spot it last occupied in March.

Matthew Corker, lender relationship manager at Knowledge Bank, said: “Lenders have been very active in June, withdrawing and then reintroducing higher-LTV products. Many have also adjusted their affordability and allowable income criteria, as details of the extension to the government’s furlough scheme become clearer.

“It is no surprise to find that brokers are searching more frequently for these criteria. As demand returns to the market, lenders and brokers are having to move fast to stay ahead of the curve. Brokers cannot expect to keep up with the huge number of criteria changes without deploying technology. A criteria database like Knowledge Bank is invaluable to brokers operating in the new normal.”