Crystal Specialist Finance (CSF) has published an ebook designed to explore the post-pandemic landscape after conducting both consumer and broker research.
Bringing together independent insight from its network of mortgage brokers and a separate study in collaboration with YouGov, the ebook examines the “unique” experiences of mortgage brokers and consumers during the Covid-19 pandemic and assesses the impacts on both mental health and finances.
Last year, the distributor launched its Inspire campaign, where a number of industry figures talked about mental heath issues and often shared difficult stories with the marketplace.
Its new Thrive campaign is about growing, developing and succeeding, with business opportunities outlined in the ebook. It looks at the impacts of living situations on mental health and personal finances, by age group, gender and region. For example, from a broker perspective, CSF says that the results show they should get more involved with those in the 25-34 age bracket, as their levels of stress and debt consolidation, for instance, and noticeably higher than for other age groups.
Jo Breeden, managing director of Crystal Specialist Finance, said: “There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic was a profound life event in which its polarising effects on sections of society will continue to reverberate through the coming years.
“It is encouraging to see that despite more than half of our surveyed mortgage brokers finding the pandemic hard, they stated their outlook to be optimistic for the future.
“Now as we find ourselves back on the terra firma and look towards the next 12 months, the mortgage industry has an opportunity to thrive in the fertile landscape ahead. It also presents us with the chance to extend a helping hand to those who have experienced hardships of the pandemic through tailer-made financial solutions.
“Mortgage brokers and lenders alike have the ability and responsibility to help customers re-build after the crisis. Together, we can act as the lighthouse to help those who still find themselves on stormy seas trying to navigate to the shore.
“A beacon which comes in the form of expert guidance, innovative digital customer journeys, and bespoke financial products that generously and sensitively take into consideration the unique circumstances consumers find themselves in.”
The specialist distributor is looking to revisit the research every six months.
