Employment history became a more pressing concern for mortgage brokers in July as changing borrower circumstances and lender requirements added to the complexity of placing cases, according to Knowledge Bank.

The mortgage criteria platform’s data for July 2026 showed that “maximum age at end of term” remained the most frequently searched residential mortgage criterion, followed by “Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor”.

“Time in current employment” rose to third place, displacing “defaults registered in the last three years”, which fell from third to fifth.

Searches for “lending in Scotland” also continued to rise after the criterion entered the top 10 for the first time in June. Knowledge Bank said the increase might reflect the growing number of lenders entering or expanding their presence in the Scottish mortgage market.

Interest in “mortgage/secured loan arrears or defaults” increased for the third consecutive month. The criterion moved from 26th place to 17th before reaching 14th in July, suggesting that brokers may be handling more borrowers with historic or current credit difficulties.

By contrast, “interest only” continued to fall. It began 2026 among the five most-searched criteria but ended July in 17th place.

“Ex-local authority flats” recorded another notable movement, climbing from just inside the top 100 in June to 80th at the end of July.

Lenders made more than 3,000 amendments to existing criteria on the Knowledge Bank system during July and added a further 1,500 criteria.

Seven lenders joined Knowledge Bank’s Notify service during the month, including Newcastle Building Society, Metro Bank, Afin Bank and Market Harborough Building Society. The service allows brokers to send suitable cases directly to participating lenders.

Shane Chawatama, sales director at Knowledge Bank, said: “July’s results demonstrate how quickly brokers’ priorities can change. Employment history has become markedly more prominent, while the sustained rise in searches relating to mortgage or secured-loan arrears and defaults is an important trend for the industry to monitor.

“The volume of criteria changes being made by lenders also highlights the speed at which the market is evolving. With more than 3,000 amendments and a further 1,500 criteria added in July alone, brokers need access to accurate, up-to-date information if they are to identify the right solutions for their clients.

“The mortgage market is complex, making timely and reliable data essential. Used effectively, search data can help lenders understand emerging demand, identify possible gaps in their criteria and make better-informed strategic decisions.

“This also speaks into the value of Notify. Sometimes brokers just need to get a case to a lenders to better understand their appetite.

“Those using it, feel like they are winning.”