Knowledge Bank recorded more than 100,000 searches in April – the highest monthly total so far this year – marking a significant milestone in broker engagement.

The surge in activity was also helped by Notify, Knowledge Bank’s lender-broker enquiry tool. Designed to bridge the gap when search results do not yield immediate answers, Notify enables brokers to reach out directly to lenders for case-specific clarifications. As platform usage rose, so too did engagement with Notify, with April’s data pointing to its growing influence in supporting case placement and facilitating lender-broker dialogue.

SHARED OWNERSHIP CONTINUES ASCENT

April’s search trends showed brokers increasingly turning their attention to residential shared ownership products. Traditionally associated with affordability-conscious borrowers, the category is now close to entering Knowledge Bank’s top 10 most-searched criteria. The uptick comes amid sustained challenges in the housing market, as advisers seek out alternative paths to home ownership for clients who are struggling to meet standard affordability thresholds.

Another area of momentum was expat consumer buy-to-let. Searches for these products have been rising steadily, a trend noted during the most recent Lenders Live panel. Michael Craig, managing director at Brilliant Group, confirmed this on-the-ground reality, observing that demand from expat clients is translating directly into broker enquiries. “The growing interest in this niche really emphasises the need for brokers to remain focused and adaptable,” he said. “It’s vital to stay ahead of changes in the market — not just in the expat space, but across the industry as a whole.”

FOREIGN NATIONAL SEARCHES DECLINE

Conversely, searches for non-EU foreign national lending criteria have seen a decline. While the reasons remain open to interpretation, the drop may point to consolidation within the lender landscape, as brokers increasingly rely on a known cohort of specialist providers rather than exploring the full breadth of the market. It may also reflect a shift in demand, or changing expectations among brokers about how – and for whom – lending options are currently evolving.

CRITERIA ACTIVITY SURGES BEHIND THE SCENES

Alongside rising broker activity, lenders themselves were active in updating their propositions. April saw 166 new criteria added to the Knowledge Bank system through lender KB PRO accounts, while more than 1,200 existing criteria were updated.

According to Shane Chawatama, sales director at Knowledge Bank, these updates reflect more than just administrative diligence. “The market is continuing to shape itself into a more specialist landscape,” he said. “We’re seeing new lenders looking to join the platform with clear areas of focus and specialism. It’s more important than ever for brokers to build their knowledge and consider where they can carve out the best niche.”