Primis Mortgage Network’s product desk supported Appointed Representative (AR) advisers with 2,823 queries during March, an all-time record for the network’s product desk.

The monthly average of broker queries the product desk received during 2020 was 2,083.

During March, the most common queries from brokers included lending for contractors and furloughed borrowers; buy-to-let purchases for first-time buyers and non-homeowners and product options for regulated; limited company buy-to-let investors; lending for expats and other overseas clients and lending for borrowers with adverse credit.

Primis said its product desk team addresses the majority of queries from advisers within three to four hours and is currently operating an email and call back only service while Covid-19 restrictions remain in place.

Vikki Jefferies (pictured), proposition director at Primis, said: “Today’s figures show just how crucial Primis’ product desk is, not only for supporting brokers with client queries, but also educating them on key themes in the mortgage market so they can grow their confidence in these areas. It is really encouraging to see that advisers were utilising the product desk throughout March to support them with both new and ongoing queries, and then showcasing their learnings in conversations with clients. This is what the product desk is all about – ensuring brokers have the resources they need to help them perform their best and ensure that their businesses thrive.

“As some sense of normality returns to the UK, I hope to see more brokers focusing on strengthening their business alongside their crucial day-to-day work with clients. Ensuring that operational processes are running efficiently will deliver significant benefits for brokers’ businesses, so I’d encourage the adviser community to take advantage of the resources available to enhance their business and support their client work going forwards.”