Skipton Building Society has launched a new campaign to underline its position as a broker-focused lender, highlighting flexible lending, common-sense decision making and direct access to experienced underwriters as the cornerstones of its proposition.

The society believes its approach appears to be resonating with intermediaries. According to a recent Project Nexus report, Skipton recorded gains in broker satisfaction across several service areas, leading the market for underwriting flexibility, business development manager (BDM) effectiveness and pre-application support.

One broker quoted in the research said: “The reason we use Skipton isn’t always because of rates, but rather their criteria, specific products and mainly the sympathetic nature of the underwriters.”

SERVICE AND SPEED

Skipton’s intermediary service is built around accessibility and responsiveness. Underwriters are available directly by phone or email, while BDMs are empowered to provide updates and support with pipeline management. Web chat is available six days a week, with enquiries handled by trained staff rather than automated systems.

The lender has also sought to streamline processing times. Decisions in principle are typically referred within two hours, documents are reviewed within 24 hours, valuations instructed within a day of application, and average application-to-offer time is around 10 days.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

The campaign stresses that Skipton’s offering goes beyond rates. The society provides support for a wide range of client needs, including valuations of off-plan properties, free standard property valuations on homes worth under £1.5m, and no application fees across all products. Selected products also carry no completion fees.

Other elements include 95% LTV lending, delayed start and track record offerings, as well as further advances and product transfers with flexible term amendments through its eMortgage platform.

FEEDBACK-LED APPROACH

Skipton said its service developments are guided by broker feedback gathered through regular engagement initiatives such as its Skipton Talks series and broker listening sessions.

Simon Farrell-Roberts, head of home lending, said: “Skipton Building Society is committed to delivering a broker experience that is simple, supportive and consistently reliable.

“While we continue to invest in technology to drive efficiency, we also recognise that many cases require a human approach.

“At Skipton, we look for reasons to lend and our underwriters are empowered to look beyond the tick-box.”

Paul Fenn, head of business development, added: “Having access to a BDM with in-depth knowledge, not only of a lender’s products and proposition, but also access to firm-level data and insight that helps constructive conversations and planning, can help all parties maintain a successful relationship.”