South Africa’s biggest mortgage broker backs The Mortgage Brain

The BetterHome Group, South Africa’s largest mortgage broker, has taken a 25% stake in The Mortgage Brain (TMB) as part of a strategic partnership intended to accelerate the UK firm’s five-year growth plan and enhance its digital capabilities.

BetterHome, which accounts for around half of South Africa’s new-build mortgage market and 35% of its total mortgage market, said the investment reflects its long-term confidence in the Gloucester-based business.

TMB, founded more than 20 years ago by Enzo Mora (main picture, right), has expanded rapidly in the UK new-build sector.

The broker partners with more than 20 national housebuilders across 300 sites, offering an on-site specialist adviser service designed to speed up applications and reduce fall-through rates by qualifying buyers early in the process. The firm reports conversion rates of around 85% on its exclusive developments.

DIGITAL FIRST

The investment is expected to support TMB’s plans to strengthen its technology offering while continuing to build its reputation for specialist advice and customer service.

Mora, CEO and founder of The Mortgage Brain, said: “The BetterHome Group’s digital-first approach and strength in the new-build market are exactly the kind of capabilities we’re excited to bring into the UK and will support our ambitious plans to grow the number of developers we work with and increase our mortgage sales volume threefold over the next three years.

“The investment also comes on the back of our best ever trading year and we are on target to arrange £1.5bn worth of mortgages in 2025 up 20% on 2024.”

TRUSTED BRAND

Rudi Botha (main picture, left), CEO of The BetterHome Group, added: “We’re delighted to have invested in The Mortgage Brain because of their outstanding track record in the new-build sector, their trusted brand and their shared commitment to innovation and customer service.

“The UK market appeals to us as it presents an exciting opportunity to combine our digital capabilities with a strong, established broker business at a time when consumer demand for faster, tech-enabled mortgage solutions is growing.”