Mortgage lenders expecting final quarter activity increase

October 18, 2026 by Brendan O'Neill

Mortgage Advisors

Mortgage lenders have indicated that they expect activity levels to increase during the final quarter of the year, across a range of product types.

This view is attributed to the most recent Credit Conditions Survey conducted by the Bank of England (BoE). This survey reveals a drop in buyer activity levels for purchase, remortgage and secured credit loans during the third quarter of 2026. However, lenders stated that they think activity levels for all three will go up during the last quarter.

Propertymark CEO Nathan Emerson said it was good to see that lenders are optimistic about mortgage demand for the remainder of the year. He added that being able to access finance would boost the confidence of potential buyers at a time when they face affordability challenges.

Emerson went on to say that making sure there are affordable options available for people would be crucial to a recovery in activity levels. He concluded by saying that everyone would be watching the Autumn Budget to see if any steps are taken to ease mortgage market turbulence.

Richard Pinch works for Broadstone as its credit advisory and banking senior director. He told Financial Reporter:

“While lenders are expecting demand for mortgage and remortgage lending to pick up in the final quarter, there are reasons to question how quickly that recovery will come through.”

He added that much would depend on the content of the Budget.

Mortgage advisors with the CeMAP qualification will be following the Autumn Budget closely for potential impacts on the market.