Ian Stockley, Business Development Manager
When did you join Ipswich Building Society and what were you previously doing?
I rejoined the Society 3 years ago, having previously been with the Society for more than 12 years. Between my two Ipswich BS careers I worked for another building society, a mortgage management company and in the insolvency team of a chartered accountants
What’s the most satisfying case you have been involved in?
Whenever the intermediary, myself and our Underwriters work as a team to shape a case and it completes. Recently, we worked with a local intermediary to shape an applicants' nearby self build that had already started, another lender had declined the application at a late stage and we found a way to assist and meet the clients increasingly tight deadlines. I am pleased that the mortgage has now completed and the build progressing well. The intermediary visited us to thank the Sales and Lending teams for making it happen.
If you could change one thing to improve the mortgage market, what would it be and why?
Writing this during COVID-19, it would be getting valuations started again, when it is safe to do so.
Generally, I would encourage the market to look at the lending opportunities available for older borrowers. For intermediaries clients and the clients' parents and perhaps even grand-parents.
Describe your dream house – what would it be like, and where?
A cottage with wooden beams and period features but with a modern kitchen, in or close to the Suffolk countryside.
What’s the best part about your job?
Building and maintaining relationships with intermediaries and helping, often with slightly unusual scenarios, to meet the mortgage needs of their clients – frequently where others have been unable to assist.
How do you see the mortgage market changing after the coronavirus pandemic?
Talking to intermediaries and estate agents, positivity has been maintained in very challenging circumstances and clients are still wanting to buy, as soon as they are able. I anticipate that it will be very busy, with attractive rates and relaxing criteria as lenders look for market share. I anticipate that our manual underwriting and case shaping will be in high demand from intermediaries whose clients may have had a challenging year and need us to look at the case and supporting information on its merits.
How do you think it will impact the way you do your job?
The way I do my job, doing everything I can to support the intermediary with their enquiry and subsequent case, informing our intermediary partners of our excellent proposition and the opportunities it presents, will not change. In fact, working from home in recent weeks, doing Joe Wicks workouts, running and pilates, has given me even more energy! I expect that some intermediary partners will take the opportunity to use Teams, Zoom or similar technology more so that I, and advisers, can join meetings remotely more often and we are happy to deliver this. I am also looking forward to getting on the road again, meeting and helping existing and new intermediary partners.
What do you think the mortgage market will look like?
Following on from my answer above, the market will be extremely competitive, both with rates and criteria. I think technology will play an increasing part in the mortgage journey. I am excited by the opportunities ahead for us, with our manual underwriting and niche lending criteria and anticipate increasing numbers of clients and intermediaries benefitting from our proposition and service.
