Stonebridge unveils 2019 business growth

The network revealed its latest figures at its National Conference.

Stonebridge unveils 2019 business growth

Stonebridge completed a record £8bn in mortgages in 2019 with lending volumes up by 11%, the network has revealed.

Mortgage application case numbers were up by 5% on 2018 and by volume up 6%.

The network generated £16.5m of life commissions, up by 10% on 2018, whilst general insurance business completed in 2019 was up 13% on 2018.

Stonebridge's buy-to-let business reportedly remained steady last year at 17% of its overall business submissions, the same figure as 2018.

Of this buy-to-let business, purchase had increased to 24% (up from 15% in 2018), and 76% was for remortgaging.

The network said its growth, slightly ahead of forecast, reflected continuing progress in driving up income per adviser, with this figure outstripping adviser growth.

Stonebridge also revealed a 7.5% growth in adviser numbers over the course of 2019, with the network having 644 individual advisers in 320 AR partner firms at the end of the year.

Jo Carrasco, business partnerships director at Stonebridge, said: “It was very pleasing to be able to announce such strong figures for 2019 across our core product areas at the Stonebridge National Conference, where we were joined by both established firms and new members, together with hugely impressive external speakers who are leaders in their field.

“Over the course of 2019 we outperformed the previous 12-month period, saw adviser and firm numbers increase, added new lenders and providers to panel, plus developed our unique Revolution system in a number of areas.

“There is no hint of us resting on our laurels as we have ambitious plans for the future and want to keep developing the Stonebridge proposition, helping our existing members grow their teams, and bring on board new AR firms that will grow and thrive within the network.

“We also wanted to ensure that focus was given to the protection opportunity that exists – 70% of all mortgage clients still don’t have any cover and Conference attendees heard how vital it has been for so many individuals who find their circumstances changed.

"It’s our continued aim to ensure that we provide the best support possible to ensure Stonebridge does all it can to narrow the protection gap. “2019 ended on a high with record mortgage completions and January applications continued in the same vein.

"We are highly positive about the year ahead and further into the future; we will continue to make sure Stonebridge provides the best products, the best technology and the best service, all under one umbrella.”