Property and real estate finance sector lags behind in digital inclusivity, report reveals

Property and real estate finance ranked as one of the least digitally inclusive financial sub-sectors in the UK, according to a Skillcast report.

The compliance training provider’s ‘Accessibility in Financial Services Report’ analysed over 270 leading companies in nine financially regulated sub-sectors, considering key factors directly related to accessibility and digital inclusion.

Each sub-sector was then assigned a weighted index score out of 80 to gauge the accessibility of its websites.

Property and real estate finance ranked among the lowest in accessibility and digital inclusion, with an index score of 35.1 out of 80. 

Its performance score of 56.7 out of 100 in the report’s Google PageSpeed Analysis indicated a weaker approach to website speed and optimisation, compared to sub-sectors like pensions and retirement planning (59.8) and banking (57.2) – while only nine out of 30 property and real estate finance businesses analysed passed Core Web Vitals, Google’s benchmark for good user experience.

While the sub-sector performed better in adopting best practices than some other sub-sectors, it still lagged in ensuring an optimal user experience.

Meanwhile, in the ARC Toolkit Analysis, property and real estate finance showed a high number of accessibility errors, with an average of 35.1 suggesting significant barriers compared to sub-sectors like insurance and risk management (9.0) and pensions and retirement planning (15.5).

While the sub-sector showed efforts to improve compliance and the user experience, much more work is needed to fully enhance accessibility and create a more inclusive digital experience for users.

Banking emerged as the leading sub-sector for digital inclusion and accessibility, with an index score of 60.4 out of 80. 

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the rankings, capital markets and trading scored the lowest in accessibility and digital inclusion, with an index score of 18.2 out of 80 indicating a weaker approach to website speed and optimisation.

Vivek Dodd, CEO at Skillcast, said: “Property and real estate finance’s performance in accessibility highlights the sub-sector’s need for improvement.

“With an index score of just 35.1 out of 80, the sub-sector lags in enhancing its digital services for a broader audience.

“Our ‘Accessibility in Financial Services Report’ reveals that property and real estate finance ranks relatively low in digital accessibility, emphasising the urgent need for progress.

“Serving a diverse range of clients, including vulnerable groups, the sub-sector must refine its platforms to ensure inclusivity so that all users can navigate and benefit from these services.”

Dodd added: “While the sub-sector’s efforts are noted, as accessibility moves higher up on the regulatory agenda, ongoing investment in digital enhancements and compliance training is crucial.

“As standards and regulations evolve, prioritising inclusivity will create a more accessible financial ecosystem and foster stronger customer trust and loyalty.”