Traditionally, when the summer months arrive, we see a natural dip in activity across the lending and property markets. With schools breaking up and families heading off on holiday, business volumes often soften. It’s an annual rhythm that most of us in the industry have come to expect.
But 2025 feels different.
The latest Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) figures for August show second charge lending up by 12% year-on-year, a statistic that underlines what many of us have sensed on the ground. Rather than the market easing back for the summer, momentum is building. Demand remains strong, and there’s a growing sense of confidence among lenders and intermediaries alike.
Activity holding firm across summer
At Pure Panel Management, we’re certainly not seeing any let-up. Far from it. Valuation instructions from our second charge lender clients are increasing.
This is not the pattern of a market pausing for the summer but the profile of a sector experiencing renewed energy.
Competition and affordability driving demand
Several factors are at play. New entrants to the second charge lending space are bringing fresh competition, broadened product ranges, and more options for brokers to match with their clients’ needs.
At the same time, economic pressures are ensuring that second charge remains a vital solution for homeowners looking to raise capital without disturbing their first charge mortgage arrangements. Falling interest rates are also making second charges more affordable.
What this means for brokers
For brokers, this resurgence is significant. More choice and more lender appetite create greater opportunities to structure solutions that work for clients, whether that’s for home improvements, debt consolidation, or other needs. The flexibility of a second charge, coupled with speed and relative simplicity compared to remortgaging, means that it may be becoming less of a “niche” product and more of a mainstream option in some brokers’ toolkits.
What this means for lenders
For lenders, a busy market is a chance to cement relationships and build share, but it also demands operational resilience. Valuation partners, legal firms, and all supporting services need to move in step to keep cases progressing smoothly. That’s why we place such emphasis on consistency and turnaround times, because in a buoyant market, bottlenecks quickly become pain points.
Signals of a new trend
The net effect is a sector that appears to be finding a new gear. And while it’s still too early to declare a trend that will run through the rest of the year, the signals are encouraging. A busy June, an equally strong July, and a pipeline that shows no sign of slowing suggest that 2025 might be the year we break away from the old seasonal patterns.
Thriving, not slowing down
This summer, we believe that second charge is not just holding its own, but thriving. We’re proud to be right at the heart of that activity, ensuring that our lender clients and their customers get the service and certainty they need.
James Gillam is managing director at Pure Panel Management
