Editor’s note: Be the change you want to see

Welcome back, to the first issue of Mortgage Strategy since the summer ‘break’. If you managed to turn off the laptop and work phone completely for a week or two, well done you!

But I know that switching off from the industry completely is nigh on impossible at the moment, unless you took your holiday on the island of Tristan Da Cunha (said by Google to be the most remote place on Earth inhabited by humans).

The national news is dominated by the cost-of-living crisis, inflation and the regular base rate rises, set to continue for the foreseeable. And, of course, all of this directly relates to the mortgage market.

The industry is at its best when each component listens to the others and works to find solutions in a professional and respectful manner

The economy is causing a definite sense of financial panic for many, while the government, whatever it looks like by the time you read this, is offering no reassurance. It hasn’t been the most content of summers in the mortgage sector either. Frustration is rife between the various factions with many service issues reported and even alleged verbal abuse levelled at some colleagues.

No wonder many of you are exasperated. It has felt like one thing after another for years, and for brokers, going through the process of finding a deal for a client, only for the product to be withdrawn or the price hiked, would drive anyone up the wall, all while trying to help fretful borrowers stay calm.

But the industry is at its best when each component listens to the others and works to find solutions in a professional and respectful manner. Who would want to work in a market without these basics? There are enough other challenges.

Switching off from the industry completely is nigh on impossible at the moment

Speaking of which, Consumer Duty is a term that has dominated the headlines. Our cover story dissects it and what it means for your business. The second feature this month is the quarterly buy-to-let lender ratings, which breaks down how the top 10 lenders in BTL have performed from our panel’s perspective.

Of course, we also have the regular insightful pieces from our contributors, special reports and profiles on industry figures, finishing off with a bit of Mole fun.

It’s good to be back!