Some 75% of specialist finance intermediaries expect business sales to increase in the next 12 months, according to research by Masthaven.
The study by the specialist bank found that only 2.5% of intermediaries expected to see sales decline.
The biggest growth challenges were expected to be lending criteria (35%), regulation (27%) and lack of innovation (18%).
Matt Andrews, managing director of mortgages at Masthaven (pictured above), said: “Despite ongoing Brexit negotiations and another quarter of slowing house prices, it is positive to know that intermediaries are confident for a successful 2019 with a large proportion expecting sales to increase.
“This year is set to be another bumper one for the industry – we are already seeing restrictive credit scores and prescriptive lending criteria being reconsidered.
“However, there is always room for improvement.
“We must continue to create [innovative] products, develop frictionless services and streamline the borrowing process so that despite the unknown uncertainties that lie ahead, specialist finance will continue to become the new normal.”
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