Primis brokers in Wales and the South are overwhelmingly upbeat about prospects for 2026, with 79% expecting to write more business this year than last.
In surveys conducted recently at Primis Kick Off events in Newport and London, the network’s brokers based in Wales, the South West, and the South East of England revealed how they felt about the forthcoming year.
Sixty-nine per cent (69%) of brokers in Wales and the South West expect to write greater volumes in 2026 compared to 2025, a figure that rises to 90% among brokers in the South East.
Overall confidence is even greater in protection, with 82% of all respondents anticipating they will write more business this year, increasing to 89% among brokers specifically in Wales and the South West. In total, 15% of respondents expect volumes to hold steady, while 4% expect to write less.
Sixty-six per cent (66%) of brokers described themselves as either ‘optimistic’ or ‘somewhat optimistic’ about the prospects for their business over the next 12 months. This rose to 71% for respondents in Wales and the South West.
However, while upbeat overall, brokers listed economic uncertainty (36%) and customer affordability (32%) as the two biggest headwinds they may face this year.
With an estimated 1.8 million fixed rate loans expiring in 2026, nearly two-thirds (57%) of total respondents said the remortgage market represents the biggest opportunity in the coming months. This was followed by income protection, which 20% of brokers in the South East identified as the biggest opportunity, compared with 11% in Wales and the South West.
Twelve per cent (12%) of total respondents saw first-time buyers as the biggest opportunity, followed by buy-to-let and specialist mortgages (both 4%), home movers (3%), and insurance and critical illness cover (all 2% or lower).
Despite industry concern over the FCA’s removal of the ‘advice trigger’, 71% of brokers surveyed say they are not worried about a potential rise in non-advised sales.
Expectations around interest rates are similarly clear-cut. The majority of brokers anticipate rates will fall in 2026, with 70% predicting cuts of 25–50 basis points and a further 22% expecting reductions of 51–100 basis points. Just 5% believe rates will remain unchanged.
Neil Hoare, Sales Director at LSL Financial Services, said: “These findings show a positive mood among brokers in Wales and the South of England. After several years of higher rates, weaker affordability and subdued activity, there is now a growing sense that the market is turning a corner.
“Brokers are seeing improving affordability, a large volume of fixed-rate mortgages coming up for renewal and a steady return of buyer confidence, all of which is feeding into a much more positive outlook for 2026.”
Hoare added: “At Primis, our focus is on helping brokers turn that opportunity into sustainable growth. That means giving them the tools, lender access and regulatory support they need to operate confidently, whether that’s navigating a busy remortgage market, growing protection sales or adapting to regulatory change without losing sight of the customer. This year won’t be without challenges. But brokers in Wales and across the South are entering 2026 with confidence and enthusiasm, and we are here to help them achieve that growth and deliver great customer outcomes while doing so.”
