A new survey from Investec has found that 96% of brokers in the high net worth sphere,expect business growth over the next 12 months, up from 91% in 2025 and 81% in 2024

While optimism is high, challenges remain. Macroeconomic volatility continues to rank as brokers’ top concern, consistent with previous years.

Securing new and repeat business has risen further up the agenda in 2026, reflecting increased competition and a more discerning client base, while regulatory change and incoming legislation remain a persistent pressure.

When discussing their high-net-worth clients, brokers’ priorities remain largely unchanged year-on-year. The ability to assess affordability using a broad range of assets rather than salaried income alone continues to be the most pressing concern. This is followed by the speed of financing and the ability to secure a higher loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage, underlining the ongoing need for bespoke, flexible lending solutions.

Commenting on the research Investec Bank head of intermediary business development Peter Izard, said: “Confidence among brokers has built steadily over the past three years, and it’s encouraging to see that translate into such strong growth expectations for 2026. Importantly, we’re also seeing this optimism reflected in real activity. In particular, we’ve recently seen a strong rise in high-net-worth mortgage applications for loans above £5m following the Budget, driven by clients with complex financial profiles seeking certainty, flexibility and speed.”

He added: “High-net-worth individuals rarely fit neatly into standard affordability models, which is why brokers continue to prioritise lenders who can take a holistic view of wealth. Our role is to support brokers with tailored solutions that reflect the full financial picture and help them deliver for clients in an increasingly competitive market.”