Finding the right mortgage broker referral service can make a major difference to both client outcomes and your business growth. Connect’s Referral Service is designed for advisers, introducers, accountants and professionals who want to help clients secure the right finance without taking on the full advice process. Whether you want support with complex cases, need access to specialist lenders or prefer to refer business and earn commission, our referral service gives you a simple and compliant way to achieve it.
With access to more than one hundred and seventy lenders and a dedicated in-house team, we handle the advice, packaging and case management while you stay fully involved. You remain your client’s trusted point of contact and receive a fair commission share on completion. It is a straightforward way to expand your client offering, reduce risk and deliver better outcomes, without needing additional permissions or systems.
This service is ideal for busy brokers, newly qualified advisers, introducers and firms that want a safe, reliable way to place cases they cannot or do not wish to handle themselves. It also provides reassurance that every client receives the right guidance from a network that has supported brokers since 1998.
Why Brokers Should Use a Mortgage Referral Service
Mortgage brokers often encounter cases that fall outside their area of expertise. These may involve specialist lending, complex income structures, unusual property types, or clients needing solutions in a niche area that the broker does not regularly handle. When this happens, the adviser often has to decline the business, which affects revenue and can weaken long-standing client relationships.
A trusted broker referral service helps advisers turn these challenges into opportunities.
| Metric |
Value |
Source / Notes |
| Percentage of brokers who say the specialist mortgage market presents a “bigger opportunity” than before |
72% |
A study by United Trust Bank (UTB) found that 72% of brokers believe the specialist mortgage market offers more opportunities than previously. |
| Percentage of brokers reporting that more than half their cases involve specialist lenders |
17% |
From the same UTB research, 17% of brokers stated that more than half their cases are with specialist lenders. |
| The percentage of brokers who say their clients had been rejected by a high street lender first |
87% |
In the UTB research, 87% of brokers said it was common for clients to be rejected by a mainstream lender prior to their referral. |
| Percentage of brokers who say they are struggling to maximise revenue on each transaction |
53% |
From the Landmark Information Group “Mortgage Broker Insights Report 2025”: 53% of brokers are struggling to maximise revenue per transaction. |
| The drop in the number of UK mortgage advisers from 2019 to 2023 |
From ~28,616 in 2019 to ~24,422 in 2023 |
According to the Financial Conduct Authority data via Mortgage Solutions, adviser numbers decreased over this period. |
| Share of advised sales via intermediaries (brokers) for first-time buyers (2013 to 2020) |
Increased from 57% to 81% |
From a working paper by the Bank of England, broker intermediation grew significantly. |
Solving the Broker Dilemma
When a case is too complex or sits beyond a broker’s permissions, the priority is to find a solution that protects both the client and the adviser. A mortgage referral service offers a safe and practical way to support clients without incurring additional risk.
Connect’s referral service is specifically designed to address this issue. It allows mortgage brokers to refer clients with confidence while ensuring they remain fully compliant. The client receives expert advice from a specialist team while the originating broker stays involved in the relationship and earns referral income.
How Connect’s Referral Service Supports Brokers
Connect offers a structured and reliable referral service that handles complex or specialist mortgage cases on behalf of brokers. The service does more than simply pass a client to another adviser. It provides a complete support system designed to protect the broker’s interests while delivering high-quality outcomes for clients.
This includes:
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Access to advisers experienced in specialist and complex lending
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Support across residential, buy-to-let, commercial, bridging, and development finance
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Full compliance oversight
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Clear referral processes and updates throughout
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A fair commission share on completed cases
This approach gives brokers the confidence that their clients are in safe hands at every stage.
Enhancing Client Service and Retention
Brokers aim to provide a comprehensive service to their clients. When an adviser has to decline a case, it can lead to frustration, lost trust, and potential churn. A referral service prevents this by filling the gaps in a broker’s offering.
Through Connect’s referral service, advisers can refer clients to specialists who handle complex requirements while maintaining a seamless experience. The client benefits from tailored solutions and the broker retains the relationship and goodwill.
This enhances long-term retention and fosters a more consistent client experience.
Reducing Compliance and Regulatory Risk
Complex mortgage cases often carry increased regulatory obligations. For many brokers, this creates a risk of unintentionally exceeding their permissions or providing unsuitable advice.
Using Connect’s referral service removes this concern. The specialist team at Connect handles the advice, documentation, and compliance requirements. This protects the broker from risk and ensures the client receives appropriate advice from an experienced source.
It is a collaborative model that preserves the broker’s reputation while ensuring full regulatory oversight.
Turning Challenges Into Growth Opportunities
Instead of turning away complex enquiries, brokers can convert them into new income streams. Connect’s referral service gives advisers access to specialist knowledge and a wide panel of lenders who support complex and unusual scenarios.
This allows brokers to:
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Capture more opportunities
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Increase revenue through referral commissions
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Expand their client service offering
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Strengthen their market position
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Support clients at every stage without overstretching their expertise
With the right mortgage referral service in place, even the most challenging cases can become a positive part of the broker’s business.
Mortgage brokers are always looking for ways to offer more to their clients, strengthen their proposition, and grow a sustainable business. Connect’s Referral Service plays a key role in this, especially for brokers who want to handle complex cases without taking on additional compliance or specialist expertise.
To help advisers understand how the referral service fits within the wider Connect offering, the following sections introduce related areas of the Connect Network. Each reference below is written so you can add internal links seamlessly.
Brokers often want to enhance the service they offer but do not always have access to the right tools, lenders, or support. Connect provides a comprehensive adviser proposition that includes systems, compliance support, training, and access to specialist mortgage markets. This helps advisers deliver a stronger and more competitive service to their clients.
Working With a Complete Referral and Packaging Solution
Many brokers opt to utilise referral services for complex or specialised cases, while others prefer to package certain cases themselves. Connect provides both options in one place. Brokers can refer cases fully to the specialist team or use Connect’s packaging support to submit deals directly with confidence.
This flexibility ensures brokers do not lose business simply because a case falls outside their comfort zone.
Choosing the right network is a significant decision. Connect is well known for its adviser-first culture, transparent fees, strong lender relationships, and specialist knowledge. For brokers seeking long-term stability and support, exploring the full benefits of the Connect Network can help them determine whether it is the right fit for their business.
Guidance for Brokers Considering a Network for the First Time
Many advisers using the referral service are also considering joining a mortgage broker network for the first time. They may want regulatory support, access to lenders, or a structured development pathway. For these advisers, learning more about what a network offers and how to join is an essential part of planning their careers.
Helping Brokers Grow Their Business
The referral service is not only a safety net for complex cases. It is also a powerful tool for business growth. Brokers who would typically decline specialist cases can now convert these opportunities into completed deals and additional income. This helps firms grow more consistently, improve service retention, and capture a larger share of the market they operate in.
Connect also provides wider business development support, helping advisers scale efficiently and sustainably.
Many brokers use external referral platforms to generate additional business or outsource specialist enquiries. Connect supports brokers who use L&G’s SmartrRefer system by offering a streamlined process for handling referred cases. This integration helps brokers place cases more easily and ensures clients receive the right advice from the start.
What to do next?
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Thank you for reading our publication “Broker Referral Service | Earn Commission & Keep Your Client.” Stay “Connect“-ed for more updates soon!
