Professional mortgage intermediaries need a reliable lending partner with clear underwriting criteria when placing residential or buy-to-let cases for UK borrowers. Understanding how a lender assesses applicant income, property valuation, and document requirements helps brokers manage client expectations before submitting a formal mortgage application.
Metro Bank Intermediaries provides dedicated online portal access for FCA-regulated mortgage advisers to submit Decision in Principle (DIP) requests and full mortgage applications. Brokers can access residential, buy-to-let, and large loan products while communicating directly with underwriting teams throughout the lending process.
Key Intermediary Portal Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Submission Methods | Online Mortgage Portal for case submissions; telephone and email support via dedicated Business Development Managers (BDMs). |
| Processing Time | Decision in Principle (DIP) responses typically arrive within a few hours; full mortgage underwriting timelines vary depending on case complexity and valuation bookings. |
| Eligibility | Directly authorised FCA mortgage brokers or advisers operating under an approved UK mortgage network or club. |
| Key Requirements | Valid FCA registration number, approved mortgage club or network membership, and signed intermediary terms of business. |
How to Register and Submit a Mortgage Case
1. Verify your firm's FCA registration and confirm your mortgage network or club is on the Metro Bank approved intermediary panel.
2. Access the official Metro Bank Intermediaries website and select the portal registration link to set up your individual broker profile.
3. Submit a Decision in Principle (DIP) by entering your client's income, expenditure, and deposit details into the online mortgage portal.
4. Review the automated DIP certificate or underwriter feedback to check whether the proposed borrowing meets the bank's lending criteria.
5. Convert the approved DIP into a full mortgage application by completing the remaining property and conveyancer information online.
6. Upload the required customer supporting documents—such as proof of identity, payslips, and bank statements—directly through the portal's secure document uploader.
Troubleshooting Portal and Submission Issues
MFA / Login Issues
Cause: One-time security passcodes fail to arrive via email or text when attempting to access the online mortgage submission portal.
Simple Fix: Check your email spam or junk folders for the verification message, or verify that your internet connection is stable before requesting a new passcode.
Fallback Action: Call the Metro Bank Intermediaries broker support desk to confirm that your registered contact details are up to date on your profile.
Browser or App Errors
Cause: Stored cache files or incompatible web browser settings prevent the document uploader or DIP calculation screen from advancing.
Simple Fix: Clear your browser cookies and temporary cache, or open the mortgage portal using a clean private browsing window.
Fallback Action: Contact the intermediary technical helpdesk by phone for guided assistance if the portal fails to render correctly across different web browsers.
Locked Account / ID / Access Issues
Cause: Multiple failed login attempts or a lapse in annual FCA register verification triggered a temporary security block on your broker account.
Simple Fix: Wait 15 minutes before trying again, then use the forgotten password link on the portal sign-in screen to reset your login credentials.
Fallback Action: Email or call your dedicated Business Development Manager (BDM) to verify your FCA number and manually reinstate portal access.
Pro-Tip: Package all required customer documents—such as payslips, bank statements, and proof of deposit—into a single portal upload immediately after submitting the full application, as complete submissions typically reach underwriting assessment much faster than piecemeal uploads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was my client's Decision in Principle (DIP) referred to an underwriter?
When a borrower has complex income streams—such as self-employed dividends, contractor day rates, or multiple bonus additions—automated credit decision systems often refer the application for manual review. What this means is that a human underwriter needs to examine the stability of the income rather than relying on automated calculation rules. Automated approvals generally apply only to straightforward PAYE applications that fall within standard loan-to-value limits. Check the portal notes for specific referral messages, prepare your client's last two years of tax calculations, and contact your Business Development Manager if the underwriter requests further background information.
How do I amend a mortgage application after submission?
If your client changes their target property or adjusts their loan amount after you submit the initial application, the bank's system requires a formal record update to recalculate affordability and loan-to-value ratios. Lenders lock core application fields after submission to prevent unverified alterations during underwriting. Minor corrections can often be handled via underwriting messages, but significant borrowing increases usually require a new Decision in Principle. Log into the intermediary portal, upload a cover note detailing the requested amendments through the case document facility, and alert the assigned underwriter by phone.
What property types are restricted under Metro Bank lending criteria?
Mortgage lenders evaluate physical property security based on future resale demand and structural durability. What this means is that properties with specific construction methods, short leaseholds, or commercial adjacencies face stricter valuation scrutiny. The bank does not lend on certain non-standard constructions or properties where the remaining lease length falls below minimum lending requirements. Review the published A-Z lending criteria on the Metro Bank Intermediaries website before submitting a DIP, and contact your regional BDM if you need to discuss a non-standard property construction.
