Title: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE MORTGAGE BROKER’S ROLE AMID THE DIGITALIZATION OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Author: Jinye Zhang
Abstract:

The article presents an analysis of the transformation of the mortgage broker’s role in the context of the digitalization of financial services. The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach, combining insights from financial economics, digital business, banking innovations, and behavioral research. Particular attention is paid to the thematic analysis of scholarly publications covering competitive changes in the lending market, the institutional functions of brokers, and the adoption of FinTech platforms. Key mechanisms of influence are identified, including the reduction of interest rates in broker channels, the extension of amortization periods, the expansion of access for borrowers with less stable profiles, and the intensification of competition among lenders due to digital platforms. A comparative analysis shows that traditional brokers continue to affect loan parameters and risk structures, while digital intermediaries assume the functions of information aggregation and reduction of asymmetry in the interests of clients. The need is substantiated for a rethinking of business models and regulatory practices that account for the transition of brokers from the role of “navigators” to that of “digital mediators.” Promising avenues for future research are presented, including the assessment of platform competition’s impact on the sustainability of the mortgage market, borrower behavioral characteristics, and the effectiveness of supervisory measures in the digital ecosystem. The article will be useful to researchers in financial economics, specialists in digital transformation, regulators, and mortgage market practitioners interested in understanding institutional shifts and developing new intermediation strategies.

Keywords: mortgage brokers, digitalization, FinTech platforms, borrower behavior, market competition, financial intermediation.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38193/IJRCMS.2025.7629
PDF Download
Date of Publication: 10-12-2025
Download Publication Certificate: PDF
Published Vol & Issue: Volume 7 Issue 6 Nov-Dec 2025