The real estate brokers accounted for 25% of the credit market

The mortgage brokers are gaining ground ... According to a study by consulting firm Bain & Company, intermediaries, whose business is trading in mortgages from banks, arrogate to themselves today, 20 to 25% of the credit market . A hand that could grow in coming years.

While these operators are not spared by the crisis. Hit hard by falling real estate market, Meilleurtaux.com, which recorded losses of 13 million euros last year, has been forced to reduce its workforce by 180 people in one year (320 today) . Its direct competitor loans, which returned to profitability this year, also had to part with 40 employees (200 today). And despite the recent resumption of trading, Cafpi number one industry, anticipates a decline in sales of -10% in 2009.

However, the business tends to gradually establish itself in the landscape of 'credit ads. Generally, dealers benefit from a distrust of individuals vis-à-vis banks. They also respond better to the new buyers: increasingly consumerist, seeking entry into sulking competition and thereby the "candy store" ...

The model is also often win. Through their sales force, these intermediaries, negotiate, on average, lower rates of 0.1 to 0.3 points for those that can get alone with his banker.

In expanding, the industry should focus in the years to come. Alongside the four leaders that are Cafpi, Meilleurtaux Empruntis and ACE, the market is fragmented: there are over a thousand local brokers. For a critical size and continue to achieve good rates, they will either regroup or to redeem. Similarly, to reduce their reliance on real estate market, operators plan to diversify their activities. Empruntis testing a new offering credit to businesses. Meilleurtaux think to expand its insurance business, the redevelopment of credit, asset management ... It remains to be determined correctly the proliferation of services ... or lose relevance.