Brokers are reporting that multiple income streams, side businesses and non-standard employment are becoming the norm rather than the exception. This creates an opportunity for technology to organise accounts, bank statements and tax evidence, but it also increases the risk that an automated summary misses volatility, one-off income or lender-specific criteria.
AI can reduce administration by extracting and categorising evidence, generating case checklists and flagging inconsistencies for review. It should not, however, make undocumented affordability assumptions or present a lender decision as certain. Advisers remain responsible for interpreting evidence, understanding the client’s sustainable income and documenting the rationale for their recommendation.
- Use human review for income normalisation and affordability judgements.
- Record source documents, assumptions and any AI-generated outputs used in the case.
- Maintain lender-criteria checks, particularly for contractors, directors and portfolio landlords.