The poll, carried out by United Trust Bank, showed that almost half - 44 per cent - of the respondents had so far found 2013 to be a positive year for business.
The majority of broker respondents were also upbeat about their prospects for the rest of the year with three-quarters - 75 per cent - expecting business levels to increase, and two-thirds - 66 per cent - suggesting that they were planning to expand their businesses in 2013.
Harley Kagan, managing director of United Trust Bank, said: “There is a growing positivity among brokers and a sense that credit availability may at last be starting to ease.”
Several advisory firms have found 2013 to be a busy year. Tony Larkins, chief executive of Cambridgeshire-based Beacon Wealth Management, said the firm had received a “considerable” increase in customer enquiries during January alone. The latest accounts filed with Companies House showed that the firm had £87,549 in current assets, almost four times the amount it had in 2011.
Key facts:
Nearly half (44%) of the respondents had so far found 2013 to be ‘busier than they had hoped for’.
With three quarters (75%) expecting business levels to increase.
Just over a third (36%) of those completing the survey believed that there would be an easing of credit availability this year.
