The service, which will initally be manned by 10 specially trained advisers, will be available to support both the London & Country and 65 brokers.
During this test phase, up to 60 brokers will be able to use the web chat service to give Skipton a full picture of what intermediaries want from the service.
Skipton plans to listen to feedback throughout the trial to ensure it is developed to best suit all of their needs before it goes live.
Paul Darwin, Skipton’s head of intermediary relationships, said: “We appreciate how busy all of professional partners are, and that they don’t always have time to make phone calls.
“This is another way in which brokers can engage with Skipton in real time, without having to pick up the phone.”
He said running a pilot version of the service will help ensure the company receives a full picture of what intermediaries really want.
“This will help us shape and develop a service that best suits all of their needs,” Mr Darwin added.
The introduction of the new web chat pilot is one of the many recent changes that Skipton is making to its services.
The new chat service will be available between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, with the aim of extending it to be available on weekends.
The pilot comes after in October, L&G Mortgage Club announced it was partnering with Skipton.
Last week the firm confirmed it would be transferring to the European Standardised Information Sheet in advance of the EU Mortgage Credit Directive changes coming into force next March.
katherine.denham@ft.com
