Finance and Coffee

03/08/2026

Property News:

How can a business with a virtual monopoly in the country be in this situation?

Perhaps it’s another “buy in the dip” opportunity?

Some state governments made hundreds of millions of dollars building a property settlement portal. Now, the shareholders they sold it to have lost just as much.

20/07/2026

FBAA welcomes ING clawback change after submission on unfair lending practices


Only days after its submission to the Australian Treasury consultation paper on unfair trading practices protections for small businesses, the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) has commended ING for “taking an important step in the right direction.”

FBAA CEO Leo Gagic welcomed the lender’s changes to its clawback policy that eliminates clawback of broker commission after 12 months when the loan is discharged due to the sale of property.

Mr Gagic said ING’s new policy is a major move that should be followed by all lenders, but hopes that in the future the company will consider expanding it to include the first twelve months, as “brokers shouldn’t be penalised at all for reasons beyond their control.”

He also hailed ING’s broader relationship with mortgage brokers including its commitment that loans offered directly to customers are not at lower rates than those offered to the broking channel.

“Relationships like this are not only beneficial to both brokers and lenders, but to consumers through increased competition, better service and the knowledge that they will end up with the loan that best suits their circumstances,” he said.

Last week the FBAA announced it had contributed to the government’s consultation paper on unfair practices because the broking sector is made up predominantly of small businesses, and a broker’s livelihood and ability to function is inextricably linked to credit providers.

The submission listed clawback, net of offset, channel conflict, referrer arrangements and broker accreditation as areas that should be strengthened to better support brokers.

“We understand that these can be complex issues but I believe there is room for our industry to discuss these further with lenders,” Mr Gagic said.

“The relationship with lenders is important to me and the FBAA, and I want to always be considering ways we can do things better together.”

He said every step forward that makes it fairer for brokers is a good step, and “if other lenders do what ING has done, it’s a positive start.”

07/07/2026

We recently sat down with Jack Talbot, co-founder of Co.Credit, a trail book lender helping mortgage brokers fund trail book acquisitions and unlock capital from their existing trail books.

Jack sees acquisition activity from both the lending side and the broker side, so we thought it would be valuable to unpack what's actually happening in the market today for you.

We covered topics including:
*What makes a trail book valuable
*Why some books sell for significantly higher multiples than others
*The smartest ways to fund growth
*Common mistakes buyers make during acquisitions
*How to use debt to build a bigger brokerage
*Why some brokers are scaling much faster than others

For those interested in buying a book, or looking for ways to grow their business, there's a huge amount of info in this conversation.

Click the link to find the episode as well as resources you can access to better understand how you can apply this information into your own business. Hope you enjoy it.

Watch the full Finance & Coffee podcast with Co.Credit Co-founder Jack Talbot, then explore the free resources below to value your trail book, understand acquisitions and learn how leading brokers are using debt to grow their businesses.

14/06/2026

Specialist Finance Group (SFG) has partnered with Mr Mentor, appointing the mentoring and training provider to its panel as part of its ongoing investment in broker development.

Mr Mentor brings Australia’s largest and most diverse panel of broking mentors, alongside a structured training and development framework designed to support brokers at scale.

Melissa Robinson, Director of Mr Mentor, said, “The partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence. SFG understands that mentoring needs to be practical, structured, and measurable.” “That’s exactly what we deliver - support that provides brokers with the skills and confidence to grow sustainable businesses.”

The mentoring experience is underpinned by Mr Mentor’s industry leading LMS, delivering mentees a best-in-class experience, whilst providing mentors visibility over mentee progress, ensuring accountability and transparency across the program.

“SFG brokers can tap into mentoring that strengthens their capability while freeing up their time,” Robinson said. “They can stay focused on what they do best - servicing clients and writing business.”

SFG said the appointment aligns with its focus on leveraging technology and delivering meaningful support to its broker network.

Blake Buchanan, General manager of SFG said of the partnership, ‘Having a reputable mentoring service is critical to long-term success in our industry. For too long, the failure rate among new-to-industry brokers has been unacceptably high. At SFG, we are committed to setting the benchmark by partnering with the very best. Mr Mentor will further strengthen our already robust framework, providing brokers with the support, guidance and expertise they need to build sustainable and successful businesses.

The move positions SFG brokers to access scalable, tech-enabled mentoring designed to drive both efficiency and performance.

10/06/2026

Sat down with Travis Hall & Mark Pascoe to chat about what AMP Bank - Broker is up to ... over spicy chicken! Here is a short clip. Full Interview dropping in F&C shortly.

23/04/2026

Docuscan Launches FraudX as Brokers and Lenders Face Rise in ‘Invisible’ AI-Driven Fraud

Docuscan has announced the launch of FraudX, a new AI-powered fraud detection solution built on their already successful Enterprise Fraud platform designed to help brokers and lenders uncover increasingly sophisticated forms of financial fraud hidden within document metadata.

FraudX is an AI-powered solution targeting hidden document manipulation within metadata, strengthening fraud detection across the broker channel. Eyeballing the Invisible, it detects not only “on the page” fraud, but delves into the areas that brokers, lenders and their credit staff cannot easily identify.

Brett Spencer, CEO at Docuscan, boldly states that “FraudX is the first platform of its kind in the Australian mortgage landscape that can accurately detect documents that have been generated by other AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and many other common AI engines”.

The launch comes as the lending industry faces a growing challenge: fraud that is no longer visible to the human eye. With the rapid advancement of AI tools, fraudulent documents are becoming more convincing, leaving traditional verification methods struggling to keep pace.

FraudX has been developed to address this shift. While most verification tools assess what is visible within a document, FraudX analyses underlying metadata—such as file creation details, edit histories, and embedded digital patterns—to identify inconsistencies that may indicate manipulation.

“Fraud is evolving faster than ever, and much of it now exists beneath the surface of the document”. “With FraudX, we’re giving brokers and lenders the ability to detect risks that traditional processes simply can’t see.”

Designed specifically for real-world lending environments, FraudX integrates into existing broker and lender workflows, enabling organisations to strengthen fraud controls without slowing down application processing times.

As brokers continue to manage higher volumes and tighter turnaround expectations, the balance between speed and risk has become increasingly difficult to maintain. FraudX addresses this by automatically flagging high-risk applications for further review, while allowing legitimate submissions to progress efficiently.

“Brokers are under pressure to deliver both speed and certainty,” Spencer added. “What we’re seeing now is a new class of fraud that is engineered to pass visual checks. FraudX adds a critical layer of intelligence that helps the industry stay ahead of that shift.”

Key capabilities of FraudX include:

• Advanced metadata analysis to detect hidden inconsistencies
• AI-driven pattern recognition across document histories
• Real-time risk flagging and escalation pathways
• Seamless integration into broker and lender systems

The introduction of FraudX reflects our broader strategy to expand our customers' AI capabilities and support the evolving needs of the financial services industry, particularly as fraud tactics become more complex and technology driven.

With fraud increasingly designed to evade traditional controls, FraudX is expected to play a critical role in helping lenders and brokers maintain trust, compliance, and efficiency in the lending process.

FraudX can be accessed by anyone at: www.fraudx.com.au

17/04/2026

Combatting mortgage fraud requires action, accountability and perspective:

The Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) says the current discussions around fraudulent mortgage applications should be approached from a position of integrity and perspective, ensuring that finance and mortgage brokers are held to the highest standards while the industry is not made a scapegoat.

FBAA interim CEO Peter White AM committed to support any initiative that mitigates risks of fraud and ensures that any broker who is found to have engaged in fraudulent practices is prosecuted.

He said the FBAA will do whatever it takes to be a part of the wider solution.

“Our industry is not immune to bad actors, but equally we must not accept any attempt to tarnish the overall reputation of brokers who are overwhelmingly of excellent character and go above and beyond to serve our clients and support lenders with integrity.”

Mr White said it appears that a key factor in suspected fraudulent activity was the involvement of organised criminal enterprises, which requires the focus of law enforcement and regulators.

“More information and data is needed to get the facts, and when this becomes available, we will consider anything we can do as an industry body to play our part.”

However, he said lenders must also be held accountable, and it was time for banks to finally re-evaluate some of their own practices including referral programs.

“The FBAA has been calling out some banks for ignoring recommendations from the Sedgwick report and the Hayne royal commission for many years, sadly to no avail.

“It is accepted that referral and introducer programs can be misused, and now they should be eliminated.”

Mr White also pointed to other bank practices and questioned how bank branches can approve applications previously rejected by brokers, “which we know happens.”

He supported calls for an industry-wide approach but said it must include all sectors.

“The finance broking sector has proven that we are prepared to work in the interests of the industry as a whole, even when it may adversely affect us.

“If others are also willing to make the tough decisions – and time will tell - we can combat the problem together.”

05/01/2026

MFAA launches Excellence Awards 2026

The Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) has launched its Excellence Awards 2026, inviting members across the country to nominate peers and businesses that exemplify the highest standards in the broking industry.

Now in their 23rd year, the Excellence Awards are one of the longest-standing, most highly respected and prestigious recognition programs in the sector.

The Awards showcase the achievements of MFAA members who deliver outstanding client outcomes, demonstrate integrity, knowledge and professionalism, and make a positive contribution to the industry and their communities.

MFAA CEO Anja Pannek said the Awards are an important way of highlighting excellence in a sector that plays a crucial role in supporting Australian borrowers.

“Our members help thousands of Australians secure homes, grow businesses and make informed financial decisions,” Ms Pannek said.

“The Excellence Awards recognise the professionalism and commitment that underpin this work. Behind every finalist is a story of dedication and service.

“We encourage members to nominate individuals and businesses who reflect the values that define our industry. This is a fantastic opportunity to honour those who go above and beyond for their clients.”

The 2026 program features 26 categories across individual, business, support personnel and lender awards. Anyone may nominate, although nominees must complete and submit their own formal entry. The awards are free to enter for MFAA members.

All entries are judged independently against clear criteria that assess excellence and professionalism beyond settlement volumes alone. Results are independently audited by Hall Chadwick to ensure fairness and transparency. Member voting determines the lender awards, which are also independently verified.

Nominations are now open, via this link: https://mfaa.eventsair.com/2026-nominations-for-excellence-awards/open-nomination/Site/Register

More information and entry kits are available here: https://2026-mfaa-excellence-
awards.eventsair.site

Key dates for the Excellence Awards 2026:
5 January 2026: Awards submissions open
17 February 2026: Awards submissions close
17 February 2026: Lender categories voting opens
10 March 2026: Lender categories voting closes

Show a deserving broker, business, BDM or loan administrator your support by nominating them for an MFAA Excellence Award!Your nominee will receive an email on your behalf that encourages them to enter the MFAA Excellence Awards.Note: Nomination for an award does not constitute an awards entry. It i...

21/12/2025

In case you were not aware: “Bob the Broker” … the ai bot inside the F&C community has been posting a weekly summary of 5 most engaging posts inside the group.

What’s your take on the subjects? Join the conversation inside the group!

26/11/2025

Lender Signals Digital Shift with Broker-Centric Platform and Niche Lending

AMP Bank - Broker has signalled a strategic reinvigoration of its banking division, primarily focused on transforming its engagement with the mortgage broking industry, which now accounts for a significant majority of home loan settlements.

The shift, detailed in a recent interview with Travis Hall and Melissa Christy from the institution, centers on a significant investment in a new digital platform and a sharp focus on specialised lending niches to drive future growth.

Mr. Hall, highlighting the bank's renewed commitment, noted that with over 90% of its volume flowing through the Third Party channel, the bank's strategy is to "support the mortgage breaking industry" by addressing historical inconsistencies in pricing and service.

Technology Driven by Broker Input:
At the core of the transformation is a new digital submission platform, championed by Ms. Christy. The platform aims to resolve common pain points for brokers by verifying key credit data including income and expenses upfront and running decisioning rules early in the process.

The Bank reports massive initial broker uptake, resulting in one of its highest application months on record following the platform’s launch. While Ms. Christy admitted to "teething issues" due to unexpected volume, she stressed the platform's flexible architecture is designed for rapid adjustment. Crucially, the platform’s design process involved fortnightly collaboration with a forum of brokers to ensure it created genuine efficiencies and reduced rework.

From a policy standpoint, the bank is carving out distinct niches for specific customer segments: Self-Employed Clients. for example a policy that allows lending based on just 12 months of tax returns for personal and company financials, a move aimed at streamlining assessment for business owners.

Flexible Facilities: The introduction of a Master Limit product targets the self employed, those planning to retire and retirees, offering a flexible line of credit style solutions to help manage cash flow and provide ongoing funding flexibility.

Extended Interest Only Terms: A 10 year interest only product has been introduced, notably without the requirement for a further assessment at the five year mark, providing stability and cash flow relief for a full decade.

Mr. Hall summarized the strategy as a clear objective to support the substantial number of Australians reaching retirement age who still carry a mortgage, aiming to "free up their cash flow" during their peak financial years.

The bank is positioning itself as a more nimble player, capable of rapid changes and updates to its platform to move quickly with market demands, contrasting itself with larger, often slower-moving competitors.

Watch the full interview in the community group -https://www.facebook.com/groups/financeandcoffee