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After the central bank hiked rates to an 18-year high this week, everyone is asking: Where do we go from here? Join host Annie Kane and senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian as they review the biggest news of the week across mortgages and finance broking. They break down the rationale behind the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) move to increase the cash rate to 4.85 per cent, the industry's reaction to it, and why the central bank is less optimistic for the economy in the years ahead. They also examine the fastest national home price decline in 40 years, the marked shift in proprietary lending at the major banks, and how agentic AI is transforming broker productivity at Lendi Group. This week, they discuss: Why the RBA pushed the cash rate to 4.85 per cent. What the RBA, the market, and economists expect will happen next. Why Westpac and NAB are pushing further into proprietary lending. And much more! News stories mentioned: November Rate decision https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/49163-rba-tipped-to-hike-cash-rate-to-18-year-high Brokers/needed more than ever https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/49170-brokers-pivotal-as-industry-responds-to-cup-day-rate-hike Updated economic data from RBA https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/49171-inflation-won-t-return-to-target-until-mid-2028-says-rba Updated rate trajectory from lenders https://www.brokerdaily.au/lender/22204-where-will-rates-go-from-here NAB results https://www.theadviser.com.au/lender/49178-nab-pushes-harder-on-proprietary-mortgages-as-broker-share-slides Westpac results https://www.theadviser.com.au/lender/49164-westpac-lifts-proprietary-share-as-direct-push-accelerates Bank books softening https://www.theadviser.com.au/lender/49161-mortgage-growth-flatlines-across-top-10-banks House price growth rapidly falling https://www.brokerdaily.au/property/22191-property-prices-plunge-at-fastest-rate-in-40-years Lendi's use of AI tech https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/49165-lendi-lodgements-grow-amid-downturn-as-ai-rollout-accelerates Women in Finance https://www.womeninfinancesummit.com.au/

From new business owners to established operators, sole traders can face barriers accessing finance for essential business vehicles and equipment. In this episode of In Focus, Latitude Financial Services head of broker – NSW/ACT & WA Amy Stachow and broker capability manager Nina Griffith discuss the lender's new commercial motor loan, the opportunities it presents for sole traders and how brokers can identify potential business within their existing client base. Tune in to hear: Which vehicles and specialist equipment the loan can finance. How brokers can identify commercial opportunities within their existing client base. How low-doc options and flexible eligibility criteria support borrowers without traditional asset backing or extensive financial records. And much more!

Are mortgage brokers sitting on a goldmine of data they don't even realise they have? With artificial intelligence rapidly moving from a tech buzzword into everyday broking operations, knowing where to start without losing the vital personal touch can make or break a modern brokerage. The Adviser's commercial content writer Ben Squires speaks with Russell Easter, director at Digital Brief and featured speaker at the upcoming Finance360 roadshow, to break down how brokers can streamline routine administration, unlock repeat business from existing databases, and stay front of mind with clients. From setting proactive post-settlement touchpoints to understanding why large language models follow the same fundamental rules as classic search engines, this discussion cuts through the hype to focus on practical, actionable digital strategy for growing firms. Tune in to find out: How brokers can use simple client data like dates of birth to uncover new lending opportunities Why maintaining human trust and diligent proofing matters when deploying generative content How to get ranked in AI search platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini using search engine optimisation principles And much more!

With all four major banks locking in predictions for a Melbourne Cup Day cash rate hike and mortgage repayments eating up more than half of the typical household budget, borrowers and brokers are bracing for maximum financial pressure. Fresh from The Adviser's closed-door UK Study Tour, host Annie Kane returns to the mic alongside senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian to break down the latest macro shifts, association strategies, and executive moves shaping the broking channel. This week, they discuss: Key takeaways from the UK mortgage market and the Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) national conference. Why hotter-than-expected September quarter CPI figures have pushed all four major banks to forecast another rate hike next week. Why economist Warren Hogan warns the terminal cash rate could reach 5.35 per cent. And much more!

As affordability and serviceability pressures challenge prospective home buyers and investors, lenders are tweaking their offerings to help borrowers enter the market. In this episode of In Focus, sponsored by Granite Home Loans, co-founder and director Bridget Sakr and national sales manager Kit Wong unpack how the lender's new 40-Year Extended Home Loan aims to improve access to credit for owner-occupiers and investors, with flexible loan terms and features designed to meet different borrowing needs. Tune in to hear: How the 40-year loan aims to help owner-occupiers overcome affordability and serviceability hurdles. What the extended term offers property investors, including interest-only repayments of up to 10 years. What brokers need to consider when assessing eligibility, serviceability, and exit strategies. And much more!

What pushes a retail banker of 10 years to leave the branch and launch an independent brokerage from scratch? For Nick Lissikatos, it came down to being sick and tired of telling clients "no". After a decade at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and St George Bank, the new broker and director of Sydney-based Trelos Finance made the jump to broking, going from casting a wide net across multimillion-dollar development sites to mastering a focused core of first home buyers and mum-and-dad investors. Here, he chats to host Charlie Tchetchenian, senior journalist at The Adviser, to break down how he's built his brokerage over the past three years, his digital-first approach to client communication, and why he believes new operators should invest in outsourcing admin and credit analysis long before they reach breaking point. Tune in to find out: How he built up a steady pipeline through educational social content and direct outreach. Why he chose a boutique aggregator over a major brand. His perspective on first-party lender competition and blanket clawback policies. And much more!

Refinancing is accounting for a growing share of broker lending at one aggregation group, while the latest figures point to shifting conditions across the mortgage market. In this episode of What's Making Headlines, The Adviser's senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian and commercial content writer Ben Squires unpack the latest lending figures and what they mean for brokers, aggregators, and the wider industry. They also discuss: Criticism of lender cashback tactics from the FBAA. The Coalition's proposed reset of ASIC and APRA's regulatory approach. What the MFAA's Global Insights Report reveals about Australia's broking model. And much more!

What does it take to transition from a major bank background into building a high-performing solo brokerage writing over $120 million a year? In this episode of Elite Broker, host Charlie Tchetchenian catches up with Tony Xia, director of Sydney-based brokerage The Mortgage Agency, to discuss his 11-year journey in the broking industry, how he built a streamlined residential lending business, and why he works a strict four-day week without sacrificing massive growth. Tune in to find out: How he grew his settlement volume by 37 per cent while only increasing his personal workload by 5–10 per cent. Why 95 per cent of his business comes from residential lending and non-professional referrals. How leveraging sales tracker CRM workflows and dedicated support staff protects his client experience. And much more!

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC's) long-awaited review into the best interests duty (BID) landed this week, prompting plenty of discussion across the mortgage broking industry. In this episode of What's Making Headlines, The Adviser's senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian and commercial content writer Ben Squires unpack the review and the immediate response from brokers, aggregators, and industry bodies. This week, they also discuss: Mortgage and borrower demand, alongside the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) latest minutes. Industry pushback against a proposed 1,000 per cent increase in brokers' Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) levy. A new appointment for an industry stalwart. And much more!

From starting out on the retail shop floor to spending years as CEO of iconic Australian brands Sportsgirl and Sussan, Colleen Callander has built a career in leadership while helping others build their own through her mentorship platform, Mentor Me Women. Ahead of her keynote at the Women in Finance Summit 2026, the transformational leader joins host Annie Kane to discuss her approach to leadership, career progression, and building authentic confidence. Tune in to find out: How she rose from folding denim as a 16-year-old to becoming CEO of major national brands. Why leading with empathy and kindness serves as a true leadership superpower rather than a weakness. Her practical approach to overcoming imposter syndrome and cultivating genuine confidence. And much more!

Retention tactics came under renewed scrutiny this week, with Macquarie Equity Research's latest broker survey revealing concerns that some lenders are holding back their strongest retention offers until a discharge is lodged. In this week's episode of What's Making Headlines, The Adviser's senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian and commercial content writer Ben Squires examine the findings and explore how borrower retention has become a major source of friction between lenders and the broker channel. The team also unpacks the latest APRA ADI statistics and other industry developments, including a new lender joining the federal government's Help to Buy scheme. This week, they discuss: New research showing prospective buyers increasingly want support from brokers. A non-bank lender's projections for commercial broker market share. What the RBA's latest Financial Stability Review reveals about the market. And much more!

Private credit can provide flexibility for borrowers, but getting the right outcome requires careful structuring, clear communication, and a strong focus on the exit strategy. In this episode of In Focus, sponsored by Greenlink Capital, CEO Kiro Georgy and chief investment officer Rory Gazarian explore the evolving private credit market, including what brokers need to know to approach this lending segment with confidence and what investors should consider when assessing private credit as an asset class. They also unpack Greenlink's approach and explain why the quality of due diligence behind each deal is critical to ensuring returns are appropriately matched to risk. Tune in to hear: Where private credit can provide an alternative to traditional bank lending and how it is emerging as an asset class for investors. How the lender assesses risk, structures multiple exit strategies, and undertakes due diligence on each deal. Why transparency, reliability, and accountability are central to Greenlink's proposition. And much more!

What makes a successful property investor turn into a high-volume broker? For Jack Williams, founder of Insightful Capital, maxing out his own borrowing capacity was the ultimate catalyst to master the financial system and become a broker. Having transitioned from a background in plumbing, electrical trades, and corporate project management three years ago, Williams has built a fully remote, investor-focused brokerage writing hundreds of loans a year. In this edition of New Broker, host Annie Kane discovers how he built his business from day one, why he bucked industry trends by charging a fee for service, and how he's now transitioning off the tools to coach a high-performing team of brokers. Tune in to find out: How he has standardised systems, processes, and remote operations early on. Why he charges a fee for service. The hiring strategy that saw him recruit top-producing brokers. And much more!

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) hiked the cash rate again this week, taking it to a 15-year high. But that was just one of the big stories shaping the mortgage and finance broking space. In this week's episode of What's Making Headlines, The Adviser's senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian and content writer Ben Squires unpack some of the biggest stories from the week. They discuss the RBA's latest 25-basis-point rate hike and what governor Michele Bullock's latest comments could mean for rates and broker conversations. Other topics include: ASIC's upcoming review of lender controls. Updates on brokers' share of the CSLR special levy. Solo brokers losing ground as business pressures build. And much more! News stories mentioned: RBA announces latest cash rate call https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/49001-rba-announces-latest-cash-rate-call-2 Bullock labels current rate 'restrictive' yet says more hikes possible https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/49004-bullock-labels-current-rate-restrictive-yet-says-more-hikes-possible Westpac joins ANZ in forecasting November hike https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/49010-westpac-joins-anz-in-forecasting-november-hike Associations urge early loan reviews after rate hike https://www.theadviser.com.au/growth/49002-associations-urge-early-loan-reviews-after-rate-hike ASIC to review introducer programs and lender oversight of brokers https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/49005-asic-to-review-introducer-programs-lender-oversight-of-brokers Draft CSLR special levy slammed as brokers face hefty share https://www.theadviser.com.au/growth/48984-draft-cslr-special-levy-revealed-as-brokers-face-hefty-share Solo brokers lose ground as business pressures build https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/48995-solo-broker-share-falls-as-business-pressures-build Over 80% of brokers report investor inquiry plunge https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/49000-over-80-of-brokers-report-investor-enquiry-plunge

Of all finance sectors, commercial finance is perhaps the most male dominated. But Melissa Ashcroft, managing director of AAA Mortgages and Altura Funding, has been making a name for herself as a leading name in complex construction finance. In this candid conversation ahead of the Women in Finance Summit 2026, host Annie Kane sits down with the award-winning commercial finance broker to unpack how she established her authority in male-dominated commercial finance, how she is scaling her two businesses, and how she balances innovation with authentic leadership. Tune in to find out: Her approach to winning major deals and building key referral partnerships. Practical strategies for navigating market pivots amid a changing economy. Her advice for female entrepreneurs aiming to step up, stand out, and build lasting success. And much more!