In the latest episode of Finance Specialist, hosts Liam Garman and Trent Carter unpack what a shift back into an interest rate rising cycle could mean for brokers working across residential and SME lending.

Recorded ahead of an anticipated Reserve Bank move, the conversation explores how rate increases tend to filter through the economy over time, rather than immediately, and why the real impact for brokers is often felt months later. Carter explains how changes to borrowing capacity may affect residential demand at the margins, while SME clients face pressure on both household and business cash flow, forcing tougher decisions around spending, restructuring, and finance strategy.

The episode also looks at how brokers can adapt in a potentially tighter environment, shifting focus from new transactions to proactive client engagement, refinancing, and cash flow conversations. Garman and Carter discuss the importance of working closely with existing clients, stress-testing budgets, and helping business owners plan for higher funding costs and upcoming changes, such as payday super.

In this latest episode of Broker Daily Uncut, host Alex Whitlock is joined by Finni brokers Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos to unpack what's really happening on the ground as chatter of a rate rise grows.

The conversation covers expectations around the first RBA decision for 2026, sharp increases in fixed rates across the major banks, and why strong buyer and investor demand is persisting despite higher borrowing costs. The trio also explore ongoing housing supply shortages, rising prices across multiple capital cities, and what this means for first home buyers, investors, and renters.

The episode dives into key lending developments, including AMP's return to SMSF lending, growing reliance on non-bank lenders, and new APRA debt-to-income guidance – what it means in practice and why it may not be the immediate constraint many borrowers fear.

In this episode of Business Accelerator, Jason Back and Alex Whitlock take a critical look at how brokers are using social media, and where many are getting it wrong.

As production quality rises and platforms reward visibility, the conversation explores why likes, views, and followers can create a dangerous illusion of progress without delivering real commercial outcomes.

The conversation challenges common assumptions around social media "success", drawing a clear distinction between awareness and trust, popularity and relevance. Back outlines a practical framework to help brokers think more strategically about their presence, focusing on clear positioning, demonstrated expertise, and the disciplined use of content to support long-term decision making by clients.

This episode offers a considered perspective for brokers assessing the true return on social media, questioning whether visibility is supporting or distracting from business objectives, and seeking to build credibility without relying on controversy, polish, or performative success.

In this episode of Broker Daily Uncut, host Alex Whitlock is joined by co-founder and director of Momentum Media, Phil Tarrant, to unpack why securing a mortgage is becoming increasingly difficult and what that shift means for broker business models and borrower expectations.

As lending tightens and serviceability becomes more complex, the discussion reinforces why broker expertise is growing in value, not declining. Against that backdrop, the hosts scrutinise cashback and commission-refund mortgage models, questioning whether paying customers undermine broker credibility, attract the wrong client behaviour, and create fragile economics in a tougher credit environment.

The episode also explores what sustainable growth looks like for brokers as competition intensifies, including the importance of protecting the value of advice, investing in long-term client relationships, and avoiding business models that rely on volume at the expense of durability.

In this episode of the Finance Specialist podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Trent Carter unpack the key developments shaping the broking landscape as 2026 gets underway – from the launch of a new residential aggregator to tightening conditions in trust lending and the continued rise of non-bank finance.

Drawing on Carter's experience working closely with SME brokers and lenders, the duo explore whether new aggregator entrants can genuinely differentiate in a crowded, low-margin market and what brokers should consider before switching platforms. The episode also examines growing lender caution around trust structures, the regulatory and risk considerations at play, and how brokers can protect themselves when navigating these deals.

This week's Finance Specialist also takes a practical look at non-bank and private credit, including the importance of exit strategies, disciplined client conversations, and due diligence, before turning to interest rates and what realistic expectations brokers should be setting with clients.

In this week's episode of Business Accelerator, Alex Whitlock and Jason Back examine how the mortgage broking landscape is shifting in 2026 and why many brokers risk falling behind by relying too heavily on what has worked in the past.

The duo unpack how comfort and familiarity – from established processes and lender panels to predictable referral flows – can quietly introduce fragility into a broker's business as client expectations, lender behaviour, and technology continue to evolve.

Brokers face a challenge in balancing proven strengths with the need to adapt, with Back outlining practical ways to audit current business models, identify points of dependency, and reassess long-term relevance.

Tune in to hear why brokers who embrace curiosity, challenge assumptions, and introduce strategic discomfort into their businesses will be best positioned to remain relevant, resilient, and competitive in the years ahead.

In the first Finance Specialist episode of 2026, hosts Liam Garman and Trent Carter turn their attention to the habits and mindset that underpin long-term success in SME and commercial finance broking. As brokers reset for the year ahead, the focus is moving beyond transactions to how sustainable growth can be built in an increasingly complex lending environment.

Drawing on Carter's experience working with SME brokers and business owners, the episode explores why successful brokers prioritise a deep understanding of their clients' businesses, rather than relying solely on credit policy or product selection. The conversation also highlights the importance of inquisitiveness, clear expectation setting, and disciplined delivery.

With SME clients facing varied challenges across industries and stages of growth, the episode reinforces the value of playing the long game. Brokers who invest in relationships, choose a clear niche, and position themselves as trusted advisers, rather than transactional intermediaries, are better placed to generate repeat business, referrals, and sustainable growth.

In this latest episode of Broker Daily Uncut, host Alex Whitlock is joined by brokers Costa Arvanitopoulos and Rebecca Carlson to discuss how buyer and investor activity is tracking as the property market regains momentum early in the year.

The trio explore where inquiry is emerging across key markets, including Melbourne and Perth; the risks of investors chasing perceived hotspots; and how brokers are guiding clients through purchase decisions during shifting market conditions.

The episode also examines recent lender policy changes around trust lending, the outlook for fixed and variable rates, and how lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) is being used as an enabler for some borrowers navigating deposit constraints.