Brokers often struggle with productivity, leading to long hours and unsatisfactory returns. A central issue is the high number of “hours on file”, which can range from 7–9 hours for simple files to over 20 hours for complex ones.

This was the topic of discussion in this latest episode of Business Accelerator. Host Alex Whitlock and co-host Jason Back provided a framework to help brokers become more productive and efficient.

Also touched on was the standard commission model, which doesn’t always align with the effort required, especially for small or complex loans.

Following the recent Broker Innovation Summit, this special episode of Broker Daily Spotlight highlights the real-world impact of open banking.

The discussion features NextGen’s head of broker partnerships, Renee Blethyn, and an early adopter of the technology, Nicole Cannon, CEO of Pink Finance.

Here, the team unpacks NextGen’s Frollo for Brokers platform, a free service that allows brokers to securely collect client financial data via open banking.

The consensus is clear: open banking is no longer a future concept, but a present-day tool that enhances security, boosts efficiency, and strengthens the trusted relationship between brokers and their clients.

A recent surge in mortgage brokers diversifying into the commercial and SME lending space was a central theme at industry events like the SME Bootcamp and Broker Innovation Summit.

In this latest episode of Finance Specialist, host Jack Campbell and co-host Trent Carter note that 2025 has been a significant year for broker diversification. This trend is partly driven by a cooling residential property market, prompting brokers to seek new revenue streams by serving the needs of their self-employed clients.

However, a significant challenge remains: a widespread lack of confidence. Carter observes that while about a third of mortgage brokers now introduce commercial deals, many only complete one or two per year.

With record broker engagement, heavy tech investment, and a collaborative lender landscape, there has never been a better time for brokers to confidently step into the commercial lending space.