Broker Daily Podcast Network

In this episode of Finance Specialist, Julian Barnes and Accendo Finance's Trent Carter unpack what's happening inside Australian businesses, from resilient revenue targets and shifting confidence to a growing focus on productivity, technology, and AI over simply adding capacity. The pair explore what that changing approach means for SME finance, including how businesses are managing credit, cash flow, ATO debt, and their broader funding mix as they look to get their houses in order.

And for brokers, the bigger question is how to keep pace with those changing needs. Carter explains why the best opportunities can start with a simple conversation about what's happening inside a business – and why understanding the problem may be more important than waiting for a client to ask for a loan.

Leaving a major bank after a 17-year career is one thing. Starting again as a broker is another. In this episode of The Broker Show with Joe, Alcove's Matthew Mohl opens up about the culture shock of moving from corporate banking to broking, learning to work with multiple lenders, building BDM relationships, and finding his feet from scratch.

He also explains why the real value of a broker goes well beyond getting a loan done, from becoming part of a client's long-term financial journey to building a network of referral relationships that can keep generating opportunities.

Plus, Mohl shares the lessons he learned the hard way: why you shouldn't overestimate the network you think will follow you, why resilience matters, and why building a brokerage is a much longer game than it first appears.

So, what happens when you break out of the bank?

A softer market can leave brokers with fewer leads and more time on their hands, but what should they actually do with it? In this episode of Business Accelerator, Broker Daily's Julian Barnes sits down with broker coach and Broker Essentials founder Jason Back to explore how brokers can diagnose a slowdown, strengthen their pipeline, and prepare their businesses for what comes next.

From working with existing clients and referral partners to identifying gaps in follow-up, conversion, and client management, Back explains why a quieter market can be an opportunity to build rather than panic.

The pair also discuss how brokers can use the time to improve their processes, deepen client relationships, and create a pipeline that will carry them into the months ahead.

Specialist lending is no longer just about credit-impaired borrowers. As borrower circumstances become more complex, understanding the details can be the difference between a deal falling over and finding a way forward.

What makes a borrower specialist, and how can brokers spot the opportunity before a deal hits a wall?

Broker Daily's Julian Barnes sits down with Bluestone's head of sales strategy and performance, Aaron Taylor, to explore how changing income, self-employment, multiple income streams, and evolving borrower circumstances are reshaping specialist lending.

From asking the right questions early to understanding how lenders assess different income and credit scenarios, the conversation looks at how brokers can find solutions for customers who may not fit the mainstream mould.

What's covered:

• Why specialist borrowers are becoming more common.
• How the right details can change a credit assessment.
• How brokers can turn greater specialist knowledge into opportunity.

Listen to the latest Broker Daily Spotlight to find out how looking a little closer could help brokers find the yes.

Borrowers are switching lenders in droves, but getting a better rate is just part of the picture. Broker Daily's Julian Barnes is joined by The Adviser senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian to unpack what's really driving the switch, from service and product fit to unresolved complaints.

Plus, the pair discuss housing affordability, the growing commercial opportunity, and Suncorp's migration to ANZ.

Listen to the latest episode of Broker Daily Uncut to get across the big issues shaping the broker channel.

With broker market share reaching 81.6 per cent, the residential channel continues to hit new highs. But as the market softens, where does the next opportunity lie?

In this episode of Finance Specialist, Broker Daily's Julian Barnes sits down with Accendo Financial's Trent Carter to explore what comes next for brokers and whether commercial lending could provide the next avenue for growth.

From the opportunities already sitting within brokers' existing client books to the different paths into SME and business lending, Carter explains why brokers don't need to become experts in every corner of commercial finance to get started.

The discussion also covers how brokers can build the skills and lender relationships needed to tackle commercial deals, why getting your own business systems in order matters before diversifying, and where brokers can add value that banks simply can't.

A strong personal brand can help a broker build trust, but what happens when the business needs to grow beyond the person at the centre of it? In this episode of Business Accelerator, Broker Daily's Julian Barnes and Broker Essentials founder Jason Back unpack how brokers can build a brand that people remember, trust, and ultimately recognise beyond the individual broker.

From defining what you want to be known for and creating a consistent client experience to the challenge of making a brand scalable as a team grows, Back explores why a brokerage's brand is about far more than its logo, website, or social media presence.

The discussion also looks at the transition from broker as the brand to the team and, eventually, the business delivering that brand and why brokers need to think about whether their brand can survive delegation.

Working capital is becoming increasingly important for SMEs. This week's Spotlight explores how changing cash flow pressures are reshaping the funding needs of businesses and the opportunity for brokers to identify where flexible working capital solutions can help. As SMEs contend with higher costs, changing payment obligations, and tougher ATO debt collection, cash flow is becoming an increasingly important part of the growth equation. Broker Daily's Julian Barnes catches up with Octet director working capital solutions – NSW, Dan Verdon, to explore how businesses are adapting and where brokers can play a role.

While a cash flow constraint does not necessarily mean a business is unprofitable or in trouble, it can prevent otherwise healthy SMEs from taking on new work, purchasing stock, hiring staff, or pursuing growth opportunities. For brokers, understanding where those gaps exist can open up new funding conversations with existing clients.

Inside the working capital shift:

• Payday Super and tougher ATO debt collection are adding new pressure to SME cash flow, particularly for businesses with large payrolls or outstanding tax obligations.
• Businesses are increasingly seeking flexible funding that can grow with them, with receivables finance and trade finance helping bridge gaps between invoicing, getting paid, and paying suppliers.
• Brokers can uncover working capital opportunities by looking more closely at existing B2B clients and identifying businesses with cash tied up in receivables or immediate supplier payment requirements.

Listen to find out how brokers can identify the working capital opportunities within their client books and help SMEs keep growth moving.

With the latest inflation reading and new bank forecasts, the property market is facing a fresh dose of uncertainty, but not every borrower is hitting the brakes.

On this week's Broker Daily Uncut, Julian Barnes is joined by Finni's Costa Arvanitopoulos and Eva Loisance to unpack the latest rate-rise forecasts, softer auction activity, and what renewed speculation about another RBA hike could mean for borrower confidence.

The conversation looks at how investors, first home buyers, and owner-occupier upgraders are responding differently, with some borrowers still seeing opportunities despite the uncertainty.

The team also dives into younger Australians facing the prospect of retiring with a mortgage, the role of superannuation, and the great wealth transfer, before turning to reverse mortgages and the latest lender policy changes around SMSF refinancing and alt-doc loans.

Cash flow can be the difference between a business that is growing and one that is simply trying to stay afloat.

This week on Finance Specialist, Julian Barnes and Trent Carter unpack what cash flow actually looks like inside a business, where money can become tied up, and how brokers can identify when a client needs help.

From stock and debtor days to supplier terms, overdrafts, trade finance, and invoice funding, Carter breaks down the different ways brokers can help businesses unlock cash and keep things moving.

The conversation also covers the growing pressure on business cash flow from rising costs, interest rates, Payday Super, and ATO debt, before turning to how brokers can analyse a business, conduct better reviews, and package a cash flow deal for lenders.

Listen to the latest episode of Finance Specialist to find out how brokers can keep the cash flow wheel turning.