The Adviser Podcast Network

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!

From ASIC issuing stern warnings to private credit providers to the ongoing challenges in housing feasibility, this week's news highlights the ongoing headwinds impacting the property and mortgage market.

Join host Annie Kane and senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian as they review the news of the week.

This week, they discuss:

• ASIC's crackdown on private credit funds over transparency concerns and upcoming enforcement action.
• New MFAA research showing nearly half of broker clients are struggling to refinance due to servicing constraints.
• RAMS' $29 million settlement for its class action with former franchisees

And much more!

News stories mentioned:

News stories mentioned:

• ASIC private lending probe and action
• UDIA on supply and valuation issues

https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48978-udia-warns-smsf-and-budget-changes-threatens-supply

• RAMS pays nearly $30m over franchise terminations

https://www.theadviser.com.au/lender/48980-rams-reaches-29-6m-deal-over-franchise-terminations

• MFAA broker survey 50% cant refinance

https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/48982-near-50-of-broker-clients-unable-to-refinance

• 40% of prospective FHBs want expert help

https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48979-40-of-prospective-fhbs-want-expert-help

• Bragg on super at Financial Services Council

https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48974-bragg-suggests-super-should-be-accessible-for-mortgages-2

• New Senate inquiry into offset failures

https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48964-senate-launches-inquiry-into-bank-offset-failures-asic-flaws

• Finalists for Women in Finance announced

https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/48972-women-in-finance-awards-2026-finalists-revealed

• Cash rate forecasts for next week

https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48969-anz-predicts-back-to-back-hikes-as-majors-tip-september-rise

Buying two properties by age 20 and going viral in a QR code box on the streets of Sydney isn't your typical entry into mortgage broking. But for Sinead Grant, a new broker with Flint Group, taking bold risks and speaking directly to the next generation of property investors is all in a day's work.

In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with the Sydney-based broker to discuss how she settled nearly a dozen loans in her first year of broking, how she leverages social media to educate 16-year-olds on property, and why she relies heavily on back-end support and tech to build her personal brand.

Tune in to find out:

• How she safely leveraged her inner circle and social media to generate her first leads.
• The key strategies she uses to maintain strong referral partner relationships.
• Her tips for new brokers on overcoming early income stress and staying the course.

And much more!

Mortgage demand is continuing to slide across key borrower segments, while crude oil prices and rising inflation are adding to uncertainty ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) September meeting next week. So, what could the shifting market mean for brokers?

In this episode of What's Making Headlines, The Adviser's senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian and commercial content writer Ben Squires break down the latest developments shaping the mortgage markets – and what brokers should be watching in the months ahead.

They also discuss:

• Fresh scrutiny of the private lending sectors.
• New technology being rolled out by leading aggregators.
• Submissions opening for the 2027 Better Business Awards.

And much more!

Commercial finance is rarely a one-size-fits-all proposition, with businesses at different stages and with different needs requiring tailored solutions.

In this episode of In Focus, sponsored by Shift, director – broker distribution, Andrew Wagg, and general manager, small business division, Natasha Brown, unpack how the lender tailors its approach across customer segments, from small businesses through to larger corporates.

Tune in to hear:

• How technology and a digitally led model support small-business customers.
• Why a relationship-led model is key for established and larger businesses.
• The opportunities this segmented approach creates for brokers.

And much more!

After more than a decade in lending and several years in aggregation, James Brett, principal broker at Truly Finance, made the move into broking and started up his own brokerage five years ago.

Key to James' success has been building a business that he can be proud of, expanding the Truly Finance team to eight people, all while being a wellness champion and mental health advocate.

Tune in to find out:

• How an 'early life crisis' changed his life trajectory.
• Why he uses AI video avatars for his marketing,
• How he integrates mental health advocacy, charity donations, and community sports into his business DNA.

And much more!

The latest arrests in the mortgage fraud probe have been confirmed, with police now having seized $95 million in assets.

Join host Annie Kane, commercial content writer Ben Squires, and senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian as they review the news of the week.

This week, they discuss:

• Major arrests in a multimillion-dollar loan fraud probe targeting accountants and criminal syndicates.
• Rate hike predictions from Westpac and Macquarie as RBA inflation fears escalate.
• Suncorp and ANZ's next integration steps.

And much more!

Accountants arrested and charged as alleged loan fraud probe widens https://www.theadviser.com.au/broker/48926-accountants-arrested-and-charged-as-alleged-loan-fraud-probe-widens Spring auction start falters as buyer urgency fades https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48907-spring-auction-start-falters-as-buyer-urgency-fades National dwelling values post first fall since 2022 https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48916-national-dwelling-values-post-first-fall-since-2022 Section 2Westpac flips as majors line up behind rate rise call https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48917-westpac-flips-as-majors-line-up-behind-rate-rise-call 'One big problem': RBA deputy governor warns rates may need to rise https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48920-one-big-problem-rba-deputy-governor-warns-rates-may-need-to-rise Broker says property downturn creating opportunities for borrowers https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48908-broker-says-property-downturn-creating-opportunities-for-borrows Section 3Suncorp informs brokers banking products will migrate to ANZ https://www.theadviser.com.au/lender/48906-suncorp-informs-brokers-banking-products-will-migrate-to-anz One Nation's early super access for mortgagors lashed https://www.theadviser.com.au/borrower/48914-one-nation-s-early-super-access-for-mortgagors-lashed AFG Brett mckeon to retire https://www.theadviser.com.au/aggregator/48924-afg-co-founder-to-step-down

What does it take to move from the lender side of the fence to building an elite, high-volume brokerage?

Chris Raymond, founder of Unconditional Finance, joins host Annie Kane to share how he leveraged his back-office BDM expertise to scale a high-performing Sydney brokerage, structure his team, and build a succession plan that allows him to step completely off the tools.

Tune in to find out:

• How he niched down into the investor space.
• The model he uses to develop junior staff.
• His strategy for navigating tax changes while retaining key referral partners.

And much more!

Mortgage brokers are writing a record proportion of home loans in Australia, as more borrowers turn to the channel for credit advice in a changing market. But how high can market share get?

Join host Annie Kane, commercial content writer Ben Squires, and senior journalist Charlie Tchetchenian as they review the news of the week.

This week, they discuss:

• How mortgage brokers secured 81.6 per cent of market share.
• Key takeaways from Mortgage Choice's national conference.
• Why the spring property market may be a little different than usual this year.

And much more!