Hai Money professional development boosts broker skills

This article was produced in partnership with Hai Money.

Professional development days can often feel like a calendar obligation — a room of name tags, PowerPoint slides, and polite applause. But at Sydney’s Sergeants Mess last week, the brokers who filled the waterfront venue found themselves leaning in, rather than clock-watching.

The mortgage broking industry's appetite for diversification was on full display at Hai Money's inaugural Professional Development Day, with sessions that moved from the high-stakes world of commercial broking to the hands-on demands of digital marketing, and from compliance clarity to technology breakthroughs. With 80 attendees, comprising 70% NSW brokers, the day showcased how the broker community is reimagining their businesses beyond residential lending, gaining the strategies, tools, and networks to drive long-term growth.

The momentum behind the event borrowed partly from the rapid rise of Hai Money itself.

Highlights from Hai Money’s 12 months of growth

Hai Money has achieved an exceptional year of growth and performance, recording 250% year-on-year expansion and reaching $2.05 billion in settlements from $2.16 billion in lodgements, reflecting a strong 94.9% conversion rate.

The broker network expanded to 206, representing a 171% total increase nationwide. NSW retained its position as the largest market, while Victoria led the surge with an eightfold increase in broker numbers and South Australia tripled its footprint. New markets also emerged in Western Australia and the ACT, strengthening Hai Money’s national footprint and growing market recognition.

The loan portfolio reached $2.265 billion, supported by 12 direct lender accreditations and bolstered by new strategic partnerships with HSBC and RedZed.

Despite these milestones, Hai Money continues to identify opportunities for expansion. Currently, 7.5% of settlements come from commercial and asset finance, compared to the industry average of 20% — revealing a 12% growth potential in this segment. Strengthening this portfolio is a key focus for the next phase of Hai Money’s growth strategy, as the company continues to diversify and broaden its lending capabilities.

“We wanted brokers to leave understanding that Hai Money's rapid expansion creates a platform for their own growth,” said Bruce Li, head of growth and strategy at Hai Money.

Li said the three key takeaways from the event for brokers were: fresh market insights allowing brokers competitive advantages in their local markets; practical strategies they could implement immediately to diversify revenue streams; and a stronger professional network beyond traditional residential lending.

The attraction of commercial

"The commercial innovation session proved particularly valuable because it featured real-world insights from brokers who had successfully transitioned from banking to commercial broking," said Matthew Herewini, senior business development manager at Hai Money.

The session highlighted the stark economics that make commercial broking attractive to experienced brokers. While residential brokers might process dozens of applications monthly, commercial specialists often handle just a handful of deals annually but achieve substantially higher returns due to deal sizes averaging in the tens of millions.

Lily Hong from Anchor Capital and Jacky Cheung from Capital Link shared their journeys building substantial commercial practices, demonstrating pathways for brokers seeking higher-value transactions with longer relationship cycles.

Driving innovation: introducing HarbourX

Hai Money unveiled HarbourX, its next-generation platform designed to revolutionize broker efficiency through AI-powered automation.

"This technology upgrade enables brokers to handle higher application volumes while maintaining service quality," explained Drew Zhu, HarbourX tech lead.

An advanced AI engine sits at the core of the platform, transforming it into a true intelligent assistant for brokers. From automated data extraction and document generation to real-time insights and workflow optimization, the AI supports brokers across every aspect of their daily operations. Combined with deep integration of practical APIs throughout the mortgage ecosystem, the platform enables brokers to complete the entire business loop within a single, unified system — faster, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before.

"I’m very excited about HarbourX — I love the idea of AI," said Martin Walmsley, principal mortgage broker at NBS Home Loans. Many brokers are equally anticipating the platform’s launch, reflecting Hai Money’s ongoing commitment to empowering the broker network with smarter, seamless technology.

Compliance education addresses regulatory pressures

The compliance session addressed mounting regulatory pressures facing brokers as ASIC scrutiny intensifies and consumer protection measures evolve. Christina Zhang, compliance manager at Hai Money, emphasised proactive compliance education as essential for maintaining professional standards.

"In this environment, proactive compliance education has become essential for protecting both broker businesses and client interests," Zhang said.

Lender partnerships expand access

HSBC’s partnership presentation highlighted simplified documentation processes and enhanced visa criteria designed to improve broker efficiency. Michael Anastasovski and Domenic Andreone, partnership managers at HSBC, also emphasized the dedicated support and exclusive services available through HSBC Premier.

RedZed's Staci Karas focused on SMSF and commercial products, providing practical knowledge of alternative income verification methods and flexible documentation options. This knowledge opens access to a significant client segment that traditional banks often find challenging to serve.

Digital marketing strategies take priority

The marketing sessions addressed the reality that digital marketing has become the primary client acquisition channel for most brokers. Chenky Khor from ZipZipe delivered hands-on training for Google Business Profile optimisation, teaching brokers to enhance local search visibility through review management and targeted service listings.

Business diversification creates new revenue streams

Nathaniel Luu from Dynamoney outlined business lending opportunities that exclusively specialise in asset finance, working capital solutions, and equipment funding. These products create cross-selling opportunities with existing clients while attracting new business owner relationships.

Peter Edward from Mortgage Ezy demonstrated how non-bank lenders address speed-to-settlement challenges with lightning-fast approval processes. This knowledge proves valuable for brokers assisting clients facing tight settlement deadlines.

Networking architecture builds lasting connections

The event was intentionally designed with multiple networking touchpoints. From registration through mid-morning breaks, brokers had ample opportunities to exchange insights.

The Sergeants Mess waterfront location offered an intimate, professional setting that encouraged meaningful conversations rather than superficial networking. Its relaxed atmosphere helped break down formal barriers, fostering genuine relationship building among industry participants.

Twenty-five industry sponsors added further opportunities for brokers to connect directly with lender representatives and service providers. A closing networking lunch allowed attendees to consolidate relationships and discuss strategies with peers facing similar business challenges.

"Hai Money’s first Professional Development day was an incredible success. It was one of those events where brokers and banks came together not just to talk business, but to genuinely connect, share ideas, and learn from each other. The day felt more like a community catch-up than a conference—and that’s what made it so special," said Jenny Le, relationship manager at Commonwealth Bank.

Professional development calendar expands

The success of the inaugural event establishes the foundation for an ambitious broker development programme. Hai Money aims to hold PD days twice yearly in NSW and Victoria, alongside a National Conference and regular Coffee Cluster events across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia.

Additional initiatives include signature state events and networking platforms that foster genuine community connections. The company is building a culture of professional camaraderie within its broker network, exemplified by the return of Riders in Finance on 26 October - an event combining professional networking with shared interests and community building.

“These initiatives move beyond conventional boardroom meetings to create more engaging, relationship-focused gatherings,” said Li.