2025 in mortgages: Final quarter sends brokers out with a bang

Shock lending decisions, major regulatory actions, and an upending of RBA forecasts make for an unpredictable end to year

By William Farrington

31 Dec 2025

Evergreen issues and a little something new – 2025 proved to be a year when brokers and mortgage finance professionals were forced to reckon with brand new obstacles while navigating long-term challenges.

Ongoing matters like payroll tax, clawbacks, channel conflict, housing supply shortages and market competition were paired with a new wave of government intervention, heightened regulatory scrutiny, reinvigorated proprietary lending channels, an election, interest rate cuts and more.

It proved to be a year of surprises, as some of Australia’s biggest banks put the lid on company and trust lending; the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) pulled some dramatic decisions out of the hat; new homebuying initiatives came into force; and private credit saw a major regulatory crackdown.

But it was also a year of great success for the broking industry, with record high market share of home lending; increased prominence in the commercial finance market; and accolades aplenty for Australia’s best and brightest mortgage professionals.

MPA was there every step of the way, keeping readers up to date on the latest developments in the dynamic, diverse world of mortgage finance. In the four-part series, we look back on the biggest stories from each quarter that shaped the market.

Heading into the final quarter of the year, anyone hoping for a quiet end to 2025 would have been sorely disappointed, for the three months to 31 December proved to be one of the most unpredictable times of the year.

From ANZ’s massive proprietary lending push and a shock decision by some majors to restrict company and trust lending, to the regulatory onslaught in the private credit and high-risk lending segments, the quarter proved to be exceptionally busy for brokers.

The biggest banks in the country also joined MPA for a roundtable discussion touching on the biggest themes in the broking industry, while the 'Oscars of the Finance Industry', aka the Australian Mortgage Awards, proved why it's known as the hottest date on the mortgage calendar.

Here’s to doing it all again in 2026!