The third of MPA’s four-part series looks back on the hottest headlines from the three months ending 30 September
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.
The third quarter delivered one of the biggest surprises of the year as the RBA opted to pause interest rate cuts, much to the shock of the market, which had all but pencilled in a 25-basis-point reduction. Broking industry reactions came in thick and fast.
The three months to 30 September also saw Labor’s highly anticipated Economic Reform Roundtable, which had big implications for the thousands of brokers who operate as small-business owners.
Market competition among the major and second-tier landers was also a major theme in the September quarter, while MPA’s Elite Women list celebrated the top 50 female leaders in the mortgage finance industry.
Top quarterly headlines
NAB boss Andrew Irvine has most to lose from broker-led assault on business lending
Broking industry's reaction to shock RBA hold as Bullock cops grilling
ING has become Australia's sixth-largest mortgage lender, but competition is fierce
Brokers raise AI concerns as Commonwealth Bank wields the axe
