The Adviser Podcast Network

After a diverse career, including working on a blast crew in Western Australia, Sam McDonald made the move into commercial broking and hasn't looked back since. In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane finds out how the Atlas Broker has navigated from blasting to broking to put commercial finance broking on the map. Tune in to find out: His strategies for building strong relationships with accountants and equipment suppliers. Insights into the intricacies of structuring complex equipment finance deals. The current challenges and opportunities within the commercial finance industry. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige, and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The diverging broker flows at the major banks. The reasons why aggregators drop lenders. A groundswell in broker tech. And much more!

Non-bank lenders form an increasingly important part of the mortgage market, particularly when it comes to servicing clients with specialist finance needs, such as the self-employed. In this episode of In Focus, we sit down with Tony MacRae, chief commercial officer of Bluestone Home Loans, to unpack the current lending market and discuss how brokers can grow their business by supporting clients who have specialist finance needs. Tune in to find out: The growing importance of specialist lenders in Australia. Scenarios that require an open-minded approach. How Bluestone Home Loans assesses income differently. And much more!

After two decades in IT, Arnab Baral made the leap into broking to transform the client experience, but he's still harnessing his obsession with tech to escalate his brokerage. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane speaks with Arnab Baral – CEO and managing director of Cinch Loans and recipient of the Editor's  Choice Award Vic/TAS at the 2025 Better Business Awards – to find out how he's building Cinch Loans with technology, the principles that guide his team, and the lessons new brokers need to hear. Tune in to hear: Why he left tech to start a career in broking. The tools and tech he uses to scale his business (without losing human touch). Why “start slow, but start deep” is his top advice for new brokers. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The federal election 2025. House prices and inflation data.  The latest ADI statistics. And much more!

As Australia's small and medium-sized enterprises navigate myriad challenges, brokers are playing an important role in charting a course to finance solutions. In this episode of In Focus, we sit down with Guy Callaghan, chief executive officer of Banjo Loans, to unpack key insights from the SME lending specialist's latest SME Compass report, and what's keeping the engine room of the Australian economy turning. Tune in to find out: What's next on the horizon for Australia's SMEs. The opportunity for brokers to help support this segment. How to leverage networks and partnerships to win more deals. And much more!

After a decade in banking, Estelle Dejean and her husband Devon Mohi started their own brokerage last year and have been rapidly growing their Queensland-based brokerage. In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with Dejean to find out how she's been building an aspirational brokerage and lifestyle brand, FINANS Brokers, for her clientele and how she serviced 90 clients in her first 12 months of business. Tune in to find out: Why she's expanding into commercial and asset finance. The importance of building a brand that stands out Why she's targeting influencers for referrals. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: New data showing housing affordability levels are now near record lows. Election policies announced by the major parties. The latest mergers in the mutual bank space. And much more!

Finance broker Gus Gilkeson is well known for helping SMEs go from seed to scale with his brokerage Grow Capital. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane sits down with the Sydney-based broker to find out how he's cultivating capital for his business clients and ensuring they're well-rooted for growth. Tune in to find out: Why he moved from commercial banking to broking. How he's structured his five-person brokerage. Why he's written a book on how businesses can fund growth. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The fallout from the political pledges for first home buyers. The details of alleged fraudulent activity at RAMS. Yet another mutual merger voted through. And much more!

The relationship you have with your business development manager can be the key to ensuring loans are processed quickly and efficiently. But how do you build a good relationship? In this episode of In Focus, sponsored by NAB, we find out. In this episode of In Focus, sponsored by NAB, we sit down with Adam Brown (NAB's executive, broker distribution) and NAB's award-winning BDM Kelly Beer (recently crowned the Best Lender BDM [Bank] South Australia/the Northern Territory) to find out how brokers can get the most from their BDMs. Tune in to find out: What you should expect from a good BDM. How NAB is supporting brokers and their clients. Top tips for brokers on getting the best out of their BDMs. And much more!

Queensland-based Spencer Clarke made the move from sales into broking three years ago, joining the award-winning brokerage Cube Home Loans, and has been thriving ever since. In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with the regional broker to find out how he's successfully navigated his first three years of broking and his top tips for new brokers. Tune in to find out: The importance of finding the right brokerage and mentor. Why he chose a niche of acreage properties. How he navigated his first clawback. And much more! Related links: How this broker guarantees satisfaction

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige, and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The ongoing tariff turmoil and its impact to the cash rate. Why the Coalition wants to get rid of the CSLR. Industry wish lists for the next government. And much more!

As housing affordability issues persist, home buyers are increasingly asking about lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) and how it can let them achieve their home ownership goals sooner. But what is fact and what is fiction? In this episode of In Focus, we sit down with Greg McAweeney, Helia's chief commercial officer, to bust some of the most-common myths that brokers and home buyers hold around LMI. Tune in to find out: Tune in to find out: The growing issue of housing affordability and accessibility. The evolving role of LMI in enabling home ownership in today's economic climate. How LMI is enabling brokers to service a wider client base - including upgraders, refinancers, and investors. Helia's new LMI Lets Me In campaign that puts brokers in a starring role. And much more!

Discover how one broker successfully transitioned from Melbourne to Byron Bay and built a thriving business serving high-net-worth clients in a new community. In this episode of Elite Broker, recorded live at the Better Business Summit NSW/ACT, host Annie Kane catches up with the Byron Bay-based broker to learn more about how she's running a brokerage in the NSW coastal town. Tune in to find out: How she established herself in a new community. How she harnesses technology and BDM knowledge. How she manages her remote team. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige, and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: Highlights from the Better Business Summit and Awards roadshow. The changing trajectory for Australia's cash rate. The Coalition's moves on housing and lending policies. And much more!

With a focus on culture and support, South Australia-based broker Scott Bament has created an environment where brokers can thrive at Mortgage Choice Morphett Vale. In this episode of Elite Broker, recorded live at the Better Business Summit South Australia, host Annie Kane catches up with Bament to learn more about his journey and approach. Tune in to find out: How he approaches hiring and retention. Why he chose the franchise route. Tips for generating new business. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The timing of the federal election announcement and first reactions. Key broker takeaways from the federal budget and opposition reply. Aussie's pivot to become a ‘fully integrated property ecosystem'. And much more!

Brisbane-based broker Shelley McGinty has been building her brokerage, Preston Point Capital, with a specialist focus on SMSF lending but is now breaking into commercial. In this episode of Elite Broker, recorded live at the Better Business Summit Queensland, host Annie Kane catches up with the leading broker to find out her journey to where she is today. Tune in to find out: Why she loves SMSF loans. How she's evolving her brokerage. Why she wants to maintain a boutique-sized brokerage. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The latest from Bank Australia and Qudo Bank's merger plans. A senior leadership shake-up at a major lender. ASIC's new review and what it means for brokers. And much more!

In this special episode, host Annie Kane sits down with Anja Pannek, the CEO of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia, to unpack the big issues and opportunities facing the mortgage and finance broking industry in Australia. Tune in to find out: Why the payroll tax issue is threatening industry and borrowers. The value of brokers to the economy and borrowers. Why she believes minimum broker education standards need to be raised. And much more!

In this episode of Elite Broker, recorded live on stage at the Better Business Summit 2025 Western Australia, we catch up with the leading broker about how she's successfully building her growing brokerage. After a career in business banking, Bunbury-based Nicole Kennedy started her own brokerage, Verity Finance Group, eight years ago and has built a multi-site brokerage servicing clients across Western AustraliaWA and beyond. Tune in to find out: Why and how she specialises in construction loans. Her top tips for building strong referral relationships. The importance of always asking for business. And much more!  

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: A renewed call for brokers to be on the watch for inflated income declarations. The surge in pre-approvals. Major banks expanding LMI waivers. And much more!

In this episode of Elite Broker, recorded live on stage at the Better Business Summit 2025 Victoria/Tasmania, we chatted with the leading broker about how she's built a thriving business. Victoria-based broker Melissa Gielnik may have started her broking career 25 years ago, but she's been aware of the industry since its infancy, with her father also being a broker. Tune in to find out: Why and how she's both upsized and downsized her brokerage over the years. The importance of having a workflow manager. The biggest challenges and opportunities she's faced as a broker. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: New data from the MFAA on mortgage broker market share. ASIC updating its guidance on the treatment of student loans. The key factors behind the RBA's decision to cut rates. And much more!

As the broking industry continues to grow, Lendi Group continues to invest in systems, support, and innovative technologies that help brokers expand their businesses and provide an enhanced service proposition for their customers.  In this episode of In Focus, we sit down with Sam Hyman, Lendi Group's new general manager, national sales, to find out: How Lendi Group's distribution structure helps their brokers grow.  The advantages of a centralised support model for brokers.  Why innovation is so important in the competitive broking industry.  And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join commercial content writer Ben Squires and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: ASIC's warning that ‘failures are on the horizon' for the private credit market. New research on the personal and professional impact of clawbacks. Heightened levels of mortgage stress across Australia. And much more!

After joining Aussie and going through its graduate program, Jordan Hagicostas joined Aussie's number one store, Aussie Prospect, and accelerated his path to success. In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with the South Australian broker to find out how he's been tracking in his first seven months of broking and how he plans to keep growing his volumes. Tune in to find out: How he wrote $60 million in his first year of broking. How he aims to write $70 million in his second year. How burnout changed the way he approaches work. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige, and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The first rate cut for four years and why the easing cycle might be shorter than expected. Industry's response to the NSW payroll tax review. The government and Coalition's moves on lending. And much more!

In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane sits down with Legal Home Loans' broker and director of sales, Cullen Haynes, to find out: How and why the brokerage carved a niche writing loans for lawyers. How he's harnessed LinkedIn to build the brokerage's brand. Why they're opening a second brokerage. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige, and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The launch of the Value of Mortgage Broking report and why it has the industry talking. Brokers' reactions to the Treasurer's call for rule changes and APRA's presales announcement. Trends in lending: investment home loan drops, personal lending surges, and the commercial lending outlook from Judo Bank. And much more!

As a leading SME challenger bank, Judo Bank has been integral in supporting brokers and business customers with their banking and finance needs. We find out what challenges and opportunities they see in SME lending environment this year. In this episode of In Focus, we sit down with George Obeid, Chief Third-Party Officer at Judo Bank, to find out: The importance of character-first and judgement-based lending. Leverage Judo's cross-sector knowledge and expertise to assist brokers and customers in business finance. Differentiate yourself as a specialist SME broker and capitalise on opportunities to scale and grow. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join senior journalist Will Paige and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: How Macquarie is shaping up compared to the major lenders. The latest data regarding home values and consumer confidence. Big announcements from two industry bodies. And much more!

In this special episode of Mortgage and Finance Leader, host Annie Kane sits down with John Ruddick, libertarian member of the NSW Legislative Council and former broker, to explore the pressing issue of payroll tax and its implications for the broking industry in NSW. Tune in to find out: The motivations behind Ruddick's push for a parliamentary inquiry into the Payroll Tax Act 2007. Why he believes this tax burden threatens the very fabric of the industry. What he thinks brokers could be doing to raise awareness about this core issue. The timelines for the NSW Legislative Council's review findings. And much more!

Sydney-based brokerage Flint recently reshaped its ownership structure and leadership team following a merger with brokerage Confidence Finance. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane sits down with Flint directors Christian Stevens and Redom Syed to find out: Why they've merged their businesses Why and how Flint aims to support broker growth What's on the horizon for the brokerage And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: Increasing optimism for rate cuts to come in February How and why brokers are growing their businesses More mergers in the non-major banking space accelerate And much more!

When former AFG state manager Joseph Khal made the leap into broking last year, he set himself some formidable goals, including writing $40 million across 122 loans in his first year. In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with the broker director at The Lending Alliance to find out how he's been tracking in his first seven months of broking and how he plans to keep growing his volumes. Tune in to find out: How he's found the transition from aggregation to broking. How he lodged $2.8 million in his first month of broking. The tools and technology he uses to make his life easier. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige, and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: The beginning of the end for Heritage-branded home loans. What's driving AFG's record loan lodgements. Why brokers are loving credit assessors at the moment. And much more!

With eight years of broking experience, Natalie Denyer has been spreading her wings as a mortgage broker at award-winning brokerage Birdie Wealth. Having spread her wings from banking to broking, Denyer now focuses on financial literacy education and ensuring her clients are empowered in their home loan decisions. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane sits down with the NSW-based mortgage broker to find out: Why she dedicates 90 minutes to each client appointments. Why she thinks 2025 will be a bumper year for brokers. What she loves most about broking. And much more! Related links: Creating a winning partnership How this best new office took flight

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane and commercial content writer, Ben Squires, as they dive into the many appointment changes and the new Facebook advertising rules brokers need to be across. This week, they cover: Who the new heads of broker are at the major banks. The changes for brokers advertising on Facebook. Why the Better Business Summit 2025 is a must-attend event for brokers. And much more!

Regional broker Steven Toome was named the SA/NT Broker of the Year at the Better Business Awards 2024, recognising his efforts delivering outstanding service to the seafood capital of Australia and beyond. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane sits down with Loan Market Link broker Toome to find out: Why he's decided to become a branded broker. Why he's hosting Australia's largest tuna fishing competition. His plans for scaling his business this year. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, commercial content writer Ben Squires, and senior journalist Will Paige as they dive into the key developments shaping 2025. This week, they cover: What brokers, non-majors, mutuals, and non-banks are focusing on this year. House prices drop for the first time in two years – how long will the downturn last? The first bank CEO appointment of the year. And much more!

Commercial broker Isabella Constantinou dominated the awards scene in 2024, winning multiple accolades including Commercial Broker of the Year at the inaugural Commercial Finance Awards 2024 and the Women in Finance Excellence Award. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane chats to the Simplicity Loans and Advisory broker to learn more about her journey and success in commercial broking. Tune in to find out: How she transitioned from receptionist to leading commercial broker. The types of development and construction finance deals she's working on. How she manages 60 deals at a time. And much more! Related links: How the Commercial Broker of the Year 2023 built his business How this broker runs two commercial businesses Brokers reveal their plans and predictions for 2025 Winners revealed for Commercial Finance Awards 2024

Having become a broker in April 2022, Queensland-based broker Cathie Gandy's enthusiasm and expertise in broking has made her a successful broker, very fast. In this episode of New Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with the Madd Loans broker to find out how she wrote $87 million in her first financial year of broking and how she's managed to triple that since then. Tune in to find out: How she writes 80 loans a quarter. What she attributes to her success as a broker. The power of role-playing client scenarios. And much more! Related Articles: George Samios on how he develops his 'x factor'

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they unpack the biggest news stories of the year 2024. This week, they cover: What's been driving record broker market share. The big payroll tax decisions. The Senate home ownership inquiry. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane and senior journalist Will Paige as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: Who's who on the two new RBA boards. Allegations being levelled at HSBC Australia. An early Christmas present from ASIC. And much more!

In this special episode, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic sits down with Luke Howarth, the shadow financial services minister and shadow assistant treasurer of Australia, to deep dive into the world of financial services, touching upon regulatory challenges, political accountability, and the future of financial advice in Australia. Tune in to find out: His thoughts on what should be done about the serviceability buffer. The problems with the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR). What the Coalition would like to see happen in advice and super. And much more!

As we head into the holiday season, we catch up with Bronwyn Penhaligon to uncover her practical tips for managing burnout, setting purposeful goals, and finding balance. In this episode of In Focus, we catch up with the strategic psychotherapist to find out: How to navigate the holidays without succumbing to exhaustion. Advice for planning and preparation. Simple exercises for when you need a reset. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they review the news of the week. This week, they discuss: Why the RBA decided to hold the cash rate for December–January. A flurry of aggregator announcements. The megatrends brokers should be on the lookout for. And much more!

Former banker-turned-broker Ben Finis may have won several awards for residential broking, but he's increasingly being celebrated as a commercial broker, too. In this episode of Elite Broker, host Annie Kane catches up with the FINANCIA director to find out how he does it all. Tune in to find out: How he's structured his team and process. The types of loans he's writing in South Australia. The big plans for the brokerage in 2025. And much more!

Welcome to The Adviser's What's Making Headlines podcast, your go-to source for the week's biggest stories in finance and real estate, distilled into bite-sized insights. Join host Annie Kane, senior journalist Will Paige and commercial content writer Ben Squires as they unpack the latest shake-ups in the lending and broking space. This week, they cover: The new CEO appointments at ANZ and Resimac. Record broker market share. Senator Andrew Bragg's breakfast meeting with brokers. And much more!